Parent Information Session

1. Parent Information Session What Parents of Top 10% students Should Know Melba Luciano, District Superintendent Michael Akes, Assistant Superintendent (HS C&I) Gladys Justiniano, District College Specialist Robert Airasian, Graduate of Brown, Cornell & Harvard Universities (Orlando Area); Chair of Brown University Admissions

2. What you should know? • Applying to College • The College Selection process • College Application Requirements • What College Admissions Officers look for • Testing information (SAT & ACT) • Scholarships & Financial Aid

3. Applying to College Non-Restrictive Application Plans: (All Non-Binding) • Regular Decision – student submits an application by a specified date and receive a decision in a clearly stated period of time • Rolling Admission – Institutions review applications as they are submitted and render admission decisions throughout the admission cycle • Early Action (EA) – student applies early and receives a decision well in advance of the institution’s regular response date ***Note: Students are not restricted from applying to other institutions and have until May 1 to consider their options and confirm enrollment.

4. Applying to College Restrictive Application Plans: • Early Decision (ED) – student makes a commitment to a first choice institution where, if admitted, they definitely will enroll. The application deadline and decision deadline occur early. (Binding) • Restrictive Early Action (REA) – student applies to an institution of preference and receives a decision early. They may be restricted from applying ED or EA or REA to other instituitions. If offered enrollment, they have until May 1 to confirm. ***Note: Students are responsible for determining and following restrictions

5. Applying to College • Recommendation: apply as early in the Fall of your senior year as possible.

6. Applying to College • Common Application *** not-for-profit membership organization, founded over 35 years ago The Common Application is an online college application used by over 500 colleges. Just one application can be sent, but first you should know how it works: • You can enter your basic information and stats into a single application and then focus on additional essays or other requirements each college might ask for. • A new version of the Common Application is available every August 1. To see which colleges are participating this year, check CollegeData'sCommon Application Colleges at a Glance. You can also view application deadlines, fees, and supplemental form requirements.

7. Common App - Member Colleges Must Take a "Holistic" Approach Participating colleges must evaluate students using a "holistic" selection process that considers recommendation letters, at least one essay, and diversity, among other factors. The idea is that the college considers the whole applicant, and doesn't admit students based only on data such as GPA and test scores. - The Common Application Essay The Common Application requires an essay of 650 words or less. You must choose one of five broad topics designed to help demonstrate your ability to write clearly and grow from your personal experiences. You can view the most recent essay topics here. It's a good idea to start your essay as soon as possible so you have plenty of time to get feedback and make revisions.

8. Common App - Colleges Have Additional Requirements Most colleges using the Common Application will ask you to answer additional questions and write an additional essay. All will ask for at least one recommendation letter and information from your high school. The Common Application supplies grade report and evaluation forms. Counselors and teachers complete these forms only once and send copies to the schools you apply to. Colleges may also require additional materials such as resumes. These requests will be included in the Common Application for that school.

9. Common App - Making Changes to Your Application You can revise and save your application as many times as you like before submitting it to colleges. Once you have sent a Common Application to your first college, you may create different versions of it for other colleges. However, you can only upload a revision of your Common Application essay twice after initially submitting it. - How to Access the Common Application • Go to commonapp.org, or link to the application from the website of a school that accepts it. Using the Common Application is free, but you are still required to pay the college's application fees. You must complete and submit the application online. There is no paper application.

10. College Selection • Select colleges based on major first • Other considerations for college selection include: • Geographic location • Size of the college • Quality of the academic environment • Data about Financial Aid offered annually • Activities and clubs available • Family legacy

11. College Visit • An essential part of the college selection process • The visits should help in determining if this institution is someplace you can picture yourself for the next 4 / 5 years of your life.

12. College Research • Several Sites to search for colleges • www.collegeboard.org • www.actstudent.org • www.usnews.com/rankings • www.collegeview.com • www.collegedata.com • www.ecampustours.com • www.princetonreview.com

13. College Application • Applications include: • Personal information • Transcripts (Grades) • Test Scores (SAT or ACT) – SAT subject area tests, check school websites • Personal Essays • Letters of Recommendation • Portfolio, Audition or Interview • Proof of residency

14. Application Process Small amount of time: • Application itself • Transcripts • Test Scores • Proof of Residency

15. Application Process Large amount of time: • Personal Essay • Letters of Recommendation • Portfolios, auditions or interviews

16. Essay • Where to begin • Make opening statement strong and unique. (will I want to read on?) • Keep it personal – they want to know about you. • Keep it short – 500 words or less

17. Letters of Recommendation • Give teacher or counselor time ( also volunteer coordinator, coach, mentor, etc.) to write a letter for you (up to two weeks) • Provide a resume (or bragg sheet) with your request. • Provide a stamped, addressed envelope for teacher or counselor to send the letter. • Follow-up – did it get sent? – or provide an envelope with your name on it and collect it in two weeks. • Thank you note – very important!

18. Portfolio / Audition / Interviews • Check requirements for portfolio or auditions. • Meet deadlines • Interviews – find out what questions they will ask and be prepared. • Be on time for interview • Dress appropriately

19. The Student Athlete • Check with your HS Counselor to make sure you are registered with the NCAA eligibility center. • Ask and make sure that transcripts are sent. • ACT or SAT - use code “9999” to have official scores sent to NCAA eligibility center • Make sure you are on track to graduate • Ask to have your final transcript submitted with proof of graduation

20. What College Admissions Officers Look for? • Quality of Courses • Grades: key factor in the admissions decision • Standardized Test Scores • Extracurricular Activities • Recommendations • Essays • Personal Characteristics • Diversity

21. Testing • SAT www.collegeboard.org • ACT www.actstudent.org • Test Prep provided for FREE at every school & via college board website w/ Khan Academy • Should have tested in the spring of the junior year. Can test again in Fall of senior year (as early as possible)

22. Parents: What you should do? • Remind them they still have to get good grades and study in their Senior year. No senior-itis • Keep communication open • Listen to what they want – about college • Listen for uncertainty, lack of confidence etc. • Help them to be realistic and boost confidence • Take them to visit colleges (if unsure) • Remind them about tests and deadlines – help them keep a calendar and keep a college folder • Be prompt with any pieces you have to complete.

23. More Help • Now – help students register for the ACT & SAT & help them send their scores to the colleges • Now – help them create / update their resume • Now – help student by reading college essays • Now – help get all information together for application process

24. Senior Year • Students will have many ups and downs • Students may need about $1000 to cover all expenses of high school and the college process • Yearbook • Cap and Gown • College application fees • Test fees • Housing deposits • Acceptance deposits • Prom • Senior Graduation event

25. Senior Year Actions September • Sign them up for another entrance test • Help them apply to colleges in Florida • Come to parent night events • If going Out of State – go to those college information sessions – usually in Orlando • Check FOCUS monthly to keep up with their grades. October • Remind them to order transcripts • Sign the residency affidavits on the Florida college applications • Take them to open houses

26. November Go to the financial aid night near you. Help them start applying for out of state colleges Start on scholarship applications December Make sure they have completed their out of state applications by the end of the month Help them acquire any missing paperwork the FL colleges say is missing. Get ready for the FAFSA Actions Continued

27. January Remind students to check for scholarships Complete the FAFSA – you should do this Save your SAR and know your EFC Senioritis may set in – check FOCUS & stay on top of them! February Keep reminding students to look for scholarships Early decision letters will be coming this month or before. Talk to your child about acceptances and rejections Still More Action

28. March You will have to help with housing applications and deposits You will have to help with acceptance deposits Continue to remind about scholarships April Work together to make the final decision on the college based on the financial aid package they offer Last reminder about scholarships Almost There

29. Last Month May • Students should have plans set at this point – must decide by May 1st • Let the College, Counselor and Career Specialist know of the decision • Let the Colleges you will NOT attend know about your decision. • They will need to pick up cap and gown • They may be heading off in June – collect checklists of what they will need at college and start getting those items. • Go to their graduation and smile! You’ve earned it!

30. Financial Aid / Scholarships Resources • www.latinosincollege.com • www.fastweb.com • www.apiasf.org • www.blackexcel.org/link4/htm • www.fafsa.ed.gov • www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/bf

31. Upcoming College Info Fairs & Events • Valencia College Night – October 7th • Orlando National College Fair – October 12th • NCAA (How to prepare your athlete for the college recruiting process): - October 14th at CHS, 6:30pm-8pm - October 15th at SCHS, 6:30pm-8pm **Check with your HS Counselor / Career Specialist for Financial Aid Information Nights Coming Soon

32. Remind • Text @jstar2015 to 407-513-4614 To receive important messages & texts via SMS texts

33. "Strategy, Tips, & Myths - Getting Into Highly Competitive Colleges" • Robert Airasian

34. Scholarships • Threasa Glasscock • Will be at OHS this Thursday night, 9/25, 7pm – 9pm

35. Questions

36. Contact Information • Gladys Justiniano • Email: justinig@osceola.k12.fl.us • Phone: (407) 870-4810