Prospect Hill Academy

 College Counseling Philosophy  Role of the College Counselor and College Prep  Six Dimensions of the College Application  Developing Your List  How to Apply/Timeline  What Juniors Should Do Now  Frequently Asked Questions  Questions

Prospect Hill Academy’s College Counseling Office seeks to place students at colleges and universities that are the best “fit” for the whole student. Students should matriculate where they will thrive both academically and socially, but also have the most opportunities in life with the least amount of financial burden.

 Teach College Prep Course  Get to know students and families.  Act as the student’s advocate in the college process.  Be available to meet with students and parents/guardians.  Help plan and create a list of colleges for students.  Advise families about chances of admission.  Write counselor’s recommendations for students.  Help students with applications, essays and preparing for interviews.  Communicate key information on the college process to parents, including financial aid.

GRADE 11GRADE 12  Self Reflection  Learning Terminology  Developing a College List  Researching Colleges  College Visits  SAT Prep  Mock Admissions  Essay Writing  Applying to College  Interview Prep  Resume Writing  Transitions to College

November-December: Create college folder and store test information, application info, and other college docs Review your scores from the PSAT January: Start a scholarship search Start learning about the financial aid process February: Work on resume, ask advisor to look at itresume, Attend college tours during break Register for March SAT March: Take the 3/5 SAT Apply for a summer job through Mayor’s Youth Program, Boston Youth Fund, etc Start creating potential college list using College Board or navianceCollege Board naviance April: Prepare for AP exams, if applicable Ask guidance counselor and 1-2 teachers to write college recommendation Complete 1st draft of college essay May and June: Take the SAT or AP Exams, if applicable Apply to fly-in college visit programs, refer to College Greenlight’s listCollege Greenlight’s list

Admissions Transcript #1 SATs #2 Extra- Curricular #4 Other #6? Interview #5 Essays #3 Recommendations #3

A B C D A B C F A B C  Cumulative GPA is reported on a weighted 100 pt scale (9-11)  Colleges will recalculate  Grades are most important  Junior and First Semester Senior Year VERY IMPORTANT

 PSAT  SAT  SAT II  ACT  Test Optional Schools (

 Two from Junior or Senior Year Core Academic Subjects  College Counselor To summarize the students experience in the classroom and in the community. To provide context for the students transcript and testing.

Common Application Essay Questions for  Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.  The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?  Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?  Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.  Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

 Continue to stay involved!  Leadership  Athletics, arts, drama, clubs etc.  Part-time work  Family responsibilities  Summer after Junior Year

 Self Reflection  Research  Visits  Demonstrating Interest  All students should apply to a range of schools, in terms of selectivity:  “Likely” School - (Think: 80%+ chance of being admitted)  “Possible” School - (Think: 50% chance of being admitted)  “Reach” School - (Think: 20% or less chance of being admitted)

 Types of Colleges:  Public  Private  College Living Options:  Commuter  Residential  Types of Majors:  Liberal Arts  Pre-Professional  Types of College Degrees:  Two Year (Associates)  Four Year (Bachelor’s)  Graduate

 Early Action  Early Decision  Rolling  Regular Decision  Priority See handout for a timeline of what to do when for senior year.

 Grades extremely important  Continue involvement  College fairs  College visits and reps  Take SAT/ACT in spring and fall  Individual meetings during second semester  Think about who you will ask for letters of recommendation now and ask in the Spring.  Save graded papers and projects  Get involved!  Should be researching schools

 Can we afford college?  Is commuting to college is the only affordable option?  Aren’t State (public) colleges the only affordable option?  Does my child needs to decide on his/her future career plans NOW?  What makes a college“good” or “bad?”  Aren’t the best schools located in the Northeast?  Do large schools have more to offer than small schools? (universities are better than colleges)  Is there some secret strategy can get my son/daughter admitted to college or get a scholarship.

 PHA Website PHA Website  Naviance Naviance  uAspire uAspire  Fly-In College Programs Fly-In College Programs  Enrichment Programs Enrichment Programs