1. Pine View School College Planning Night March 30th 2017

2. Pine View School College Night
An Introduction to College Planning Lance Bergman (6:30-7:25)
Finding Your Fit Jane Robbins (7:30-7:40)
Breakout Sessions (Choose One) (7:45-8:20)
College Funding and Financial Aid Jane Robbins (Auditorium)
Standardized Testing and College Essays Chris Deveau/Neal Schleifer (Cafeteria A)
Special Circumstances: Sport Eligibility and Recruitment, Military Academies, Twice Exceptional and Under-represented Students - No presentation – Informational handouts will be available for pick up following the breakout sessions (Cafeteria B)

3. Plenary Program and Objectives
An Introduction to College Planning
Our Mission - Pine View College Resource website
Ethics in College Application Process
Your College Search: Research and Fit
Guidelines/Tips for the Application Process
Naviance/Family Connection - Timeline and Tasks
The Florida State University System
UF, FSU and the SUS Matrix
Bright Futures Eligibility
Timeline for Spring - Summer 2017
“Finding Your Fit” – Jane Robbins
Tonight’s program is very full. Please use index cards or feel free to me directly with any questions.

4. An Introduction to College Planning
Junior Presentations and Handouts
The Pine View College Resource Website
This is an expanded presentation that includes many elements that Mrs. Halcomb and I shared with students in recent meetings of 20 or so students. The limitation on such a presentation is that some of you come with great knowledge, others this is your first introduction. Regardless it’s okay. Beginning now students should be in a more active and engaged stage, learning and researching both the process and about colleges. In your packet are copies of the items shared with students, tonight’s powerpoint as well as several handouts we will be referencing. In addition the PVS college website is a tremendous resource that we strongly encourage you to visit. (I told them it would occupy you). All presentations (including the student forums) can be found on the website.

5. Pine View College Resource Mission and Student Responsibilities (Handout)
Missions Statement & Philosophy: To help students find the right fit & to assure a successful process for all students. This requires good information from us so that you can be well-informed and intentional. The notion of “fit” or “match”. You will hear this over and over in this and subsequent forums. Highlight top and bottom two paragraphs.

6. The Pine View Ethics Statement
Applying to College
Ethics Statement
Another area identified as key in assuring our mission was the development of a Statement of Ethics . Three years ago a group was convened to look at college application process, culture and behaviors by students that appeared to work against our mission. The Statements of Ethics. Outlines a common set of expectations and guidelines
Several specific behaviors were effecting student outcomes (and still are). Overapplication to colleges that either were not realistic, viable nor financially possible. An “every man for himself” attitude where 12-15, and in many cases 20+ applications were being submitted. In social psychology this is know as a social trap. Which punishes us perennially as a school.
Two effects of this. One works at an individual level = Lower yield – less focus, diffused effort. Not able to show or know interest.
The other: Colleges now use analytics that help them to determine the probability of student attendance; tracking contact and visits, other types of demonstrated interest, student and parent demographic data, AND historic data; specifically numbers of applications and acceptances to colleges. The long –term effects of PV students applying to some colleges and not accepting is obvious. Please read. You will be sent a copy in May and asked to sign that you have read it.
Student responsibilities- please allow students to be responsible for their own process, complete the applications, make the phone calls…

7. What Do Colleges Want? Factors in Admission
Rigor of High School Coursework (and Focus)
Overall High School GPA (weighted and unweighted)
SAT or ACT Scores (SAT Subject Scores, if applicable)*
Extracurricular Activities (depth v. breadth)
Community Service/Volunteer Work
Strong Personal Statement/Essay(s)*
Letters of Recommendation (private and some public)
Interview with Admissions (if optional, say yes!)
Demonstrated interest in the University and program
Be true to your interests. Students job to challenge self (as all have as PV students). Part of mine is to convey to colleges the exceptional nature of our school, coursework and instruction.

8. The Right “Fit” - Creating Your List*
Using charts/matrices on the PVS website to consider and weight some of the following factors:
Academic Majors/Programs (Honors, dual degrees…)
Cost/Affordability – “Financial Fit”*
Liberal arts vs. vocational/career
Size of college/classes - small, medium, large
Locations that are possible/desirable (distance)
Setting - state, geography, urban/rural, college town
Campus Atmosphere – campus life, athletics, clubs
Housing/Facilities – dorm options, recreational, dining
* Finding Your“Fit” – Jane Robbins
Discussed recently with Juniors and Jane Robbins presentation to follow

9. Financial “Fit”*
No surprises! Your family should research the total costs of each college and your ability to pay. Family conversations are very important.
Use various tools found on the Pine View website:
College Affordability and Transparency Center
Net Price Calculator  
FAFSA4Caster  
Edvisors
Use NPC. Reprise and expansion on this topic follows AND next fall. (FAFSA workshop)

10. College Research
Resources/Helpful Links on pvscollegecounseling.com and Naviance (SuperMatch and College Compare)
Make use of Pine View specific data (Scattergrams)
Books and brochures in the college resource room
College fairs/representatives visiting Pine View
Visit college campuses (take tours and meet with admissions)- see Visiting Colleges on the website
Alumni parents, teachers, former PV students

11. A Balanced and Manageable List
Ideally no more than 8-10
2-3 Reach Schools
3-4 Target Schools
3 Safety Schools
NACAC recommendation

12. Think Outside the Box $$
Visit Composing Your List on the PVS website
Colleges That Change Lives Beloit, New College, Reed, Rhodes, Juniata, Guilford…
Fiske’s Best Buy 2015 and others that offer merit aid
Private: Adelphi, Baylor, Cooper Union, Elon University, Olin College of Engineering, Rice
Public: UF, New College, Purdue, UNC –Chapel Hill and Asheville, U of Toronto
Peterson’s Best Fit, Cappex.com, Zinch.com, Unigo.com…
Macalester, Grinnell, Kenyon…

13. Admissions Decision Plans
Applying to College/Decision Plans – Think and plan ahead!
FSU - October 15th(ish)
UF - November 1st(ish)
Other Florida publics*
Out of State publics
Early Decision I
Restrictive Early Action (SC)
Early Decision II
Regular Decision (most January 1st (ish))
Rolling Admissions (apply early-scholarship priority)*
Early Action

14. Private College/University Applicants Only
Tips/guidelines for applying to private colleges can be found on the PV website
For most private college applications you should use the Common Application (600+)
One to two teacher recommendations are required in addition to a guidance letter/evaluation
You will choose one of seven Common App essays
There is a Common App/Naviance matching process. Information will be shared later

15. The Common Application (The CommonApp)
You may create a Common App account now
Go to and start thinking about your essay!

16. Teacher Recommendations (mostly private and some public universities/colleges)
Ask teacher recommenders in advance (before summer)
Guidelines/instructions for requesting teacher letters of recommendation are on the PVS counseling website (you will do so electronically through Naviance)
UF and FSU do not accept letters (as is true of other major publics). Some Florida public universities may accept letters of recommendation. NCF requires one

17. Naviance/Family Connection
Sign up is required of all Pine View students in order to request recommendations and deliver Pine View materials. This is separate process from your application
Go to Log- in using your PV student N# and PIN and add your parents’ to your account
Students have been asked in guidance visits, English classes and in the sessions held recently. Parent accounts!

18. Naviance/Family Connection Resources
College Research – SuperMatch and College Compare
Pine View specific data (Scattergrams)
Scholarships

19. Naviance/Family Connection
Assigned Tasks for guidance purposes only
Complete Student Questionnaire (due April 29th)
Answer Recommendation Prompts (April 29th)
Colleges I’m Thinking About (before our meeting)
A Personal Resume. Create a resume using the Resume Builder or upload one you already have (May 26th)
Time to complete these and other college-related tasks will be given in Junior English classes as well
Discussed in college sessions

20. State University System of Florida
Students are encouraged to apply to one or more Florida public universities
Refer to the 2016 SUS Matrix and specific admissions information
Pay close attention to SUS timelines and requirements

21. Florida Schools 2016 Report (except where noted*)
University of Florida - Gainesville (50,000/34,000UG)
Single deadline November 1st (ish) (decision mid-Feb)
You will use the Coalition Application to apply
Must complete the SSAR (Academic self-report)
Middle 50%: GPA; ACT; SAT *
80+% reported 3 or more AP scores
Overall acceptance 38% (down from 45%)*
70+% of Pine View applicants accepted to date*
Essay important. No letters of recommendation
Honors College – Must apply
*Updated to reflect 2017 admissions

22. Florida Schools 2016 Report
Florida State University – Tallahassee (42,000)
Mid-October early deadline - Notification date mid-December. Second deadline mid-January
FSU will be using the Coalition Application
SAR – Academic self-report
Middle Range ; ACT – 26-31; SAT
56% of total applicants were accepted 2016
86% of 2017 Pine View applicants accepted to date*
Students invited/apply to join honors program
Students with high academic achievements automatically considered for scholarships

23. Bright Futures ( )*
Florida Academic Scholar Award - GPA (3.5), ACT (29) or SAT (1290-R&M only), Community Service hours (100)
Florida Medallion Scholar Award– GPA (3.0), ACT (26) or SAT (1170-R&M only), Community Service hours (75)
The FAS award was $103/credit hour (Medallion $77)
UF tuition and fees $6380/FSU $6516
Bright Futures funded $3090
All students will be required to sign up for Bright Futures beginning in December 2017
*SUBJECT TO CHANGE The Florida State legislature adjusts requirements and awards each year. Please keep posted as award levels will change

24. Additional Information
Additional information will be mailed home at the end of May, and will be posted online. This will include:
The Statement of Ethics (to be read and signed)
A Senior Timeline
A Parent Questionnaire
Instructions for matching your Naviance and Common Application accounts and requesting transcripts
Deadlines for submission of final application lists (early October and mid-November)
Please call Mrs. Manders for an appointment. Spring appointments are strongly suggested for early admission plans and special circumstances (military, athletic) and will begin in mid-April

25. April through Summer 2017 – To Do List
Research, visit, and compare colleges
Narrow down college choices. Do not consider applying if you are not willing/able to attend. Match and Fit!
Attend summer programs, work, volunteer. Keep busy!
If applying to Common App schools begin the process
Begin Florida public universities applications
Look at essay prompts and begin writing
Plan for any additional SAT/ACT testing
Work on Community Service hours
If using an outside counselor please share ALL Pine View materials with them (including the Statement of Ethics and deadlines)