Myths vs Facts 1. Colleges are looking for well rounded students: 2. It’s a seller’s market 3. Essays don’t really matter 4. ED is only for legacies and students who are absolutely sure where they want to attend 5. You better have an impressive list of extra curricular activities and community service 6. Admissions officers are never going to check my FB page 7. VIP recommendations help
Myths vs Facts….cont. 8. Forget the top colleges; they’re way too expensive 9. Your SAT/ACT score is the most important aspect of your application 10. You can start the application process in 12th grade 11. Moving to Wyoming or Mississippi will increase your chances of getting accepted 12. Colleges want to see a detailed resume 13. Community service needs to be exotic
Why prep for college applications? • High school guidance counselors, even at the best private high schools, are overwhelmed by the high counselor to student ratio – also, they counsel students on too broad a range of issues. Agencies such as ReachSchool, specifically zeroes in on optimizing admissions outcomes • Competition is rising – numerous competitive universities have acceptance rates in the single-digits • Determining the best fit school is no easy task • Positioning yourself to gain admission to top choice school is crucial – students with the same academic backgrounds can end up with vastly different applicant profiles based on how attentive they are to their essays, recommendations, extracurricular involvement and admissions interviews • Develop early roadmaps to your college application process, as early as middle school
Focal Points • Preliminary review: of your transcript, credentials, test scores, extracurricular activities, desired area of study in college • Develop list of best-fit college: discuss admission prospects to these colleges • Discuss admission positioning strategies: maximize your credentials • Early start on developing essays: a compelling essay that best represents you • Prepare a resume that brings out students strengths and talents • Complete college applications: review and double-check the applications to ensure every section is completed without any inconsistencies/omissions which may negatively impact chances of acceptance • College visit • Coach for college interview
…….Preliminary review • Objective Grades: GPA Types of Courses: Academic, Honors, APs Standardized Test Scores: PSAT, SAT I, SAT II, ACT
• Subjective Application Essay: importance of a story, ‘you’ question, ‘why us’ question Recommendations: who would make a good reference? Activities: school clubs, leadership, state/national level Special Talent: what makes you unique – identifying the “hook” Interview: show your interest in the college, tell them what you will bring to college
…….Develop list of best-fit college for YOU • REACH- Your academic credentials fall below school’s range; to be admitted at this school is a long-shot but may be possible with a well prepared strategy
• TARGET- Your academic credentials fall within school’s range; the majority of previously admitted freshman had scores, grades, and other activities slightly better or equal to your own; you have a high chance of getting accepted
• SAFETY- Your academic credentials are higher than school’s range; admission at this college is highly likely and probable due to the strength of your application.
…….Discuss admission positioning strategies: in relation to the college of your choice
• G.P.A. • SAT/ACT Scores • Course Background • Extra-curricular activities to support major interest • Chances of acceptance if I meet general criteria • Financial Resources • Athletic or special talent • Important school qualities • Learning Style
…….Early start on developing essays A typical admissions office scenario according to Dan Betterton (Betterton College Planning) • 25%: Pulls you down: poorly written, too long, doesn’t answer question • 25 % to 50%: Disappointing: good story, but doesn’t say anything about you • 50% to 75%: Neutral • 20%: Positive impression • 5%: Big help Begin crafting your essay(s) end of Junior year Answer the question, make it about you and something you care about. Show attractive quality, endearing flaw better than bragging
…….Complete college applications • Know the deadlines for applications and application requirements. • Review scholarship and financial aid requirements. • Revise application essays and share drafts with a trusted teacher, advisor or family member. • Ask for recommendations and set firm dates for their completion. • Request transcripts and schedule interviews, if needed.
……College visit • Make appointments as soon as campus visit sessions are available • Official campus tour is worth your while – information sessions; tour of the facilities, dorm, library, eating places • Go while school is in session; attend a class • Talk to current students • Find out if the school will let you interview during campus visit • Don’t make these visits rushed
……. Coach for college interview Be Prepared • Dress neatly. • Take the interview seriously. • Get to know the college. Visit websites, college review books, catalogs, etc. • Be prepared to talk about yourself and to ask questions about the school. • Practice interviewing…with anyone. Be Yourself • Make a positive first impression. Give firm handshakes, make eye contact and introduce yourself clearly. • Elaborate…give more details than your application can display. • Be proud of your accomplishments. • Do not be afraid to discuss a weakness. • Pay attention to the questions.
Missteps to avoid….to retain your sanity J • Inability/unwillingness to manage expectations • Lack of intentionality in preparing applications • Being unprepared • Parental pressure and Peer pressure • Manage emotions
Stress associated with college admissions ….yes, there is such a thing…. • Understanding stress;
• Stress is often viewed as a bad and dangerous thing. • Consider this as a natural part of life with strong biological roots. • When this begins to impact our coping mechanisms, stress becomes distress.
• How to combat stress;
• Sit down as a family and talk options, limitations, expectations, PRIOR to applying to college. • Discussing things after the fact creates stress. • This can often lead to anger and resentment.
Stress associated with college admissions cont.….. • Maintain a healthy attitude about college; • Colleges are like shoes
• Procrastination;
• Create and STICK TO a timeline
• Don’t make college admissions the only topic of conversation; • Find ways to take a break from this stress
• There are no guarantees. Have a back up plan; • Talk options as a family
Parent Dos • Help with researching colleges • Set communication guidelines (for before and after college admissions) • Financial planning (again…for before and after college admissions) • Talk about safety • Let you child take the lead • Find ways to keep your anxiety in check • Encourage your children
Parent Don’ts • Don’t be THAT parent who… • Don’t do the application for your child • That includes not writing the essay for them too • Don’t apply to schools that you cannot afford • Don’t be naïve about financial aid • Don’t forget this isn’t about you
Back to Myths vs Facts…….
THE COLLEGE SEARCH PROCESS STUDENTS CONSIDER COLLEGES CONSIDER • Location/Distance
VISIT COLLEGES!
• Student Record/Transcript • Size • Strength of Schedule • Extra-curricular (i.e. athletics) • Scores (SAT/ACT/Optional?) • Field of Study/Major
TIMELINE December ‘12
Junior Lessons (3)
January ‘13
Junior College Planning Night
February March
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Junior Meetings VISIT COLLEGES
April May June
SAT/ACT
July August
VISIT COLLEGES
September October November December ‘13
PROSPECT LIST (10-30 SCHOOLS)
FINAL LIST (6-12 SCHOOLS) APPLY http://connection.naviance.com/farmingtonhs
CAREER WEB SITES vDo What You Are
http://connection.naviance.com/farmingtonhs
vUS Bureau of Labor
http://www.bls.gov/
vCareer Key
www.careerkey.org
COLLEGE ADMISSION WEB SITES vAlphabetical list of all Universities in the U.S.
www.utexas.edu/world/univ/state
vCareer Cruising (username-farmington password hschool)
www.careercruising.com
vPeterson’s Online
www.petersons.com
vCommon Application
www.commonapp.org
vCollege Board
www.collegeboard.com
vACT
http://www.actstudent.org/
vNaviance
http://connection.naviance.com/farmingtonhs
FINANCIAL AID WEB SITES vFinancial Aid Information Page
www.finaid.com
vFast Web
www.fastweb.com
vU.S. Dept. of Education
nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool
vCT Dept. of Higher Ed
www.ctdhe.org
vNCAA Clearinghouse
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/
vFAFSA
www.fafsa.ed.gov
vCSS Profile
https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp