1. A Presentation for Parents of Juniors March 1, 2018
College Search & Application Overview
A Presentation for Parents of Juniors March 1, 2018

2. Introductions Court Wirth Nate Mannetter Roger Thompson Andy Oldham
College Counselor, Director of Counseling
Nate Mannetter
Assistant Director of Admissions, Gonzaga University
Roger Thompson
VP for Student Services and Enrollment Management, U of O
Andy Oldham
Assistant Principal of Academic Affairs

3. Tonight’s Agenda
Roger Thompson – College Options, and Finding the Right Fit
Nate Mannetter- An Inside Look at Admissions, and a Parent’s Role in the Search Process
Events to help with the college search
Naviance
Andy Oldham- Course Selection, Healthy & Balanced
Cookies

4. College Options, and Fit
Roger Thompson, U of Oregon

5. An inside look at admissions, and a parent’s role in the search process
Nate Mannetter, Gonzaga University

6. Assistant Director of Admissions
The College Admission Process
Nate Mannetter
Assistant Director of Admissions
Gonzaga University

7. 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

8. The Helicopter

9. The Snow Plow

10. The Coach

11. 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

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

13. 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

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

15. 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.

16. 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.

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

18. 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%

19. 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.

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

21. Contact Information
Nate Mannetter
Assistant Director at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA
or beazag.Gonzaga.edu

22. Paying for College Have open discussions about finances.
Talk to your son/daughter about what THEIR financial responsibilities will be.
Be straightforward about what your expectations are regarding applying for scholarships.
When researching a college, be mindful of the cost of attendance, but also aid available and net cost.
Use the Net Price Calculator
The “Resources” handout includes several websites to help with the financial aid and scholarship picture

23. College Athletics
Students who hope to play a sport collegiately at NCAA (D1 or D II) schools MUST complete the online application thru the Eligibility Center before they can be contacted by college coaches.
NAIA has its own registration process
If student is considering playing collegiately, they should notify me.

24. 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- Need-based state grant that can cover some or all of tuition for first two years of community college for Oregon grads with a 2.5 GPA
Financial Aid process is the same

25. Marist events to help throughout the process
Summer application workshop- late August
College Planning Night for Seniors- September
“Playing a Sport Collegiately” Brown Bag Lunch
Financial Aid Night – October
College visits at Marist (throughout the fall)
Common Application tutorials, essay workshops, Q & A’s, and more (fall)

26. Area events to help throughout the process
April ?- Willamette Valley College Info Night (date tbd, but likely April 10)
April 22- PNACAC Spring College Fair, Portland
August 1- Colleges That Change Lives College Fair & Info Session, Portland
October- PNACAC Fall College Faire, Eugene
Info sessions offered by individual colleges (typically in Portland)

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

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

31. 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

32. Healthy & Balanced Andy Oldham, Assistant Principal
How do we support our students in finding a sustainable and appropriate balance of academic rigor, extracurriculars, and other responsibilities they have?

34. What’s in your packet?
How to Choose a College/ Questions to Ask brochure
Online Resources/ Choosing a College Worksheet
Grade 11/12 College Timeline
Standardized Testing Information
Glossary of Terms/ LA Times Article
A copy of the student’s current transcript

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