Junior Class Seminar: Beginning the College Selection and Admissions Process MLHS Counseling Department

College Search Who are you? Time for thoughtful reflection and self analysis. –Think about your strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, preferences, etc. -Your parents can be very helpful with this part of the process. Once you know what you want, then you may set out to find the colleges/universities that best match your interests and goals. Develop List through Naviance using the College Search criteria such as: 2 year/4 year, region, location, public/private, school size, selectivity, majors, sports, cost, enrollment.

College Campus Visits MLHS CODE: Register (online or phone) to visit with the Admissions Office –Information sessions, campus tours, open house, etc. Talk to other students on campus Look at facilities, surroundings, professors, and students Keep notes on the visit and specific requirements Send thank you cards

Important Terms Early Decision Early Action Restrictive EA/Single Choice Rolling Priority Regular Decision Deferred Waitlisted Admitted (YAAYYYY!!)

Evaluating an Applicant High School Grades and GPA –GPA provides admissions officers sense of performance relative to other applicants. Rigor of program and senior course selection (be reasonable yet challenge yourself) Rank (MLHS does not rank) Standardized Test Scores –Test Optional Colleges: –Test Flexible Extracurricular Activities Teacher and Counselor Recommendations Application Essay(s) Interview (required/recommended)

MLHS School Profile Every school has a Profile that is updated each year Contains the school’s statistical data and other information Features past performance as a benchmark Colleges compare the strength of a student’s transcript to the strength of the offerings, to peers, and to the pool of applicants MLHS’ Profile is a strong statement about our school, our students, and our community

High School Transcript Courses taken and final grades earned in grades 9-11 with annual and cumulative GPA. Includes senior year courses as well. Midyear Report: This report is submitted to colleges in February unless a student tells their school counselor (in writing) not to send the report. MLHS GPA is calculated using all classes except PE, Audit, and Pass/Fail classes MLHS GPA is weighted on 4.0 scale

Standardized Testing PSAT results should be used as valuable study guides SAT and SAT II Subject Tests ACT with or without writing AP scores are used for class placement only at most colleges. Recently, some colleges use AP scores as the “test flexible” submission in place of SAT or ACT. Please note: Students are responsible for knowing the specific requirements for each of their schools.

Developing Your Story Beyond GPA and Test Scores Extracurricular activities Community Service Employment Honors and awards Student and Parent Brag Sheets with valuable information Letters from teachers, coaches, mentors, counselor, and employers

Student Athletes and the NCAA NCAA Regulations Division I Schools Division II Schools Division III Schools Cumulative GPA NCAA’s Cumulative GPA and test scores Register/File with NCAA in June of junior year Check requirements because they change year to year

College Process Etiquette When meeting the admissions representative at MLHS college visits: no eating, no cell phones, don’t do classwork, no talking to each other, be polite and attentive, ask reasonable questions, respect the reps time. You represent yourself and MLHS!!!! When submitting paperwork for admissions and scholarships: be sure that it is neat and clean and timely. How to politely approach your teacher/coach/advisor and ask them to write your letter of recommendation Respect deadlines

Average Admissions Criteria College or University GPASATACTAcceptance Rate Princeton University % Vanderbilt University % University of California, Berkeley % Tulane University % Northeastern University % Lafayette College % Boston University %

Average Admissions Criteria Continued College or University GPASATACTAcceptance Rate Marist College % Villanova University % Fordham University % Elon University % University of South Carolina % James Madison University % University of Delaware %

Enjoy the Process Yes, you want to find a great college… YOU WILL! You want to be successful… YOU WILL! But in order to have it all, you want to find a FIT, the place you wake each morning, a place to call HOME… YOU CAN! Your counselors are always here to help!