Understanding the College Admission Process WHS College Night October 7, 2010 Alyson Leatherman, Christine Lindberg and Lyndi Tucker

Evening Agenda Welcome Admissions Timeline Finalizing List of Schools College Admission Process Family Connection Demo Question & Answer

Admissions Timeline

Junior Year Generate list of schools that you would like to investigate PSAT in October Attend the NACAC College Fair in Portland on Saturday, November 13 Prepare and take SAT or ACT in the spring Visit with college representatives when they visit WHS Begin campus visits (perhaps during spring break?) Prepare for AP exams Meet with your school counselor to review your transcript Summer after Junior Year Register for NCAA Clearinghouse if you plan to pursue college athletics Campus visits! Take advantage of a great summer opportunity (internship, job, program)

Admissions Timeline, cont. Senior Year- Fall Narrow and finalize a list of colleges that you will apply to and review application requirements by the end of October Be aware of application timelines for each college you will be applying to. You need to start the application process at least 4 weeks prior to the deadline If necessary, take or re-take SAT and/or ACT no later than December If you have an application deadline in early to mid-January, be sure to contact your school counselor before the holiday break!

Admissions Timeline, cont. Senior Year- Winter Financial Aid- the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available in January 2011 What you can do now: FAFSA4caster: Provide you with the experience of completing the FAFSA and also give you an early estimate of eligibility Research scholarships on Family Connection Attend WHS Financial Aid Night on Thursday, November 18 College Goal Oregon offers “FAFSA Fridays”- Webinars on the last Friday of each month beginning in October Webinars include an overview of the FAFSA and an application demonstration and Q & A

Admissions Timeline, cont. Senior Year- Spring Scholarship search Make final decision by May 1 st and send in deposit to secure your spot Be aware of housing application and housing deposit deadlines Summer before College Take any required placement exams Send a final transcript Send AP scores and CCC transcript Have a financial plan– will you have enough spending money next year? Attend summer orientation for freshman

Finalizing Your List of Schools

First, decide if you will apply only to four year institutions or will you also consider community college Second, categorize your schools as Reach, Good Fit and Safe

Finalizing Your List of Schools Community College Options: Transfer Degree (to a 4 Year College/University) Associates Degree (2 Year) Certificate Program (1 Year) Community College Event in May Spring application timeline Application Placement Tests Advising Session

Finalizing Your List of Schools Things to Consider: Compatibility of your academic profile with each of the schools Location and size Academic majors or programs offered Costs and financial aid College affiliation and accreditation Campus activities Support services Housing options

Assessing Majors and Educational Programs Consult publications such as U.S. News and World Report, Peterson’s, Princeton Review and Barron’s for published ratings Investigate the college or university What courses are required for specific majors Number of professors with highest degree in field Research institution vs. teaching institution Number of students seeking higher education, securing jobs, etc. after graduation Attend a class Meet with a professor in that major or program Meet with a current student in that major or program

Unsure About a Major? It’s common for students to be unsure about their major Inquire about freshman course of studies Inquire about when you have to declare a major Consider a liberal arts college Talk with your school counselor Use CIS career exploration

Resources to Help Finalize Your List WHS College Visits Admission counselors visit WHS regularly and meet in the College & Career Center Calendar of visits available on Family Connection and on the Counseling Calendar Sign up through Family Connection or see Mrs. Tucker! Oregon University System College Night Monday, October 18 th at 7:00 pm The Pointe

Resources to Help Finalize Your List Campus Visits/Preview Days Meet with an Admission Counselor Take a campus tour Attend a class Eat in campus dining hall Talk with students and faculty Overnight visit (if offered)

Resources to Help Finalize Your List College webpage for prospective students Facebook, Twitter, Blogs WHS College & Career Center College catalogs and bulletins Guide books: The College Handbook, Barron’s, Peterson’s, etc. Parents, students, and alumni Your school counselor

College Admission Process

Most Common Application Requirements Four-year Colleges or Universities Application and Fees Transcript (Coursework, GPA and Class Rank) Test Scores (SAT and/or ACT) Letters of Recommendation Essay Student Activity Profile/Resume Interview

College Application Deadlines Regular Decision: is the most common application process. A student sends in their application by a regular deadline which is typically in early winter. Early Action: is a non-binding early application process. A student sends in their application by a specific early deadline and will receive their decision earlier than regular decision, usually before the end of December. Early Decision: is a binding early application process.

Family Connection: New Best Friend or WHS Website/College & Career/Family Connection Personal online college planning and management software Students will use Family Connection to communicate where they are applying; to request transcripts; and to request teacher recommendations Students can also use Family Connection for the following services: Research colleges Create activity resumes Access the WHS scholarship database Sign-up for college visits Access college data regarding WHS graduates

Application School Specific Online Application Common Application Over 400 colleges and universities will accept the common application Great way to apply to multiple colleges with one application Student Activity Profile Essay Fees

Application, cont. Family Connection Demo Log-in to Family Connection Complete FERPA Waiver Add colleges to “Colleges I’m Applying to” Click the box for “Request Transcript” Request Teacher Recommendation Student sends application directly to school electronically For Common App, students must complete application before WHS can send supporting documents i.e. transcript and recommendations

Transcript The official transcript includes completed coursework, GPA (weighted and unweighted) and class rank A School Profile will be provided with each transcript to help the college better understand WHS and our community All Transcript Requests must be made through Family Connection When adding colleges to “Colleges I’m Applying to”, click the box for “Request Transcript” No fee this year

Letters of Recommendation Find out how many you need and who needs to write them- only ask for and submit what is asked for All Teacher Recommendation requests must be made through Family Connection For Teacher Recommendations, the student provides each teacher with: Online request through Family Connection Senior autobiography (see WHS college/career website) At least THREE weeks notice For Counselor Recommendations, the student provides the counselor with: Senior autobiography (see WHS college/career website) At least THREE weeks notice Remember: Thank you notes are appropriate

Standardized Tests The SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT should be taken as early as March of the junior year and no later than December of the senior year It is important to have your scores sent directly from collegeboard.com or actstudent.org to the schools that you are interested in applying to Schools will generally take your best combined score, so it is advisable to take the exam more than once SAT= Verbal, Math, Writing High score = 2400 ACT= English, Reading, Math, Science, Writing High score = 36

SAT vs. ACT SATACTACT Difference WritingWriting (optional)The ACT essay is always the last section; the SAT essay is always the first section. Math Covers math through trigonometry, whereas the SAT does not. Critical ReadingReadingTests similar reading skills. No vocabulary oriented Sentence Completions. N/AScienceNo science section on the SAT. Measures interpretation and analysis. Deduction for incorrect multiple choice problems No deduction for incorrect answers Raw Score scale1-36 scaleScaled Score Scores from all test administrations included on scores reports to colleges Students can choose to not send scores from specific administrations to colleges

The Interview Although optional, many colleges and universities recommend a meeting with a member of the admission counseling staff During this meeting, you may discuss your academic background, high school activities, special interests, and options for financing your education The interview may be individual or group, and could last between 30 minutes to 1 hour Parents are often invited Remember: the interview is your opportunity to ask questions, so be prepared Remember: the interview is only one piece of the admission decision

How do Colleges Make Admission Decisions? Since each institution is different, if you are curious, it is important to inquire with individual schools about their decision making process Typically, most colleges and universities consider: Courses taken in 9-11 th grades, the grades earned in those courses, and the strength of senior schedule Test Scores Extra-curricular Activities Essay Letters of Recommendation

How do Colleges Make Admission Decisions? Automatic Admit vs. Comprehensive Review OUS Recommended GPAs U of O – 3.4 OSU – 3.0 PSU – 3.0 OIT – 3.0 Eastern, Western, Southern – 2.75 Academic Units English- 4 years Math- 3 years Science- 2 years (2 years must be lab science) Social Studies- 3 years World Language- 2 years of same language

Helpful Websites WHS: SAT and ACT: Financial Aid and Scholarships: NCAA Clearing House:

Helpful College Websites College Search: Family Connection: CollegeBoard: US News Best Colleges: Colleges That Change Lives: Community and Two Year Colleges: U. S. Department of Education Information Site for Students and Institutions: Career : Oregon Career Information System (CIS): oregoncis.uoregon.edu/home/oregoncis.uoregon.edu/home/

Question & Answer

Thank You for Coming! Please fill out our evaluation before leaving this evening Our next College Night is the Oregon University System Night on Monday, October 18 th at 7:00 pm. in the WHS Pointe The following College Night is the Financial Aid Night on Thursday, November 18 at 6:30 pm