1. Junior Parent Workshop
Spring 2017
Presented by
DRAKE high school
Counseling department

2. Role of Parents in College Planning Process
Establish roles and set check-in times
Listen and be mindful of stress reduction
Have a conversation with your student about expected costs and family contribution
Emphasize that the goal is for students to find options which allow them to be happy and successful both personally and academically
Let this be a student led process

3. Student/Counselor Meetings
Counselors are meeting with each of their juniors individually in February through April
Discuss future plans and goals
Review of transcript, GPA, tests scores, and graduation requirements
Review course selection for senior year
Review Colleges I’m Thinking About list in Naviance
Discuss ACT/SAT Testing (if applicable)
Discuss application timeline and answer any questions

4. Important Tasks this Spring
Spring semester academic achievement
Junior spring semester grades are the last official grades students will earn before submitting college applications
College entrance testing-register now
Summer Plans
Research

5. College Entrance Testing
We recommend all college bound juniors take the SAT and/or the ACT this semester
If SAT Subject exams are required or recommended for colleges that your students are interested in, recommendation is to take them in May or June.
For dates and registration:

6. Research Tools Naviance Attend College Fairs College and Career Center
Online Resources-some examples include:
College Navigator:
Collegeboard:
College Prowler:
Peterson’s:

7. Exploring Colleges
It is best to reserve spots on official tours early, especially around school holidays
Students are allowed up to three days of warranted absences for college visits
Visit local colleges to get a sense of small vs. large, private vs. public etc.
Approximately 100 college representatives will visit Drake in the fall.

8. Organization Create a calendar
Keep files (electronic and paper) for prospective colleges
Encourage your student to take notes when visiting campuses
Establish an appropriate address for college communications
Keep a master list of all usernames and passwords
Consider setting aside time every one to two weeks to check in with your student and review progress.

9. College Application Timeline
November 1 and 15-Early Decision, Early Action, Restricted Early Action
October 1-November 30-CSU and UC application window
January 1 – Most frequent regular deadline for private colleges
February 15- Priority deadline for FAFSA for many schools
April 1 – Should have admissions decision from most colleges
May 1 – SIR (Statement of Intent to Register) deadline. Deposit required.

10. What are colleges looking for?
Evaluation of applications varies by school, but most put emphasis on grades in academic classes and test scores.
Other factors considered may include:
Essays
Recommendations
Activities
Special Skills, talents, awards, community service and passions

11. What are colleges looking for? (cont’d)
Some examples of where to find this information:
UC System:
CSU System
University of Denver:
Colleges have this information on their websites

12. Letters of Recommendation
Required by private schools and some out of state public schools
Students should think now about who they might ask to write such letters. They may want to put extra effort into cultivating relationships with teachers if that is not something that occurs naturally for them.
This summer or early fall- students fill out the letter of recommendation packet for counselor:
Counselors need 20 working days notice ahead of deadline to write letter of recommendation

13. Financing College Use Net Price Calculator on college websites
FAFSA and Cal Grant (October 2017)
CSS Profile
WUE -
Naviance
Scholarship information and deadlines on college websites

14. Drake Counseling Staff
Please continue to ask questions and seek help throughout the college planning process.
We are here to support you and your student.
Drake Counseling Staff
Sandy Howard, Counseling Secretary
Kyle Kassebaum, Counselor
Lisa Neumaier, College & Career Specialist
Molly Baker, Counselor
Sheila Souder, Counselor
Molly Yasuda, Counselor