1. Junior Parent College Meeting USA/Canada: Testing, Counseling, Choosing

2. Agenda Getting Started as Juniors Selecting Colleges
Financial Aid
Comparing USA/Canadian/UK Admissions
Admission to Selective Institutions
What Colleges Look for in Applicants
Selecting Colleges
Getting Started as Juniors

3. Spring Semester
Testing
Counseling
College Planning

4. Testing
By the end of Junior Year, students should have taken the appropriate standardized tests:
PSAT
SAT or ACT
SAT II Subject Tests
TOEFL/IELTS

5. SAT & ACT Test Dates SAT & SAT Subject Tests 2017: May 6, June 3
Register:
ACT
2017: April 8, June 10
Register:

6. TEST Preparation Strongly recommended Many options available:
Group courses
Individual Tutoring
SAT-Khan Academy
Online
Self-study/Shmoop
Diagnostic & Mock Testing
See ASP website/US College Counseling & BESPOKE Course Information

7. Getting Started: Counseling
Required Group Orientation Meetings (February)
First Individual Meeting with Counselor (after group meeting)
Review graduation requirements / academic record
Initial list of colleges
Parents encouraged to attend
Second Individual Meeting with Counselor
Student Data Questionnaire submitted
Explore personal qualities, goals and interests
Revise initial list of colleges
Review Essay Topic/Personal Statement

8. Getting Started: Parent Contribution
Parent Data Sheet: How I see ….
Download from the ASP website under College Counseling. Preferably completed by second student meeting. Obligatory.

9. College Planning and Prep
Visit University Websites
Participate in meetings with visiting university representatives
Utilize college guidebooks/Online resources (ASP website)
Plan college visits
Consider summer programs
Talk with alumni, friends, relatives, contacts

10. College Selection Principles
From the Education Conservancy (a group of admissions professional, including Harvard, MIT, UChicago, Smith & UWashington):
“Know that what you do in college is a better predictor of future success and happiness than where you go to college.”
“Resist the notion there is one perfect college. Great education happens in many places.”
“Resist attempts to turn the process into a status competition.”
“Rankings oversimplify and mislead.”

11. Selecting a College Genuine interest vs name recognition
College type (size, private, public, liberal arts, co-ed)
Location
Academic Environment (competitiveness, majors, core curriculum)
Campus Life (housing, social life, athletics)
Expenses/Costs
Entrance requirements: Safety*/Target/Reach (8-10 schools)

12. EARLY Admissions
Early Decision
Early Action
Rolling Admissions

13. Evaluating the Applicant
Admissions
Academic Performance
Extra-curricular engagement
Uniqueness
Contribution to Diversity
Character
Alumni connections
University Priorities

14. ACADEMIC Course rigor Grades
Position in the class (Grade Distribution and Weighted GPA)
Standardized Test Scores
Recommendations
Awards

15. EXTRA-CURRICULAR ENGAGEMENT
Seek evidence of meaningful involvement
Emphasis on depth, not breadth

16. Uniqueness
Personal essay
Interview
Recommendations
Special Talents

17. Alumni Connections In most cases, parents or grandparents
Loyalty to institution

18. Contribution to Diversity
Minority students
Low-income students
First-generation applicants
International students
Geographic distribution
Gender

19. Character Ethical and responsible citizens
Contributing members of society
Future leaders in a global society

20. University Priorities
Enrollment plans
Development

21. Selective College Admissions
These colleges deny between 70% and 95% of applicants, many more than admitted.
Academic success is required but not sufficient for admission.
Your chances are doubled if you have differentiation.
Examples of differentiation include: minority status, alumni affiliation, athletic recruitment, award-winning achievements, outstanding leadership and exceptional talent.

22. Admission to CANADA Appeal of Canadian universities
Each school has specific admission requirements
Application deadline varies from January to March
IB Diploma candidates are not required to submit SAT scores
AP and USA high school diploma applicants in many cases must submit SAT (including Subject Tests – McGill), or ACT scores
Applications made to specific faculties

23. Admissions to the UK
Applications submitted via UCAS to study a specific course within university
In most cases, IB Diploma or 3 or more AP exams required
In some cases, UK unis will also admit with a high school diploma and SAT or ACT scores
Conditional offers will be based on predicted exam results
Non-native English speakers should plan on submitting proof of English language proficiency (IELTS – visa seekers)

24. Financial Aid Net price calculator/estimator Need-based Loans
Scholarships & Grants
Work-study programs
Non-Need Based
US Citizens
FAFSA
CSS Profile
College application
International Students – limited in USA
Certification of Finances