WELCOME PARENTS AND STUDENTS! Presented by: Mrs. Laura Blanche, Mrs. Janet Dunn and Ms. Maura Quinn

I. Welcome & College Admissions Trends II. Assessments III. Worksheets IV. Standardized Testing V. Demonstrating Interest VI. The College Search VII. Financial Aid / Scholarships VIII. Application Components IX. Getting Organized X. Questions

Average acceptance rate at 4-year colleges and universities: 63.8 % Yield rates (the percent of admitted students who enroll) have declined steadily over the past decade; average yield rate for Fall 2011 cycle - 38% (steady decline from 2002 cycle – 49%) In % colleges & universities reported increase in applications since 2010 Economy continues to influence decisions Enrollment / yield increasingly difficult to predict

Online applications continue to increase; from , increase from 58% - 85% in applications submitted online From 2002 – 2011, the number of high school graduates who took the ACT increased by approximately 45% and the number who took the SAT increased by about 27% Over the past decade, the number of colleges offering Early Action admission increased from 18-31%; over the past decade, the number of colleges offering Early Decision admission has remained relatively constant In 2011, almost 45% schools reported utilizing wait lists, up from 32% in 2002

Drexel University University of Pittsburgh Temple University Applications Received 41,12623,40918,977 Number offered admission ---13,54411,926 Number who matriculated 3,0003,769 (29.1% yield) 4,529 (37.9% yield) Top 10% of high school class 33%59%18% Average HS GPA 3.60/ /4.00

 SELF- What i s important to you when considering a school?  PARENTS- What do you see as a good match for your child?  COLLEGE- What factors do colleges use to evaluate you?

 Top Factors: ◦ Grades in college preparatory courses ◦ Strength of curriculum ◦ Standardized admission test scores ◦ Grades in all courses  Moderately Important: ◦ Essay or writing sample ◦ Teacher and counselor recommendations ◦ Demonstrated interest ◦ Extracurricular activities  Considered but Supplemental Information: ◦ Rank in Class ◦ Subject Test Scores (SAT II, AP) ◦ Work experience

ABC News Report Fall 2012

 College Worksheet for Students/Parents- three page worksheet to begin the discussion about post high school planning  Student Brag Sheet- articulation of strengths, qualities, aspirations  Parent Brag Sheet- parent’s perspective ◦ Student & Parent Brag Sheets should be submitted in the fall with the first Transcript Request Form. ◦ Brag Sheets and Transcript Request Forms can be downloaded from the Guidance Website

 Prepare Prepare  Develop Test Schedule  Register  Score Reporting  Accommodations

 Guidance Department website: (  Naviance: Comprehensive college and career planning tool for students  Tonight’s highlighted featured: “College” tab - College Research College Search “College’s I’m Thinking About” College Match  Colleges other students like  Colleges that accept students like you Scattergrams College Maps- LMHS acceptance history since 2006 College Resources- five categories of web resources

 Keep your extracurricular activities updated in Naviance  Stay involved with clubs/activities in/out of school  Strive for leadership positions within activities  Continue community service or employment  Continue to challenge yourself academically next semester and senior year  Official GPA/decile rank calculated in September  Attend Open House Programs and visit colleges  Review scholarship database in Naviance  Look for merit scholarships on:  Explore possible internship opportunities  Explore summer enrichment programs

 What it means to Admissions: ◦ Tracking student interest- based on the information tracked by colleges such as: a campus visit or your attendance at an Open House Program, will the student likely commit to attending the school if accepted? (yield)  What it looks like for LM class of 2014: ◦ Attend College Rep LM in fall ◦ Attend Open House Programs on campuses ◦ Attend Informational Sessions in area ◦ Attend “Meet the College Rep Night” LM ◦ Attend Spring College Fairs ◦ Request information about specific programs

 Sources of Aid- Federal, State, College, Private  Types of Aid: Merit-based and Need-based  Forms: FAFSA (Federal/State) & CSS Profile (Private funds)  Scholarships can be based on need, merit, service, citizenship, athletic or special talent  Use Naviance Scholarship database / search engine options  Scholarship searches should be FREE

 Fall of senior year: apply for your FAFSA pin- parent and student  Use FOTW (FAFSA-on-the-Web) worksheet to get organized prior to filing at:  EFC-Estimated Family Contribution Major factors in determining EFC: ◦ parental & student assets/income ◦ family size & number in college ◦ age of older parent  FAFSA can be filed after Jan. 1 st senior year  Tip: List your most expensive PA. school first when asked for your colleges

 Application ◦ ◦ Supplements ◦ Specific electronic application ◦ Penn State electronic system  Essay  Resume ◦ Extracurricular Activities ◦ Honors, Awards, Leadership Positions  Letters of Recommendation ◦ Teachers (2) ◦ Counselor  Payment

 Plan for junior conference ◦ Look for invitation coming later this month! ◦ Make an appointment with your counselor ◦ Complete all requested forms prior to meeting  Begin the college search ◦ Search engines: Naviance, College Board, Petersons ◦ Plan to attend Meet the Rep Night – April 10, 2013 ◦ Plan to attend college fairs and visit campuses  Register for admission tests ◦ SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT ◦ Test Optional

 Update Naviance account ◦ Enter Colleges I’m Thinking About  Ask for letters of recommendation ◦ Complete brag sheets for teachers and counselor  Solidify summer plans ◦ Volunteering? Internship? ◦ Graduation Project Part A!  Register on ◦ Begin to complete the common application ◦ Take note of your user name and password!  Important: For information about NCAA eligibility, college admission for students with disabilities and / or admission to the U.S. service academies, please review “The College Search” section of your planning guide and bring specific questions to your planning meeting

 Updated Transcript Request Form  Use of Naviance to send electronic documentsNaviance ◦ Transcript ◦ Letters of Recommendation ◦ Secondary School Reports ◦ Mid-Year Reports  Benefits? ◦ Communication, efficiency, tracking  The Guidance Office will begin accepting transcript requests on September 23, 2013

 Counselor links on HS website (Click on Staff, listed alphabetically); links in Naviance  Guidance phone: (215)