1. Jamesville – DeWitt HS Counseling Center Senior Parent Night Fall 2015

2. Tonight’s Agenda Introduction Applications & Transcripts Strategies The Process Financial Aid

3. Introduction The good news… The hardest work is (should be) done Sending your child off to college Finding the right “fit”

4. The Key Players… Student Parent School Counselor Teachers College Admission Officers College Financial Aid Officers

5. Application Procedures Regular Decision Notification Date Rolling Decision In and Out Early Decision Binding Application Early Action Not binding “Restricted” Early Action

6. Have a strategy Plan A - “Reaches” Plan B - “Good Matches” mid 50% Plan C - “Safeties”

7. “The Right Fit” Size Location Academic Rigor Style & Philosophy ~ liberal arts, technology, business, arts Cost/Finances Extras ~ athletics, music, drama, etc

8. Will I Be Admitted? GPA Community College open 2 year residential 75-83 Less competitive 4 year 78-84 Moderately selective 85-90

9. Will I Be Admitted? GPA Highly selective 89-93 Most selective 93+ Ivy League & other elite schools ?

10. Transcripts Complete academic record School Profile SAT/ACT scores on transcript *need to be sent through testing agency to be official Weighted/Unweighted overall averages

11. Useful Web Sites www.collegeboard.com www.commonapp.org www.connection.naviance.com/jdhs www.collegeresults.org www.usnews.com www.collegedata.com www.collegescorecard.ed.govwww.collegescorecard.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov

12. Other Considerations Flexibility Unpredictability

13. Dear Counselor, Strengths Weaknesses Things that impacted performance & life Special talents Anything you think I should keep in mind as I write the counselor’s letter of recommendation

14. Visit Colleges COLLEGE WEBSITES! Open Houses/Information Sessions SUNY Open House Dates College Visit & Interview Questions College Representative Visits

15. How to apply? C OMMON A PPLICATION www.commonapp.org Over 600 schools (includes most SUNY) Essay (650 word limit) School Specific Essays (watch for these) Teachers & Counselors send electronically - NAVIANCE

16. Application Checklist Organize Applications Finalize Activity Sheet Personal Statements/Essays

17. More to do… Follow-up with Teacher Recommendations Send Official SAT/ACT Scores to Colleges

18. Application Process Application Processing Form One for EACH school Submit at least 10 school days prior to deadline

19. Remember… Communication + Contact A Successful Process

20. Financial Aid

21. Paying for College FAFSA application Estimated Family Contribution PROFILE application Comparing Costs & Packages

22. Scholarships Newsletter - Counseling Center Webpage Community Resources Newspaper May need HS Transcript - Add’l Scholarship Processing Form

23. Useful Resources FAFSA.ED.GOV FINAID.ORG - free estimator FASTWEB.COM – scholarships Eastside College Night 7 Oct @ ESM ~ 6:30-8 pm Financial Aid Night ~ 6 Jan 2016

24. Additional Questions?

25. Thank you for coming! Best of luck this year!