JFK High School COLLEGE ADMISSIONS 101

College Admissions 101 Application Process Timeline Researching Colleges Standardized Testing Components of the College Application JFK Application Process

What Should I Be Doing Now ?

1. Get Academically Ready Work especially hard this year! Take advantage of any and all help/resources – get to know your teachers, ask questions, seek tutoring help if needed. Reason: As a part of your college application, you’ll be forwarding your transcript during the fall of your senior year. The transcript will be a record of how you’ve done during six semesters of high school. Put another way, you have the control during this year to determine the outcome of one-third of your high school record! Consider meeting with your counselor to discuss class choices for senior year. Your transcript that you forward to colleges will also reflect which classes you’re taking senior year. Colleges want to see that you’re continuing to challenge yourself through the types of classes you take and how well you do in them.

Timeline February - June Schedule Individual Junior Planning Meeting with your counselor Register / Prepare for AP exams Register / Prepare for SAT, Subject Tests and ACT Schedule College Visits

Timeline, cont. September – December October is considered Application Month Apply to your top 3-5 choices Watch for application deadlines Request letters of recommendation from 2 teachers AND your counselor Complete your college essay-PROOFREAD! Create a resume-list of activities, community service, leadership positions Fill out transcript request form in guidance Set a goal to have all applications submitted before the winter break.

A Good Decision Requires Information Gather information about yourself strengths, weaknesses, abilities, interests Gather information about colleges Admission statistics Location Size Majors/ Programs Financial Aid Oct. 1 Prior/Prior Retention & Graduation Rate

What Resources Are Available? College Guidebooks Campus Visits Visits at JFK/On-sites GOOGLE Guidance Counselor College Fairs Naviance

Another recommended exploration tool/site: Big Future by CollegeBoard: Go to https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ Amazing collection of college/career planning tools! Through Naviance or Big Future, explore the educational programs that match up with your career interests – they may involve a 1 year training program, a 2 year associates degree, a bachelors degree or more. This will also determine where you go to school, i.e., community college, tech school, 4-year university, etc. Explore the job outlook when you research career areas. It’s important to know where the jobs will and will not be when you’re an adult.

???????? How should you choose what colleges to apply to? -Major -Location and Size -$$$$$$

Prospective College List -Make a list of colleges with the DEADLINES! -You are responsible for ALL DEADLINES. -Have the family discussion, be honest. -Research the college profiles -Avg. GPA, Rank, and SAT/ACT scores -Find the match -Distance from home??????

Get College Ready Explore! VISIT COLLEGES Go while school is in session Students-take notice Bring a notebook and/or a camera No more than two a day Eat in the café if possible…. See a FRESHMAN dorm See the music/athletic facilities if applicable… Look for anything else that will be important to you

Standardized Testing SAT SAT II: Subject Tests (Engineering) Math II ACT Fee waivers available for SAT/ACT See your counselor if you’re on free/reduced lunch All students should set a goal to have all of their standardized testing completed by the end of junior year.

Remaining SAT and Subject Test Dates Test Date Test Offered Registration Late Fee Deadline March 9th Sat & Subject Tests Feb. 8th Feb. 27th May 4th SAT April 5th April 24th June 1st SAT & Subject Tests May 3th May 22th It is the student’s responsibility to know which tests are required by each college ***The remaining tests are available at JFK!!!

Remaining ACT Dates Test Date Registration Late Fee Deadline April 13th March 9rd March 15th June 8th May 4th May 18th July 13th June 15th June 28th

Sending SAT and ACT Score Students MUST contact the testing agency to request scores to be sent to each college. JFK does not report SAT or ACT scores on the transcript. SAT - www.collegeboard.org ACT – www.ACT.org *SAT will allow you to send scores after the test date (10 days). ACT, do it before you register!!

Register for College Fairs • Register for college fairs ahead of time at gotocollegefairs.com • Make a list of “must-see” colleges • Visit at least 3 colleges you haven’t heard of before. • Have a few questions ready!

Registering for College Fairs

Resume – Things to Include STUDENT GOVERNMENT PERFORMING ARTS ACTIVITIES YEARBOOK SPORTS: Varsity and any out-of-school clubs or experiences COMMUNITY SERVICE OUTSIDE of SCHOOL LEARNING EXPERIENCES OTHER ACTIVITES (i.e. religious activities, hobbies, clubs, etc.) SUMMER or SPECIAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCES EMPLOYMENT HONORS and AWARDS

Teacher Recommendations Two Teacher Recommendations Should pertain to your MAJOR Ask your teachers in person-complete recommendation form from guidance and provide them with information you would like included in letter Follow-up, Thank you notes

Getting Started on the Essay Brainstorm essay ideas with parents, teachers, and friends. Read the six essay prompts on the Common Application. www.commonapp.org (*new prompts will be released in March) Think of an interesting story to tell that answers one of the prompts and reveals something about you not already shared in your application. Work on your story over the summer. Good essays evolve and take many edits. Check supplemental writing questions for each individual college – do not short change these!

Admissions Decisions Early Action Early Decision I & II Priority Regular Decision Rolling Admission

How to Apply Apply Online Naviance will be the MAIN tool when applying to schools. Link the Common Application to Naviance! Apply directly to the school through the school website. Communicate with your counselor through Naviance.

Components of the Student Application Student and Demographic Data Academic Information Extracurricular Activities Essay(s) Signature – electronically Payment (if required)

What Will the Counselor Send? Transcript School Profile Secondary School Report Form Counselor Recommendation (Naviance) About Me Teacher Recommendations (Naviance)

Completed Application Application submitted online by student SAT or ACT scores requested, by student, to be sent directly from testing agency School package sent from Guidance Office once transcript request form is received includes: Teacher recommendation letter(s) Counselor Recommendation School Report Form Transcript School Profile

Financial Considerations • April 2012, student loan debt surpassed credit debt for the first time in our history. • ‘Paying for college’ is often the last topic discussed by families when investigating colleges. • Student loan debt should be weighted with the same importance as other ‘fit’ factors when selecting a college.

College is generally paid for by: 5. Get Money Ready College is generally paid for by: * Private funds, i.e., the Bank of Parents/Relatives * Grants – based upon financial need * Loans * Work-Study * Scholarships

Examine Net Price Calculators • As of November 2011, • universities were required to provide a Net Price Calculator on their websites. • Net Price Calculators were mandated by the U.S. Government to provide families with a ‘Good Faith’ estimate of what the ‘COA’ would be for students. • Net Price Calculators now allow families to ‘shop’ for a financial fit.

Follow-Up Follow-up with each school to be sure everything has arrived and your application is complete. Check status of application online Do not PANIC is something is MISSING, mass emails generally go OUT!

Lastly……. Keep the process in perspective Work together as a family Students must take ownership Discuss finances openly Start early and meet all deadlines GOOD LUCK!