{ College Information Night for Juniors DeEnna Holohan, Director of College Counseling

Tonight -College Counseling Overview -You Pick 4 -Colleges -Testing -Financial Aid -Visual and Performing Arts

Some Advice from the Goddesses

Things to Think About -Location -People -Dorm Life -Activities -Internships -Study Abroad

Important Factors in the Admission Committee Process -Transcripts -Test Scores -Essays -Recommendations -Activities -Interviews and Impressions -Expressions of Interest

Standardized Tests -ACT and SAT -Colleges will accept either test -Many require ACT with writing -Take it with writing every time -SAT Subject Tests -Many highly selective schools require them; some recommend them -Score Reporting -ACT and SAT offer score choice; score reports reflect only one testing date

ACT Test Dates 2/6/16 4/9/16 6/11/16 SAT Test Dates 3/5/16 5/7/16 6/4/16 Standardized Test Dates We recommend students take their first test in the Spring of Junior Year

Test Prepration -Free Practice ACT Given November 7th -Check your for score reports -Contact Compass if you missed it! -Spring ACT Prep Class at ND offered by Compass Begins the week of 1/18/16

Junior Family College Conference -Mandatory meeting with Mrs. Holohan and parents during the school day -See Flyer for Directions on How to Sign-up -1 Hour Long Meeting with Mrs. Holohan -Try to select a free block if possible -Meetings available before and after- school as well

Junior Family College Conference -Student College Search and Parent Questionnaire -Both due at least one week before conference -What is Covered -Transcript and Testing -Action Plan and time line -Beginning the College Search and List Development -Bring signed copy of the College Counseling Philosophy, Expectations and Responsibilities

Other Considerations -Auditions/Portfolios -College Athletics/NCAA -Honors Programs -Learning Differences -Military Service Academies -Minority Student Opportunities -Financial Aid

Changes for Coalition Application -New SAT -PPY or Early FAFSA

Action Plan-Now! -Students: Complete College Search Questionnaire in Naviance -Parents: Complete Parent Questionnaire in Naviance -Schedule your family’s College Conference (January-May) -Register interest online with colleges and visit colleges, if possible -Consider summer 2016 plans -Create filing system for college material

Upcoming Events -Out of State College Fair-December 4 th -Case Studies at Mitty-April 21 st -Selection of Recommenders-Due in May -Mission College Fair-May 5 th -Attend Essay Writing Workshop-June 1 st -Work on First Drafts of Essays -ND College Application Bootcamp: Pre-register on iVolunteer July Two session times 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm

What Parents Can Do -Manage the time line -Provide information for students resume -Schedule college visits -Register student for ACT/SAT -Investigate financial aid and scholarship opportunities -Fact check admissions advice from friends -Stay behind the white line

White Line Violations Get ‘em ready, but stay off the field/stage/court -Living vicariously through your child -Pronoun misuse: “our” vs. “her” -Spending more time investigating colleges than your daughter does -Asking all of the questions on the campus tour -Some colleges note contact from students vs. parents -Writing, typing, submitting application for your child-avoid “MDI” or “DDI” on the application!

-UC Santa Cruz: Shauntay Larkins -San Jose State University: Kimiko Strayer -Performing Arts: Harriet Katz -Saint Louis University-Eric Wilson -Mount Holyoke College-Lauren Cook -University of Nevada, Reno-Linda Dannemiller -Missouri University of S&T-Sarah Moore -Santa Clara University-Denise Castillo Chavez -St. Mary’s College of California-Patrick Lorenzo -Mission College-Susan Monahan -Financial Aid: Katy Fitzgerald -Test Prep-Compass: Sue McLaughlin