Kirkwood High School College Counseling College Speaker Night Tuesday, September 26, :45: College Selection Process 6:45-7:30Highly Selective Colleges 7:30-8:154 College Panel 8:15-9:00Financial Aid

Kirkwood High School College Counseling College Selection Process Joint process between parent(s), student, and counselor…main emphasis on STUDENT!!! Important to make an independent decision of peers and friends. College is a match-making process!

Kirkwood High School College Counseling Past/Present Activities PLAN Test – Pre-ACT taken in 10 th grade PSAT Test – NMSQT taken in 11 th grade, optional College Night – 120+ colleges on Monday, October 23rd at Meramec Community College. - National College Fair at SLU on Sunday, October 22 nd from 12-4 College Counselor Meetings begin in January

Kirkwood High School College Counseling Myths About College Selection (Most are complements of Chaminade) 1.Investigating colleges is an unpleasant chore. 2.There is ONE PERFECT college for everyone. 3.I’ve never heard of the college, so it can’t be any good. 4.I heard that a student from another high school got into College xyz with a lower GPA and test score than mine. It’s not fair. 5.There is no way my family can afford college. I can only look at public schools in Missouri. 6.To find the right college, I must first decide on a major or career. 7.The most important factor in admissions is my ACT or SAT score. 8.Colleges in the midwest prefer the ACT, and most colleges on the coast do not accept the ACT. 9.Go for the “A” in a less difficult class because it will “look” better on a transcript. 10.What I do senior year doesn’t matter once I’ve been accepted.

Kirkwood High School College Counseling Rankings and Ratings Did you know… –25% of the US News & World Report’s data is based on SUBJECTIVE data. –Inconsistencies from year to year. **Use data from 3 rd parties as a possible supplement to the facts… Some better questions to ask… –What is the freshman retention rate? –How many students have jobs or are in graduate school within x months of graduation? –Where do these students attend graduate school or where are they securing employment?

Kirkwood High School College Counseling Some statistics… Class of 2006 applied to over 200 colleges/universities. (Over 1,200 applications were sent.) Students are ATTENDING 70 different institutions. 30% of Kirkwood students attend out of state colleges/universities. The cutoff for the top 10% of the Kirkwood class is a 4.15…please keep options in perspective.

Kirkwood High School College Counseling Planning Timeline  Develop your list of colleges - 2 REACH - 2 Possible - 2 Likely  Visit colleges & attend college fairs.  Meet with college reps when they visit the high school.  Discuss your plans with your parents.  KEEP A BINDER OR FILE OF NOTES!

Kirkwood High School College Counseling Decision Factors Size of school Location Distance from home Activities/Athletics Public/Private Coed/Single sex Entrance requirements Facilities Honor programs Entrance difficulty Reputation of school Faculty/Class size Majors available Commitment to major by school Support services Cost Campus personality

Kirkwood High School College Counseling Your search should include: Guidebooks College brochures & viewbooks Virtual tours Internet searches College fairs Counselor conferences Recommendations from parents, friends, etc. School visits –Campus tour –Open house –Interview –Overnight stays/class visits

Kirkwood High School College Counseling Princeton University Rutgers University

Kirkwood High School College Counseling Campus Visits…Prepare Before Going Research school Call to make appointment Schedule visit on a high school day-off Students can experience a class while parents visit financial aid. Visit on a weekday when college is in session Take the campus tour Visit a freshmen class Eat in cafeteria Who is my STL Representative? FOLLOW UP LETTER/Thank you!

Kirkwood High School College Counseling How Colleges Evaluate Candidates: ● COURSE SELECTION (difficulty, extended languages, extended math & science, honors & AP courses) ●Grades/GPA ● Rank in class ● SAT & ACT scores –Take the SAT or ACT in February of your Junior year, again in the spring/early summer & again Sr. year if necessary –Check schools for SAT Subject and ACT requirements. –Review for the SAT/ACT or take a prep course. Scores often improve with practice.

Kirkwood High School College Counseling Evaluation Continued… SAT Subject Scores –Required by some HIGHLY SELECTIVE colleges: math, science, foreign language,etc. Leadership positions Activities –sports –clubs & high school activities –community/church activities –volunteer community service activities –part-time jobs

Kirkwood High School College Counseling Essay Recommendations –Ask for letters of recommendations from your school counselor and two or three teachers early in the fall. –Remember to thank them and let them know where you have been accepted. Interview…A conversation!!! Shows demonstrated interest. –Be prepared. –Research the school in advance. –Bring a resume –Follow up with a thank you. Evaluation Continued…

Kirkwood High School College Counseling Types of Admission Decisions Regular Decision (A set deadline, often Jan1st) Rolling Admission (reviewed as received) Early Decision (early application & binding commitment) Early Action (early application & no binding commitment)

Kirkwood High School College Counseling TIMELINE 2 nd SEMESTER JUNIOR YEAR - Take ACT and SAT in February/March and again in June - Consider a test prep based on score outcome - Determine which test yields a better score… - Take SAT Subject Tests in June at conclusion of AP class - Develop Resume/Activity Sheet - Devise a “short list” of college choices - Finalize Resume/Activity Sheet SENIOR YEAR - Make Application Timeline to meet deadlines - Research college Scholarship opportunities per school. - Letters of Recommendation - Work on Admissions Applications Essays

Kirkwood High School College Counseling Timeline Continued - Complete Profile if required. - Attend FAFSA workshops and get FAFSA IN starting January 1 st of Senior year! - Keep your grades up!! - Continue checking scholarship options - Work closely with financial aid office of interested college - Weigh acceptance of all schools, - MAY 1 st DEADLINE to DECIDE AND RESPOND

Kirkwood High School College Counseling HELPFUL RESOURCES ●Kirkwood’s College Counseling Website Go To Guidance Go To College Counseling ●Sign up for the college counseling e-list ●College Counselor Contacts: Peggy FitzGibbon (A-L: 2007) Mark Giesmann: (M-Z: 2007) Diane Wachter: College Counseling Secretary

Kirkwood High School College Counseling FINALLY…. College is a match to be made not a prize to be won!