Senior Meeting WELCOME/PRAYER August 29, 2017

Purpose of the meeting Managing Senior Year Application Nuts & Bolts Classes Thesis College application process Sports Activities Application Nuts & Bolts What STUDENTS do What PARENTS do What WE do BAC Congrats and Welcome to you senior year! - Article: Truth about Senior Year: What to Expect 1. Grades STILL Matter – ALL 3 TRIMESTERS 2. Senioritis will hit … FIGHT it 3. College Applications are due sooner than you think 4. It will be exciting and emotional … MAKE TIME for FAMILY AND FRIENDS (support from your parents AND from us!) 5. You will be busy! You will have a lot on your plate. - Priory does quite a bit to support you 1. Thesis I as part of your regular schedule now 2. Advisor 3. Study Periods 4. College Counseling Seminar AND Your College Counselor 5. School counselor to help you deal with stress or other challenges - Your Parents will of course be there to support you .. SUPPORT YOU NOT DO FOR YOU! - YOU are the one who will be responsible for organizing and managing your responsibilities … PRACTICE for next year when you will be at college without all of these support systems.

Manage Your Time Effectively Use built-in study periods Use the College Counseling Class Utilize the Decision Grid (emailed on August 24th) BAC We cannot emphasize enough the importance of creating a SYSTEM to manage all of your responsibilities Decision Grid - Not just an organizational tool … though it is that - As colleges have become more and more selective, the difference maker in whom they choose to admit, wait list or deny is often the student whose application clearly reflects a deep understanding and match for the school, its programs and priorities. -You can only get to that level of understanding by doing SERIOUS and SIGNIFICANT research about the school. -IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO LIKE THE NAME or LOCATION OF A SCHOOL … Now you must move beyond your emotional response to one of depth and intellect – one that reflects that you have done your homework and understand the pluses AND minuses of each school you are applying to. Manage Your Time Effectively

Become a college-like student Model the behavior of the college student you will become next year Take ownership of this process—YOU fill out the forms, not someone else Model the student you will be – ALL YEAR LONG Remember that your SOCIAL MEDIA BEHAVIOR is public and may be viewed by colleges who are seeking to admit you! BAC A note about your grades! 1. When you apply this fall (AND that means through at least Dec 1), your official transcript that is INITIALLY sent to the colleges will be through the END OF YOUR JUNIOR YEAR. 2. At the end of FIRST TRIMESTER, for those schools that request them OR for those students who will be helped by them, we send an UNOFFICIAL set of your fall grades (usually an email to the admission representative so that the grades are there before application decisions are made on early applications. 3. In JANUARY, we send to ALL SCHOOLS WHO REQUIRE IT, a Mid-Year Report. This Mid-Year Report shows your transcript THROUGH THE END OF FIRST TRIMESTER SENIOR YEAR! 4. At the end of SECOND TRIMESTER, for those schools that request them OR for those students who will be helped by them, we send an UNOFFICIAL set of your winter grades (usually an email to the admission representative so that grades are there before application decisions are made on regular applications. 5. FINAL OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS are sent to the school you will be enrolling at after you graduate. Your SPRING grades are on this. All of this means YOUR GRADES MATTER ALL YEAR LONG! Model the type of student you will be in college. Habits you establish now will either serve you well next year OR will make it more difficult for you to successfully transition to college. … YOU DECIDE!

SEPTEMBER CHECKLIST Meet with your counselor Register for any testing you need Participate in the College Counseling Class Complete the Nomination Scholarship Form (9/18) Begin all applications (Common and Other) Outline application requirements (writing and other) Request your teacher recommendations by (9/18) BAC Why do we want to meet with you before the end of September? 1. FINALIZE the list of schools you will apply, and for each family, that list will have different priorities. 2. DISCUSS application strategies – which plan you will use to apply under, what programs you will pursue at the schools you are applying to, define what needs to be accomplished for each application and by when. 3. DEADLINES come fast – for instance Indiana has a special scholarship program whose deadline is October 15 or the large public schools in the Southeast have an Oct 15 priority application deadline. To review: The application plan options are – Rolling – you apply and the school will review each application as it becomes complete and make an admission decision.. Typically in 4 to 6 weeks after submitting the application. Early Action – you apply early (usually by Nov 1 or Nov 15) and you receive an answer early (usually between Dec 15 and Christmas). And, you have until May 1 to make a final commitment to this school. Some schools require you to apply EA in order to qualify for all of their scholarship programs. No real downside except in some cases a school will be more strict in whom they admit through EA. Stats NOT stories. Early Decision – same timeframe generally as Early Action but it is a BINDING commitment. If you apply as an ED student and are admitted, you are obligated to attend that school and MUST withdraw all other applications immediately. Usually means “brownie points” in the admission process. But, limits your ability to negotiate on financial aid… you must make sure you are comfortable with your financial obligation to the school before you choose to apply ED. Restricted Early Action – like Early Action but limits you to either only applying to other EA or ED schools or to only that school EA NOMINATION SCHOLARHIPS FORM – some schools and private foundations offer scholarships for which you must be nominated. IF a school you are applying to or if a foundation scholarship, requires a nomination, you must turn in this form NO LATER THAN Sept 9

OCTOBER CHECKLIST Colleges Honors programs Scholarships Complete ANY AND ALL Application Supplements to Colleges Honors programs Scholarships Complete any standardized testing Finalize Application(s) by October 15 for any November 1 deadlines MAKE SURE TO HAVE YOUR COLLEGE COUNSELOR REVIEW ALL APPLICATIONS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT THEM. FOR PARENTS: Complete ANY FINANCIAL AID Supplements, including the CSS Profile BAC The application for admission MAY NOT be the ONLY application you need to submit. This is where doing your homework FIRST becomes vitally important. What special opportunities exist at the school that you want to be considered for? How do you get considered? ORGANIZATION!!! BEGIN submitting your test scores NOW We need AT LEAST 2 weeks to thoroughly review your application, give you feedback AND provide you time to make edits if it is necessary!!! DON’T DELAY!! AND, it is better to submit BEFORE the deadline. The Deadlines are just that … THE LAST DAY YOU CAN SUBMIT! YOU CAN SUBMIT PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE!!!! PLEASE let us review your application IN TOTAL (i.e. when you have completed it) BEFORE YOU HIT SUBMIT FINANCIAL AID PROCESS CHANGING… NOW both school and federal/state process will begin on Oct 1 … come to our Financial Aid 101 Night on Oct 3

APPLICATION ORGANIZATION Create a system that works for your family It is never just the application deadline that you need to consider: Scholarship Deadlines Testing Deadlines Honors Programs Special Opportunities Financial Aid And more! BAC OKAY – can you tell we REALLY, REALLY want you to get organized! ONE SIDE NOTE: PRIORY students tend to do things VERY early … I mean VERY early. It is great to have at least one positive decision in by Christmas so you have something to say to all of your relatives. BUT IT IS OKAY IF YOU ARE NOT READY YET! - It is not unusual for things to change throughout your senior year. So, maybe you have a college or two you want to apply to now… then later you add others - We have helped students find a new school in APRIL of their senior year. - It is also OK if you want to take more time to figure out your next step by considering a GAP YEAR experience. These are all things we can/will discuss in our individual meetings with you and your parents based upon YOUR NEEDS AND INTERESTS

College Counseling Class WHAT IS IT? Creating and assisting the student with completing his applications Managing the application process – defining what needs to be done for each application, by when and by whom Answering common questions many students share WE ARE NOT… eliminating one-on-one meetings. Still come to see us! BAC The BIG message here is that WE STILL WANT TO MEET SEPARATELY with you! - At least 1 time with your parents BEFORE THE END OF SEPTEMBER - As many other times as you would like or might need until all of your college applications are submitted

Visits to Colleges Seniors are permitted 3 absences this year for college visits (Special Note: You have a 4 day weekend at the end of September—Friday, Sept 29 - Monday, Oct 2.) Permission Form Give to Mrs. Frentzel AT LEAST 2 DAYS in ADVANCE BAC Many of you may need or want to visit schools. IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING APPLY EARLY DECISION TO A SCHOOL AND HAVE NOT VISITED… THAT SHOULD BE A PRIORITY BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION! Fall is difficult to manage these visits but you do have a 4 day weekend at the end of September… TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT!!

Applications Nuts & Bolts NH—Now we shift gears to talk about the nuts and bolts. Much of this process comes down to dotting your “i’s” and crossing your “t’s.” We believe articulating early and clearly our expectations and the role that each of us—student, parent, and counselor—play in this process will help you as you move forward. Nuts & Bolts

Applications: What YOU do Complete all applications online Request Teacher Recommendations – NO LATER THAN SEPT 18 Complete Application Checklist for EACH school – DUE AT LEAST TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE DEADLINE Request test scores directly from testing agencies SUBMIT application online AFTER your College Counselor has reviewed it and given the go-ahead NH—So here is where YOU, the student, come into play. This is YOUR PROCESS and therefore you should take responsibility for it. What does that mean? YOU—NOT YOUR PARENTS AND NOT YOUR COUNSELOR—complete all your applications. With only one or two exceptions, applications are completed online. That means, you can access your application materials just about anywhere you have a device and internet connectivity. THERE ARE NO EXCUSES! YOU request your teacher recommendations. We URGE YOU TO IN WRITING (IE, EMAIL) request from your teachers “DO YOU HAVE TIME TO WRITE A POSITIVE, ACADEMIC LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FOR ME?” They may ask you to complete a TEACHER RECOMMENDATION WORKSHEET. (SEE GREEN SHEET IN YOUR FOLDER) One letter should come from a MATH/SCIENCE faculty and one should come from a HUMANITIES faculty COMPLETE THE APP CHECKLIST (SEE YELLOW SHEET IN FOLDER). This is our cue that you are ready for Mrs. Sams or I to review your COMPLETED APPLICATION online. We expect to see this at least two weeks in advance of the stated deadline. YOU—along with a parent and a credit card—request the test scores directly from the testing agencies. YOU CAN DO THIS RIGHT NOW!! You must know the college’s testing policy (ie, do they expect to see ONLY your best score(s) or do they expect to see ALL your scores??) YOU submit your application. We will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to submit your applications.

Teacher Recommendations Request from 1 MATH OR SCIENCE FACULTY and 1 HUMANITIES FACULTY “Do you have time to write a positive, academic letter of recommendation for me?” Follow up with a COMPLETED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION REQUEST SHEET BY Sept 18 Tell your College Counselor whom will be writing your letters Follow up with a hand-written thank you note! NH IDEALLY – you will have 1 humanities and 1 math/science teacher write on your behalf. Typically letters from your JUNIOR year teachers though if you had someone sophomore year and have them again now or have worked with them in other capacities, that can work too. We will help you decide who might be best. Some teachers limit the number they can write in order to have time to write as strong a letter as possible … ASK NOW! AFTER you request the recommendation, complete the Teacher Recommendation Request Sheet and give it to the TEACHER NO LATER THAN Sept 14

Testing Remember it is YOUR responsibility to submit official test scores directly from the testing agencies to the colleges. It can take a while for schools to get your scores. SEND SCORES NOW! Review each school’s requirements. They will vary. What does a school mean by “super scoring” We are happy to help you decide. NH—DON’T FORGET THIS IMPORTANT TAKS! Some schools only accept PAPER VERSIONS OF THE ACT/SAT REPORTS; as a result, it can take several weeks for test results to be officially logged. TAKE CARE OF SENDING SCORES NOW! Schools vary in what they expect you to submit. It is important to understand each school’s policy. If you are seeking a comprehensive listing by school—try the common app’s requirements grid has about the best information out there. I have reviewed a few lists that are available through a google search, and many contain errors so I am reluctant to recommend those. The Common App requirements grid (found on the common app web site) is the most accurate. Super scoring—what it means and which schools will accept a super score, particularly for the ACT.

Applications: What YOU, THE PARENT, do REVIEW Essays – help your son understand the messages he is sending ASSIST Getting Organized – deadlines Submitting Applications (the application fees) Sending Test Scores (the submission fees) SUPPORT Keep Things in Perspective NH—As a parent, your role is ancillary to the student’s role. You are the passenger in the front seat who may occasionally have to grab the steering wheel. And in this imperfect metaphor you may have to apply the gas (or the brakes!) every once in a while. You may offer insights on his application essay—particularly about the message your son may be sending. You may assist him in developing an organization plan for his application. You should expect to assist him in submitting his application because in most circumstances, you will be paying the application fee. You should expect to assist him in sending his SAT or ACT scores because in most circumstances, you will be paying the submission fee. MOST IMPORTANTLY, you can help strike the right tone within your household. Help your son keep things in perspective and understand that a denial letter from a college is NOT A REJECTION OF HIM PERSONALLY BUT EMBLEMATIC OF THE INCREASINGLY competitive and capricious nature of this process. Moms and dads, I am here to tell you tonight that most of your sons will receive a denial letter at some point this year. Yes, this denial can HURT. However, part of what we must do as a community, as a school, and certainly within our family groups is prepare our children for the inevitable failures of life. HOW YOU RESPOND can help your son manage this letdown. And I can assure you that every single one of your children will have a WONDERFUL SCHOOL to attend next fall. Too, we can help the students MANAGE THE RISK INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS. It is a careful balance.

Applications: What WE do Oversee your application completion process and product Submit supporting materials: The Transcript after we receive the completed College Application Checklist Closely review your transcript. (name, address, date of birth, etc) Letters of Recommendation Information About Priory Advocate for you NH—So we really do oversee the application completion. That is in great part what will occur during the College Counseling classes each of you are assigned to. We will also REVIEW each element of your application. We will submit all the supporting materials, including the transcript, the two letters of recommendation, and the PRIORY-SPECIFIC information, like the Profile and Course Descriptions. We will advocate for each of you through phone calling to each college where you apply. In addition, we maintain positive professional relationships with colleges across the US through our engagement in professional organizations at both the state and national levels.

Applications: What WE do cont. . . Submit the Secondary School Report, including The Priory Profile Description of Courses The School Letter (see additional slide) NH— The Priory Profile is a page document that contain both academic and non-academic information about the Priory community. Information included in this document: The nature of our curriculum, including the 6-year program and the Latin and foreign language requirements The difficulty and rigor of our coursework Our average testing data (keep in mind we are a NON-RANKING SCHOOL) The success rate on our AP exams The list of colleges our most recent graduates have attended This document is sent WITH EVERY SINGLE APPLICATION. In short, we do our best to inform colleges—and new college reps—about who we are and what our community represents. You should be comfortable that in most circumstances, the outstanding reputation of Priory alumni is well-known. The description of courses by grade level. This illuminates distinctions in our program. The School letter, a letter composed jointly by your college counselor and your advisor.

Applications: What WE do cont. . . The School Letter A Collaborative effort between College Counselor and Advisor that draws upon: Parent and student Naviance questionnaires (completed this spring) Naviance Assessments (StrengthsExplorer and Do What You Are) Resume Individual subject reports from teachers Notes from your spring college conference NH—Whereas the teacher letter is designed to shine a spotlight on your ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN THE CLASSROOM, the SCHOOL LETTER IS INTENDED TO FOCUS ON YOUR ABILIITIES AS A WHOLE AND HOW YOU INTERACT WITH YOUR PEERS AND THE LARGE GROUPING OF YOUR CLASS YEAR. We use a variety of resources to compose these letters, including the questionnaires you completed on Naviance this spring; the Strengths Explorer and other assessments you completed on Naviance; the teacher commentary from your junior year classes; your list of activities or resume; and our notes from your spring conference. Once we compose the letter, it is sent to your advisor for commentary and addition (and editing). We work hand-in-hand to present you in the most effective way possible. Applications: What WE do cont. . .

College Application Due Dates Date due to College Counseling Office For a Submission Deadline of: Friday, September 29 October 15 Monday, October 16 November 1 Monday, October 30 November 15 Wednesday, November 15 December 1 Thursday, December 7 January 1 AND ALL other due dates NH COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINES ARE APPROACHING! We ask that students COMPLETE APPLICATION CHECKLISTS—AGAIN TO INDICATE THAT THE APPLICATION ITSELF HAS BEEN COMPLETED—AT LEAST TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE OF THE STATED DEADLINE. Here are a few of the schools that have the earliest application deadline of October 15: Georgia Tech, U of Georgia, U of South Carolina, UNC-Chapel Hill, and NC State. MANY, MANY schools have deadlines of November 1 for their early application deadlines. We would like all other applications completed and ready for review by Friday, December 2.

HOW MANY APPS? Most Priory students will submit between 6-7 applications - 3 to 4 “Foundation” (Safety or Likely) Schools - 1 to 2 Possible Schools - 1 to 2 Reach Schools Priory will charge $30 PER application for anything more than 9 applications NH—Most students reach a point at which they are no longer truly interested in completing their applications. When you pile on the responsibilities of sports, thesis, homework and the multiple essay required by some schools, students tend to naturally develop a preference and prioritize schools. Certainly we help them with that as well. Most Priory students will submit between 6 and 7 applications, reflecting the balance noted above. This list is something that is carefully vetted among the student, the parents and the counselor. And to mitigate against students capriciously submitting multiple applications, we DO charge an additional $30 per application for submission of 10 or more applications. YIKES!

Other Programs this Fall College Rep Visits – Get Permission! Mock Admission Interviews Thursday, September 7, 7:30-9:00 AM COMPLETE THE GOOGLE FORM by Sept 5 TO REGISTER Review calendars for complete listing of college programs Financial Aid 101 Tuesday, Oct. 3, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY NH—Finally, understand what an incredible resource you have not just in the presence of two full-time professionalsat Priory but the resources of the wider St. Louis community. Pay attention to the multiple evening programs hosted in our area (noted on the calendar). YOU have MANY, MANY chances to learn more and we hope you take advantage of that. Don’t forget to sign up for our MOCK ADMISSION INTERVIEW WORKSHOP, which will occur on Thursday, September 15. And we hope to see all of you at the Financial Aid program on Tuesday, October 4.

Q & A BAC/NH