 Purpose  Post Secondary Options  Knowing Yourself  College Admissions  Essay & Standardized Tests  College Search/Finding “The One”  Recommendations

 Personal and Emotional  You are helping your child begin the transition into young adulthood  Long period of “Letting Go”  Factual and Rational  You are helping your child find schools that seem to be a good fit  The key is a “good fit,” academically and socio-emotionally.  You can help by:  Suggesting schools that seem to be a good match  Visiting schools with your child  Helping keep deadlines straight  Allowing your child to have a voice.

How many colleges are in the United States?  4-year College/University  2-Year College  Vocational School  Begin a career  Armed Forces

Public (funded by local and state governments) (in-state tuition) Private (funded by tuition fees, endowments, other private sources)  Liberal Arts  Universities  Fine Arts College  Community colleges  Single-Sex schools  Military academies  Religious affiliated institutions  Historically ethnic schools  Technical schools-

Location:  Distance  Travel Expenses  City, Suburb, Rural  Weather  Major/Area of Focus  Campus Size  Difficulty of School  Religious Affiliation  Public vs. Private

 Reach Schools  Match Schools  Safety Schools

 How Do I Search?  Collegeboard.com  Petersons.com  Naviance  U.S. News & World Report  The Princeton Review

 Grab a copy of the campus newspaper.  Observe surrounding neighborhoods.  Contact current students you might know.  Ask your tour guide questions!  Bring a camera.  Bring a checklist.  Shake hands.  Leave with a business card.  Best time to visit – spring/fall.

At a college fair …  What type of student enrolls here?  Are there internships/co-op experience/career placement?  What type of extra-curricular/club are on campus?  When should I schedule a campus visit?  Do you conduct interviews?  Is your college accredited?

During your visit…  Application types/deadlines/fee waivers  Financial aid types/deadlines  Best time to apply  Required paperwork (resume, portfolio, letters of rec.) Scholarship application  Admissions requirements  Point of contact  Acceptance rate  SAT/ACT  GPA – weighted/unweighted? Do they recalculate?

 Transcripts (including senior year)  Course Levels/Rigor  Class Rank (if available)  School Profile  Essay(s)  Letters of Recommendation (Counselor, Teacher, Other)  SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Tests

 Activities  Demonstrated Interest  Development of Special Interest  Interview Notes  Special Talents  Awards/Honors  Leadership Roles  When the application was submitted “If you’re not interested enough in a particular college to spend the necessary time on the application, that will be clear.”

 Regular Admission  Rolling Admission  Early Action  Early Action-Single Choice  Early Decision

 Transcript Review ◦ What is my overall GPA? (weighted vs. unweighted) ◦ What courses have I taken? Could I challenge myself more? ◦ Senior year classes assessment (call colleges!) ◦ Strength in certain subjects ◦ AP/College Credit

 Length  Create a list of essay questions vs. topics  Your essay is NOT a resume!  Reflects the students’ character and values  Introduction is important  Be sincere  Proofread, proofread, proofread  Read out loud  Answer the question without stating the question  Caution: When using the name of a college  Use vivid descriptions  Stay upbeat (resolving life’s difficulties)  Choose a moment rather than an event

Brainstorming …  List of personal achievements - Why did you join? How did you contribute?  How would your friends characterize you?  Favorite book, movie, artist, historical figure.  Recall childhood interests – how did they shape you?  Role models  It is ok to write about failure  Career plan  Travel experience  Risks taken

 SAT Reasoning  SAT Subject Tests  ACT  Recommendation: Take both SAT and ACT

 Critical Reading  Mathematics  Writing  Most widely used admission test  Each section is out of 800 (2400 total)  Often reviewed using only CR + Math  Aptitude Test  Most students take in May  Registration Deadline: April 6th  ( Note: October is the last test date that makes scores available in time for early decision and early action programs).

 Subject-Specific  Additional opportunity to showcase yourself  Often Required by Top-Tier Schools  The score is out of 800  Most students take the Subject Test in June  Check college/university admissions requirements  Used for course placement, as well

 English  Reading  Math  Science  Writing (Optional)  1-36 score  No Skipping!  Performance Test  Most students take in June (registration deadline is May 4 th ) (the ACT is also available in April) 

  Large list of participating schools  Allows students to complete the application once and send it to multiple schools  Includes forms that must be submitted by school counselor(s) and teachers  Submitting – wait for confirmation before closing the page!

 Anyone can view public sites  Only post what you are comfortable having others see  Use caution when contacting admissions counselors through message boards and blogs  Create an appropriate address  Avoid inappropriate ring back tones

 Forms – FAFSA, CSS Profile, NCP (divorced or separated families)  DEADLINES!!!!  Direct Costs- Tuition, Fees, Room& Board  Indirect Costs –Travel, books and program fees.  Estimated Family Contribution EFC: based on info from financial aid documents  Assets: Checking or savings accounts  Income: 2012 Federal Tax Return and W2s  Types of aid- Need or non-need based grants, academic/athletic scholarships, local/independent awards, loans, Work-Study Hours

 Only by visiting will you be able to truly decide what campus feels right  Apply to an average of 6 schools  Make the college process a constant conversation in your every day life.

 Start a “College Search Folder”  Transcripts  List of Activities, Honors, Awards, Community Service  Colleges you are considering  Scholarships to look at next year  SAT/ACT scores

 March:  Visit College Fairs  Research Scholarships (Naviance, Fastweb)  Consider Pre-College Programs  April:  Visit Campuses!  Registration Deadline for May SAT  May:  Take SAT  Registration Deadline for June ACT  Identify Teachers Who You Will Ask for Recommendations  June:  Take ACT

 Summer:  Internships/Shadow opportunities  Search  Sort through mail  Visit  Finalize list of colleges  Review applications  Draft essay  NCAA Clearinghouse

 Fall/Winter/Spring: Guidance policies – right away Complete applications - mid-December File required financial aid forms - January Review financial aid awards – March Investigate alternative loan options – April Monitor Grades Revisit colleges for accepted student days May 1 st – National Deposit Deadline

 Before you apply: right to receive factual and comprehensive information from colleges and universities about their admission, financial costs, aid opportunities, practices and packaging policies, and housing policies.  When Offered Admission: wait to respond to an offer of admission and/or financial aid until May 1