 Please pick up a copy of all college handouts on the back table! Stay tuned for… College Information Night for Parents WELCOME!

Ms. Brandi Cooper Mrs. Amber Gilsdorf Ms. Ann Raffay November 18, 2015

  GHS College Counseling Curriculum  5 Easy Steps for College Searching  College Testing  Strengthening Applicant Profile  Financial Aid (briefly)  Save the Dates  Q & A Agenda for the Evening

 GHS College Planning Curriculum  9 th Grade —  4-Year Academic Planning Meetings  Career Cluster Finder Inventory in Ohio Means Jobs  Freshmen Career Fair  10 th Grade —  Strengths Explorer in Naviance  College Major Searching  Sophomore Hands-On Day  PSAT Results  11 th Grade —  College 101 Curriculum ( See “College 101 Calendar” handout - GREEN )

  12th Grade —  College Application Process for Parents (Sept.)  College Application Work Sessions  Alumni Day  All Grades —  Athletics in College (Required Sports Meeting & lunches in the fall and spring)  Licking County Financial Aid Night (Jan. but will move earlier next year)  Scheduling Presentations (Feb.)  Selective Schools Admissions Presentation (Apr.)  Licking County College Fair (Apr.) GHS College Planning Curriculum

  Naviance Family Connection Naviance Family Connection  Ohio Means Jobs – explore careers of interest Ohio Means Jobs  Grade-level College Planning Calendars & Tons of Other College Resources   Websites:   College-specific websites  studentaid.ed.gov Tools for the Journey Ahead

  College 101 Folder (juniors) – All juniors will have a specific college-planning folder that will be added to throughout junior year.  College Books:  Fiske Guide to the Colleges 2016  Peterson’s publications  CollegeBoard’s College Majors  Available to borrow in the GHS Counseling Office  Family & Friends  School Counselor Tools for the Journey Ahead

  College search tool  Database that compares your student’s applicant profile to former GHS graduates who applied to the same schools on your student’s list!  Helps you & your student organize the college process  Personality strengths assessments  Career assessments  Scholarship searches  Summer Enrichment Programs See: “Introduction to Naviance” handout - BLUE What is Naviance Family Connection?

How do I begin the process with my child ?

  Have your child reflect on:  Who am I?  What are my strengths?  What do I want from my college experience?  What would I like to do at the end of 4 years?  What are my goals?  How do these qualities match with potential majors and careers?  College Counseling Curriculum:  “Cluster Finder” and “Strengths Explorer” assessments  College 101 Folder - See “Exploring College Majors & Careers Path” Packet & College Majors 101 STEP 1: Self-Reflection

 Public and Private Colleges For-Profit Colleges 4-year and 2-year colleges Liberal Arts Colleges Universities Vocational-Technical and Career Colleges Colleges with special focus Arts, single-sex, religious, specialized mission  College Counseling Curriculum:  College 101 Folder – “College Search Process” packet and “Qualities that Make a College Right for You” packet STEP 2: Understand Different Types of Colleges

  Enrollment  Academic Environment  Academic Offerings  Cost/Availability of Financial Aid  Religion  Ethnicity  Coeducation or Single Sex  Student Body Characteristics  Student Life  Big Name School or Best Fit School  Activities (including Athletics)  Admission Difficulty  Location  Any other factors… STEP 3: Qualities that Make a School “a Good Fit” College Counseling Curriculum: College 101 Folder – “ “Qualities that Make a College Right for You” packet

 1.Using the “SuperMatch” and “College Search” features in Naviance, students can narrow field of search based on qualities of importance.  View college acceptance data from previous GHS students (without names)  See: “Using Naviance to Compare to Past GHS Applicants” handout - BLUE  Personalize a list of schools you have interest in and keep track of deadlines 2.Use the CollegeBoard “College Search” function to cross-reference results.  College Counseling Curriculum:  College 101 Folder – “How to Build Your College List” packet STEP 4: Build a College List & Research

 3. Review college profile on Naviance, CollegeBoard, or on the college’s website  Average SAT and/or ACT scores or mid-50% range of scores for acceptance  Average GPA of acceptance  Recommended number of courses for math, science, global language, fine arts, etc.  Acceptance rates  Courses & majors offered  Other unique programs/activities for students See: “How to Build a College List” packet - WHITE STEP 4: Build a College List & Research

  Visiting is the best way to learn about colleges  If you can, go when school is in session  Plan trips during long weekends, vacations, GHS Spring Break  Set up the appt. 2-3 weeks in advance, through the phone or website  See: “Questions to Ask During Your Campus Visit” handout - SALMON STEP 5: College Visits Standard Visit = Tour and Presentation Virtual Tours available on some college websites and CollegeWeekLive Experience as much as possible (meetings with coaches, department chairs, professors, see the town, etc.)

 As you begin searching for schools & visiting… Things to keep in mind

  Grades in college preparatory courses (93.9%)  Strength of curriculum (90.2%)  Admission test scores/ACT & SAT (87.4%)  Overall GPA (87.3%)  Essay (57.8%) Percentages are the results of the annual NACAC Admissions Trends Survey, which denotes the most important factors in admissions decisions. Students should consider their applicant profile:

 How do you determine if a college is a…  Reach?  Your student’s applicant profile is not as strong as the middle 50% (GPA & test scores) or average of admitted students to that school.  Target?  Your student’s applicant profile is similar to the middle 50% (GPA & test scores) or average of admitted students to that school.  Safety?  Your student’s applicant profile is significantly stronger than the middle 50% (GPA & test scores) or average of admitted students to that school.

 The College Continuum Reach  Target  Likely When it comes to applying, we recommend applying to a variety of schools on a continuum based on your student’s applicant profile. Reach Target Safety

 Though acceptance rates are low for these highly selective schools, we encourage all students that match the school’s academic profile and feel that the school is a “best fit” for them to apply. Acceptance rates from 2015 Harvard 7.2% Harvard 7.2% Stanford 7.97% Stanford 7.97% Yale 8.56% Yale 8.56% Princeton 10.6% Princeton 10.6% Columbia 11% Columbia 11% Brown 11% Brown 11% Penn 17% Penn 17% Georgetown 19% Georgetown 19% Duke 22% Duke 22% Gathered from Naviance, 2012 School ApplicantsAcceptedAdmission Rate Harvard35,0232, % Yale28,9772, % Princeton26,6411, % Univ. of Chicago 30,2712, % Vanderbilt University 31,0993, % Duke University 30,3744, % Selective Schools Admissions

  The fewer students a school accepts, the more likely it is to place emphasis on “tip” factors in the admissions process.  Demonstrated Interest  On-campus visits  Summer programs at the school YELLOW  Table visits at college fairs (See the back of your YELLOW handout)  Student’s unique strength/situation  Particular musical instrument, sport, or other strength  Major area of study interest  First generation college student  What is the need for their incoming class?  Selective Schools Presentation:  Wednesday, April 20, 7:30 p.m. after the Licking County College Fair (6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) Selective Schools Admissions

 Here we go… College Testing

 YELLOW  See: “Test Dates & Deadlines” YELLOW handout  = GHS is a Test Center for that date.  All students should have a “Testing Plan” to take both the SAT WITH essay & ACT WITH writing once each.  We encourage students to retake whichever test was the stronger test for them AT LEAST ONCE. SAT and ACT

  All initial testing should be done by the end of Junior year, which leaves fall of senior year to test again if desired.  Pay special attention to whether or not colleges require the “writing” portion of the ACT. We strongly recommends taking the writing portion as some colleges require it!  Test-optional schools SAT and ACT

 Make A Testing Plan  In Pre-Calculus, IAP, Fundies, AP Calc (or higher) this year?  First round of ACT & SAT in the Winter (December, January, February) of junior year  Second round of ACT or SAT in the Spring (March, April, May, or June) of junior year  In Geometry, ALPH, or Algebra II this year?  First round of ACT & SAT in the Spring (March or April) of junior year  Second round of ACT or SAT in the Spring/Summer (May or June) of junior year YELLOW See: “ ” Dates & Deadlines” handout - YELLOW

  SUPER SCORING! New Super Score is = 31  Why it can be good to take both tests more than once!  Policies vary by college as not all schools super score.  Old SAT with Old SAT/New SAT with New SAT ONLY SAT and ACT Date:EnglishMathReadingScienceComposite April June

 SAT will change in the Spring of 2016 (impacting Class of 2017 and beyond)  Check out the “Testing Dates and Deadlines” handout  Old SAT will continue through February  New SAT will begin in March  College admissions will not be comparing old SAT scores with new SAT scores.  If your student took the PSAT last year and this year, have them think about which one they performed best on and consider taking the Old SAT and/or focus on the New SAT Old SAT vs. New SAT

  Register for tests online & record the username and password as that will be how you access your scores and send them later on!  Students must upload a photo of themselves with their online registration. Student must be the only person in the picture with a plain colored background.  For students requesting accommodations, please review the information at  You can choose 4 schools to receive your scores for free when you register for the test. Registration

 Inside the New SAT What is the test structure? Evidence-Based Reading & Writing Mathematics Essay--Optional How is the test scored? points per section for a total of 1600 possible 2-8 points for the essay No penalty for guessing, so student should answer every question unlike the old SAT!

 The PSAT was modified to reflect the changes to the SAT (Oct. 2015)  Administered in October each year.  Recommended for ALL 10 th & 11 th grade students every year.  Detailed Score Report returned in January in English classes  Students’ scores available online in December if students provided an on their test form  Provides Personalized SAT Study Plan online

SAT Subject Tests  Typically more selective colleges and highly academic programs require the SAT subject tests.  Take these tests right after you have completed the class that focused on the subject in which you are being tested.  Each subject test lasts approximately one hour, so students can sign up for up to three tests on one test date.  How do I know if my schools require SAT Subject Tests?  Use Compass Prep: requirements-and-recommendations/ requirements-and-recommendations/  Each specific school’s admissions website  Search for your college on CollegeBoard’s website

 What is the test structure? English Reading Mathematics Science Reasoning Writing (optional…but recommended) How is the test scored? 1-36 for each section 2-12 points for the writing Inside the ACT

 Free: -PSAT Score Report Check out links on our website: Fee-Based: -$ on your “Test Dates & Deadlines” handout -Workshops are advertised through the announcements under “College Testing” -Private tutoring Note: Make sure that any prep service focuses on problem solving and test-taking skills, as well as time management. Test Prep

  Do colleges need both SAT and ACT scores?  Which scores are better to send to colleges? Should I send them now, or wait?  How important are grades as compared to test scores?  What if English is not my first language? (TOEFL) FAQs on Testing

 Almost there! We did it!

  April:  Students complete a “Check-In” Worksheet:  Testing Plan, College Visit Plan, Potential Majors, Colleges of Interest, & Potential Recommenders  May:  Prepare for the college essay & review “To-Do” for the summer  Going in to Senior Year:  Have a list of colleges to which your student will apply  All initial ACT/SAT testing completed, with the option to re-test again if desired. At the end of Junior Year

  Coursework/Course schedule/Rigor  Get involved in our school AND our community  Your child should invest in activities they are passionate about and/or talented  Consider the opportunities available during the summer—programs/camps/leadership events  Find a few things (not 10) to focus on and to develop more  Encourage them to get to know their teachers and counselor  Family Meetings Grades 9 – 11: Strengthen Your Applicant Profile

  College 101 – March topic  Begin to research the cost of college for your family specifically.  There are many tools and resources available to help you get an estimate of what your family will pay.  Federal Aid:   Individual Colleges/Universities:  Net Price Calculators (see “Calculating the Cost of College” on the GHS Financial Aid website)“Calculating the Cost of College” Financial Aid

  Resources are available on the School Counseling & College Planning website   During your college visits, make a separate appointment to meet with financial aid officers.  Or don’t hesitate to call the financial aid office! Financial Aid SAVE THE DATE January 20, 6:00 p.m. - Financial Aid C-TEC April 20, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. – Licking County College Fair September 2016 – College Application Process for Senior Parents

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