1. JUNIOR STUDENT/PARENT NIGHT Bishop O’Connell High School January 30, 2014 1

2. TIMELINE Class of 2015 Spring ’14 (Junior Year) Make getting excellent grades through your senior year a top priority! Meet with your counselor to discuss senior course selections to enhance your college admissions success discuss college and career plans Set up a personal calendar/checklist for taking tests, deadline reminders, visiting schools, and applying using Naviance. Make a list of schools, attend college fairs register for Open Houses/Tours, and VISIT. 2

3. Register for SAT/ACT for spring testing. Try both tests! Have your transcript sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse if you are an athlete applying to a school that awards athletic scholarships. Listen to announcements and read the Counselor’s Corner newsletters and Weekly Updates for information. Apply for summer jobs/special programs. 3

4. TIMELINE Class of 2015 Summer ’14 Rising Seniors Visit colleges and narrow choices of schools for application. Practice writing college essays and continue practicing for the SAT/ACT. Do productive work over the summer, either employment or summer program. Research scholarships and financial aid. Enroll in an SAT/ACT prep course if desired. 4

5. TIMELINE Class of 2015 Fall ’14 Meet with your counselor in September and October to discuss college applications and review academic progress. Sign up to take the SAT/ACT and SAT Subject tests if needed. (Note: you cannot take the SAT I and SAT II Subject tests on the same day) Attend Senior Student/Parent College Night at Bishop O’Connell Attend College Fairs. Meet with college representatives who visit Bishop O’Connell. Search for and apply to Colleges/Universities. Note deadlines. Decide if applying Early Decision/Early Action to a particular school. 5

6. Fall ’14 Request transcripts sent to colleges via Naviance. Listen to announcements and read the Counselor’s Corner newsletters and Weekly Updates for information. Make sure you have completed a resume on Naviance and request recommendations from teachers if you have not already done so. Attend the Financial Aid Night at Bishop O’Connell. TIMELINE Class of 2015 6

7. Spring ’15 Apply for financial aid and file all forms. Complete the FAFSA, CSS Profile, College Financial Aid applications, do taxes etc. in January/February. Research scholarships on line and at school. Take SAT/ACT again or SAT II Subject tests early Spring if desired. Contact colleges to make sure all materials were received. Decide on a college after acceptances/financial aid offers come in, usually by May1st at the latest. If you haven’t already, visit your final choice before accepting. TIMELINE Class of 2015 7

8. Spring ’15 Notify every college of acceptance or rejection and send deposit to the college of your choice. Wait-listed? If you would enroll if accepted, tell the Admissions Director your intent and ask how to strengthen your application. Need financial aid? Ask if funds will be available if you’re accepted. Relax and enjoy. You did it!!! TIMELINE Class of 2015 8

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10. What is the Ultimate Goal? 10

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12. Remember the three keys things that are necessary for a great college fit: 1. Academic fit. 2. Campus culture fit. 3. Financial fit. 12

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14. In priority order: The Transcript - school achievement and rigor of courses Test Scores Recommendations Essay Interview Activities 14

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16. Early Decision is Binding Outcome: Accepted, Deferred, Denied Early Action is Non-Binding Outcome: Accepted, Deferred, Denied Single Choice Early Action is Non-Binding (but cannot apply early to any other private university) Outcome: Accepted, Deferred, Denied 16

17. Regular Decision is Non-Binding Outcome: Accepted, Wait Listed, Denied Rolling Admissions: Apply anytime (Notification of acceptance or denial is usually within a few weeks) 17

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23.  Sit in on a class.  Eat in the cafeteria.  Check out bulletin boards.  Talk to students not giving a tour.  Read student publications.  Browse in the college bookstore.  Plan an overnight visit if you are planning to apply to the college.  Check out the dorms. 23

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28.  Never assume private colleges are out of reach: they offer the most aid!  Always apply for aid even if you think you won’t get any.  Utilize the online financial aid calculators to get an idea of how much aid you might receive.  Fill out the FAFSA (and CSS Profile if applicable)  Start early: the FAFSA for 2015 graduates will be available in January 2015.  Apply for merit aid and scholarships if you are qualified. 28

29.  Do learn about the process.  Do discuss restrictions up front.  Do remind your child of deadlines.  Help your children prepare, but let them perform.  Support and encouragement are more appropriate than pressure and unsolicited advice.  Prepare your child for disappointment. 29

30.  Do not compare your children to others.  Guide your child in choosing colleges that would be a great fit, but don’t force your child to apply to a school that only you like.  Do not let stereotypes,outdated information, or rankings steer your child away from schools in which they would otherwise have an interest.  Make appointments with your child to discuss the college admissions process, (discussions over dinner is not an appropriate time) 30

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33. www.fastweb.com – Set up a student profile for college and scholarship search. www.number2.com – Vocabulary builder, SAT/ACT practice tests www.testprepreview.com - SAT/ACT practice www.act.org – Register for ACT www.actstudent.org – ACT info www.collegeboard.com – Register for SAT www.studentaid.ed.gov – Financial aid info www.fafsa.ed.gov – FAFSA www.pin.ed.gov – Register for our PIN for FAFSA www.students.gov – Financial aid www.collegeprowler.com 33

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35. Mrs. Kristina HerbstDirector of College Counseling Juniors : A through Bkherbst@bishoopoconnell.org Ms. Emily UsleCollege Counselor Juniors: C through Heusle@bishopoconnell.org Mr. Tom Giska College Counselor Juniors: I through Ptgiska@bishopoconnell.org Dr. Daniel StabileCollege Counselor Juniors: Q through Zdstabile@bishopoconnell.org 35