FINDING THE RIGHT COLLEGE FIT: Promoting Good Decision Making Skills for the College Selection Process FINDING THE RIGHT COLLEGE FIT: Promoting Good Decision Making Skills for the College Selection Process October 2 nd 2012 – 6:30pm Yorkville High School 1

Counselors Counselors Sarah Macko – A-Go Sarah Pottinger – Gr-On Jeannine Pacetti – Or-Z Anne Kuntz – Freshman Academy 2

Know Yourself & What is Important to You The more you know about yourself (skills, abilities, likes, dislikes) the better decisions you can make Goals and values Abilities and interests High school courses & performance Activities and interests – Show passion and leadership! Personality and relationships Educational preferences – Be aware of specific programs! 3

Importance of Junior Year Check graduation credits Continue to do your best in classes Get to know your teachers Get involved and take on leadership roles 4

Financial Aid Do not let cost be the most important factor in selecting colleges Attend the Financial Aid night - January 28, 2013 Scholarship bulletin board in hallway by Guidance (Mrs. Wallin) Application Fee & waiver File Free Application for Federal Student Aid in January ( - NOT.com!) & CSS Profilehttp:// ( collegboard.com - usually selective schools) Research both Need Based and Merit Based Scholarships Use Financial Aid Estimator on finaid.org and/ or on individual college sites – Financial Aid Office. 5

Types of Colleges Universities Liberal Arts Colleges Women’s Colleges Historically Black Colleges / Universities Technical Institutes Fine Arts Schools Community or Junior Colleges 6

College Entrance Tests ACT SAT Reasoning Test SAT Subject Tests 7

ACT Test Dates 8 Test DateRegistration Deadline Late Registration (late fee required) Dec 8, 2012Nov 2, 2012Nov 16, 2012 Feb 9, 2013 Jan 11, 2013 Jan 18, 2013 Apr 13, 2013Mar 8, 2013Mar 22, 2013 Jun 8, 2013May 3, 2013May 17, 2013 REMINDERS: Please make sure to register for another Saturday ACT test WITH writing! Highest score/Superscore Register at: Free reports sent to colleges(up to 4) as you test or you pay a fee later ($10/per school). ACT SCHOOL CODE: It is the student’s responsibility to release “official” test scores from testing agency to colleges - check college websites if required!

ACT Test Dates 9 REMINDERS: YHS is a testing center for the October 27 th ACT test (Saturday at 8am) YHS is hosting the PSAT on October 17 th during the school day Juniors – Curriculum prepares you for the April test

SAT Subject Test Dates Test Date Nov 3, 2012 Dec 1, 2012 Jan 26, 2012 May 4, 2013 Jun 1, 2013 The SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Tests may not be taken on the same day. Check website for tests being offered! CEEB CODE

Important Dates University of Illinois- November 1 st Illinois State University – November 15 th Northern Illinois University – November 15 th 11

Colleges Evaluate : Curriculum/Course Path, Grades Test Scores, Essays, Activities & Leadership, Personal Qualities, Awards, Recommendations, Interviews. Colleges want to see you do well in school every day! 12

College Criteria Geographic Location Size Environment Surrounding Community Sports & Extra-curricular Activities Social Atmosphere Student Body Diversity Study Abroad Religious Orientation 13

College Criteria (cont.) Research Opportunities Reputation Academic Atmosphere Academic Programs & Majors Honors / Accelerated Programs Graduation Rate Cost Tuition / Financial Aid / Scholarships 14

Career Cruising Career Information College Information User Name: Yorkville Password: highschool Go to Schools and then School Selector 15

Think Outside the Box Colleges You Have Heard Of New Locations Different Opportunities Unique Programs Interesting People 16

The Competition Factor Admission Requirements Be realistic but challenge yourself Acceptance Rate Academic Profile of Entering Freshmen 17

The Process Meet with your counselor! Research – School’s Website Applications – 3-5 (Reach vs Clear admit) o Common Application/School Specific o Online/paper o Student Form o Counselor/School Profile Form o Teacher Form/Rec Letter – Brag Sheet Transcript Request – Mrs. Wallin Personal Statement & Resume Schools no longer rank 18

Junior Year College Activities Spend lots of time thinking about what YOU want in a college Compile list of colleges to research Use your legal name on all college and testing forms!!! Visit different kinds of colleges over spring break or extended weekends – Make arrangements with the Dean’s Office! Keep grades strong or improve grades Take ACT/SAT Attend Financial Aid Night on 1/28/13 Attend College Night at Waubonsee Community College (Last Night) Ask teachers if they will write a letter of rec 19

Summer Plans Visit colleges!! (Counselor trips 1 per quarter) Determine final list of colleges Begin developing essay/personal statement Do something productive that you are passionate about! Summer Programs Volunteer work Part time job Internship 20

Senior Year Activities Retake ACT/SAT, if necessary Complete applications EARLY Write essay/personal statement Decide if applying Early Action or Early Decision is right for you KEEP GRADES STRONG Don’t change your schedule – You will have to notify the schools you applied to! 21

Senior Year cont. Send applications two weeks prior to deadlines Research/apply for financial aid Final decisions are due to schools May 1 st ! Notify all schools of your decision. 22

Questions?? GOOD LUCK! 23