Delbarton School Guide to College Admissions

Delbarton SCHOOL Guide to College Admissions

Delbarton School

Guide to College Admissions

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elcome to our Guide to College Admissions,

prepared by the Delbarton School College Counseling Department. Our goal is to help students and parents navigate the challenging process of college admissions.

Each student’s high school career culminates in making the leap from high school to college. How do you identify which schools are a good fit, and how do you position yourself as a good candidate for those institutions? Start by working hard to maintain a strong GPA during freshman and sophomore years.

At Delbarton, we formally begin the college guidance process in fall of junior year.

3Relax Adding undue anxiety and stress to the process is counter-productive and wasted energy. Keep your eye on the goal – admittance to a college where you will thrive – and work hard to achieve your objective. Control what you can control, then trust the process. (See the back of this booklet for more tips for both students and parents on how to reduce college admissions stress.)

Fall Junior Year: The College Process Begins During fall of junior year, each Delbarton junior meets regularly with his junior guidance counselor, and attends several small-group college guidance meetings to familiarize him with the college selection process and collect information and tools to launch his college search. At this time, Delbarton students should begin to consult their Naviance account, which is found through the student portal of the Delbarton web site. Although Naviance provides historical admission data for recent graduates, please consult with a Delbarton college counselor for context.

In October, high school juniors take the PSAT test. In December, when PSAT scores become available, each student meets individually with his junior guidance counselor to discuss his PSAT test results and develop a strategy for future testing. Students are encouraged to check their Delbarton email accounts and the college counseling website for important college counseling announcements and updates.

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Winter Junior Year: College Visits, Testing and Test Prep In January and February, students begin one-on-one sessions with senior guidance counselors who guide them through the college search and application process.

Between February and June of junior year, parents are welcome to reach out to college counselors to set up a family meeting. This is an appropriate time for families to inform counselors of their financial aid goals in addition to discussing the first draft of a college list.

Junior year is a good time to speak with recent college graduates about their experiences, and to begin some all-important college visits. (Note: At Delbarton, juniors may take two excused

absences for college visits.)

Some advice on college visits: n

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Visit colleges with your parents to experience the culture and physical layout of the college.

On your college visits, stop at the admissions office for the tour and/or a group information session. In many cases, you need to book a college tour appointment in advance. If the college recommends an interview and you are a serious candidate, call ahead to schedule an interview with an admission officer before or after the tour.

Ordinarily, interviews can wait until fall of senior year (note:

the majority of colleges no longer give on-campus interviews, and some rely on alumni interviews). Generally, small liberal arts schools welcome on-campus interviews from every candidate beginning in the middle of the junior year through the middle of the senior year. Take advantage of these interview opportunities. When in doubt on whether or not an interview

is in order, check with the college admissions office or with your senior guidance counselor. n

Be proactive: ask faculty members for recommendation letters by the end of your junior year to give your teachers ample time over the summer to complete the letters.

3Open Your Mind Consider different types of schools, including private and public, urban and rural; Keep an open mind -- you won’t know what you like until you see it, and many of our students have been pleasantly surprised to discover a strong affinity for a college the moment they set foot on its campus.

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Standardized Testing and Test Prep The SAT and ACT are both equally accepted at domestic colleges and universities. We recommend that students attempt both tests to see how they perform, but if one exam is preferred to the other, it will not impact the admission process.

Currently, the SAT test includes fewer questions over a slightly longer testing period than the ACT test does, meaning there is slightly more time per question. However, the ACT includes a science section, and the SAT does not. Be advised that many, but not all, colleges are test -optional.

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Invest 30-45 minutes of preparation per night, 5 or 6 times a week, for 4 or 5 weeks prior to the SAT or ACT. This rigorous, self-disciplined approach typically reaps great benefits for our young men.

At Delbarton, we recommend The Official SAT Study Guide, published by the College Board, and The Official ACT Prep Guide, published by Wiley, for self-guided test prep. Take advantage of the free online courses available on the SAT and ACT web sites. Delbarton also offers free ACT and SAT prep sessions during the several weeks before our inschool test dates. Take advantage of them.

Both the College Board and ACT offer a Score Choice Option. This means that you can take the SATs or the ACTs as often as you like. However, some colleges do not support Score Choice, so speak with your guidance counselor

before making the decision about which tests to take, and how often to take them. n

IMPORTANT: Always be well rested, alert, positive, confident, and prepared on the morning you take a test.

In February of junior year, register for senior level courses in consultation with your junior guidance counselor. Aim for a demanding, yet appropriate curriculum and resolve in advance to do your very

best work. This is your opportunity to shine. Colleges frequently refer to the importance of AP courses and advanced language courses as a determining factor in college admissions. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. In fact, actively seek challenge, and grow from it while recognizing your personal limits and responsibilities.

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3Take Advantage of Extra Help Delbarton offers a free application start-up program in July during our Summer Session. This three-day class provides Delbarton students with an excellent opportunity to get a head start on their applications with close oversight from a college counselor and an English teacher. The School also offers free ACT and SAT prep sessions over the several weeks leading up to our in-school test dates.

Spring Junior Year: More College Visits, Testing and Courses Begin taking SATs (March, May and/or June) and/or ACTs (February, April and/or June).

Choose your dates according to your individual schedule and needs.

The College Board no longer allows walk-ins or standbys, so it is important to register for the tests before the closing dates. In addition, Delbarton offers an on-campus ACT and SAT in the spring during the school day.

These are excellent opportunities to take the tests in familiar surroundings.

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Summer Pre-Senior Year: Challenge Yourself How you spend your rising senior summer vacation demonstrates a lot about you, so plan an interesting and challenging summer for yourself.

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Sign up for some DelEX externships Land a good summer job and prove your worth to your employer Spend a month in the country of your target language

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Push yourself physically and mentally on an Outward Bound or NOLS trip Pursue a passion, challenge yourself to your outer limits Read extensively, including your required summer reading assignments, to boost your Reading and Writing test score Do not spend your summer lazing around or killing time

Complete an Autobiographical ‘Brag Sheet’ At Delbarton, we rely on each student’s autobiography, or ‘brag sheet’, to sum up his history, accomplishments, thoughts and goals. Summer is the perfect time to complete this important document. We encourage each rising senior to think long and hard about himself and to record his reactions and observations regarding his personal gifts and future aspirations. In turn, our college counselors use each young man’s brag sheet to write the School’s recommendation.

Write a brag sheet that is as detailed as possible, and set August 15 as your brag sheet deadline.

Develop Your College List Before the end of June, Delbarton parents and students should meet with the college counselors for advice on suitable college choices. During July and August, continue to develop a tentative list of colleges.

Accumulate information and comparisons by reviewing college guides and catalogs, noting observations, and, most of all, by visiting, asking questions, listening and discussing.

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Testing and Courses Reading is the best preparation for the Reading and Writing sections of the SAT and the ACT. Over the summer, work on your weak areas (remember, we all have them) in preparation for the late August and/or October SATs, and/or the September and/or October ACTs. If you plan on taking the late August SAT and/or September ACT, register for the tests in late July.

At Delbarton, fall course schedules are available by mid-July, and all

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schedule changes are made by the end of the first cycle of classes, with the exception of AP classes.

Each student’s guidance counselor must approve all class changes.

We encourage our students to confirm that their fall course curriculums are strong and meet the probable requirements of the colleges and majors that interest them.

Fall Senior Year: It’s Application Time When senior year classes start, begin immediately to meet the intellectual challenges placed before you. Strong senior year grades are essential. A random “C” could keep you out of the most competitive colleges. Keep in mind that your fall mid-term and fall end-term grades are official grades of record and will be sent to colleges. For most seniors, colleges consider academic achievement during winter equally with the fall term achievement. The same is true of the spring term.

Indeed, colleges have withdrawn an acceptance when a student’s spring term grades declined significantly from his fall and winter grades.

Applications Begin the application process over the summer by clicking on commonapp.org and creating an account.

College applications are available in early August. Go online to view college websites. Learn about their program of studies, application requirements, etc. Begin to work online on the college applications when they become available.

Familiarize yourself with the application forms and start strategizing about your essay topics. Begin working on your applications at least a month before the application deadline to give yourself plenty of time for a counselor to review the text with you. Important: Never submit an application without this important professional review.

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Senior Year Advice: n

More visits: Plan your itinerary for fall college visits (especially if you are applying early) and schedule interviews if available. Take tours, attend any available interviews, and register for group information sessions. All are valuable experiences to help you make a better, more informed college choice. Delbarton students are permitted a total of six excused absences for college visits (including two

from junior year). In addition to their excused absence allowance, seniors also have three days for visits when classes are not in session. n

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Interviews: Call colleges for fall interviews in August or early September. Make interview appointments well in advance.

Info Sessions at Delbarton: Each fall, Delbarton hosts college sessions offered by

visiting college representatives. Attend sessions for any college that interests you, introduce yourself to the representative and ask questions to demonstrate your serious interest. n

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Campus Visit Tips: n

Meet with a counselor: Delbarton students continue to meet with their college counselors according to the schedule posted in the weekly News from Guidance enewsletter.

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Develop your final college list: Continue to develop your list of appropriate colleges.

Check online for application forms and catalogs.

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Check your emails: Delbarton seniors, check your Delbarton email accounts at least once a day for announcements pertaining to the college process. You are personally responsible for this. Be sure to use your Delbarton email account for all college-related communications.

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Schedule your college visits during school hours to attend classes and socialize with current students to learn more about the college. Check in at the Admissions Office to pickup materials, sign up for the campus tour, and attend a group information session. It is important for the Admissions staff to know that you took the time to visit campus.

If an interview is required (check the website or The College Handbook), call the Admissions office well in advance to arrange it.

In most cases, you can arrange to stay on campus with a friend, or the Admissions Office will connect you with a student. If an interview is not required, yet is available, try to schedule one.

Don’t be a no-show ‘ghost’ applicant at any of your schools. Visit as many of your colleges as possible and attend their meetings at Delbarton.

Demonstrate your interest and energy.

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If you hope to play a sport for the college, call in advance to make an appointment to visit the appropriate coach or his/her assistant at the college athletic center. As a courtesy, send a handwritten thank-you note to any professor, coach, or interviewer with whom you have met. Remember, little things count.

By October 1, your list of colleges should be well rounded, realistic and complete.

Identify at least three schools that your college counseling staff confidently agrees will likely admit you. Eliminate some college options as you educate yourself, and discover new options. Do your research, speak with knowledgeable sources and, again, keep an open mind.

Avoid the temptation of applying to too many colleges. This can prolong the process until March and April when deeper thought and an earlier choice (and an early acceptance at your preferred college) could wrap up the process

by Christmas. A gift.

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Testing and Prep Courses Register for the October and/or November SAT or SAT Subject Tests. If you are favoring the ACTs, register for the October ACT. Registration for SATs and ACTs is done online. Registrations for the December SAT and ACT close in late October. During the two weeks between the end of the first term and the December tests, devote some time to prepare for the tests.

“Do I need a tutor or a prep course?”

Many students and parents ask, “Should we do individual tutoring or take an SAT/ACT prep course before the October or November tests?” Speak with your guidance counselor for advice. If your scores are well below your predicted range and you have already worked hard on your own to bring up your score, consider working with a tutor or taking a course while continuing to prepare daily on your own for 4 or 5 weeks prior to the test. Do not hesitate to take the SAT on three occasions if you are trying hard to reach an achievable goal. Colleges assess applicants on their best scores,

regardless of the dates on which the tests were taken.

Remember, Delbarton offers free test prep in the fall and spring.

Application Tips n

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Go online to view college websites, their program of studies, their application requirements, etc. Begin to work online on the applications when they become available.

National Merit Semifinalists must complete their Finalist and Scholar forms in late September and early October.

During the summer and early fall, consider the most appropriate and compelling responses to your college essays. In addition, consult with your advisors, parents, English teacher, counselor, and other interested faculty on their essay responses and other questions regarding college selection. Consult the College Essay Writing Tips available online at Delbarton.org/academics/colle ge-counseling.

Recommendations If you have not already done so, solicit commitments from faculty member(s) to write your letter(s) of recommendation. Each recommender will send the same letter to each college. For Common Application schools, the faculty member is contacted online to submit his/her recommendation online. For early application candidates, this recommendation letter process must be accomplished before October 1.

Create a resume Create a one page summary of your brag sheet, a well-written resume, to share with your recommenders so they are informed of your accomplishments and aspirations. A concise resume is preferable to your brag sheet, in this case, and is an important component of the recommendation process.

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you are applying, and doublecheck with your counselor on your progress regarding essays, applications, and counselor forms. Check with your teacher recommenders to confirm that the requested recommendations were submitted on time. If you are submitting testing, be aware that some colleges require an official report from the testing agency which may take several weeks to arrive.

Early Applications Early decision and early action applications tend to be due by November 1, although dates vary by college. Work on early applications must begin in early September. Be intensely aware of all deadlines.

With all online applications, stipulate that the School Counselor Report be sent to the Director of College Counseling, and provide his/her email address. Before Christmas vacation, give your college counselor all the information he/she needs, including a complete list of colleges to which

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Post- Thanksgiving Senior Year n

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Complete your college choice list and all campus visits.

Attend local college receptions to learn more, and introduce yourself to representatives.

From December through February, schools requiring alumni interviews will contact you to arrange an interview time. Arrive on time, be well dressed, well prepared, enthusiastic, and always take the time to send a handwritten thank-you note.

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Early action and early decision returns arrive during December and January.

Respond according to deadlines and contracts. As an early decision acceptance is binding, you must withdraw your other applications, and you may not open additional ones. You may continue to apply to more schools only if your acceptance is not binding (i.e., early action). Finally, you may want to consider the January or February option for early decision offered by some

colleges. Selecting the ED II option may help you get into the school that happens to be the perfect match for you. n

The deadline for most regular decision college applications is between January 1 and February 1. To be safe, send your applications well before the deadlines and confirm with each college that all application components were completed and received.

applicant, most colleges notify the applicant of his/her financial aid status.

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Deposits and Financial Aid n

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With today’s tuition costs, more families are applying for financial aid. Financial Aid Forms (the CSS Profile and FAFSA) are available online from October through January 1.

Parents and guardians must complete and submit these forms according to the schedule.

From late February through April 1, upon acceptance of an

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May 1 is the final reply date for nearly all colleges.

If necessary, visit the one or two favorite colleges that offered acceptance to you before sending your nonrefundable deposit to your ultimate choice.

It is unethical and therefore inadvisable to register and deposit at more than one college.

Note: Request that your Advanced Placement examination scores, administered during the first two weeks of May, are sent to the college you chose to attend.

notes

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Delbarton students

Top Tips for Students to Reduce College App Stress n

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Focus on finding the right fit in a college, not on getting into the “best” or most highly ranked college.

Prioritize quality, not quantity, when it comes to extracurricular activities.

Be authentic, truthful, and reflective in the application process.

Get your work done early, finishing essays and applications well before the deadlines.

Stay healthy. Make sure you are eating and sleeping well.

Check in with and update your college counselor often throughout the process.

delbarton parents

Top Tips for Parents to Survive the College App Process n

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Don’t spend every dinner talking about college.

Don’t arrange every family vacation around a college visit.

When it comes to applications and test prep, don’t over-coach your child.

Pause and reflect if you find yourself spending too much time worrying or thinking about your child’s achievements.

Encourage your child not to over-load on AP and Advanced courses.

Maintain a positive, balanced attitude – and make it contagious!

Delbarton School 230 Mendham Road • Morristown, NJ 07960 (973) 538-3231

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