COLLEGE PLANNING PRESENTATION

 Exciting  Stressful  Overwhelming  Time Consuming

Words of Wisdom to Parents:  At last count there were 4096 colleges in the US so there is a college out there that is “right” for your son or daughter  Do the research and don’t get caught up in the “name dropping”, the “hot schools” everyone is applying to, or the comments about why “this or that college is not a school worth looking at”.  Your child is unique ~ help him/her find the school that is “CHALLENGING and COMFORTABLE”, where the fit is “right”.  Enjoy the process...

COLLEGE CHOICES  Technical Schools (specialized training)  Community Colleges (open enrollment, lower cost)  Two-year schools (public and private)  Four-year schools (public and private)

WHERE DO I BEGIN??? CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT: PHYSICAL (large/small; older buildings/modern architecture) ACADEMIC (programs/majors; rigorous/not as rigorous) LOCATION (in state/out of state, Northeast, South, West) TYPE (public/private, 4-year, 2-year, trade) SOCIAL/CULTURAL (rural/suburban/city; male/female/co-ed; religious/non- denominational; active/quiet; big time sports/no sports)

START THE SEARCH Individual college web sites VISIT!!! (Single best way to gauge that “gut” feeling about a school)

HOW MANY SCHOOLS SHOULD I APPLY TO???  The majority of students submit 5 to 8 applications  20 is way too many!  Remember EXPENSE. Applications can range from $0 to $75  Consider this: In order to end up at a college where you will be happy and not feel as if you settled on a school just because you were accepted there, you must do your research before you apply, not after.

ARE ALL APPLICATIONS THE SAME??? Applications and deadlines may vary from one school to another:  Common Application vs College Application (414 schools use the Common Application)  Application fees  Deadline dates  On-line or paper applications  Required standardized tests  Essay Topics  Other required documents

WHEN DO I APPLY??? TYPES OF DEADLINES INCLUDE:  Early Decision ~ College is TOP CHOICE, can apply to only one school ED. If accepted, expected to attend.  Early Action ~ Apply well in advance of the regular admission deadline, can apply to other schools. Non-binding.  Regular ~ one deadline date in spring, hear prior to May 1  Rolling Admissions ~ Applications reviewed as completed. Admissions decisions rendered throughout cycle.

WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING AT??? TOP FACTORS in Admissions Decisions remain: Grades/GPA (all 4 years) Strength/rigor of program (Honors, AP, ECE) Test Scores (SAT, ACT, SAT II) Essay Extra-curricular activities Recommendations

STANDARDIZED TESTS - SAT Reasoning Test (includes 3 sections (Critical Reading, Math, Writing) Cost $47 Subject Area Tests (may or may not be required by college): Cost $21 SAT Test Dates: TestRegister by 10/9 9/10 11/06 10/8 12/04 11/5 (Most colleges accept October and November scores to meet ED/EA deadlines)

STANDARDIZED TESTS - ACT Test (includes English, Reading, Math, Science and Writing (optional)) Cost $32 (no writing) $47 (writing) ACT Test Dates: Test Register by 10/23 8/17 12/11 11/5

WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF GETTING ADMITTED??? Types of schools to consider applying to: REACH (most academically challenging, top choice, “long shot”) TARGET (likely to be admitted, “realistic”) SAFETY (almost certain to get accepted)

IS SENIOR YEAR REALLY THAT IMPORTANT ???  First quarter senior year grades are generally reviewed for admission, but all senior year courses are looked at  Finish Strong: “Slacker Schedules” can hurt students  35% of colleges revoked admission offers (69% due to final grades) according to the NACAC’s data reported in 2009

ONCE I GET ACCEPTED, HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE TO DECIDE WHERE TO ATTEND??? May 1 is the National Candidate’s Reply Date No school should be asking you to send a commitment deposit prior to that date, unless Early Decision.

COST OF CHOICES Three Rivers Community College $ 3,406 $ Eastern Ct State University 8,813 10,048 University of Connecticut 10,416 10,782 Connecticut College 43,990 9,120 Tuition/FeesRoom/Board

FINANCIAL AID/COST  Don’t let the “sticker price” keep you from applying  Amount of financial aid varies from college to college  Some colleges (private) have more money to give out than others and “bottom line” may be less than the lower cost state school Need Based Financial Aid COST OF SCHOOL – PARENT & STUDENT CONTRIBUTIONS = DEMONSTRATED NEED/AID ELIGIBILITY

WHAT SHOULD YOUR SON/DAUGHTER BE DOING THIS FALL??? Prep for SATs/ACTs if taking again Review/revise College List (balance with Reach, Target, Safety schools) Organize college list (deadline dates, application fees, what needs to be submitted) Send SAT/ACT scores to schools on final list Write and refine Essay (hopefully started already!) Finalize Resume/Activities Sheet Request transcripts from Guidance Office Provide forms, deadline dates, to recommenders Start researching scholarship opportunities TRY NOT TO STRESS OUT!!!

Words of Wisdom to Parents : (again)  At last count there were 4096 colleges in the US so there is a college out there that is “right” for your son or daughter  Do the research and don’t get caught up in the “name dropping”, the “hot schools” everyone is applying to, or the comments about why “this or that college is not a school worth looking at”.  Your child is unique ~ help him/her find the school that is “CHALLENGING and COMFORTABLE”, where the fit is “right”.  Enjoy the process...

MISSION: ACCOMPLISHED!!! CONGRATULATIONS!