Junior College Information Night February 4, 2016

The Planning Timeline  Purpose –To provide focus for a lengthy, complex, and very important process!

Four College Related Myths  There is only one college that is right for me.  All colleges are alike –No point in doing the research  I cannot afford a college education  If I make the wrong college choice it is irreversible

Importance of the Academic Record  It is the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR –Challenging Courses –Grades achieved  Most challenging course load –Language arts –Science –World Languages –Social Studies –Mathematics

Admission Criteria  High School Course Load  Grades and overall GPA—Grade Point Average  Test Scores –Prediction of academic success  SATs  ACTs

Standardized Tests  PSAT  ACT given at UC to every Junior April 19  ALWAYS USE THE SAME LEGAL NAME  SAT vs. ACT  Preparation- Khan Academy  Superscoring  Union Catholic code

Additional Criteria  Special Interests  Special Awards  Essay- Start in English (students finalize during the summer)  Interviews  Service/Volunteer Work  Letters of Recommendation- –Teacher –Counselor –Coach –Employer –Supervisor –Clergy

Letters of Recommendation **REQUIRED**  Teacher Prompt Suveys – Many teachers will start letters this summer!!! Some teachers limit the number they write.  Student and Parent Brag Sheet Surveys– Need to be done by May 23 rd.

Teacher Prompt Survey

Resume ** Required** Clubs, Sports, Volunteer work, Tutoring, Leadership, Summer Courses and Activities Naviance Resume Builder

Teacher Request

Senior Brag Sheet Survey

Parent/Guardian Brag Sheet on Naviance or Handout

Gathering Information  High School Guidance Counselor  Internet  Naviance  College View book  College Catalog  College Website  College Fairs-  April 20 th  all juniors invited NACAC  NCAA Eligibility Center

Demonstrated Interest  Why? Increased College Applications- Yield Under the colleges average admissions criteria  College Visit- Open Houses  Correspondence w/ Regional Rep  Lunch Visits  College Fairs  Interviews

Your Final List  Reach –1-2 schools  Realistic –2-4 schools  Safety –1-2 schools *May also consider Gap year experiences *Fairtest.org

Admissions  Not an EXACT Science  2 main factors control admission at all colleges & universities  Freshman Class Profile  Freshman Class Size

What’s New?  Common Application will roll over- Juniors can start  Financial Aid – October 1 st will be open  March 5 th – New SAT

Partnership  Student  Parents/ Guardians  Counselor

Thank you!  We highly encourage you to explore Naviance and the other resources we discussed. The School Counseling Department invites all parents/guardians to schedule a Family Planning Conference with their student’s counselor for a more individualized discussion! Counselors are available to begin conferences from 8:30 AM-1:00 PM on weekdays. Conferences usually last about an hour. Please your student’s counselor for an appointment.