©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 1 The College Planning Process Information for Juniors

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 2 The College Process Is... n A Commitment n Takes Time n Can Be Confusing At Times n Hard Work n Research Project n A Process That Requires Thought

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 3 Our Agenda n Student Profile n Testing n Choosing The Right School n Applying To That School n Financial Aid n NCAA Clearing House n Questions and Answers

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 4 Student Profile What Does A School Look For In Its Applicants?

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 5 Just The Facts n GPA (Grade Point Average) n Class Rank n Courses n SAT/ACT Scores

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 6 The Real Person n Student Leader n Athlete n Science Olympiad n Math Team n Actor n Artist n Musician n Volunteer n Employee n Scout n Church Group Member n Contempora Staff n Newspaper n Peer Tutor

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 7 To Help With The:

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 8 SAT Reasoning Test & SAT Subject Tests

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 9 SAT Tests n Critical Reading n Math n Writing n Scores range from n Subject Tests - Math, Science, History

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 10 Improve SAT Scores n Preview PSAT results n Read n If in SAT review course - take advantage of practice time n Private tutorial programs (Princeton Review, Kaplan, CCRI, etc.) n Use SAT review books and software

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 11 SAT Registration n Paper Registration - Booklets are available in the CHSW Guidance Office n Online - n One can send scores to 4 colleges n All official scores must be sent to the colleges from the Collegeboard n Colleges will see all scores but will usually use the highest combination

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 12 Reminders n Research in order to plan ahead n Know when to take the SAT’s n Know if SAT Subject Tests are required by admissions n SAT scores must be sent to the colleges by the Collegeboard

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 13 Where to Start? Cost - Housing - Setting - Sports Activities - Support Services On Campus Facilities Educational Resources

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 14 Resources n College Catalogs n View Books n Web Sites like MyRoad.com & Collegeboard.com n College Reps n College Fairs n College Tours

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 15 Counselor Requirements n Student Questionnaire n Activity Sheet

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 16 Deadlines n Early Decision n Early Action n Standard n Rolling Admission

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 17 Applications n Where do you get them? n When do you get them? n How do you get them?

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 18 Application Forms n Common Application n Online Application n Paper Application

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 19 Completing the Application: n Make a copy of the application at home n Practice on the copy n Complete your actual application including essay if required n Make a copy of the application to be submitted n Bring it to the guidance department

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 20 If you want guidance to mail the application: n Completed & checked application n Essay n Activities sheet n Teacher recommendations n Application fee n Response post card n 4 First class stamps n Signed transcript card n Large manila envelope addressed to the college n Name and due date on the inside flap

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 21 If you prefer to mail the application: n Transcript card required n Counselor Letter of Recommendation included n Any other supplemental material required by the school n Sealed envelope given back to the student

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 22 Cranston West Timeline n The guidance department requires 15 school days to process a completed application n The guidance department reviews the application, includes an official transcript, school profile, and required/requested recommendations

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 23 Essays n Brainstorm on the topics n Select a topic n Complete a rough draft n Have someone review it n Revise n Edit

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 24 Recommendations n Try for Two but check each school’s requirements n Teacher n Coach n Employer n Community Person n Counselor

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 25 And more... n Interview n Visit n Tour n Art, Theater, Music –may require video tape, audition, portfolio

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 26 Decisions n Acceptance n Deferral n Wait List n Denial

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 27 The Treasure Hunt Financing College

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 28 Financial Aid n The primary responsibility for paying for college is that of the parents and the student. Students may receive financial aid if they qualify. –According to need –Academic merit –Special interests

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 29 What is Financial Aid? Money for College n The total cost of college attendance includes: –Tuition and Fees –Books and Supplies –Room and Board –Transportation –Miscellaneous Expenses

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 30 What are the types of Financial Aid? n Grants/Scholarships n Loans n Work Study

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 31 How does one apply for Financial Aid? n FAFSA –Pin Number –Deadlines n Profile n College Forms

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 32 Financial Aid Resources n College Planning Center of Rhode Island –Collegeplanningcenter.org –(401) n College Financial Aid Office n Community Financial Aid Workshops n Senior Notes

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 33 Helpful Websites n FAFSA on the web n Financial Aid Information page n Free Scholarship Search

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 34 Student Athletes n The National Collegiate Athletic Accociation (NCAA) n Provides a central location for certification of academic elligibility for participation in intercollegiate sports n Students must register with the clearinghouse after their junior year in high school if they are considering a Division I or II School –

©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 35 Questions & Answers