1. A Presentation for Juniors and Parents
Planning for College
A Presentation for Juniors and Parents

2. SAT Test Dates

3. ACT Test Dates

4. Factors That Colleges Consider
Transcript
Test Scores (SAT or ACT)
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
The Essay
Interest (Admissions Tours and Interviews)
Marked improvement from year to year
Community Service

5. What should YOU consider when thinking about college?
The majors the college offers
The location
The size of the undergraduate population
What the student body is like
Campus activities and organizations
Public vs Private
How selective the college is

6. Types of Applications
Early Decision- a binding agreement that says you will attend a certain college upon acceptance and remove all other applications, unless the financial aid award is inadequate
Early Action- another option on your application for early notification of acceptance. You are not obligated to attend when you apply early action, you just get your acceptance earlier.
Regular Decision- Applicants are required to submit their applications by deadlines set by each college and students will receive acceptance notifications in the Spring.
Rolling Admissions- Colleges review applications and make decisions as applications are received.

7. Financial Aid Applications
FAFSA- The Free Application for Federal Student Aid seeks details on you and your parents income and assets. It will calculate your Expected Family Contribution at no charge. (FAFSA forms are available online at
CSS Profile- Developed by the College Scholarship Service (CSS) of the College Board, the PROFILE may be obtained by registering at Most private colleges require the PROFILE in addition to the FAFSA. The deadline for submitting the PROFILE is usually earlier than the FAFSA.

8. Developing a College List
“Reach” schools- schools at which there is a likelihood of denial. It is fine in this group to include a few reasonable long shots.
“Target” schools- schools that possess the significant features a student desires and the student is in the mid-range of the typical acceptance pool.
“Safety” schools- schools that have most of the features a students desires and at which it is “highly likely” to “certain” that the student will be admitted.
We recommend that students apply to at least 2-3 each Target, Safety, and Reach schools, making for on average 8 applications per student.

9. Using Naviance to Help Throughout the Process
College Search- Naviance includes information on over 6000 colleges from all of the world
Surveys- There will be both student and parent surveys at the beginning of senior year for you to fill out so that we can best write your letter of recommendation
Scattergrams/Application History- We use naviance to keep track of our applications year to year. Because of this, students and parents can access our statistics and graphs that represent Marian High School applicants to certain schools. The graphs show the SAT scores and GPAs of applicants (without names) and indicate whether they were accepted, wait listed or denied.
My Colleges- This feature allows students to keep track of the colleges they are considering and lets them create and active application list as they decide where to apply

10. What does a completed application look like?
This could be via the Common App or an individual application for each college
High School Transcript
Grades 9-12.
If you are a transfer student, make sure we have your transcript from your previous high school on file
Standardized Test Scores
Either the SAT or the ACT
Recommendations
You will have one from your guidance counselor, and you should ask two teachers
Activity List or Resume (optional)
Personal Essay

11. The Essay Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Write about yourself. Use your own voice. Admissions officers want to get to know you, so be sure whatever topic you choose gives your personality a chance to shine through.
Stay focused. It's easy to cover too many topics, but the essay is usually fairly short. Give the reader an in-depth look at one project or passion.
Be yourself. Admissions officers have seen it all. They just want to read something authentic.
Think about your influences. Many college essay questions probe into what has influenced the applicant. This doesn't have to be an earth-shattering experience that changed your life. Often it could be describing a person who shared great advice, or even a book or piece of artwork that shaped your worldview.
Consider a mundane topic. An essay doesn't have to be about a life-changing event to be interesting. Sometimes the simple things in life will give the reader insight into who you are.
Dos and Don'ts of writing college essays
Do:
Tell an engaging story with clear focus.
Show your personality. The best essays reveal something about the writer's passions and personality. For example, a thoughtful essay on the most difficult time in your life tells admissions reps more about you than a list of honors you've achieved.
Proofread your work, or better yet, ask someone else to read it through. It's very hard to proofread your own work.
Ask for constructive feedback. See if a parent, teacher, counselor, or other trusted advisor will read your essay and share practical advice to improve upon it.
Show me, don't tell me who you are. For example, don't tell me that you're an empathetic person. Show me through your story.
Don't:
Use cliches and other overused phrases. (ex: dream come true, thinking outside the box, this made me a better person, etc.)
Just include a list of your accomplishments and activities. Colleges want to see more than a list. They want to know that you're a good citizen.
Rely on "how to" books. They're fine to help you come up with essay topics, but they tend to be formulaic.
Write about anything too controversial. It's usually a good idea to steer clear of divisive religious or political topics.
Repeat what's in your application. Admissions officers want more than a laundry list of your accomplishments. They want to know what kind of person you are. Share something they wouldn't know from reading your application.

12. How To Stay On Track Through Senior Year
Spring/Summer Junior Year
Attend College Fairs and Visit Campuses
Identify the teachers you want to ask for letters of recommendation
Take the SAT/ACT
Start working on your college essay
Fall Senior Year
Finalize your college list
Re-take SAT/ACT if necessary
Secure letters of recommendations
Apply!!

13. How To Stay On Track Through Senior Year
Winter Senior Year
Submit financial aid applications (Late Fall/Early Winter)
Send in mid year grades to the schools you applied to (Guidance)
Start applying for scholarships
Spring Senior Year
Receive admission and financial aid offers
Choose your college by May 1st!!!!