1. College Selection Process
How to navigate the often confusing world of college admissions

2. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
You are looking for the right fit
Where a student is happy socially and academically
Where they feel they belong

3. COLLEGE ADMISSION TRENDS
Competition is increasing
80% - 20% Rule
Hot Schools
More Early Decision/Early Action/Waitlist
Greater use of technology
Tuition increases
Financial Aid packages at expensive schools are improving
Percentage of financial need met varies from school to school
Federally funded Financial Aid Programs are intact
The SAT has changed—More students are taking ACTs
Colleges are looking for diversity and talent
Increased enrollment in Community Colleges
International students/Global brands
FAFSA – October 1st

4. Admission Requirements
Strength of Transcript
G.P.A.
Class Rank
Extra Curricular Activities
SAT/ACT Scores

5. Academic Requirements for College
4 years of English
Three to Four years of Social Studies
Three years of Math
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
Two years of a lab science
Two years of a World Language
16 Carnegie Units
SAT and/or ACT Test

6. Types of Admissions Rolling Admissions Early Admissions Early Action
Early Decision
Regular

7. Admission Policy Open Less Competitive Competitive Very Competitive
Highly Competitive
Most Competitive

8. The Self Assessment Where am I & where am I headed?
What do I need to do?
What changes do I need to make?
Sense of Direction
Undecided is OK
Achievement-where am I at academically
Goals-short term, long term
Values-what is important to me
Interests-what do I like
Abilities-what am I good at
Career-what are the possibilities
Use Naviance
Career Assessment (Career Interest Profiler)
Learning Style Inventory (My Learning Style)
Personality Type Survey (Do What You Are)

9. Decisions/Decisions Major Geographic Location Setting Urban Suburban
Rural
Size
Cost

10. Developing a list – A Research Project
Use a search engine to develop a preliminary
list: Naviance Super Match
Gather information: programs, facilities, dorms, services, security
Identify schools that are a good match
Safety Target Reach

11. The College Visit College website Off-site information sessions
Open house programs
Official/informal tours
Online virtual tours
Online chats
College fairs
Interviews
Overnight stays

12. Discover Your Resources Get to Know Yourself Find Colleges that Match Communicate with your Counselor
NAVIANCE SUCCEED

13. What can students do using Family Connection?
View Guidance News/ Bulletins
Complete Learning Styles Inventory
Complete Personality Assessment
Complete a Career Search
Complete a College Search
Compare Colleges
Develop a Prospective College List
Develop a Resume
Access Scholarship Search Engines (Local & National)
Select Links to Third Party Sites (Collegeboard, NCAA, FAFSA)

15. For Your Reference…

16. Resume

19. Career Search

20. College Match

21. College Look Up

23. Overlaps

24. College Compare

25. Prospective Colleges

26. College Testing Schedules
PSAT
SAT
ACT

27. PSAT Excellent tool for SAT preparation
Gives each student a comprehensive report outlining strengths and weaknesses
Junior year PSAT scores enter students for the National Merit Scholarship program
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at MHS
Every MHS 10th and 11th grade student will take the PSAT during the school day. The cost is FREE.

28. www.collegeboard.org SAT TEST DATES October 1, 2016 November 5, 2016
December 3, 2016
January 21, 2017
March 11, 2017
May 6, 2017
June 3, 2017
Registration deadline
September 1
October 7
November 3
December 21
February 10
April 7
May 9
REGISTER ONLINE NOW

29. ACT testing dates www.actstudent.org
TEST DATES
October 22, 2016
December 10, 2016
February 11, 2017
April 8, 2017
June 10, 2017
Registration deadline
September 30 (late fee)
November 4
January 13
March 3
May 5
REGISTER ONLINE NOW

30. REQUIRE TEST SCORES FOR ADMISSION CONSIDERATION
SCHOOLS THAT DO NOT
REQUIRE TEST SCORES FOR ADMISSION CONSIDERATION
OVER 800 schools now accepting “test optional” applications….

31. WHO WANTS FREE MONEY? APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!!
Go to “HIGH SCHOOL”
Go to “Students & Services”
Go to “GUIDANCE”
Click on “SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES”
OUTSIDE SITES FOR SCHOLARSHIPS:
NAVIANCE National Database

33. Thursday, December 1, 2016 7pm in the Auditorium
FINANCIAL AID NIGHT
Thursday, December 1, 2016
7pm in the Auditorium

34. COLLEGE NIGHT Tuesday, October 4, 2016 6:30pm – 8:30pm MHS Gymnasium
Over 100 Colleges and Universities
Trade Schools
Military/Service Academies

35. GOOD ADVICE
College Admissions is a Process - A series of events over time
Begin your planning NOW
Self Assessment is a good place to start
Do a Search
Make a List-Reach, Target, Safe and Financially Safe
Get out on the road and Visit
Talk to the kids on the campus
Revise your List
Prepare for and take PSAT’s, SAT’s/ACT’s
Keep your grades up
Use Naviance to help you through the process
Rely on your Guidance Counselor for help
Relax, Don’t Panic, Stay Sane