College Planning Meeting for Juniors - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

College Planning Meeting for Juniors

Jeff Stahlman, College CounselorKristen Dickerson, School CounselorSlide2

The Guidance Office

Students and Parents are always welcome!

Mondays! Drop In Monday.

College representative visits in the fall

College Guidebooks to reviewI am available for individual meetings with students and parents:Build college listsMake a testing scheduleFind colleges that suit your wants and needsAddress any specific issues you’d like assistance withSlide3

Guidance Office WebsiteSlide4

NAVIANCE

Conduct college research

Send

your transcripts and recommendations electronically!

Track the progress of your transcripts, etc.View college visits to Saint Charles and register for them on-lineReceive a weekly/bi-weekly email update from the Guidance Office – scholarships, Info. Sessions, etc.Links to useful websitesIf you haven’t logged in or you have forgotten your password, please stop by the Guidance Office

Please check your site and be sure that your email is correct!Slide5

NAVIANCESlide6

NAVIANCESlide7

NAVIANCESlide8

Junior Meeting Series

Tonight – Your Profile and Selecting a College

Grades, Testing, Factors which will help you find colleges that “fit” you, admission plans, and building the “College List”

Wednesday,

3/13 – College Conference Night!We will be joined by speakers who will discuss a variety of topics including (and much more): Selective Admissions Effective College VisitsACT vs. SAT The College ApplicationAthletic Recruiting Military Academies and ROTCAND MANY MORE TOPICS!Slide9

Timeline

Grade

11

PSAT –

completed in October, results mid-DecemberResearch Colleges – visits, internet, booksTake ACT/SAT – winter/springBuild Your College LIST!

Summer Application Camp – Early August

(likely Aug. 5-10 and Aug. 12-17)

Grade

12

Finish your College List - Fall

Finish Testing - Fall

Apply!

– Fall

Apply for Scholarships/Financial Aid

– Fall-Winter

Receive your acceptance letters – by April 1

DECIDE! May 1

stSlide10

“What I Wish I Had Known” Mistake #1

(from student and parent comments on evals

.)

I wish I had met with

my college counselor earlier and more often.Slide11

A Few of My Guiding Principles

It’s about the

“FIT”

or

“MATCH” – a school’s name is little solace if you are not happy there! FIT=GRADUATIONThink about “going” to college at least as much as you worry about “getting in”Spend quality time now investigating schools. You will likely spend 4 years there

Find schools where you will thrive!

A voyage of

Self-DiscoverySlide12

The Student Profile

The

Student Profile

is who you are. It is much more than just your grades and test scores.

Your Profile includes:GradesGPACurriculumACT/SAT resultsYour Resume – activities, involvements, community service, etc.

Essays

Recommendations

Talents/InterestsSlide13

Your Transcript (p. 15)

One Page “Snapshot” of High School

TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE SENT ELECTRONICALLY

Cumulative GPA based upon

year end gradesYOUR GRADES MATTER! Final grades for each class

Curriculum – listing of courses,

Honors, AP

, etc.

Senior Year courses

The Single Most Important

Document in Your ApplicationSlide14

Mistake #2

I wish I had begun to

take my ACT/SAT sooner.Slide15

College Testing: ACT/SAT/SAT 2

Why Test?

Predictor of success for colleges 75-80% of time

Common Denominator – a standard measure for students from all over the world

Class placement tool$cholarship$Some schools are “Test Score Optional” (p.37)Slide16

Testing – The Basics

WHICH TEST - ACT or SAT?

Generally Both

Take them both to see your strong test or test of preference and then focus on the strongest

test (concordance chart on p. 35)Most schools take your best score of the two, in fact many will “Superscore” amongst several of one testWriting?WHEN ?

Junior Year –

Late Fall/Winter

first

time

March 12 – State ACT exam - FREE

Junior

Year – Spring second time for your test of preference

Make

a testing plan now!

Fall/Summer

senior dates can be used as a “mop up” for testingSlide17

The Test Expert: Michal Strawn

Michal is a ACT/SAT Test Prep tutor and

expert with BWS Consulting.Slide18
Slide19

SAT Subject Tests

Subject Area Tests in specific subjects:

3 Tests at one sitting – one hour per subject

Few schools require or recommend,

BUT these are generally more selective schools Check your schools carefully! Also in your handout on pages 33, 34, but keep checking for changes!If in doubt, take themThis spring – May or June – are ideal test dates for SAT Subject Tests (especially if it pairs with an AP class you are taking) Slide20

ACT/SAT Test Dates (p. 36)

ACT

11th Grade:

Dec. 8, February 9,

April 13, June 8, July 13 (new)MARCH 12 at SC – all Juniors – free – No Writing12th Grade: September, October , December

SAT

11th

Grade: Dec. 1, March 9, May 4, June 1

12th

Grade:

August

, October, November,

December

**Can I get Extended Time?

**Can I get the fee waived?

Slide21

Testing Plan

(sample at end of booklet)

I will take my first ACT on ________

I will take my first SAT on ________

My test of preference is the _______I will take my next test on ________Do I need the SAT Subject Test (SAT 2)?

To Register

:

www.act.org

for

ACT

www.collegeboard.com

for

SAT

and

SAT2

Register at least 5-6 weeks prior to examSlide22

The Student Profile ALSO includes:

Essays

Letters of Recommendation

Your Resume

Your InterestsYour Community ServiceLeadershipYour AccomplishmentsYour Talents Legacy

Diversity/Background

Special Skills

Athletics

WHO ARE YOU “BEYOND THE NUMBERS”?Slide23
Slide24

You Can Improve Your Profile!

How Important are Activities?

Develop

Your Activities:

LeadershipYour Activities – extra-curricular, community service, internships, etc.Seek Opportunities! Summer, Columbus area too!Your Talents – music, specific academic - Physics, etc.

Is there anything unusual about you that might stand out?

Hobbies?

What activities will

you

list?

You

can work to improve your profile this year!Slide25

St. Charles Summer Research

30 Students placed in Research Labs last summer

Unpaid Internships

Usually 20 hrs. per week/8 weeks

Examples: Aquatic Bio. / Biomedical Eng. / Biomolecular EngineeringEntomology / Biochemistry / Psychology / Immunology / Molecular VirologySchedule a meeting with Mr. Breckenridge if you are interested!Slide26

Are You a College-bound Athlete?

Be Realistic – see your coaches!

Register with the

NCAA Clearinghouse

this winter IF you plan to participate in athletics at a D-1 or D-2 school ($70 at www.ncaa.org )Do as well in school as you can, strong students have more

options!

Market yourself! Send emails to coaches

.

Schedule a meeting with Mr.

StahlmanSlide27

Mistake #3

I wish I had built a better list

and

researched it more in-depth.Slide28

The College

Fit

What kind of experience do you want from college

?

Find your interests at collegesHow do you feel when you visit campus?“Gut” feeling vs. Objective dataThere will be many colleges which will “fit” you!!Fit or Match = GRADUATION!Slide29

The College Selection Puzzle

Size

$ COST $

Reputation

Social Life

Distractions

Study

Programs

Abroad

Liberal vs. Conservative

Major

Diversity

Campus Setting

Selectivity

Grad Rate %

M/F Ratio

Who Teaches

Dorms

% Returning

Residential?

Big

Fish/Small

Fish

Athletics/Activities

Greek?

Geography

Slide30

Mistake #4

I wish we had set realistic parameters early in the process of selecting colleges for:

Cost, Distance, Expectations, etc.Slide31

Size of Student Body

Small/Medium/Large/Extra Large

How much personal contact would you like (or need) at college?

Are you assertive?

Are you OK with being a bit anonymous?Can you be a small fish in a big sea?Can you be a big fish in a small pond?Would you like to know your professors well?Would you like a lot of activity?

Do you value small, personal learning experiences?Slide32

THISSlide33

OR THIS?Slide34

Location

How far away is too far? Are you OK

not

being home for Thanksgiving?

How close is too close?Particular region of the country?Are you adventurous?Are you mature?Regional Differences?Out of the USA?

Are you flexible?

Can you go it alone?

Are

you Independent?

City?

College Town?

Rural?Slide35

THIS?Slide36

OR THIS?Slide37

THIS?Slide38

OR THIS?Slide39

OR THIS?Slide40

“College Life”

Dorm life

Roommates

Fraternity

lifeDistractions/PartiesResidential/CommuterActivitiesSchool spirit24 hours a day, not 8 hoursSlide41

Have You Considered? (p. 84)

Canadian

Colleges

International

Colleges – UK – Scotland-England-Ireland / Germany – some free tuition! / Europe / NYU Abu Dhabi/ Yale Singapore / SCAD Hong KongHistorically Black CollegesReligiously-based CollegesSpecialty Schools – Art Colleges, Performance Arts Colleges, Technical Institutes, etc.

Co-op colleges

Colleges with unusual calendars – J-terms, one class at a time, etc

.

Innovative Colleges - MinervaSlide42

Have You Considered?

Military Opportunities?

Service Academies:

West Point / Naval / Air Force / Merchant Marine / Coast Guard

Summer Camp ProgramsROTCNational Guard / ReservesOther Military Colleges – Virginia Military Inst./ The Citadel / VA Tech / Norwich / Texas A&MPlease schedule a meeting with Mr. Breckenridge soon!Slide43

Mistake #5

I wish I hadn’t focused

too

much

on my college major.Slide44
Slide45

Major

Do they offer my major(s)?

67% of students change their major at least once

NAVIANCE

– Career Search!What are my strengths and interests?More important for very specific types of majors: engineering, nursing, architecture, fashion design, education, etc.Does the college offer several of the majors I am considering?You DO NOT need to know a specific major to select colleges to apply to!Slide46

Mistake #6

I wish we

had known that

very selective

schools give little (if any) scholarship money, but LOTS of financial need-based aid.Slide47

What Does College Cost?Slide48

Cost: $$$$

What are your financial parameters? Discuss as a family – THIS YEAR!

Do you have college choices that are

safe financial options

?Need-Based Financial Aid vs. ScholarshipsAs a “General Rule of Thumb” the more selective the college, the less scholarship money is available, but

need-based

FA

is more

available

“

Sticker Price” is not necessarily your

cost

Many Private Colleges/Universities give very good scholarship $$

College Scholarships – Supply and Demand

Loans are not necessarily bad

(if they reasonable!)

Investment!Slide49

Net Price Calculator

Will I Qualify for Financial Aid?

YES

NO

Don’t rule out

Private Colleges

Consider State

Schools in and out of state

COMPLETE your

FAFSA on time!!!

Apply for private Scholarships

Do NOT eliminate schools that look “too expensive

” – YET!

Consider Private Colleges where you may receive

scholarships

Consider in-state, State Schools

Consider out-of-state, State Schools that are affordable

Apply for private Scholarships

Consider Applying for FAFSASlide50

Mistake #7

I wish we had visited

colleges earlier!

We began to run out of time.Slide51

How Can I Learn about

Colleges?

RESEARCH IS CRITICAL!!!!

Visit the

Guidance Office to meet with Mr. Stahlman. We can make a list of college matchesVisit Campus!!College Rep Visits to SC – 100+ schools - fall

College Fairs – March 24th NACAC Fair at Convention Center

Fiske

Guide, Best

382

Colleges, Insider’s Guide –

p.60 – other Guidebooks, websites p. 61,62Slide52

Mistake #8

I wish we had visited

colleges that my son would be sure to get into. Instead, we visited only

very

selective colleges.Slide53

The College Visit

Call or

schedule online prior to

the date (2

weeks+)You do not need to have ACT/SAT scores to visit!Ask to meet with a special department, coach, or service if you are interestedSchedule an Interview if afforded the opportunity!ASK QUESTIONS! (p. 57)Record your impressions immediately

Send a thank you note.

Get the card of the Admission Rep. and stay in touchSlide54

Building The College List

Safe

School

85-100% chance of admission

Spend quality time looking for themOnly schools you want to attendApply to at least 2Scholarship Money $$$Possible School50-75% chance of admission

Middle of Your List

Generally apply to at least 2

Reach School

25-50% chance of admission

Early Decision?

Realistic?Slide55

Sample College Lists

Sample College ListSafe SchoolSafe School

Safe/Possible School

Possible School

Possible SchoolReach SchoolReach SchoolSample College List - $$$$Safe SchoolSafe SchoolSafe SchoolSafe SchoolSafe/Possible SchoolPossible SchoolPossible SchoolSlide56

Mistake #9

I wish I had looked beyond the “Brand Names” of colleges that everyone seems to talk about.

A couple of my friends are having

great

experiences at colleges I did not even think to consider.Slide57

To Determine Your

Admission Chances

Admission Difficulty Chart and College Listings

(

pages 71-83)Locate your GPA from chartLocate your ACT/SAT score from chartLocate your point on the chart, this is your possible schoolOne region below is a likely

school

One region above is a reach school

See the listings on pages

74-83

to identify safe, possible, and reach schools for youSlide58

Admission Chart Sample (p. 73)Slide59

The Good College List

Every Choice is a 1st Choice!

Allows YOU to be in control!

You will have many schools which are great matches

Safety School MythSelectivity does not = qualityCovers all of your varying needs

Allows you to Compare

Options

What’s in a

Brand Name

and does it matter?

Your

safety

schools are where your Scholarship money will

most likely come

fromSlide60

Mistake #10

I wish we had realized just how selective some colleges have become. Things have changed a lot from my day.Slide61

For Example!

OSU – ColumbusClass of 2018:

52.5K applications and growing

64% of students admitted in top ten percent of class

95% of students admitted in top 25% of classAvg. ACT: 29.3 Many other schools are now more selective than ever as well, but there are still many great options available to all levels of students!Slide62

Ultra-Selective Schools

At the

30-50

or so Ultra-Selective Schools admission is so competitive that perfect grades and test scores are no longer guarantees of admission.

“Lottery Admissions”How Will You Contribute?The GOOD NEWS is

:

there are more than 3,000 colleges

The quality of education is not necessarily tied to selectivity

There are many schools which will “fit” you

Acceptance Rates

2018

Stanford

5%

Harvard

5%

Columbia

6%

Princeton

6%

Yale

7%

U

Chicago

7%

MIT 7%

Cal Tech 8%

Pomona

8%

US Naval Academy 8%

Brown 9%

U Chicago 9%

Penn

9%

Northwestern 9%

Claremont-McKenna

10%

Duke

10%

Dartmouth

10%

West Point 10%

Vanderbilt

11%

Swarthmore 11%

Johns

Hopkins

12%

Air Force Academy 12%

Amherst

13%

Cornell

13%

Cooper Union 13%

Olin C. of Engineering 13%

Bowdoin 14%Slide63

Early Decision (ED)

You apply early and make a contract that if you are accepted by the college that you

will

attend. It is BINDING. 3 QUESTIONS:Have you visited the school?Is this college

your

top choice?

Can

you

afford this school?

(use Net

Price

Calculator on college website for guide)

***IF you

really

want to attend a selective school and feel that it is affordable for your family –

you will want to at

least

discuss/consider

ED***Slide64

Does Early Decision Really Make a Difference?

Examples:

(Graduating Class

of

2018) data)ED Admission %Reg. Decision %% of Freshman class from ED% ALL Students who applied EDNorthwestern 27%7%

54%

10%

Vanderbilt U

24%

9%

54%

10%

Denison U

65%

36%

40%

NA

Colorado C.

33%

14%

56%

11%

Duke

25%

8%

49%

NA

Lehigh U

60%

22%

54%

8%

Penn

22%

7%

55%

15%Slide65

Early Action (EA)/Rolling Admissions

EARLY ACTION (EA)

Similar to Early Decision, but

NOT BINDING

.Apply early/hear back earlyAt large state schools usually an advantage! But not necessarily at privatesSome schools now have Single Choice Early Action where you can only apply to only one EA school (Stanford/Yale/etc.) or other restrictive EA plans (Notre Dame/BC)

ROLLING ADMISSIONS

When you apply, your application is reviewed and acted upon.

Admission decisions usually take 3-8 weeks

Apply Early!! October/November

Your Chances improve early in the admission cycle

Most (but not all) state schools use Rolling AdmissionSlide66

What is “Demonstrated Interest”

How can I Demonstrate Interest?

Visit

!

Discover what interests you about the school and articulate it to admissionsMeet the Admission Counselor and develop a relationshipStay in contact with the Admission Counselor – email, fairs, etc.Interview if given the

opportunity

Do not hesitate to tell a school it is one of your top choices (if it is!)

Consider

applying

Early DecisionSlide67

Parents and Students

Be Realistic About Your Profile

GPA

Test results

Curricular choicesYour special talents and needsBuild a GREAT List!“Lay all your cards on the table” about:College Cost vs. Family Income

Family Parameters – cost, how far, etc.

Student Achievement and progress at college

Expected student financial contributions

Final Choices – a family decisionSlide68

Students

Be “Personally Knowledgeable” about the colleges on your list. You should know their:

Admission requirements –

Safe/Possible/Reach

FacilitiesCurricular options“Personality” of the schoolQuality and reputationMajors availableHigher degrees?

And many, many more thingsSlide69

Next Meeting

Wednesday,

March 13th

7PM-9PM

College Conference with a variety of topics that you will select from.HOMEWORK!Make Your College Testing ScheduleDiscuss Your Parameters with your parents

Complete at least one Net Price Calculator

Begin

to make plans to Visit and Research colleges

Schedule a meeting with Mr.

Stahlman