1.  Please pick up a copy of all college handouts on the back table! Stay tuned for… College Information Night for Parents WELCOME!

2. Ms. Brandi Cooper Mrs. Amber Gilsdorf Ms. Ann Raffay November 18, 2015

3.   GHS College Counseling Curriculum  5 Easy Steps for College Searching  College Testing  Strengthening Applicant Profile  Financial Aid (briefly)  Save the Dates  Q & A Agenda for the Evening

4.  GHS College Planning Curriculum  9 th Grade —  4-Year Academic Planning Meetings  Career Cluster Finder Inventory in Ohio Means Jobs  Freshmen Career Fair  10 th Grade —  Strengths Explorer in Naviance  College Major Searching  Sophomore Hands-On Day  PSAT Results  11 th Grade —  College 101 Curriculum ( See “College 101 Calendar” handout - GREEN )

5.   12th Grade —  College Application Process for Parents (Sept.)  College Application Work Sessions  Alumni Day  All Grades —  Athletics in College (Required Sports Meeting & lunches in the fall and spring)  Licking County Financial Aid Night (Jan. but will move earlier next year)  Scheduling Presentations (Feb.)  Selective Schools Admissions Presentation (Apr.)  Licking County College Fair (Apr.) GHS College Planning Curriculum

6.   Naviance Family Connection Naviance Family Connection  Ohio Means Jobs – explore careers of interest Ohio Means Jobs  Grade-level College Planning Calendars & Tons of Other College Resources  www.granvilleschools.org/CollegePlanning.aspx www.granvilleschools.org/CollegePlanning.aspx  Websites:  www.collegeboard.org www.collegeboard.org  College-specific websites  studentaid.ed.gov Tools for the Journey Ahead

7.   College 101 Folder (juniors) – All juniors will have a specific college-planning folder that will be added to throughout junior year.  College Books:  Fiske Guide to the Colleges 2016  Peterson’s publications  CollegeBoard’s College Majors  Available to borrow in the GHS Counseling Office  Family & Friends  School Counselor Tools for the Journey Ahead

8.   College search tool  Database that compares your student’s applicant profile to former GHS graduates who applied to the same schools on your student’s list!  Helps you & your student organize the college process  Personality strengths assessments  Career assessments  Scholarship searches  Summer Enrichment Programs See: “Introduction to Naviance” handout - BLUE What is Naviance Family Connection?

9. How do I begin the process with my child ?

10.   Have your child reflect on:  Who am I?  What are my strengths?  What do I want from my college experience?  What would I like to do at the end of 4 years?  What are my goals?  How do these qualities match with potential majors and careers?  College Counseling Curriculum:  “Cluster Finder” and “Strengths Explorer” assessments  College 101 Folder - See “Exploring College Majors & Careers Path” Packet & College Majors 101 STEP 1: Self-Reflection

11.  Public and Private Colleges For-Profit Colleges 4-year and 2-year colleges Liberal Arts Colleges Universities Vocational-Technical and Career Colleges Colleges with special focus Arts, single-sex, religious, specialized mission  College Counseling Curriculum:  College 101 Folder – “College Search Process” packet and “Qualities that Make a College Right for You” packet STEP 2: Understand Different Types of Colleges

12.   Enrollment  Academic Environment  Academic Offerings  Cost/Availability of Financial Aid  Religion  Ethnicity  Coeducation or Single Sex  Student Body Characteristics  Student Life  Big Name School or Best Fit School  Activities (including Athletics)  Admission Difficulty  Location  Any other factors… STEP 3: Qualities that Make a School “a Good Fit” College Counseling Curriculum: College 101 Folder – “ “Qualities that Make a College Right for You” packet

13.  1.Using the “SuperMatch” and “College Search” features in Naviance, students can narrow field of search based on qualities of importance.  View college acceptance data from previous GHS students (without names)  See: “Using Naviance to Compare to Past GHS Applicants” handout - BLUE  Personalize a list of schools you have interest in and keep track of deadlines 2.Use the CollegeBoard “College Search” function to cross-reference results.  College Counseling Curriculum:  College 101 Folder – “How to Build Your College List” packet STEP 4: Build a College List & Research

14.  3. Review college profile on Naviance, CollegeBoard, or on the college’s website  Average SAT and/or ACT scores or mid-50% range of scores for acceptance  Average GPA of acceptance  Recommended number of courses for math, science, global language, fine arts, etc.  Acceptance rates  Courses & majors offered  Other unique programs/activities for students See: “How to Build a College List” packet - WHITE STEP 4: Build a College List & Research

15.   Visiting is the best way to learn about colleges  If you can, go when school is in session  Plan trips during long weekends, vacations, GHS Spring Break  Set up the appt. 2-3 weeks in advance, through the phone or website  See: “Questions to Ask During Your Campus Visit” handout - SALMON STEP 5: College Visits Standard Visit = Tour and Presentation Virtual Tours available on some college websites and CollegeWeekLive Experience as much as possible (meetings with coaches, department chairs, professors, see the town, etc.)

16.  As you begin searching for schools & visiting… Things to keep in mind

17.   Grades in college preparatory courses (93.9%)  Strength of curriculum (90.2%)  Admission test scores/ACT & SAT (87.4%)  Overall GPA (87.3%)  Essay (57.8%) Percentages are the results of the annual NACAC Admissions Trends Survey, which denotes the most important factors in admissions decisions. Students should consider their applicant profile:

18.  How do you determine if a college is a…  Reach?  Your student’s applicant profile is not as strong as the middle 50% (GPA & test scores) or average of admitted students to that school.  Target?  Your student’s applicant profile is similar to the middle 50% (GPA & test scores) or average of admitted students to that school.  Safety?  Your student’s applicant profile is significantly stronger than the middle 50% (GPA & test scores) or average of admitted students to that school.

19.  The College Continuum Reach  Target  Likely When it comes to applying, we recommend applying to a variety of schools on a continuum based on your student’s applicant profile. Reach Target Safety

20.  Though acceptance rates are low for these highly selective schools, we encourage all students that match the school’s academic profile and feel that the school is a “best fit” for them to apply. Acceptance rates from 2015 Harvard 7.2% Harvard 7.2% Stanford 7.97% Stanford 7.97% Yale 8.56% Yale 8.56% Princeton 10.6% Princeton 10.6% Columbia 11% Columbia 11% Brown 11% Brown 11% Penn 17% Penn 17% Georgetown 19% Georgetown 19% Duke 22% Duke 22% Gathered from Naviance, 2012 School ApplicantsAcceptedAdmission Rate Harvard35,0232,0475.84% Yale28,9772,0437.05% Princeton26,6411,9837.44% Univ. of Chicago 30,2712,6708.82% Vanderbilt University 31,0993,96312.74% Duke University 30,3744,07713.42% Selective Schools Admissions

21.   The fewer students a school accepts, the more likely it is to place emphasis on “tip” factors in the admissions process.  Demonstrated Interest  On-campus visits  Summer programs at the school YELLOW  Table visits at college fairs (See the back of your YELLOW handout)  Student’s unique strength/situation  Particular musical instrument, sport, or other strength  Major area of study interest  First generation college student  What is the need for their incoming class?  Selective Schools Presentation:  Wednesday, April 20, 2016 @ 7:30 p.m. after the Licking County College Fair (6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) Selective Schools Admissions

22.  Here we go… College Testing

23.  YELLOW  See: “Test Dates & Deadlines” YELLOW handout  = GHS is a Test Center for that date.  All students should have a “Testing Plan” to take both the SAT WITH essay & ACT WITH writing once each.  We encourage students to retake whichever test was the stronger test for them AT LEAST ONCE. SAT and ACT

24.   All initial testing should be done by the end of Junior year, which leaves fall of senior year to test again if desired.  Pay special attention to whether or not colleges require the “writing” portion of the ACT. We strongly recommends taking the writing portion as some colleges require it!  Test-optional schools www.fairtest.org/optional.htmwww.fairtest.org/optional.htm SAT and ACT

25.  Make A Testing Plan  In Pre-Calculus, IAP, Fundies, AP Calc (or higher) this year?  First round of ACT & SAT in the Winter (December, January, February) of junior year  Second round of ACT or SAT in the Spring (March, April, May, or June) of junior year  In Geometry, ALPH, or Algebra II this year?  First round of ACT & SAT in the Spring (March or April) of junior year  Second round of ACT or SAT in the Spring/Summer (May or June) of junior year YELLOW See: “2015-2016” Dates & Deadlines” handout - YELLOW

26.   SUPER SCORING! New Super Score is = 31  Why it can be good to take both tests more than once!  Policies vary by college as not all schools super score.  Old SAT with Old SAT/New SAT with New SAT ONLY SAT and ACT Date:EnglishMathReadingScienceComposite April 2014 3429 2830 June 2014 3427302930

27.  SAT will change in the Spring of 2016 (impacting Class of 2017 and beyond)  Check out the “Testing Dates and Deadlines” handout  Old SAT will continue through February  New SAT will begin in March  College admissions will not be comparing old SAT scores with new SAT scores.  If your student took the PSAT last year and this year, have them think about which one they performed best on and consider taking the Old SAT and/or focus on the New SAT Old SAT vs. New SAT

28.   Register for tests online & record the username and password as that will be how you access your scores and send them later on!  Students must upload a photo of themselves with their online registration. Student must be the only person in the picture with a plain colored background.  For students requesting accommodations, please review the information at www.granvilleschools.org/TestingforStudentswithDisabilities1.aspx www.granvilleschools.org/TestingforStudentswithDisabilities1.aspx  You can choose 4 schools to receive your scores for free when you register for the test. Registration

29.  Inside the New SAT What is the test structure? Evidence-Based Reading & Writing Mathematics Essay--Optional How is the test scored? 200-800 points per section for a total of 1600 possible 2-8 points for the essay No penalty for guessing, so student should answer every question unlike the old SAT!

30.  www.granvilleschools.org/PSAT1.aspx The PSAT was modified to reflect the changes to the SAT (Oct. 2015)  Administered in October each year.  Recommended for ALL 10 th & 11 th grade students every year.  Detailed Score Report returned in January in English classes  Students’ scores available online in December if students provided an email on their test form  Provides Personalized SAT Study Plan online

31. SAT Subject Tests  Typically more selective colleges and highly academic programs require the SAT subject tests.  Take these tests right after you have completed the class that focused on the subject in which you are being tested.  Each subject test lasts approximately one hour, so students can sign up for up to three tests on one test date.  How do I know if my schools require SAT Subject Tests?  Use Compass Prep: http://www.compassprep.com/subject-test- requirements-and-recommendations/ http://www.compassprep.com/subject-test- requirements-and-recommendations/  Each specific school’s admissions website  Search for your college on CollegeBoard’s website

32.  What is the test structure? English Reading Mathematics Science Reasoning Writing (optional…but recommended) How is the test scored? 1-36 for each section 2-12 points for the writing Inside the ACT

33.  Free: -PSAT Score Report -www.collegeboard.orgwww.collegeboard.org -www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org -Check out links on our website: http://www.granvilleschools.org/CollegeTesting.aspxhttp://www.granvilleschools.org/CollegeTesting.aspx Fee-Based: -$ on your “Test Dates & Deadlines” handout -Workshops are advertised through the announcements under “College Testing” -Private tutoring Note: Make sure that any prep service focuses on problem solving and test-taking skills, as well as time management. Test Prep

34.   Do colleges need both SAT and ACT scores?  Which scores are better to send to colleges? Should I send them now, or wait?  How important are grades as compared to test scores?  What if English is not my first language? (TOEFL) FAQs on Testing

35.  Almost there! We did it!

36.   April:  Students complete a “Check-In” Worksheet:  Testing Plan, College Visit Plan, Potential Majors, Colleges of Interest, & Potential Recommenders  May:  Prepare for the college essay & review “To-Do” for the summer  Going in to Senior Year:  Have a list of colleges to which your student will apply  All initial ACT/SAT testing completed, with the option to re-test again if desired. At the end of Junior Year

37.   Coursework/Course schedule/Rigor  Get involved in our school AND our community  Your child should invest in activities they are passionate about and/or talented  Consider the opportunities available during the summer—programs/camps/leadership events  Find a few things (not 10) to focus on and to develop more  Encourage them to get to know their teachers and counselor  Family Meetings Grades 9 – 11: Strengthen Your Applicant Profile

38.   College 101 – March topic  Begin to research the cost of college for your family specifically.  There are many tools and resources available to help you get an estimate of what your family will pay.  Federal Aid:  https://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/estimate https://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/estimate  Individual Colleges/Universities:  Net Price Calculators (see “Calculating the Cost of College” on the GHS Financial Aid website)“Calculating the Cost of College” Financial Aid

39.   Resources are available on the School Counseling & College Planning website  www.granvilleschools.org/financialaid.aspx www.granvilleschools.org/financialaid.aspx  During your college visits, make a separate appointment to meet with financial aid officers.  Or don’t hesitate to call the financial aid office! Financial Aid SAVE THE DATE January 20, 2016 @ 6:00 p.m. - Financial Aid Night @ C-TEC April 20, 2016 @ 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. – Licking County College Fair September 2016 – College Application Process for Senior Parents

40. Questions? Thank you for attending! Please complete the Exit Slip!