Welcome to Cinnaminson High School Junior Parent Night February 2012

The College Admission Process can be complicated and complex! ! ! We are here to support your efforts in navigating through the process...

Which college is right for you? Things to think about... Size of school Size of school Location Location Distance from home Distance from home Activities/Athletics Activities/Athletics Public/Private Public/Private Coed/Single sex Coed/Single sex Entrance requirements Entrance requirements Entrance difficulty Entrance difficulty Reputation of School Reputation of School Majors available Majors available Commitment to major by school Commitment to major by school Cost Cost Campus personality Campus personality

There are over 4,000 colleges in the U.S What are the options? Community Colleges (Associates Degree) Community Colleges (Associates Degree) Two Year Private Colleges (Associates Degree) Two Year Private Colleges (Associates Degree) Public Colleges/Universities Public Colleges/Universities Private Colleges/Universities Private Colleges/Universities Liberal Arts Schools Liberal Arts Schools Ivy League Schools Ivy League Schools Specialized Institutions (art, music, culinary arts, etc.) Specialized Institutions (art, music, culinary arts, etc.) Technical Schools Technical Schools

How to search for the right college? Visit Career Resource Center Visit Career Resource Center College rep visits during lunches in Fall College rep visits during lunches in Fall Attend campus tours Attend campus tours Recommendations from former seniors, parents, relatives, etc. who attended Recommendations from former seniors, parents, relatives, etc. who attended Attend College Fairs Attend College Fairs Counselor conferences Counselor conferences Internet searches Internet searches

Understanding Admission Factors How Colleges Evaluate Candidates? Quality & rigor of academic courses Quality & rigor of academic courses Academic performance/grades Academic performance/grades Test scores (SAT/ACT) Test scores (SAT/ACT) Class rank & G.P.A. Class rank & G.P.A. Admission essays Admission essays Recommendation letters (teachers & counselors) Recommendation letters (teachers & counselors) Extra-curricular activities Extra-curricular activities Community/volunteer services Community/volunteer services Leadership experiences Leadership experiences College interview College interview

Applying to college: Where to begin?  Please refer to the Junior Planning Calendar  Juniors will receive their “Senior Packet” in June  Prepare to take SAT or ACT this spring and next fall  Think about which two teachers your son/daughter will ask to write recommendation letters (English & Math or specialized subject)  Begin researching colleges and plan summer visits to colleges (refer to College Visit Checklist)  Every student will be scheduled to meet with his/her school counselor to discuss post-secondary plans beginning in October (Parents are encouraged to attend.)  Refer to the Senior Parent Tip Sheet for ideas on how to support your child through the college admission process

Get Organized & Apply So now what? There is no magic number, but narrowing your college search to five will simplify the process There is no magic number, but narrowing your college search to five will simplify the process Categorize your choices: “Reach”, “Realistic”, & “Safety” schools Categorize your choices: “Reach”, “Realistic”, & “Safety” schools Review scholarship & financial aid requirements Review scholarship & financial aid requirements Visit for an estimate of your federal financial aid eligibility Visit for an estimate of your federal financial aid eligibilitywww.fafsa4caster.ed.gov Share draft essays with teachers and/or family to edit Share draft essays with teachers and/or family to edit Ask teachers (no more than two) to write recommendation letters Ask teachers (no more than two) to write recommendation letters Set firm dates for completion of recommendations (allow three weeks) Set firm dates for completion of recommendations (allow three weeks) Submit Transcript Request Form (Blue Form) to Mrs. Alven in the Guidance Office after student completes application Submit Transcript Request Form (Blue Form) to Mrs. Alven in the Guidance Office after student completes application

Application Process Review Senior Packet information with child Review Senior Packet information with child Complete the following: Complete the following: 1.Family Letter of Recommendation form 2.Release of Records form 3.Teacher Letter of Recommendation form Turn in all forms to the Guidance Department Turn in all forms to the Guidance Department Copy Teacher Letter of Recommendation form and give to each teacher Copy Teacher Letter of Recommendation form and give to each teacher Complete applications online Complete applications online After student hits “send” button fill out BLUE FORM After student hits “send” button fill out BLUE FORM Include 5 stamps per college attached to BLUE FORM Include 5 stamps per college attached to BLUE FORM Attach a copy of Secondary School Report form to BLUE FORM Attach a copy of Secondary School Report form to BLUE FORM Attach a copy of Resume including job experience & activities outside of CHS Attach a copy of Resume including job experience & activities outside of CHS

Common Application When using the Common Application please be mindful of the correct spelling of teachers and counselor’s addresses (misspellings will delay the application process). When using the Common Application please be mindful of the correct spelling of teachers and counselor’s addresses (misspellings will delay the application process). All Common Applications are submitted online All Common Applications are submitted online Students must fill out the BLUE FORM once they hit the “send” button Students must fill out the BLUE FORM once they hit the “send” button Stamps are not required Stamps are not required Report forms will be completed online Report forms will be completed online

College responses: What are the decision options? Regular Decision Regular Decision  Check each college for deadline Rolling Admission Rolling Admission  Will be reviewed as received Early Decision Early Decision  Requires early application, commitment & contract Early Action Early Action  Requires early application & no commitment

Making a decision... How do I decide where to go? Visit, visit, visit! Visit, visit, visit! Compare financial aid packages Compare financial aid packages Ultimately a personal decision... Ultimately a personal decision...  Encourage your child to seek advice from those who know him/her well who know him/her well  Consider location, size, academics, activities, & facilities & facilities

College Planning Summary College opportunities exist for everyone! College opportunities exist for everyone! Simplify the planning process Simplify the planning process  Understand admission factors  Explore your options early  Develop a financial plan  Visit, visit, visit!

Questions & Comments Alexis Mancinelli A-Go Crystal Widmann Gr-O Donna Lobascio P-Z