Merion Mercy Academy College Counseling meeting Elizabeth A. Downing University of Pennsylvania

The Notion of “Fit”

Student’s Self-Assessment: What does your child want from her college career? Academic Programs Size of Student Body Type of School Location Athletic or Extra-curricular pursuits Cost

Crafting the College Visit List Family conversations Meetings with your child’s college counselor Attend college fairs, college representative visits Use the internet and Naviance as a resource

Visiting the Campus Ideal to visit schools in spring, but attending in the summer is better than not visiting at all. Participate in tours, information sessions and other activities sponsored by the admission office. Look beneath the school’s marketing.

College Admission Lingo Decision Plans Rolling Decision, Early Action, Early Action Single Choice/Restrictive, Early Decision, Regular Decision Common Application Financial Aid Need-aware versus need-blind Need-based versus merit-based aid CSS Profile, FAFSA Net Price Calculators

Creating the Application List Decide whether or not you want to apply to a school Early Decision or Early Action Apply to a range of schools Reach Schools, Comfortable Schools and In-between Schools

Building a Competitive Application Standardized Test Scores SAT vs. ACT Subject Tests Test Optional Institutions-www.fairtest.org High School Transcript Rigor of curriculum Grades

Building a Competitive Application Recommendation Letters Counselor Letter Teacher Letters Supplemental Letters Involvement Outside the Classroom Depth versus Breadth Exceptional Talents Summer Experiences

Building a Competitive Application Personal Essays Share something the selection committee does not already know about you! Trite and Terrific Essay Topics School-Specific Essays Short Answers Interviews Demonstrated Interest

Building a class is like assembling an orchestra The Committee Process Building a class is like assembling an orchestra

Institutional Priorities that impact admission decisions

Questions and Answers