1. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 1 The College Planning Process Information for Juniors

2. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 2 The College Process Is... n A Commitment n Takes Time n Can Be Confusing At Times n Hard Work n Research Project n A Process That Requires Thought

3. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 3 Our Agenda n Student Profile n Testing n Choosing The Right School n Applying To That School n Financial Aid n NCAA Clearing House n Questions and Answers

4. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 4 Student Profile What Does A School Look For In Its Applicants?

5. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 5 Just The Facts n GPA (Grade Point Average) n Class Rank n Courses n SAT/ACT Scores

6. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 6 The Real Person n Student Leader n Athlete n Science Olympiad n Math Team n Actor n Artist n Musician n Volunteer n Employee n Scout n Church Group Member n Contempora Staff n Newspaper n Peer Tutor

7. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 7 To Help With The:

8. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 8 SAT Reasoning Test & SAT Subject Tests www.collegeboard.com

9. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 9 SAT Tests n Critical Reading n Math n Writing n Scores range from 200 - 800 n Subject Tests - Math, Science, History

10. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 10 Improve SAT Scores n Preview PSAT results n Read n If in SAT review course - take advantage of practice time n Private tutorial programs (Princeton Review, Kaplan, CCRI, etc.) n Use SAT review books and software

11. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 11 SAT Registration n Paper Registration - Booklets are available in the CHSW Guidance Office n Online - www.collegeboard.com n One can send scores to 4 colleges n All official scores must be sent to the colleges from the Collegeboard n Colleges will see all scores but will usually use the highest combination

12. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 12 Reminders n Research in order to plan ahead n Know when to take the SAT’s n Know if SAT Subject Tests are required by admissions n SAT scores must be sent to the colleges by the Collegeboard

13. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 13 Where to Start? Cost - Housing - Setting - Sports Activities - Support Services On Campus Facilities Educational Resources

14. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 14 Resources n College Catalogs n View Books n Web Sites like MyRoad.com & Collegeboard.com n College Reps n College Fairs n College Tours

15. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 15 Counselor Requirements n Student Questionnaire n Activity Sheet

16. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 16 Deadlines n Early Decision n Early Action n Standard n Rolling Admission

17. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 17 Applications n Where do you get them? n When do you get them? n How do you get them?

18. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 18 Application Forms n Common Application n Online Application n Paper Application

19. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 19 Completing the Application: n Make a copy of the application at home n Practice on the copy n Complete your actual application including essay if required n Make a copy of the application to be submitted n Bring it to the guidance department

20. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 20 If you want guidance to mail the application: n Completed & checked application n Essay n Activities sheet n Teacher recommendations n Application fee n Response post card n 4 First class stamps n Signed transcript card n Large manila envelope addressed to the college n Name and due date on the inside flap

21. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 21 If you prefer to mail the application: n Transcript card required n Counselor Letter of Recommendation included n Any other supplemental material required by the school n Sealed envelope given back to the student

22. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 22 Cranston West Timeline n The guidance department requires 15 school days to process a completed application n The guidance department reviews the application, includes an official transcript, school profile, and required/requested recommendations

23. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 23 Essays n Brainstorm on the topics n Select a topic n Complete a rough draft n Have someone review it n Revise n Edit

24. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 24 Recommendations n Try for Two but check each school’s requirements n Teacher n Coach n Employer n Community Person n Counselor

25. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 25 And more... n Interview n Visit n Tour n Art, Theater, Music –may require video tape, audition, portfolio

26. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 26 Decisions n Acceptance n Deferral n Wait List n Denial

27. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 27 The Treasure Hunt Financing College

28. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 28 Financial Aid n The primary responsibility for paying for college is that of the parents and the student. Students may receive financial aid if they qualify. –According to need –Academic merit –Special interests

29. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 29 What is Financial Aid? Money for College n The total cost of college attendance includes: –Tuition and Fees –Books and Supplies –Room and Board –Transportation –Miscellaneous Expenses

30. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 30 What are the types of Financial Aid? n Grants/Scholarships n Loans n Work Study

31. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 31 How does one apply for Financial Aid? n FAFSA –Pin Number –Deadlines n Profile n College Forms

32. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 32 Financial Aid Resources n College Planning Center of Rhode Island –Collegeplanningcenter.org –(401) 736 - 3170 n College Financial Aid Office n Community Financial Aid Workshops n Senior Notes

33. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 33 Helpful Websites n FAFSA on the web www.fafsa.ed.gov n Financial Aid Information page www.finaid.org n Free Scholarship Search www.fastweb.com www.rischolarships.com

34. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 34 Student Athletes n The National Collegiate Athletic Accociation (NCAA) n Provides a central location for certification of academic elligibility for participation in intercollegiate sports n Students must register with the clearinghouse after their junior year in high school if they are considering a Division I or II School –www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

35. ©2007 Cranston (RI) Public Schools 35 Questions & Answers