Getting Started in the College Selection Process

1. Getting Started in the College Selection Process November 7th, 2013 Aaron Bauer – Dublin Jerome Jon Borland – Dublin Scioto Kevin Patton – Dublin Coffman Nicole Sutherland – Dublin Coffman

2. Tonight’s Focus • Preparing your child for the college selection process • Naviance/Family Connection • Used in all grade levels at the high school • On-line tool for the college selection/application process • College Admissions for the university perspectiv • Keith Gehres • Associate Director-Outreach & Recruitment, The Ohio State Univ. • Jennifer Markovich • Admissions Counselor, The Ohio State University • Ben Shoemaker • Director of Admissions, Otterbein University

3. College Timeline • 9th Grade: • Start strong in classes, solid GPA foundation, get involved, PSAT (optional) • 10th Grade: • PLAN test, PSAT (optional), begin college research • 11th Grade: • PSAT (required), Practice ACT, take ACT/SAT, college selection/visitation process, build resume, research colleges • 12th Grade: • College application process, transcript request process, take ACT/SAT (if necessary)

4. ACT & SAT Test Dates: • SAT • December 7, 2013 • January 25, 2014 (DCHS) • March 8, 2014 • May 3, 2014 (DJHS) • June 7, 2014 • ACT • December 14, 2013 (DJHS) • February 8, 2014 • April 12, 2014 (DSHS) • June 14, 2014

5. Naviance/Family Connection

6. Naviance / Family Connection • Coffman - https://connection.naviance.com/coffman • Jerome - https://connection.naviance.com/dublinjhs • Scioto - https://connection.naviance.com/dublinshs

7. Naviance / Family ConnectionUN: 14smith_johnPW: student id #

8. Naviance /Family Connection College Research

9. Colleges

10. College Super Match

11. 6 Topics • Selecting a college, where to start • Researching colleges • Visiting campus effectively • What colleges look for • What factors influence admission • Misconceptions about preparing for and attending college

12. Selecting a college: where to start? • Develop criteria • Your ideal school? Size, location, majors, types of students… • Gather information • guidebooks • web/internet searches • Counselors, teachers, professionals, friends, family

13. 50+ in Ohio, over 130,000 students Diversity of schools: liberal arts, nursing, professional schools (CCAD) Small classes taught by professors Opportunities for research, leadership, internships Strong graduation rates Tuition ranges $8,400 - $40,240 Financial aid/scholarships Private Colleges

14. 13 in Ohio with 27 regional campuses Range in size from 2,000 to 42,000 Wide variety of academic major options Opportunities for research, leadership, internships Tuition ranges $4,833 - $14,652 Merit and Need-based Financial Aid Public Colleges

15. Researching colleges Over 3200 colleges nationwide, how to find a good match • College handbooks and guides • Websites • College catalogs and viewbooks • Colleges visiting your high school • High school counselor • On campus visits • Suburban multicultural college fair in April • Suburban college fair in September

16. Researching colleges Important considerations • Admission policy • Majors and course offerings • Support and success services • Campus life and housing • Location and size • Private or public • Religious affiliation • Physical facilities • Cost

17. Researching colleges Favorite college search sites • www.collegeboard.com • Select “find a college” • www.princetonreview.com • Select “counselor-o-matic”

18. Visiting Campuses Effectively Plan ahead for a visit(spring of junior year!) • Ask the college what they recommend • Be certain that classes are in session • Information session or formal interview • Is the tour a walking tour Ask a lot of questions • Prepare a list ahead of time • Know the institution • Be ready to talk (students, this means you)

19. Visiting Campuses Effectively Find the experts • Students: social life, residence halls, classes, professors • Faculty: department strengths, success of graduates, opportunities like internships or research • Coaches, band directors, organization advisors: schedule of activities, what kind of competition can you expect, how to prepare for audition or try-outs • Admission/Financial Aid Counselors:costs, scholarship opportunities, college stats like retention rates, chances of being admitted, special support services, safety issues –those things that are a concern to you

20. Visiting Campuses Effectively If you are looking at a residential campus, the student is going to live there, not just go to school • Eat the food • See a room: classroom/residence hall room • Arrange an overnight visit if possible • Attend a campus event

21. Visiting Campuses Effectively Ask interactive questions • Describe interactions with your professors? • What do you and your friends do for fun? • What did you do last weekend? • What extra expenses surprised you? • How do you get around campus/town? • How many times did you go home last term/year?

22. What colleges look for Apply with care! • Gather application materials (paper, web, common app) • Know the deadlines • Note requirements • High school transcript • Standardized test scores (ACT, SAT I, SAT II) • Essay • Recommendations • Interviews

23. What colleges look for High School Performance • Four year college prep curriculum • Performance based on GPA/class rank • Grade trends • Rigor of curriculum • Competitiveness of high school

24. What colleges look for Standardized test scores • May help to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses • May be used for placement • May be used for scholarship cut-offs • May not be weighed as heavily if high school record is strong • May need to include writing section for ACT • May not be required at all

25. What colleges look for Extracurricular activities • Never replaces academic preparation and performance • Consistent involvement and leadership important Service • Consistent involvement • Impact on student and/or community • May lead to special scholarships Other factors • Legacy • Diversity • Religious affiliation • Special talents • Interviews

26. What factors influence admission? NACAC 2011 admission trend survey • High school graduates • Number of high school grads peaked in 2008-2009 • Population expected to decline through 2014-2015 and remain below 2009 levels through at least 2020-2021 • Wide variations by state and region • Racial/ethnic composition changing • Total college enrollment • 2009: approximately 20.4 million students enrolled • 2020: enrollment will grow to an estimated 23 million students

27. What factors influence admission? Local admission trends • Students apply earlier • Early decision (binding) • Early action (non-binding) • Single choice early action (hybrid) • Students apply more often • Impact on decision • Surprise by increasing selectivity • Different for current students than siblings and parents • Increasing use of technology • Makes exploration easier but can be overwhelming

28. Student Misconceptions about Preparing for and Attending College • Fiction: Getting into college is the hardest part • Fact: For most students, completing college is the hardest part • Fiction:My senior year does not matter • Fact: Senior classes determine which classes you may take and how well prepared you are for those classes

29. Student Misconceptions about Preparing for and Attending College • Fiction: It’s better to take easier classes in high school and get better grades • Fact: One of the best predictors of college success is taking rigorous courses • Fiction:I can take whatever classes I want when I get to college • Fact: Most colleges require entering students to take placement exams in core subject areas