Fall College Information Night for Juniors Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2010

Fall College Information Night for Juniors This presentation is online: Guidance >>> “Presentations” Counselors will present this information to juniors next week Every junior will be ed/have access to an “electronic index”

Fall College Information Night for Juniors A great college planning goal for juniors: Begin your senior year knowing where you want to apply to college!

Fall College Information Night for Juniors What are colleges looking for? How do I find the best college for me? What should I be doing right now?

What are Colleges Looking For?

“The College Admissions Funnel” Students who enroll (700) Inquiry Pool (PSAT, Search pieces, campus visit, college fairs, HS visits) 31, ,000+ Thousands of applications 2,800+ 2,800+ Accepted students 1,800+ 1,800+ Students who pay a deposit 1,000+ 1,000+

National Association of College Admission Counseling, 2010 Percent of all colleges rating specific factors in the college admissions decision as being of “considerable importance”

Factors of “Considerable Importance” Grades in College Prep Courses, 87% Strength of Curriculum, 71%

Factors of “Considerable Importance” Standardized Admissions Tests, 58% Grades in All Courses, 46%

Factors of “Considerable Importance” Essay or writing sample, 26% Student’s Demonstrated Interest, 21% (five years ago: 7%) Teacher Recommendation, 17% Counselor Recommendation, 17% Class Rank, 16% Extracurricular Activities, 9% (however…)

Factors of “Considerable Importance” Grades in College Prep Courses, 75% >>> 87% Strength of Curriculum, 62% >>> 71% Standardized Admissions Tests, 54% >>> 58% Grades in All Courses, 52% >>> 46% Essay or writing sample, 27% >>> 26% Student’s Demonstrated Interest, 21% (five years ago: 7%) Teacher Recommendation, 21% >>> 17% Counselor Recommendation, 20% >>> 17% Class Rank, 19% >>> 16% Extracurricular Activities, 7% >>> 9% (however…)

What are colleges looking for? “There is no secret to getting in... Stop looking for a gimmick. Tune out the hype. Study hard. Take the toughest curriculum that you can. The heart of the application is – and has always been – One’s academic preparation.” -- UVA Magazine

How do I find the best college for me?

“The Student Admissions Funnel” The best college for you! Inquiry pool (public, private, size, cost, majors, religious affiliation, athletics) 4,000+ 4,000+ After research, narrowing the field is key! schools? schools? Applying to college 4-6 schools? 4-6 schools? Narrowing your final decision 1-3 schools 1-3 schools

Research Colleges & Narrow Y our List College search programs – CollegeBoard – Family Connection

Research Colleges & Narrow Your List Mail from colleges Books/magazines Internet resources, college websites Family, friends, teachers, counselors

Research Colleges & Narrow Y our List College visits to BWHS The BWHS Career Center College Fairs – LCPS College Fair, every September – Diversity In Education College Fair, March 23

Campus Visits Classes Students Campus Dorms Dining Halls Surrounding Neighborhoods Extracurricular Activities Take notes!!!

What should I be doing now?

Fall College Information Night for Juniors A great college planning goal for juniors: Begin your senior year knowing where you want to apply to college!

What Should I be Doing Now? 1. Stay on track using checklists & calendars 2. Concentrate on your academics 3. Plan & prepare for the admissions tests 4. Take the admissions tests in the Spring 5. Participate in extracurricular activities 6. Research colleges & narrow your list 7. Visit colleges 8. Behave appropriately online

Stay on Track Using Checklists & Calendars Use the a monthly checklist Use the resources available on CollegeBoard.com ACTION: Print-out a monthly checklist – BWHS website or CollegeBoard.com ACTION: create a CollegeBoard.com account and look around the site

Concentrate on Your Academics Take the most challenging classes you can reasonably handle. Work Hard! You can’t “make up for” poor academics ACTION: Establish goals for the grades you plan to earn this year

Plan & Prepare for the Admissions Tests/Take the Admissions Tests in the Spring SAT Reasoning Test (aptitude; predicts success the freshman year in college) – Critical Reading – Math – Writing ACT (achievement) – English – Math – Science – History – Optional Writing section

SAT Dates October 9 November 6 December 4 January 22 March 12 - BWHS May 7 June 4

ACT Dates September 11 October 23 December 11 - BWHS February 12 April 9 June 11

Preparing for the Tests Long-term v. Short-term preparation Free practice tests for the SAT & ACT – Don’t just take it… have a “dress rehearsal” PSAT – My CollegeQuickstart Free online CollegeBoard SAT course BWHS SAT course Books – look for materials created by the testing companies themselves Private courses (PTSO)

Preparing for the Tests ACTION: Register for the SAT and/or ACT exams ACTION: Register for the SAT Online Prep Course through the BWHS website

Participate in Extracurricular Activities Participate in the extracurricular activities that are meaningful to you – not what you think others want to see. Extracurriculars include activities inside and outside of school! Community activities are important too! Don’t be tempted to spread yourself too thin. Be a leader! ACTION: If don’t participate in an activity, sign-up for one. Get into a leadership position.

Research Colleges & Narrow Your List/Visit Colleges ACTION: Complete an online college search using CollegeBoard or FamilyConnection ACTION: Schedule a visit on your family’s calendar ACTION: Contact a college or two about tours and programs

Behave Appropriately Online Appropriate address Facebook, Youtube, forums, etc. If you wouldn’t put it on a resume, job application, or college application – don’t post it online! ACTION: If you need to clean anything up, do it now

What Should I be Doing Now? 1. Stay on track using checklists & calendars 2. Concentrate on your academics 3. Plan & prepare for the admissions tests 4. Take the admissions tests in the Spring 5. Participate in extracurricular activities 6. Research colleges & narrow your list 7. Visit colleges 8. Behave appropriately online

What Should I be Doing Now? – Actions you can take this week Print-out a monthly checklist Create a CollegeBoard.com account Establish goals for your grades Register for the SAT and/or ACT Register for the SAT Online Prep Course Sign-up for an extracurricular activity Complete a college search Schedule a college visit Clean-up your online presence

What’s Next? This Year “Life After High School” classroom presentations Every junior will be ed an “e-index” Scheduling & post-secondary student/counselor conferences in the Spring “Making the College Search Count” assembly in the Spring Diversity in Education College Fair, March 23 Spring College Information Night for Juniors

What’s Next? Senior Year Fall College Information Night for Seniors Classroom presentations in early Fall Individual student/counselor conferences in the Fall Financial Aid Night in December

Fall College Information Night for Juniors A great college planning goal for juniors: Begin your senior year knowing where you want to apply to college!