1. Sophomore College Planning Night
Presented by Jeff Stahlman, College Counselor
And Kelsey Tschanen, Ohio State

2. Your Tenth Grade Advisor College Counselor – Mr. Stahlman
Guidance Office
Your Tenth Grade Advisor
Mr. Jacoby
College Counselor – Mr. Stahlman
Students and parents are welcome!
Academic/College questions, assistance with other matters
College Selection materials to review

3. Guidance Office Website OR
go to St. Charles website under “About St. Charles” and click on “Guidance office”
College links
Updated calendar of events
Timelines and visit information and much more!

4. Guidance Office Website

5. NAVIANCE

6. NAVIANCE

7. A Few of my Guiding Principles about College Selection
It’s about the “FIT” or “MATCH” – a school’s name is little solace
if you are not happy there! FIT = GRADUATION
Think about “going” to college at least as much as you think
about “getting in”
Find schools where you will thrive!
Communicate!
A voyage of Self-Discovery

8. The College Selection Puzzle
Size $ COST $ Reputation
Social Life Distractions
Study Programs
Abroad Liberal vs. Conservative
Major
Diversity Campus Setting Selectivity
Grad Rate % M/F Ratio Who Teaches Dorms
% Returning Residential? Big Fish/Small Fish
Athletics/Activities Greek? Geography

9. A Few Questions How far away do I want to be? How adventurous are you?
How much personal attention do I want?
Would I like to be in a city, near one, or in a college town?
What would I like to study?
What else matters to me?
What College Experience do I want?

10. What Does College Cost?

11. look for “Net Price Calculator” on each college website
A Word About Cost
Begin to discuss and plan now!
Will you qualify for financial aid?
look for “Net Price Calculator” on each college website
Will you qualify for college scholarships? How do scholarships work?
The more selective the school, generally the more financial aid and less merit-based money is provided
What are your cost parameters as a family?

12. How Can I Learn About Colleges
Visit the Guidance Office
Guidebooks (page 21)
Websites (pp. 19,20)
Visit Colleges! It’s not too early.
College Visitors to SC in the fall – 125+
NAVIANCE!
College Fair at Convention Center – 4/21 1:00pm

13. Selective Admissions
Grades ACT Rigor Recommendations Interviews SAT Class Rank Subject Tests Community Service Athletics Early Decision Demonstrated Interest Uniqueness Activities Leadership EA Character

14. Selective Admissions
Schools simply have more applicants than they can admit
Every SC Grad will get into college!
The better you do, the more college choices you will have
IT DEPENDS!
In General: Grades = 50-60% of admissions
Testing = 20-40% of admissions
Other Factors = 10-30%

15. What You Should Know About Grades/GPA
Grades matter MORE than test scores!
Do your best
At very selective colleges (Admission rates 40% or lower) you need a rigorous curriculum = AP
How many AP classes will you have next year? Upon completion of SC?
GPA matters in CONTEXT! School, classes, etc.
Should I get an “A” in a regular class or a “B” in an AP Class?

16. Why? College Testing Test Score Optional? (page 41)
PSAT
ACT
SAT
Subject Tests
Test Score Optional? (page 41)
What if I have a Written Accommodation Plan?

17. PSAT Scores range from 200-760 in Math and ERW
You took it this year as a tenth grader, but it is a junior level test
Practice Exam! What did you learn about yourself?
Junior Year determines National Merit Qualifying
Based on Selection Index Score = first two digits (Math + twice the ERW score), ex. M=65 + ERW=65+65 = SI 195
Last year cutoffs: Commended Scholar: 211
Semi-Finalist: 219

18. ACT Exam 4 sections: English, Math, Reading, Science
Optional Writing section
Score 1-36
Math includes Algebra 2
Test is fast!
Always Guess!
St. Charles average: 28.9, national average: 21

19. The SAT ERW (English/Writing Score) and Math
Writing section is optional! Scores are on a 1600 scale, 800 each
SC Avg.= 1320, National = 1070
No penalty for wrong answers (now)
Focus on relevant words
Scores have changed – scores now skew higher
Focus on math that “matters most” – “heart of algebra”, data analysis, advanced math
Science and social studies are included in critical reading section
Khan Academy free online preparation

20. Subject Area Tests in specific subjects:
SAT Subject Tests
Subject Area Tests in specific subjects:
3 Tests at one sitting – one hour per subject
Few schools require or recommend, BUT these are generally more selective schools
Check your schools carefully! Also in your handout on pages but keep checking for changes!
If in doubt, take them
Spring 11th Grade – May or June – are ideal test dates for SAT Subject Tests (SAT 2’s) after a subject area class

21. When?
PSAT: October 11 this year and October next year – National Merit Qualifier (11th Grade)
ACT: Fall/Winter Junior Year
SAT: Fall/Winter Junior Year
Select your best test – retest spring 11th and fall 12th
Subject Tests: Spring Junior Year (if needed)
How Many Times?

22. Test Prep How can I prepare for ACT/SAT Exams?
On own – free online or books
Class
Tutor
Should I use a Test Prep Service?
Can I afford it? Many price options/choices – I have listings of resources
Will my son take it seriously?
Does it matter at the colleges I apply to?

23. How Can I Get Involved? Why should I get involved?
2 types of involvement:
1) for you ) for others
Find Clubs or Organizations at St. Charles
Find Organizations in your community
Look for ways to CONTRIBUTE to your community – Service
Look for summer opportunities
Consider Interning or Shadowing in an interesting career field
Look for leadership opportunities
Summer Research with St. Charles – Mr. Breckenridge
Initiative!

24. A Word About Ultra Selective Colleges
“HOOKS” = Interest Factor
RECRUITED athletes
Authentic students
Legacy
Unusual / Interesting
Famous
Early Decision
National Level of Achievement
How will you contribute?
“Lottery Admissions”
THE GOOD NEWS!
There are more than 3,000 colleges
Quality does not equal selectivity!
There will be many, many schools
which are great matches for you!
Acceptance Rates 2017
Stanford 4%
Harvard 5%
Columbia 6%
Yale 6%
Princeton 6%
U Chicago 7%
MIT 7%
Cal Tech 7%
Brown 8%
Pomona 8%
Penn 9%
Northwestern 9%
Claremont-McKenna 9%
Duke 9%
Dartmouth 10%
Vanderbilt 10%
Swarthmore 10%
Johns Hopkins 11%
Harvey Mudd 12%
Pitzer 12%
Amherst %
Cornell 13%
Tufts 15%
Cal – Berkeley 15%
Wash U – St. Louis 15%
Georgetown 15%

25. 10th Grade Timeline Take PSAT – October 11
Do your best in the classroom
Become involved in your school and community
Begin to research colleges – websites, books
VISIT Colleges!
USE NAVIANCE
Summers – what will you do?
Discuss cost of college as a family and begin to formulate a finance plan.

26. 11th Grade Timeline
October: Take PSAT for practice SAT and National Merit
IF you are a college-bound D1 or D2 athlete, register with the NCAA!
Late Fall/Early Winter: Begin College Testing – ACT/SAT
Late Winter/Spring: Complete second ACT or SAT
Spring: Complete SAT 2-Subject Test if needed
ALL YEAR:
Visit colleges
Complete research
Build College List – Likely/Possible/Reach

27. 12th Grade Timeline Fall: Apply to colleges and finish testing
October 1-December 1: Apply for Financial Aid
April 1st: Students will be notified of admission decisions no later than 4/1
May 1st: Students will decide which college to attend
FALL of 2020 – Leave for College!!

28. Program Coordinator/ Admission Counselor The Ohio State University
Kelsey Tschanen
Program Coordinator/ Admission Counselor The Ohio State University