FINDING THE FIT Sue Biemeret Bob Foltin SHS College Counselors

Six Things You’ll Learn Tonight… 1. TONIGHT you begin to plan your future 2. ALL the important action comes from the STUDENT!! 3. There are 8 factors important in your college search 4. You should begin your college research now. 5. There is not only ONE school that’s right for you! 6. You create your own success - college doesn’t make you successful!

FINDING THE FIT Fit between student and college Academically Socially Emotionally Financially

How You Choose A College Academic Challenge

How You Choose A College Requirements for Admission

How You Choose A College Size

How You Choose A College Distance from Home

How You Choose A College Location

How You Choose A College Fields Of Study

How You Choose a College Personal Factors Special Talents Special Needs

How You Choose a College Cost

Net Price Calculator

What to Do Next… www.d125.org/college

SHS Website

CCC Website

Left Rail

Countdown to College Guide

Center Section

Right Rail (

How To Do Your Research More on the Net NAVIANCE college search look-up colleges compare colleges acceptance history scattergrams http://connection.naviance.com/aeshs or log onto CCC page from www.d125.org

Naviance portal

Naviance portal

Student log-on first initial six letters of last name last digit of grad year (2013) @students.d125.org sbiemer3@students.d125.org 8-digit SHS network password

student view

colleges tab

general info page

general info page

general info page cont’d

Scattergram i.e. graph

document library U of I graphs by college

careers tab

about me

Where to Go From Here… UTILIZE YOUR RESOURCES!! College Fairs – CLC 10/20 or 3/13, Allstate 4/12 Drop-In Tuesdays – through 1st semester Financial Aid Workshop – 1/4 Junior Parent Seminar – 2/1 “Narrowing Your Options” - Feb through June Internet – www.d125.org/college VISIT! VISIT! VISIT! VISIT! VISIT!!!!!!!

Future Dates and Deadlines Spring 2012: Visit colleges, research websites, take tests, do well in school August 2012: Narrow list of college applications to 5-10, check each college website for applications October 15th: Complete all applications for 4-year public universities! December 1st: ALL 4-year private applications must be filed!!

Application Process May 1st Universal Candidate Reply Date Three basic application calendars: Rolling - Most common; decisions made 2-6 weeks after receipt of application Early Plans Early Notification [U of I, ISU]: apply early in fall to guarantee best chance of admission Early Action [Notre Dame, U Michigan, U Chicago]: Apply by early November, receive decision early December, don’t decide til May 1st Early Decision – Binding commitment to attend if admitted in December/January

To Test…or Not to Test… ACT: 2/11, 4/14, 6/09 [plus Prairie State on 4/24 that does not include writing!] SAT: 3/10, 5/5, 6/2 Reporting Scores? Test Prep YOU ARE NOT YOUR TEST SCORE!!

SENIOR YEAR…. …is not a “vacation” …is important in college admissions …needs to be most challenging year academically [or at least as challenging as junior year] …should include 3-4 academic units …should challenge you, but not overwhelm you!! …

How To Do Your Research Visit!

Where to Go From Here…www.d125.org/college

Fit-Fighters Focus on the known Focus on prestige Focus on the not-so-important Focus on cost Focus on everything/anything other than YOU [or YOUR CHILD]!!

KNOW YOUR CHILD! Abilities Interests Strengths Weaknesses Passions Dreams Fears Goals

Peculiarly Parental Issues Campus safety Class size Accessibility to faculty Advising opps Counseling opps Communication flow Grades Activities Money

BEING A PARENT Set limits This really isn’t all about you! Let your child be responsible How does failure co-exist with self-esteem?

COMMUNICATE!! With high school teachers and your counselor With college admission and financial aid offices With your CHILD Focus on your child’s needs/wants/fears/dreams

KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR!