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COLLEGE 101

Mrs. Sarah Neudeck Mrs. Carolyn Montalbo School Counselors. COLLEGE 101. Topics Covered. Overview of the College Process Applications Standardized Testing Resources Decision Plans Financial Aid. Why Are We Here?. Mid-point of Junior year Class of 2011—the college process begins NOW

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COLLEGE 101

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  1. Mrs. Sarah Neudeck Mrs. Carolyn Montalbo School Counselors COLLEGE 101

  2. Topics Covered • Overview of the College Process • Applications • Standardized Testing • Resources • Decision Plans • Financial Aid

  3. Why Are We Here? • Mid-point of Junior year • Class of 2011—the college process begins NOW • Last chance to show colleges completed work • Time to improve the “package” you present

  4. The Right College What is the right college? • Someone else’s choice? • The college with the best radio station? • US News & World Report’s #1? • The college I can afford? The answer will be different for each of you.

  5. Making the Match • It’s not about finding the Bestcollege, it’s about finding the Right college • The right college is where students can be happy and successful • Successful students are happy students and happy students are successful!

  6. What is the First Step? Self-Assessment: Discovery and Facing Reality • Who are you? • What do you want to do? • What have you done so far? How hard have you worked in high school? • How involved are you in the life of the school? • What makes you special? College Assessment: Narrowing the field Creating a working list and a final list

  7. College Selection • More than 4,300 colleges and universities in the United States alone • On average, student apply to 4 and 8 colleges • Narrowing the list

  8. The Big Picture • Keep your options open. There are excellent colleges everywhere! • Big colleges in small places • Small ones in big places • Most colleges are in the Northeast and so are most of the students • Don’t get stuck on name brand

  9. What Factors Should You Consider? • Geographic location: proximity to home, weather, and lifestyle • Size and Diversity: student body, average class size and dorm life • Academic Opportunities: what and how you will study • Personal Opportunities: activities, jobs, internships, and friends • Reputation • Student Profile: do you have what they want?

  10. What Will You Do There? • Do you have a career in mind? • Are there specific majors that interest you? • Is there depth and diversity within the academic programs? • Can you change your major if you change your mind? • Remember: College is a place to learn, explore and grow as a scholar and as an individual.

  11. The Student Body • What do you want the student body to look like? Diverse? Like you? From all states? From this state? From around the world?

  12. The Faculty • Who teaches undergrads? • Do professors hold regular hours? • Which is the driving force—teaching or research? • Will your instructors know your name? • Faculty:Student Ratios appear in all college and university publications and on their websites.

  13. College Profiles • 300—500 students is a small Freshmen class • 300—500 students is a big English class • Colleges and universities publish statistics about the type of students that are admitted • Colleges will deviate from their admitted student profile, but only when they have a specific reason drawn from the application

  14. What Do You Want? • Anonymity vs. personal relationships with faculty • Commuting vs. dorm life • City vs. country • Travel by train, bus or plane • Every student should apply to at least one school as a resident. The idea of commuting may be less desirable a year from now. Remember—you are not going to college…the student you will be 18 months from now is.

  15. How Do Colleges Choose Students? • Review files • Looking for students who are: • Varied in terms of demographics and diversity • Outstanding based on academics and scores • Special admits (legacy, athletes, special talent, etc.) • Previously underrepresented students • Nice kids The object is to get out of the last pile…

  16. What Demographics Mean • Geographic Location: no college wants all of its students to come from the same area • Colleges seek ethnically and racially diverse student bodies • Colleges and universities need students with different abilities and interests to complete their communities

  17. What’s in the File? • Transcript: a record of final marks for grades 9-11 • SAT, SAT Subject Test, ACT, and AP scores, if applicable • Teacher recommendation form/letters • Personal Statement/Essay • Application: personal information, high school information, details of extracurricular activities • Notes from campus/alumni interview • Record of student contact

  18. The Transcript • Colleges look at the transcript as the best indicator of past performance and future academic potential. It includes: • Student information including name, address, date of birth • A complete record of the courses taken and grades received • SAT, SAT Subject Test and ACT scores • AP scores (by student request) Colleges evaluate not only grades received, but also the courses taken

  19. About Grades • Great grades…steady improvement • Rigor • Senior Course options, some may be better than others

  20. About Standardized Tests • The great equalizer because, unlike class work, every applicant has had the same test • SAT and SAT Subject Tests become part of the cumulative record, so colleges will all results from all sittings • Colleges and universities are interested in your best work, so they will generally use your best scores in the evaluation process

  21. Standardized Testing • Prepare for the SAT/ACT • Be systematic • Set aside a specific time a few days each week • Get a book or computer program to help you study • Consider private tutoring or a prep course • Be aware of testing dates and deadlines so you can register for your tests on time • Evaluate your need for SAT Subject Tests • If applying to very competitive schools, you may need 1—2 SAT Subject Tests • Most colleges and universities do not require any SAT Subject Tests

  22. Teacher Recommendations • One—two are generally required. A secondary school report and counselor recommendations will also be completed • Select teachers from 11th or 12th grade Confidential picture Letter of support

  23. Activities • Co-curricular Activities (take place in school) • Sports • Clubs • Community Service Projects • Extra-Curricular Activities (take place outside of school) • Jobs • Athletics • Art/ Music lessons • Independent community services • Responsibilities at home Value of activities

  24. What Makes a Good List Great? • A student’s final list will likely contain 4-8 colleges and universities • Each college or university will be classified as Reach, Probable, or Likely • The bulk of the student’s list will Probable. For example, if a student applies to 7 schools, 3 should be probable, 2 reach, and 2 likely • Any college or university on the final list should be one the student would happily attend.

  25. Decision Plans • Early Decision: apply by Nov. 1st or Nov. 15th; Decision by mid-December; Binding if admitted • Early Action: apply by Nov. 1st or 15th ; Decision by mid-December; Non-binding • Regular Decision: deadlines can be as early as January 1st; many colleges don’t use application deadlines • Admit, Deny, or Defer • Admit, Deny, or Defer • Admit, Deny, or Wait List

  26. Owning the Process • Students apply to college and students are admitted • Students should take ownership of the process—right now • Students should do their own research, make their own appointments and fill out their own applications • It is discouraging to see that the student has not taken a role in their own application process

  27. Counselor’s Role • Assist students and parents as you make college decisions • Review completed college applications • Certify an official transcript • Fill out secondary school report form and mail academic records • Support and encourage students’ educational goals and development

  28. Spring 2010 • Schedule a meeting with your guidance counselor • Take the SAT in May or June • Take any appropriate Subject Tests in June • Take the ACT in June • Students and families should identify and plan an effective summer activity

  29. Summer 2010 • Use summer time wisely and effectively • Review and adjust the college list through research and campus visits • Review the Common Application for possible essay questions and begin working on a college essay • Review what colleges expect of you in regard to each application. Each school may require something different.

  30. Fall 2010 • Ask 2 teachers to write your Teacher Recommendations (Don’t Wait!) • Continue your research using publications, information sessions, and the internet • Continue to schedule interviews and visit campuses • Finalize your list to 4—8 colleges and universities by November 1st • Carefully mail your applications by Thanksgiving Break or stated deadlines.

  31. A Word About Financial Aid • A FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) can be filled out as early as January of the Senior year. The form can be completed based on last years income taxes that you filed • The Federal Government will determine your ability to pay and will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR) showing your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) • The EFC will be forwarded to colleges who the determine a financial aid package which will be a combination of grants, loans, and work-study • The EFC is the same regardless of the cost of the college, but the packages received will vary

  32. More Financial Aid • The College Scholarship Search Profile (CSS) is required by approximately 200 colleges and universities as a supplement to the FAFSA and can be completed in the Fall of the Senior year • Many colleges and universities hold free financial aid nights. • Colleges and universities encourage you to call them with your questions

  33. Resources • The Public Library • www.collegeboard.com • www.myroad.com (fee service offered by The College Board) • www.nacacnet.org (National Association for College Admissions Counseling) • www.fastweb.org

  34. Choices • Interest Inventory and work values sorter gives students a list of potential careers • Careers—education required, salary, job outlook, etc. • College searches—what is important to the student? List is provided • Compare schools • You can do this with your child! They have a username and password

  35. NACAC College Fair • Buffalo Convention Center • Tuesday, March 23, 2010 for Juniors • Students will be prepared prior to the Fair • Many schools will be present (See list) • Take the opportunity to return in the evening with your child and explore the possibilities…

  36. Questions? • Thank you for attending College 101!

  37. College Panel • Anthony Moreno • Class of 2008 • Allyson Severyn • Class of 2009 • Josiah LeRoy • Class of 2009

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