Sophomore College Planning Night Presented by Jeff Stahlman, College Counselor And Kelsey Tschanen, Ohio State

Your Tenth Grade Advisor College Counselor – Mr. Stahlman Guidance Office Your Tenth Grade Advisor Mr. Jacoby College Counselor – Mr. Stahlman Students and parents are welcome! Academic/College questions, assistance with other matters College Selection materials to review

Guidance Office Website https://www.stcharlesprep.org/students/st-charles-guidance-office/ OR go to St. Charles website under “About St. Charles” and click on “Guidance office” College links Updated calendar of events Timelines and visit information and much more!

Guidance Office Website

NAVIANCE

NAVIANCE

A Few of my Guiding Principles about College Selection 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 think about “getting in” Find schools where you will thrive! Communicate! A voyage of Self-Discovery

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

A Few Questions How far away do I want to be? How adventurous are you? How much personal attention do I want? Would I like to be in a city, near one, or in a college town? What would I like to study? What else matters to me? What College Experience do I want?

What Does College Cost?

look for “Net Price Calculator” on each college website A Word About Cost Begin to discuss and plan now! Will you qualify for financial aid? look for “Net Price Calculator” on each college website Will you qualify for college scholarships? How do scholarships work? The more selective the school, generally the more financial aid and less merit-based money is provided What are your cost parameters as a family?

How Can I Learn About Colleges Visit the Guidance Office Guidebooks (page 21) Websites (pp. 19,20) Visit Colleges! It’s not too early. College Visitors to SC in the fall – 125+ NAVIANCE! College Fair at Convention Center – 4/21 1:00pm

Selective Admissions Grades ACT Rigor Recommendations Interviews SAT Class Rank Subject Tests Community Service Athletics Early Decision Demonstrated Interest Uniqueness Activities Leadership EA Character

Selective Admissions Schools simply have more applicants than they can admit Every SC Grad will get into college! The better you do, the more college choices you will have IT DEPENDS! In General: Grades = 50-60% of admissions Testing = 20-40% of admissions Other Factors = 10-30%

What You Should Know About Grades/GPA Grades matter MORE than test scores! Do your best At very selective colleges (Admission rates 40% or lower) you need a rigorous curriculum = AP How many AP classes will you have next year? Upon completion of SC? GPA matters in CONTEXT! School, classes, etc. Should I get an “A” in a regular class or a “B” in an AP Class?

Why? College Testing Test Score Optional? (page 41) PSAT ACT SAT Subject Tests Test Score Optional? (page 41) What if I have a Written Accommodation Plan?

PSAT Scores range from 200-760 in Math and ERW You took it this year as a tenth grader, but it is a junior level test Practice Exam! What did you learn about yourself? Junior Year determines National Merit Qualifying Based on Selection Index Score = first two digits (Math + twice the ERW score), ex. M=65 + ERW=65+65 = SI 195 Last year cutoffs: Commended Scholar: 211 Semi-Finalist: 219

ACT Exam 4 sections: English, Math, Reading, Science Optional Writing section Score 1-36 Math includes Algebra 2 Test is fast! Always Guess! St. Charles average: 28.9, national average: 21

The SAT ERW (English/Writing Score) and Math Writing section is optional! Scores are on a 1600 scale, 800 each SC Avg.= 1320, National = 1070 No penalty for wrong answers (now) Focus on relevant words Scores have changed – scores now skew higher Focus on math that “matters most” – “heart of algebra”, data analysis, advanced math Science and social studies are included in critical reading section Khan Academy free online preparation

Subject Area Tests in specific subjects: 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 38-40 but keep checking for changes! If in doubt, take them Spring 11th Grade – May or June – are ideal test dates for SAT Subject Tests (SAT 2’s) after a subject area class

When? PSAT: October 11 this year and October next year – National Merit Qualifier (11th Grade) ACT: Fall/Winter Junior Year SAT: Fall/Winter Junior Year Select your best test – retest spring 11th and fall 12th Subject Tests: Spring Junior Year (if needed) How Many Times?

Test Prep How can I prepare for ACT/SAT Exams? On own – free online or books Class Tutor Should I use a Test Prep Service? Can I afford it? Many price options/choices – I have listings of resources Will my son take it seriously? Does it matter at the colleges I apply to?

How Can I Get Involved? Why should I get involved? 2 types of involvement: 1) for you 2) for others Find Clubs or Organizations at St. Charles Find Organizations in your community Look for ways to CONTRIBUTE to your community – Service Look for summer opportunities www.studenteducationprograms.com Consider Interning or Shadowing in an interesting career field Look for leadership opportunities Summer Research with St. Charles – Mr. Breckenridge Initiative!

A Word About Ultra Selective Colleges “HOOKS” = Interest Factor RECRUITED athletes Authentic students Legacy Unusual / Interesting Famous Early Decision National Level of Achievement How will you contribute? “Lottery Admissions” THE GOOD NEWS! There are more than 3,000 colleges Quality does not equal selectivity! There will be many, many schools which are great matches for 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%

10th Grade Timeline Take PSAT – October 11 Do your best in the classroom Become involved in your school and community Begin to research colleges – websites, books VISIT Colleges! USE NAVIANCE Summers – what will you do? Discuss cost of college as a family and begin to formulate a finance plan.

11th Grade Timeline October: Take PSAT for practice SAT and National Merit IF you are a college-bound D1 or D2 athlete, register with the NCAA! Late Fall/Early Winter: Begin College Testing – ACT/SAT Late Winter/Spring: Complete second ACT or SAT Spring: Complete SAT 2-Subject Test if needed ALL YEAR: Visit colleges Complete research Build College List – Likely/Possible/Reach

12th Grade Timeline Fall: Apply to colleges and finish testing October 1-December 1: Apply for Financial Aid April 1st: Students will be notified of admission decisions no later than 4/1 May 1st: Students will decide which college to attend FALL of 2020 – Leave for College!!

Program Coordinator/ Admission Counselor The Ohio State University Kelsey Tschanen Program Coordinator/ Admission Counselor The Ohio State University