COLLEGE PLANNING MEETING FOR JUNIORS Jeff Stahlman, College Counselor
Jeff Stahlman College Counselor The family Sharon, Andrea, Nick 27 years of experience in education (=old!) 25 years in the college selection process Past 16 at New Albany HS Why St. Charles? Why now?
The Guidance Office Students and Parents are always welcome! Mondays! Drop In Monday. College representative visits in the fall College Guidebooks and catalogs to review I am available for individual meetings with students and parents: Build college lists Make a testing schedule Find colleges that suit your wants and needs Address any specific issues you d like assistance with
Guidance Office Website
Guidance Office Calendar
NAVIANCE Send your transcripts and recommendations electronically! Track the progress of your transcripts, etc. View college visits to Saint Charles and register for them on-line Receive a weekly email update from the Guidance Office scholarships, Info. Sessions, etc. Conduct college research Links to useful websites If 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!
NAVIANCE
NAVIANCE
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, 3/16 College Conference Night! We will be joined by speakers who will discuss a variety of topics including: Selective Admissions Effective College Visits ACT vs. SAT Athletic Recruiting The College Application Military Academies and ROTC
Timeline Grade 11 PSAT complete in October Research Colleges visits, internet, books Take ACT/SAT winter/spring Build Your College LIST! Grade 12 Finish your College List - Fall Finish Testing - Fall Apply! - Fall Apply for Scholarships/Financial Aid by February Receive your acceptance letters by April 1 DECIDE! May 1 st
Common Mistake #1 I wish I had met with my counselor earlier and more often.
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=GRADUATION Think 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 here! Find schools where you will thrive! A voyage of Self-Discovery
The Student Profile The Student Profile is who you are. It is much more than just your grades and test scores. Your Profile includes: Grades GPA Curriculum ACT/SAT results Your Resume activities, involvements, community service, etc. Essays Recommendations Talents
Your Transcript One Page Snapshot of High School TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE SENT ELECTRONICALLY Cumulative GPA based upon year end grades YOUR GRADES MATTTER! Final grades for each class Curriculum listing of courses, Honors, AP, etc. Senior Year courses The Single Most Important Document in Your Application
Common Mistake #2 I wish I had begun to take my ACT/SAT s sooner.
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.30)
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 Most schools take your best score of the two, in fact many will Superscore WHEN? Junior Year Late Fall/Winter first time Junior Year Spring second time for your test of preference NEVER wait until senior year for your first test! Make a testing plan now! Fall senior dates can be used as a mop up for testing
The Revised SAT Changes For the Revised SAT take effect: PSAT October 14 th SAT March 16 th and beyond Snapshot of changes: No guess penalty Writing Section OPTIONAL Back to 1600 scale
The Test Expert: Brian Stewart Brian is the author of Barron s ACT, PSAT and co-author of Barron s New SAT Guide
SAT Subject Tests (SAT 2) 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 28,29, but keep checking for changes! If in doubt, take them This spring May or June are ideal test dates for SAT Subject Tests (SAT 2 s)
ACT/SAT Test Dates (p. 33) ACT 11th Grade: February 6, April 9, June 11 12th Grade: September, October, December SAT 11th Grade (OLD): Nov. 7, Dec. 5, January 23 11th Grade (REVISED): March 5, May 7, June 4 12th Grade: October, November, December
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 exam
The Student Profile ALSO includes: Essays Letters of Recommendation Your Resume Your Interests Your Community Service Leadership Your Accomplishments Your Talents Legacy Diversity/Background Special Skills Athletics WHO ARE YOU BEYOND THE NUMBERS?
You Can Improve Your Profile! Develop Your Activities: Leadership Your 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!
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 ) Take your ACT/SAT early and often if needed Do as well in school as you can, great students have many options! Market yourself! Send emails to coaches. College Athletics are very different. Do you really want to participate?
Common Mistake #3 I wish I had built a better and more researched college list.
The College Match What kind of experience do you want from college? Find your interests at colleges How do you feel when you visit campus? Gut feeling vs. Objective data There will be many colleges which will fit you!! Fit or Match = GRADUATION!
The College Selection Puzzle Size $ COST $ Reputation Social Life Distractions Study Programs Abroad Major Diversity Selectivity Grad Rate % Who Teaches Dorms Residential? Big Fish/Small Fish Greek? Geography
Common Mistake #4 I wish we had set realistic parameters early in the process of selecting colleges for: Cost, Distance, Expectations, etc.
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?
THIS
OR THIS?
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? Are you flexible? Can you go it alone? Are you Independent? City? College Town? Rural?
College Life Dorm life Roommates Fraternity/Sorority life Distractions/Parties Residential/Commuter Activities School spirit 24 hours a day, not 8 hours
Common Mistake #5 I wish I hadn t stressed out or focused too much on my college major.
Major Do they offer my major(s)? 67% of students change their major at least once The most popular major is undecided NAVIANCE Career Search! What are my strengths and interests? More important for very specific types of majors such as engineering, nursing, architecture, fashion design, education, etc. Does the college offer several of the majors I am considering? The major is important, but NOT the only important factor!
Common Mistake #6 I wish we had known that very selective schools give little (if any) scholarship money, but LOTS of financial need-based aid.
Cost: $$$$ What are your financial parameters? Discuss as a family THIS YEAR! Do you have college choices that are safe financial options? College Costs can range from 4K-70+K per year Financial Aid vs. Scholarships As a General Rule of Thumb the more selective the college, the less scholarship money is available, but more FA is available OSU Syndrome Sticker Price is not necessarily your cost Loans are not necessarily bad (if they reasonable!) Investment
Cost: $$$$ Will you qualify for Financial Aid? Net Price Calculator on college sites will show an estimate of cost The higher the cost, the more financial aid you may receive If yes, do not rule out private or more expensive schools! Even if you won t qualify for Financial Aid You are most likely to receive scholarship money from your $$ safety schools $$ - particularly private colleges Some out-of-state, State schools are as affordable as in-state, State schools! Consider State schools if you are looking for a cost effective college option. Ohio has many different, excellent options. Look at the long term cost, not immediate sticker price Make a financial plan now to afford college rule of thirds
Have You Considered? Canadian Colleges International Colleges Historically Black Colleges Religiously-based Colleges Specialty Schools Art Colleges, Performance Arts Colleges, Technical Institutes, etc. Co-op colleges Colleges with unusual calendars J-terms, one class at a time, etc.
Common Mistake #7 I wish we had visited colleges earlier! We began to run out of time.
How Can I Learn about Colleges? RESEARCH IS CRITICAL!!!! Visit the Guidance Office to meet with Mr. Stahlman. We can make a list of possible college matches! Visit Campuses!! College Rep Visits to SC 100+ schools - fall Visit websites on pages 62,63 of booklet College Fairs e-mail college admission representatives Gather College Guidebooks and Search guides from the College Center or Library Fiske Guide, Best 371 Colleges, Insider s Guide p.61
Common Mistake #8 I wish we had visited colleges that my child would get into. Instead, we visited only very selective colleges.
The College Visit Call or schedule ahead of the date (2 weeks) Ask to meet with a special department, coach, or service if you are interested Schedule an Interview if afforded the opportunity! ASK QUESTIONS! (p. 58) Record your impressions immediately Send a thank you note. Get the card of the Admission Rep. and stay in touch
Building The College List Safety School 85-100% chance of admission Spend quality time looking for them Only schools you want to attend Apply to at least 2 Scholarship Money $$$ Possible School 60-75% chance of admission Middle of Your List Generally apply to at least 2 Reach School 25-50% chance of admission Early Decision? Realistic?
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 Myth Selectivity does not = quality Covers your varying needs Allows you to Compare Options Your safety schools are where your Scholarship money will most likely come from
To Determine Your Admission Chances Admission Difficulty Chart and College Listings (pages 71-83) Locate your GPA from chart Locate your ACT/SAT score from chart Locate your point on the chart, this is your possible school One region below is a safety school One region above is a reach school See the listings on pages 74-83 to identify safe, possible, and reach schools for you
Admission Chart Sample
Ultra-Selective Schools and Hooks Ultra-Selective schools and Most Selective schools typically admit less than 30% of their applicants. Hooks are admission boosters which help students get in at these schools: Legacy Athletics ED! National Level Talent Minority Status The Unusual donor, actors, fascinating backgrounds, influential citizen s children Authentic Students love for learning HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE COLLEGE?
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 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 2015 Stanford 5.05% Harvard 5.3% Columbia 6.1% Yale 6.5% Princeton 6.9% MIT 7.7% U Chicago 7.8% Brown 8.5% Penn 9.9% Claremont-McKenna 9.9% Duke 10% Dartmouth 10.3% Vanderbilt 11% Swarthmore 12% Johns Hopkins 12.8% Northwestern 13% Amherst 13.7% Rice 14% Cornell 14.9% Bowdoin 14.9% Georgetown U 16.7% Middlebury 17% Wash U St. Louis 17.1%
Early Decision (ED) You apply early and make a contract that if you are accepted by the college that you will attend their college. It is BINDING. 3 QUESTIONS: Have I visited the school? Is this college my top choice? Can I afford this school? (use Net Cost 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***
Early Action (EA)/Rolling Admissions EARLY ACTION (EA) Similar to Early Decision, but NOT BINDING. Apply early/hear back early At large state schools usually a big advantage! Some schools now have Single Choice Early Action where you can only apply to only one EA school (Stanford/Yale/etc.) 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 Admission
What is Demonstrated Interest How can I Demonstrate Interest? Visit! Discover what interests you about the school and articulate it to admissions Meet the Admission Counselor and develop a relationship Stay 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 Decision
Parents and Students Be Realistic About Your Profile GPA Test results Curricular choices Your special talents and needs Build 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 decision
Students Be Personally Knowledgeable about the colleges on your list. You should know their: Admission requirements Safety/Possible/Reach Facilities Curricular options Personality of the school Quality and reputation Majors available Higher degrees? And many, many more things
Next Meeting Wednesday, March 16th 7PM-9PM College Conference with a variety of topics that you will select from. HOMEWORK! Make Your College Testing Schedule Discuss Your Parameters with your parents Begin to make plans to Visit and Research colleges Schedule a meeting with Mr. Stahlman (preferably soon after November 1 st unless critical)