College Planning Meeting for Juniors Jeff Stahlman, College Counselor

The Guidance Office Students and Parents are always welcome! Mondays! Drop In Monday. College representative visits in the fall College Guidebooks to review I am available for individual meetings with students and parents: Build college lists Make a testing schedule Find colleges that suit your wants and needs Address any specific issues you’d like assistance with

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NAVIANCE Conduct college research Send your transcripts and recommendations electronically! Track the progress of your transcripts, etc. View college visits to Saint Charles and register for them on-line Receive a weekly email update from the Guidance Office – scholarships, Info. Sessions, etc. Links to useful websites If you haven’t logged in or you have forgotten your password, please stop by the Guidance Office Please check your site and be sure that your email is correct!

NAVIANCE

NAVIANCE

Junior Meeting Series Tonight – Your Profile and Selecting a College Grades, Testing, Factors which will help you find colleges that “fit” you, admission plans, and building the “College List” Wednesday, 3/14 – College Conference Night! We will be joined by speakers who will discuss a variety of topics including (and much more): Selective Admissions Effective College Visits ACT vs. SAT The College Application Athletic Recruiting Military Academies and ROTC

Timeline DECIDE! May 1st Grade 11 Grade 12 PSAT – completed in October, results mid-December Research Colleges – visits, internet, books Take ACT/SAT – winter/spring Build Your College LIST! Summer Application Camp - August Grade 12 Finish your College List - Fall Finish Testing - Fall Apply! – Fall Apply for Scholarships/Financial Aid – by February Receive your acceptance letters – by April 1 DECIDE! May 1st

I wish I had met with my college counselor earlier and more often. “What I Wish I Had Known” Mistake #1 (from student and parent comments on evals.) I wish I had met with my college counselor earlier and more often.

A Few of My Guiding Principles It’s about the “FIT” or “MATCH” – a school’s name is little solace if you are not happy there! FIT=GRADUATION Think about “going” to college at least as much as you worry about “getting in” Spend quality time now investigating schools. You will likely spend 4 years there Find schools where you will thrive! A voyage of Self-Discovery

The Student Profile The Student Profile is who you are. It is much more than just your grades and test scores. Your Profile includes: Grades GPA Curriculum ACT/SAT results Your Resume – activities, involvements, community service, etc. Essays Recommendations Talents/Interests

Your Transcript (p. 15) One Page “Snapshot” of High School TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE SENT ELECTRONICALLY Cumulative GPA based upon year end grades YOUR GRADES MATTER! Final grades for each class Curriculum – listing of courses, Honors, AP, etc. Senior Year courses The Single Most Important Document in Your Application

I wish I had begun to take my ACT/SAT sooner. Mistake #2 I wish I had begun to take my ACT/SAT sooner.

College Testing: ACT/SAT/SAT 2 Why Test? Predictor of success for colleges 75-80% of time Common Denominator – a standard measure for students from all over the world Class placement tool $cholarship$ Some schools are “Test Score Optional” (p.35)

Testing – The Basics WHICH TEST - ACT or SAT? WHEN ? Generally Both Take them both to see your strong test or test of preference and then focus on the strongest test Most schools take your best score of the two, in fact many will “Superscore” amongst several of one test WHEN ? Junior Year – Late Fall/Winter first time March 20 – State ACT exam Junior Year – Spring second time for your test of preference Make a testing plan now! Fall senior dates can be used as a “mop up” for testing

The Test Expert: Michal Strawn Michal is a ACT/SAT Test Prep tutor and expert with BWS Consulting.

SAT Subject Tests Subject Area Tests in specific subjects: 3 Tests at one sitting – one hour per subject Few schools require or recommend, BUT these are generally more selective schools Check your schools carefully! Also in your handout on pages 31,32, but keep checking for changes! If in doubt, take them This spring – May or June – are ideal test dates for SAT Subject Tests (especially for an AP class you are taking)

ACT/SAT Test Dates (p. 34) ACT SAT 11th Grade: Dec. 9, February 10, April 14, June 9, July 14 (new) MARCH 20 at SC – all Juniors – free – No Writing 12th Grade: September, October , December SAT 11th Grade: Dec. 2, March 10, May 5, June 2 12th Grade: August, October, November, December **Can I get Extended Time? **Can I get the fee waived?

Testing Plan (sample at end of booklet) I will take my first ACT on ________ I will take my first SAT on ________ My test of preference is the _______ I will take my next test on ________ Do I need the SAT Subject Test (SAT 2)? To Register: www.act.org for ACT www.collegeboard.com for SAT and SAT2 Register at least 5-6 weeks prior to exam

The Student Profile ALSO includes: Essays Letters of Recommendation Your Resume Your Interests Your Community Service Leadership Your Accomplishments Your Talents Legacy Diversity/Background Special Skills Athletics WHO ARE YOU “BEYOND THE NUMBERS”?

You Can Improve Your Profile! How Important are Activities? Develop Your Activities: Leadership Your Activities – extra-curricular, community service, internships, etc. Seek Opportunities! Summer, Columbus area too! Your Talents – music, specific academic - Physics, etc. Is there anything unusual about you that might stand out? Hobbies? What activities will you list? You can work to improve your profile this year!

St. Charles Summer Research 30 Students placed in Research Labs last summer Unpaid Internships Usually 20 hrs. per week/8 weeks Examples: Aquatic Bio. / Biomedical Eng. / Biomolecular Engineering Entomology / Biochemistry / Psychology / Immunology / Molecular Virology Schedule a meeting with Mr. Breckenridge if you are interested!

Are You a College-bound Athlete? Be Realistic – see your coaches! Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse this winter IF you plan to participate in athletics at a D-1 or D-2 school ($70 at www.ncaa.org ) Do as well in school as you can, strong students have more options! Market yourself! Send emails to coaches. Schedule a meeting with Mr. Stahlman

I wish I had built a better list and researched it more in-depth. Mistake #3 I wish I had built a better list and researched it more in-depth.

The College Fit What kind of experience do you want from college? Find your interests at colleges How do you feel when you visit campus? “Gut” feeling vs. Objective data There will be many colleges which will “fit” you!! Fit or Match = GRADUATION!

The College Selection Puzzle Size $ COST $ Reputation Social Life Distractions Study Programs Abroad Liberal vs. Conservative Major Diversity Campus Setting Selectivity Grad Rate % M/F Ratio Who Teaches Dorms % Returning Residential? Big Fish/Small Fish Athletics/Activities Greek? Geography

Cost, Distance, Expectations, etc. Mistake #4 I wish we had set realistic parameters early in the process of selecting colleges for: Cost, Distance, Expectations, etc.

Size of Student Body Small/Medium/Large/Extra Large How much personal contact would you like (or need) at college? Are you assertive? Are you OK with being a bit anonymous? Can you be a small fish in a big sea? Can you be a big fish in a small pond? Would you like to know your professors well? Would you like a lot of activity? Do you value small, personal learning experiences?

THIS

OR THIS?

Location How far away is too far? Are you OK not being home for Thanksgiving? How close is too close? Particular region of the country? Are you adventurous? Are you mature? Regional Differences? Out of the USA? Are you flexible? Can you go it alone? Are you Independent? City? College Town? Rural?

THIS?

OR THIS?

THIS?

OR THIS?

OR THIS?

“College Life” Dorm life Roommates Fraternity life Distractions/Parties Residential/Commuter Activities School spirit 24 hours a day, not 8 hours

Have You Considered? Canadian Colleges International Colleges – UK – Scotland-England-Ireland / Germany – some free tuition! / Europe / NYU Abu Dhabi/ Yale Singapore / SCAD Hong Kong Historically Black Colleges Religiously-based Colleges Specialty Schools – Art Colleges, Performance Arts Colleges, Technical Institutes, etc. Co-op colleges Colleges with unusual calendars – J-terms, one class at a time, etc. Innovative Colleges - Minerva

Military Opportunities? Have You Considered? Military Opportunities? Service Academies: West Point / Naval / Air Force / Merchant Marine / Coast Guard Summer Camp Programs ROTC National Guard / Reserves Other Military Colleges – Virginia Military Inst./ The Citadel / VA Tech / Norwich / Texas A&M Please schedule a meeting with Mr. Breckenridge soon!

I wish I hadn’t focused too much on my college major. Mistake #5 I wish I hadn’t focused too much on my college major.

Major Do they offer my major(s)? 67% of students change their major at least once NAVIANCE – Career Search! What are my strengths and interests? More important for very specific types of majors: engineering, nursing, architecture, fashion design, education, etc. Does the college offer several of the majors I am considering? You DO NOT need to know a specific major to select colleges to apply to!

Mistake #6 I wish we had known that very selective schools give little (if any) scholarship money, but LOTS of financial need-based aid.

What Does College Cost?

Cost: $$$$ What are your financial parameters? Discuss as a family – THIS YEAR! Do you have college choices that are safe financial options? Need-Based Financial Aid vs. Scholarships As a “General Rule of Thumb” the more selective the college, the less scholarship money is available, but need-based FA is more available “Sticker Price” is not necessarily your cost Many Private Colleges/Universities give very good scholarship $$ College Scholarships – Supply and Demand Loans are not necessarily bad (if they reasonable!) Investment!

Will I Qualify for Financial Aid? Net Price Calculator Will I Qualify for Financial Aid? YES NO Don’t rule out Private Colleges Consider State Schools in and out of state COMPLETE your FAFSA on time!!! Apply for private Scholarships Do NOT eliminate schools that look “too expensive” – YET! Consider Private Colleges where you may receive scholarships Consider in-state, State Schools Consider out-of-state, State Schools that are affordable Apply for private Scholarships Consider Applying for FAFSA

I wish we had visited colleges earlier! We began to run out of time. Mistake #7 I wish we had visited colleges earlier! We began to run out of time.

How Can I Learn about Colleges? RESEARCH IS CRITICAL!!!! Visit the Guidance Office to meet with Mr. Stahlman. We can make a list of college matches Visit Campus!! College Rep Visits to SC – 100+ schools - fall College Fairs – April 21st NACAC Fair at Convention Center Fiske Guide, Best 382 Colleges, Insider’s Guide – p.58 – other Guidebooks, websites p. 59

Mistake #8 I wish we had visited colleges that my son would be sure to get into. Instead, we visited only very selective colleges.

The College Visit Call or schedule online ahead of the date (2 weeks+) Ask to meet with a special department, coach, or service if you are interested Schedule an Interview if afforded the opportunity! ASK QUESTIONS! (p. 56) Record your impressions immediately Send a thank you note. Get the card of the Admission Rep. and stay in touch

Building The College List Likely School 85-100% chance of admission Spend quality time looking for them Only schools you want to attend Apply to at least 2 Scholarship Money $$$ Possible School 60-75% chance of admission Middle of Your List Generally apply to at least 2 Reach School 25-50% chance of admission Early Decision? Realistic?

Mistake #9 I wish I had looked beyond the “Brand Names” of colleges that everyone seems to talk about. A couple of my friends are having great experiences at colleges I did not even think to consider.

To Determine Your Admission Chances Admission Difficulty Chart and College Listings (pages 69-81) Locate your GPA from chart Locate your ACT/SAT score from chart Locate your point on the chart, this is your possible school One region below is a likely school One region above is a reach school See the listings on pages 72-81 to identify safe, possible, and reach schools for you

Admission Chart Sample (p. 70)

Every Choice is a 1st Choice! The Good College List Every Choice is a 1st Choice! Allows YOU to be in control! You will have many schools which are great matches Likely School Myth Selectivity does not = quality Covers all of your varying needs Allows you to Compare Options What’s in a Brand Name and does it matter? Your likely schools are where your Scholarship money will most likely come from

Mistake #10 I wish we had realized just how selective some colleges have become. Things have changed a lot from my day.

For Example! OSU – Columbus Class of 2017: 52K applications and growing 65% of students admitted in top ten percent of class 95% of students admitted in top 25% of class Avg. ACT: 29.2 Many other schools are now more selective than ever as well, but there are still many great options available to all levels of students!

Ultra-Selective Schools and “Hooks” Ultra-Selective schools and Most Selective schools typically admit less than 30% of their applicants. “Hooks” are admission boosters which help students get in at these schools: Legacy Athletics Early Decision! National Level Talent Minority Status The Unusual – donor, actors, fascinating backgrounds, influential citizen’s children “Authentic” Students – love for learning HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE COLLEGE?

Ultra-Selective Schools At the 30-50 or so Ultra-Selective Schools admission is so competitive that perfect grades and test scores are no longer guarantees of admission. “Lottery Admissions” The GOOD NEWS is: there are more than 3,000 colleges The quality of education is not necessarily tied to selectivity There are many schools which will “fit” you Acceptance Rates 2017 Stanford 4% Harvard 5% Columbia 6% Yale 6% Princeton 6% U Chicago 7% MIT 7% Cal Tech 7% Brown 8% Pomona 8% Penn 9% Northwestern 9% Claremont-McKenna 9% Duke 9% Dartmouth 10% Vanderbilt 10% Swarthmore 10% Johns Hopkins 11% Harvey Mudd 12% Pitzer 12% Amherst 13% Cornell 13% Tufts 15% Cal – Berkeley 15% Wash U – St. Louis 15% Georgetown 15%

Early Decision (ED) You apply early and make a contract that if you are accepted by the college that you will attend their college. It is BINDING. Early Action (EA) is NOT BINDING. 3 QUESTIONS: Have I visited the school? Is this college my top choice? Can I afford this school? (use Net Cost Calculator on college website for guide) ***IF you really want to attend a selective school and feel that it is affordable for your family – you will want to at least discuss/consider ED***

How Much Difference Does Early Decision Really Make? Examples: (2016 data) % admitted % admitted % class filled % students who apply School Early Dec. Regular Dec. Early Dec. Early Dec. Northwestern 35% 11% 53% 9% Vanderbilt 23% 10% 50% 11% Denison 88% 46% 34% 4% Case Western 32% 36% 9% 2% Miami (OH) 71% 65% 19% 4% American U 87% 32% 40% 5% Lehigh 58% 28% 46% 8%

What is “Demonstrated Interest” How can I Demonstrate Interest? Visit! Discover what interests you about the school and articulate it to admissions Meet the Admission Counselor and develop a relationship Stay in contact with the Admission Counselor – email, fairs, etc. Interview if given the opportunity Do not hesitate to tell a school it is one of your top choices (if it is!) Consider applying Early Decision

Parents and Students Be Realistic About Your Profile GPA Test results Curricular choices Your special talents and needs Build a GREAT List! “Lay all your cards on the table” about: College Cost vs. Family Income Family Parameters – cost, how far, etc. Student Achievement and progress at college Expected student financial contributions Final Choices – a family decision

Students Be “Personally Knowledgeable” about the colleges on your list. You should know their: Admission requirements – Likely/Possible/Reach Facilities Curricular options “Personality” of the school Quality and reputation Majors available Higher degrees? And many, many more things

Next Meeting Wednesday, March 14th 7PM-9PM College Conference with a variety of topics that you will select from. HOMEWORK! Make Your College Testing Schedule Discuss Your Parameters with your parents Complete a Net Price Calculator or more Begin to make plans to Visit and Research colleges Schedule a meeting with Mr. Stahlman