1. A Presentation for Parents of Juniors March 6, 2017
College Search & Application Overview
A Presentation for Parents of Juniors March 6, 2017

2. Introductions Court Wirth 6th year at Marist 11th year as a Counselor
Senior Counselor, Director of Counseling

3. Tonight’s Agenda Four stages of the application process
Nate Mannetter- Insight from a College Admissions Counselor
Factors in a college’s admission decision
Events to help with the college search
Naviance
Course Selection
Odds & Ends

4. The Four Stages of the College Application Process
1- Research/ Planning/ Narrowing
2- Applying
3- Financial Aid and Scholarships
4- Evaluating Offers and Making a Decision

5. Stage One: Now thru the Fall Research-Planning-Narrowing
This is a very important, and often overlooked, time in the college planning process. Students should:
Engage in self-reflection
Determine the factors that are most important in selecting a university
Research
Refine their list

6. Compiling a Final college list
Seniors will enter the list of colleges to which they plan to apply in to Naviance
The final list should be:
3-8 schools
A combination of Reach, Target, & Safety schools
(factoring in both odds of admittance, and cost)
Well researched
Both the school and the application process
Know requirements (such as whether letters of rec, or SAT Subject Exams are required)

7. Stage one (continued)
Students need to do the best they can in their classes right now
Take the SAT/ACT (and possibly SAT Subject Exams) before end of junior year (all juniors will take the ACT here April 19)
Take advantage of this summer-
Volunteer, work, participate in an educational or travel experience
Visit college campuses, and spend time researching them online

8. Stage two: Applying (Fall)
We will talk more about this in September, but here are some basics:
-Students submit their application to a college
-Students need to have their test scores sent directly from the testing agency (SAT or ACT) to the college
-Student needs to be aware of what school forms are needed (transcripts, letters of rec), and make the appropriate requests.

9. Stage Three: (Fall/ Winter) Financial Aid and Scholarships
Have open discussions about finances.
Talk to your son/daughter about what THEIR financial responsibilities will be.
When researching a college, be mindful of the cost of attendance, as well as aid that they offer.
Be straightforward about what your expectations are regarding applying for scholarships.
Scholarship “high season” is from about January-April of senior year, but there are others out there before then.

10. Stage Four: (Winter/ Spring) Evaluating Offers and Making a Decision
Students should have all notifications, and financial aid offers, by April 1.
Continuing to pursue private scholarships
May 1 is National Candidates Reply Date.
Remember to keep in mind the self-evaluation that you did at the beginning of this process.
“College is a match to be made,
not a prize to be won.”

11. An insider’s perspective…
Nate Mannetter, Assistant Director of Admissions at Gonzaga University

12. Senior Admission Counselor
The College Admission Process
Nate Mannetter
Senior Admission Counselor
Gonzaga University

13. Overview How to approach and manage the college admission process
The basics: moving from a “prospect” to an “accept”
Five key myths and realities
Open discussion and questions

14. The Helicopter

15. The Snow Plow

16. The Coach

17. The Coach Ask questions Assist with research Encourage hard work
Help create and monitor a calendar of deadlines
Be an emotional support
Plan college visits
Lead the financial process

18. The Coach Assess strengths Focus on finding the right “match”
Utilize your support network

19. Admissions Office Operations
Any student can be a “prospect” or “inquiry”
Application: Submit transcript, scores, activity information, writing pieces, recommendations
Check regularly to know if any information is missing
Colleges want completed applications

20. Colleges want to admit students!
Application Review
Index guarantees, holistic review
Rolling admissions, pooling admissions
Early deadlines, regular deadlines
Colleges want to admit students!

21. Myth #1
Monster’s University sent me information or a free application that is pre-populated, so they will accept me if I apply.
Monster’s University is seeking your interest. There are no promises.

22. Myth #2
“It’s all about the essay.” “It’s all about high test scores.” “It’s all about participating in a lot of activities.”
Nothing is more important than academic performance in high school.

23. Myth #3
Sharing information about hardships, learning differences, etc. is risky.
The more we know about each applicant, the better informed our decision-making.

24. Myth #4 Average acceptance rate in the U.S. is over 60%
Colleges and universities accept only a tiny percentage of their applicants.
Average acceptance rate in the U.S. is over 60%

25. Myth #5
I cannot afford Monster’s University because the published tuition, room, and board rates are too high.
It is rare for a student to pay the “sticker price” due to financial aid strategies.

26. Enjoy the Process The process can be FUN and EXCITING!
Students build skills by managing their college search
Ask questions whenever you need assistance

27. Contact Information
Nate Mannetter
Senior Admission Counselor at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA
or beazag.gonzaga.edu

28. ​Considerable importance
Factors in the Admissions Decisions (Percentage of colleges attributing different levels of importance to factors in the admission decision: 2014)
​ Factor
​Considerable importance
​Moderate Importance
​Limited Importance
Grades in college prep courses​
​79%
​13%
​7%
Grades in all courses
​60
​31 ​9
Strength of Curriculum
​27
​10
Admission test scores (SAT, ACT).
​55 33 8
​Essay or writing sample
​22
​39
​Counselor Recommendation
​17 42
​Student’s Demonstrated Interest

29. Factors in the Admissions Decisions, continued
​Considerable importance
​Moderate Importance
​Limited Importance
​Teacher Recommendation
​15%
44%
28%
​Class Rank
​14
​37 32
​Subject test scores (AP, IB) ​7
​35
​33
​Portfolio
​10
​31
​Extracurricular Activities 6
​43
SAT II scores ​5 ​8
​23
Interviews​ ​4 28

30. What about community colleges?
Guaranteed Admittance for high school graduates
Transfer to a 4-year college after 1 or 2 years, and earn a Bachelor degree.
Certificate and Associate Degree options
Dual-enrollment programs (Linn-Benton and OSU, for instance) are available
Deadlines are far later in the college timeline
Oregon Promise- Tuition covered for first two years of community college for all Oregon grads with a 2.5 GPA
Financial Aid process is the same

31. Marist events to help throughout the process
NCAA Info Session- April 10
College Planning Night for Seniors- September
Financial Aid Night – October
College visits at Marist (throughout the fall)
Common Application tutorial (fall)

32. Area events to help throughout the process
April 30- PNACAC Spring College Fair, Portland
May 25-JET (Jesuit Excellence Tour) at Jesuit High School in Portland
August 2- Colleges That Change Lives College Fair & Info Session, Portland
October- PNACAC Fall College Faire, Eugene

33. A Note About Naviance Naviance is essential throughout this process.
Communication tool between myself and the students.
Students need to keep their application plans up-to-date
Students request transcripts, letters of recommendation, to the colleges they apply to
Parents have their own log-in info- (if you need yours, please me)

34. Naviance Resources Strengths Explorer
Career Interest Profile Game Plan
Resume
Letter of Recommendation Request Form (if letters will be needed)
College Search Tool & College pages

37. Course Selection and the College Process
Senior year courses should continue to be good preparation for college
Admissions officers consider course rigor throughout high school INCLUDING senior year
Dropping courses halfway through the year may impact a student’s application to university
Mid-term grades are required by many colleges, and final grades are always required by college a student is attending.
Please discuss this with your son/daughter as they register for next year’s courses

38. College Athletics
Students who hope to be recruited for college athletics at NCAA or NAIA schools MUST complete the necessary forms online before they can be contacted by college coaches.
If student is considering this, they should contact me
NCAA info session April 10

39. What’s in your packet? “How to Pick a College” article
Glossary of Terms
A timeline for Junior/Senior Year
SAT/ACT Information
“Useful Websites”/ Choosing a College Worksheet
A copy of the student’s current transcript

40. Questions? Feedback? Court Wirth (541) 681-5483 cwirth@marisths.org
My contact info
Questions? Feedback? Court Wirth (541)