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Senior Parent Night: The College Admissions Process. Welcome and Introductions. Lisa van Ravenswaay Bridgett Marshall Scott Jefferies. TIME MANAGEMENT. Senior Parent Night. This night is for you. Ask questions as we go along. Senior Parent Night. Last year Students researched colleges.
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Welcome and Introductions Lisa van Ravenswaay Bridgett Marshall Scott Jefferies
Senior Parent Night • This night is for you. Ask questions as we go along.
Senior Parent Night • Last year Students researched colleges. • The college selection, application, and financial choice is a family affair • If your child is still struggling with this – please advise them to see me and I can help them with this search.
Senior Parent Night • As Parents you have many roles in the college admissions process: • Listener • Advocate • Advisor of deadlines • College trip organizer • Researcher • Cheerleader
KEEP INFORMED! • Read the Guidance Newsletter • Read the College and Career Weekly Updates • Upcoming events • Scholarships • College Rep visits • College open house dates • Employment opportunities • College Day – 9/26 in RCHS gym (12-2pm)
KEEP INFORMED! • College visits are important – like test driving a new car • Help them set up an overnight visit • Take your own notes on visits – compare your thoughts and views with those of your child
KEEP COMPOSED. • Students feel a sense of urgency to get into the school they have chosen – but get frustrated and stymied with all the work that is expected. • Listen, be the asker of questions instead of provider of answers. • This process begins the year of “Letting Go” for both you and your son or daughter.
KEEPING AFTER. • Have your child take OWNERSHIP of this process. • Even for the best time managers – this is an overwhelming endeavor. • This process requires team effort. • Help child stay organized – calendars, checklists, etc. • Post this on fridge, common area • This is the beginning of their independence… they are the ones going off to college.
KEEP THE FAITH. • There is a place for every student after high school. • Need to look for “Best Fit” not “Best School” – a place where your child can be successful both academically and socially. • Admissions committees have your child’s interests at heart… • College admissions can be unpredictable – situations and needs change yearly.
Senior Parent Packet • School Profile • Parenting the College Applicant • Tips for Parents • The College Application Process • SAT and ACT testing • College Planning Calendar for Seniors • How to Give Your Counselor a College Application • Senior Transcript Mailing Form • 17 Point Checklist • Information about Virginia Community College System
SCHOOL PROFILE • A copy of this will be sent to each school your child applies to for admission. • Gives general overview of the school so college admissions counselors have a better idea of what type of academic environment the student is coming from.
Some Advice and Encouragement • Open, honest communication between you and your child is critical to the success of the process. • Tips on how to help your child through this process.
STEPS to COLLEGE • The Do’s and Do Not’s of the College Admissions Process for Parents • For example: • DO – learn about the process • DON’T – limit choices based on fees
SAT/ACT SCHEDULES • We will offer the SAT at RCHS in October, November, December, January and March. • We will offer the ACT at RCHS in October, December, February, April and June. • Registration deadlines generally are a month prior to test date. • Registration is online at collegeboard.org or act.org.
SAT/ACT • These tests are not the determining factor of admissions – just part of a package. • Do not measure creativity, motivation, imagination, intellectual curiosity. • Grades in hard classes are better predictors of success in college than SATs… but together they improve that prediction. • Online prep tools are available on the SAT and ACT websites.
NCAA • NCAA Clearinghouse • If your child plans on participating in NCAA athletics at the Division I (VT, UVA, Radford, VMI, Liberty, etc.) or Division II (VUU, VSU, UVA – Wise) level – they must be cleared as eligible by the NCAA. • If your child plans on participating in NCAA athletics at the Division III (WLU, BC, E&H, RMC, Ferrum, etc.) level – this is not necessary. • Go to NCAA clearinghouse website and register.
Senior Year Calendar • This was given to each Senior during a Senior Meeting on the 1st Friday of the school year. • If students follow this timeline and accomplish all goals on the checklist for each month – they will be in great shape for college admissions.
The College Application Process • Breakdown of what to do and when to do it. • Collection of tips and insight on the lingo of the application process.
THE COLLEGE APPLICATION • Components of a College Application • Basic information, transcripts (courses and grades), test scores, extracurricular activities, essays, recommendations, and possibly interviews • Tips for Undertaking the Application Process • Application Timelines • Different Types of Applications • The Parent’s Role in the College-Choice Process
Types of Applications • Early Decision – binding. If deferred to regular admissions – you are released from contract to attend. • Early Action – Not binding – typically have until May 1st to decide. • Rolling Admissions – will be informed of admission status 4-6 weeks after materials received. • Regular Admissions – wait until April.
Paperwork • Colleges prefer students file applications online. • Some applications have a Part I and II. Part I needs to go in as soon as possible. • Deadlines: BE EARLY! Try to finish process before winter holiday. If there is a March deadline – finish over break and turn in early January. • IF – January 1st DEADLINE – I must have ALL application materials by DECEMBER 1st. I will not work over holidays.
How to Give Your Counselor a College Application • Ms. van Ravenswaay needs this information no less than TWO WEEKS prior to the application due date. • A student’s procrastination will not lead to a Guidance Office crisis.
The Blue Form • This is to be filled out with Ms. van Ravenswaay… • This helps us stay organized and know when our responsibilities have been completed.
Preparing the Application • Be perfect. • Colleges may ask for essays, teacher recommendations, transcripts, application fee. • ESSAYS – breathe life into the statistics and numbers • Lunch Bunch – opportunity. • Recommendations – 3 weeks notification is ideal. • For me the deadline is Sept. 21st for Early applications, Sept. 28th for Regular.
What are Colleges Looking For? THE FIVE P’s: Program – How challenging is the coursework? Performance – How well has the student done? Potential – Indicated by standardized test scores. Participation – What commitments outside the classroom? Job? Activities? Community service? Personality – Essay and teacher/counselor recommendations. Interviews. Can explain a bad year.
Checklist • 17 things to think about when completing your application.
Community College • Great resource to use if your child is considering going to a community college. • What majors, certifications are offered at each community college in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Community College • Students go to community college for a variety of reasons: • Reduced cost for the first two years • Not being able to get into the college of their choice so they work to transfer to that college after two years of community college work • The career they want requires only two years of community college work • Not sure what he or she wants to study • Not ready to leave home
College-Career Weekly Update • These are available each week in the Guidance Office and are posted on our bulletin board and Guidance website. • Important Dates • Special Opportunities (College Day – 9/26) • Job opportunities • College Rep visits (sign up in guidance office) • Open Houses for popular schools • Additional Resources
WHAT ARE MY CHANCES? • Good Match Schools – apply to 2-3 of these • Compatibility between student grades and academic quality of the school’s freshman profile. • Reach Schools – apply to 1-2 of these • If you’re thinking “it won’t hurt to try” then it is more than likely a reach school. • Safety Schools – apply to 1-2 of these • More than likely will not turn you away. Your child must be happy and willing to attend this school.
Quick Reference Guide to Colleges in Virginia • Great quick resource… • Deadlines • Federal School Codes • General information about each school
Visiting Colleges? • Quick Guide to College Open Houses in Virginia
Additional Information • The remaining pages are just quick resources for you to thumb through and provide additional information about the college admissions process.
Financial Aid • Financial Aid Meeting in January • Financial Aid is based on MERIT and NEED. • What can you do now? • Get tax information together as soon as possible. • Can use 2011 tax return info – but will need to re-file. • Get FAFSA pin number – apply at www.pin.ed.gov • Look at College Cost Calculators online at each school’s website. This will give you a rough estimate of what it will cost to attend this school.
