1. Class of 2019 The College Process

2. Seniors What Holds Them Back
Nervous - I don’t know what to do.
Expectations - My mom wants me to go to Whitman and my dad wants me to go to the U of W.
Big Decision - What if I make the wrong decision and I don’t like my college choice?
The Future is scary - I have no idea what I want to do and everyone else does.
College Process

3. 2 Year Degree vs. 4 Year Degree
Student Myths Around College Choices
Benefit of 2 year
Benefit of 4 year
College Process

4. Selecting a Major Is selecting a major important?
Parent Help!
Is selecting a major important?
Explore Strength/Weakness/Interests
School
Outside
School Size and College Majors
Visits to College Departments
College Process

5. TO DO: Update Resume https://www.sjisd.wednet.edu/Page/118
Parent Help!
TO DO:
Update Resume
College Search
Private vs. Public
2 year vs. 4 year
Pick 3-6 schools
Organize
Applications
Essay
Resume
Deadlines
Financial Aid
Transcript
Recommendations
College Process

6. Organization U of W 11/15/18 1/15/19 Yes No SAT/ FAFSA/WASFA UPS
College
Cost
Application deadline
Financial Aid Deadline
Essay
Transcript
Teacher Rec
Counselor Rec
Other
U of W
27,948
11/15/18
1/15/19
Yes No
SAT/ FAFSA/WASFA
UPS
62,316
11/15 or 1/15
11/15/19
SAT/ FAFSA/ WASFA
College Process
Friday Harbor High School Guidance and Counseling: College Process

7. College Search Use: www.collegeboard.org
Parent Help!
Use:
- Student Reviews
Meet with Gordy to define search
Four Year or Two Year
Public or Private
Location
Campus Setting
Rural, Suburban, or Urban
Size
Major
Campus Visits (Before/After Application?)
SAT/ACT Test (one more time?)
Interviews
College Process
Parent Help!

8. Ranking Your Choices Organization
Know your Deadlines (Application and Financial Aid)
Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision
Your GPA Compared to:
The schools average GPA
Your SAT / ACT scores Compared to:
The schools average SAT and ACT
College Setting
Academic Major
Co curricular Activities
College Process

9. Deadlines
Parent Help!
Early Action vs. Early Decision vs. Regular Decision (What is right for you?)
Regular Decision (RD)
Most common form of applying
Can apply to multiple schools
Early Action (EA)
Non-Binding
OK to apply to many schools EA
Strong Competition to Select Schools
Early Decision (ED)
Binding (you have to go if accepted)
Can only apply to one school ED
Possibility of Poor Financial Aid
Might get a closer look
Contract must be signed by parent and guidance counselor
Discussion with university advised

10. The Admissions Process
Academic Profile
Transcripts
SAT and ACT
Class Rank
Courses
Grades (GPA)
Academic Profile:
Measures you as a student.
Shows your academic accomplishments.
It gives colleges a look at how you compare to other students
It is only the beginning and a PART of the picture
College Process

11. Personal Profile Essays Resume Site Visit Interview (Is it mandatory?)
Parent Help!
Essays
Resume
Extracurricular Activities
Honors and Awards
Travel
Work Experience
Community Service
Hobbies
Site Visit
Interview (Is it mandatory?)
Personal Profile
Balance your academic side with your personal side
The academic shows you as a student
The personal gives you a chance to show who you are as a person, what makes you unique, shows your feelings and reactions
The Essay is a way to get to know you – Your choice on topic
Tell them what is important to you and why
BE YOUR SELF! That is who they want to know
Be specific – write something other than what is on your resume
You need to show them something new about you
It is all about you and who you are.
College Process

12. Personal Essay – First Person Narrative
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? 7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
Samples are from long answer essays, some apps have multiple short answer essay questions as well.

13. Supporting Documents Teacher Recommendations
Guidance Counselor Recommendation and School Report – Meet with Gordy
Supplementary Materials
Athletics and NCAA
Meet with Gordy to discuss recommendation
Meet with Alicia to learn what you need to fill out for recommendations
Find teachers who will write positive recommendations / give them at least two weeks notice
College Process

14. Recommendations How to get a recommendation Print your Resume
Politely ask a teacher and/or Gordy if they would be willing to write you a recommendation for college
Ask before school, after school or between classes
Give two or three weeks notice
Ask if they would like an addressed and stamped envelope or if they would like to give the recommendation to you
Be thankful
Remember – No one is required to write you a recommendation
Ask in person do not a request for a recommendation
Ask for a recommendation - Do not tell a staff member you need a recommendation
College Process

15. Financial Aid FAFSA – www.fafsa.ed.gov October 1ST 2018
Parent Help!
Financial Aid
FAFSA – October 1ST 2018
Net Price Calculators
CSS Profile (Most Private Colleges)
College Financial Aid/Scholarship Applications
Local Scholarships (April)
CCC and School Website
San Juan Service Scholarship (Dollars for Scholars)
or other free search
College Process

16. Financial Aid FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov October 1st 2018
Parent Help!
FAFSA at October 1st 2018
Most Financial Aid deadlines are between November 15 to January 15.
Should be able to use Data Retrieval Tool
Base on prior – prior year’s tax information
FAFSA determines your expected family contribution (EFC)
Amount family expected to contribute toward college costs
Lower EFC more likely to receive gift aid
Money in students name
Anyone can qualify for certain types of financial aid
Income and assets
Real estate (aside from family home)
Checking and savings accounts
Stocks and investments
Dependent students: parent and student income and assets considered
Independent students: only student income and assets considered
Expenses also considered
Income taxes paid
Housing, clothing and food
Number of family members
Number of household members in college (excluding parents)
Parents need to save for retirement

17. Financial Aid Types of Aid Available Gift aid (Federal, State, School)
Doesn’t have to be paid back
Work-study (Federal)
Earn while you learn
Loans (Federal, Private)
Must be repaid, including interest
OK to accept with Financial Aid Package
Track loan amount
Know payback terms

18. Financial Aid Gift Aid/Scholarships
Usually Merit-Based some Need-Based
Awarded for:
Academic achievement
Talent or skill
Community service
Leadership/school activities
Parent affiliation with a club or organization
Financial need
College Bound Scholarship

19. Financial Aid Finding Scholarships High School Counselor
Parent Help!
Finding Scholarships
High School Counselor
Community Scholarships (Spring)
College you plan to attend
Public library
Free online resources
Fast Web:
College Board:
Washboard.com;

20. Financial Aid FAFSA – October 1 senior year
Parent Help!
FAFSA – October 1 senior year
CSS Profile (Private Colleges)
Scholarships (Free Resources)
University
High School
Community (Spring)
On-line

21. A Few Last Things
Parent Help!
Call the colleges to make sure admissions and financial aid applications are complete
Ask financial aid office about the impact on your aid if you are awarded local scholarships (what will be taken away?)
The long wait
College Process

22. Parent Help
Discuss your child’s strengths/interests to help choose major.
Help with updating resume adding details.
College search.
Campus visits.
Know deadlines – application and financial aid.
Proofread.
FAFSA, CSS Profile, Scholarships.
Encourage your child to ask for help from Gordy, Teachers, other family members, other adults.
College Process

23. Web Sites College Search Sites www.collegeboard.org
Financial Aid
The Washboard.org
usscholarshipguide.org/misc/scholarship_tips.html
studentaid2.ed.gov/getmoney/scholarship/v3browse.asp
College Process