College Guidance

Greens Farms Academy PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A LIFE OF PURPOSE

COLLEGE GUIDANCE Our philosophy is simple: we want to help you discover the possibilities that await you outside these walls.

Our approach is tailored to each student because each student is different. Starting the process can seem daunting, but we are here to help you through every step of the journey.

At Greens Farms Academy, the preparation for success in college and beyond begins before you set foot on campus. Our college guidance team works year round to establish and maintain relationships with colleges and universities worldwide through participation in professional organizations, college visits, and individual outreach to our colleagues. Additionally, our team is integrated into the Upper School: our curriculum, course counseling, and college counseling process are harmonized to ensure that students have choices that they are excited about.

An Overview of the Process

We offer a variety of programming throughout the year for parents and students in grades nine through twelve, for example,

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• presentations from our college counselors

Ninth Grade

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• conversations with college Deans and Directors of Admissions

Focus on working hard in the most challenging academic program in which you can succeed.

Get involved in extracurricular activities, community service, and explore outside interests.

• mock admissions panels • presentations on athletics and performing arts in college

SUMMER • Look over a sample PSAT, take a free, online Khan Academy/College Board diagnostic exam.

• Recharge, take a summer course, explore new passions.

• financial aid information sessions

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Tenth Grade

Each spring, course selection begins with counseling from the college office.

Students will meet individually to work

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on and revise their four year course plan. In addition, students also receive a personalized standardized testing plan in the spring of their sophomore year.

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Take the PSAT at GFA (required) Connect PSAT score to the Khan Academy/College Board free SAT Preparation Program.

Aspiring collegiate athletes or students interested in the visual and/or performing artists should express their interest to counselors, coaches, and teachers.

Varsity athletes should begin gathering game film.

SUMMER • Take on a summer job, explore internship opportunities, try out a summer course.

• It’s fine to visit a few college campuses and tour. (No interviews — it is too soon!)

• Connect with appropriate special interest groups (athletics, legacy programs, etc).

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Eleventh Grade • • • • •

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Students and parents receive College Guidance Questionnaires.

Parents attend College Guidance Junior Parents’ program Individual counselors are assigned before December break.

Formal preparations for standardized tests begin in the winter.

Students attend Junior Seminar second semester: 。。 learn to research colleges and network. 。。 learn about college selection process. 。。 learn about college application essays; brainstorm and begin a draft. 。。 complete Common Application (except for essay writing).

Students meet individually with their counselors in both January and May First family meeting (spring) College visits begin (spring) with interview when possible Request teacher recommendations.

SAT in March and/or May/June.

ACT in April and/or June.

Subject tests in May or June.

SUMMER • Draft essays.

• Prepare supplements and portfolios (if required).

• Recruited athletes should stay in contact with coaches and be prepared to commit if offered a spot on a desired team.

• Continue visits and interviews.

• Deepen research and continue to narrow your list.

• Continue work experience, internships, and summer learning.

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Twelfth Grade • • •

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Complete standardized testing.

Finalize college list.

Throughout fall and in Senior Seminar: 。。 complete college applications. 。。 send official standardized testing (where required). 。。 develop and share plan/progress completing applications. 。。 continue networking with admissions officers. 。。 continue weekly contact with the College Guidance Office for support until applications are complete.

Keep a close eye on deadlines and details of applications.

Be engaged and enjoy your senior year.

Beginning Your Research GFA teaches students to be curious, engaged, and independent learners, and nowhere is that more important than in preparing to apply to college. Just as in any research project, the college process begins with thinking about one’s purpose and interests and researching widely. And just like any other research project, this one is recursive: self reflection gives direction for data gathering and visiting; after visiting, it’s important to reflect further and continue to gather data. Your inquiry will grow more and more focused as you learn more.

Self-reflection •

What are you interested in?

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What do you like to do in your free time?

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What do you feel most passionate about?

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How do you learn best?

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What do you think you want to do in the future?

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Who are you?

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Gathering Data

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Begin by reading widely.

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Good resources include: guide books; college websites, social media, and blogs; Junior Seminar, your college counselor.

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What kind of college--location, campus setting, programs, and learning environment--best matches your interests and needs?

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Decide what matters most to you; list all factors in order of importance.

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Once you understand more, use college search engines on Naviance, College Board and other internet search engines to input your criteria.

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Cast a wide net and research some colleges that may be unfamiliar.

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Ask your counselor for advice and feedback.

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Start with visits to a variety of types of schools (research universities, urban, rural, different sizes, conservatory, liberal arts, etc.).

Take good notes--use the college guidance visit worksheet to record impressions, questions, and details.

Talk with your family and your counselor about what you observe and learn.

Athletics Athletics are an important part of GFA’s culture, and many of our graduates choose to participate in college athletics. Many seniors are looking forward to playing intramural or club sports, or walking on to a varsity team, but some are hoping to be recruited to play in college.

College Counselors work as a team with the director of athletics and coaches to support our prospective scholar athletes. Our common goal is to represent our studentathletes’ talents as fully as possible, and we do that in a variety of ways: we help students to consider how athletics may fit into their college planning, and to appreciate the tradeoffs between Division I, II, and III programs; we communicate with appropriate college and university coaches and admission staff; we help families navigate the athletic recruiting process; we offer workshops about athletic recruitment opportunities and pitfalls; we suggest presentation of athletic resumes and, where appropriate, video; and we keep families informed about NCAA regulations and registration requirements.

It is still important for these students to be finding success in the classrooms as well as on the fields: a scholar-athlete who has achieved in a challenging academic program will have more options.

Visual and Performing Arts Many artists, musicians, and actors will want to consider submitting a portfolio or recording of their work along with their college applications to give colleges a sense of their level of talent, commitment, and achievement. Your college counselor can help you understand submission requirements at schools on your list, and they, and the GFA visual and performing arts faculty, can offer guidance on what to include in a portfolio, and when a portfolio might be helpful.

A few students, who hope to pursue a degree in the visual or performing arts, will apply directly to a fine arts program or a conservatory. This process is quite different from the typical college application process, and will include auditions and/or extensive portfolios. These students should speak with GFA arts faculty early on in the process—as soon as they know they are considering it—so they can be as prepared as possible for auditions and portfolio submissions. They should also keep their college counselor apprised of their plans, as the process and timeline varies from institution to institution.

Planning for Standardized Tests There is no single best approach to standardized testing, which is why we have students meet with the College Guidance Office and draft a personalized testing plan during the winter/spring of sophomore year. That said, we have some general recommendations that are broadly applicable.

The SAT Reasoning Test We suggest that students take the SAT in March or May/June of the junior year. Students learn and grow a tremendous amount over the course of a GFA education, and the more school a student has completed, the better poised s/he is to excel on the SAT. Between having to sit for the PSAT twice and preparing for the SAT, students are typically very well prepared by junior spring. There are also opportunities to retake the test during senior fall if need be.

ACT We organize a mock ACT early in the junior year. When the ACT seems to be a better fit for a student, we would recommend taking it in April and/or June of the junior year, and if needed, again senior fall.

A strong ACT score in English, math, science, and reading can be submitted to colleges in lieu of any SAT and subject tests for most intended majors.

SAT II Subject Tests Many students will have taken two or three SAT subject tests by the time they finish applying to colleges, though some will have taken fewer and some more. Typically, the first subject tests come in May or June of the junior year. Students may take up to three subject tests in one sitting, though most prefer to take only two at a time.

For exams in History and Science, the best time is generally at the end of the year, when students are well prepared for finals and AP exams. For languages and English literature, senior fall can be an excellent time for a subject test, when students have pursued their studies as far as possible.

SUBJECT TEST

RECOMMENDED TIMING

Literature

Junior spring or senior fall

Math 1

After Algebra 2H or during/after Precalculus

Math 2

After Precalculus H or during Calculus

Biology

After AP Biology

Chemistry

After Honors or AP Chemistry

Physics

After Honors or AP Physics

U.S. History

After AP U.S. History

Language/Language After 3H, though better during 4, 4H or AP w/Listening

Preparing for Standardized Testing We recommend that students prepare for each standardized test they take, but the best method of preparation varies according to the test and according to the student.

We mail home information about the PSAT at the beginning of the sophomore year, and we recommend that students use it to familiarize themselves with the test before they take it in October. Before they take it again in the Junior year, we recommend that they use the free Khan Academy resource to prepare in a more focused way, since the test in Junior year qualifies students for the National Merit Scholarship program.

After reviewing performance on the mock ACT and the PSAT, we recommend that students choose one of the two to pursue, and begin preparation for the test in earnest in mid-December or January of the junior year. This preparation might be in the form of a Khan Academy program online, a class, or a tutor. And for students taking the test senior fall, the summer is a great time for more focused preparation as well.

The best method of preparation for SAT II Subject tests varies by subject, and students can speak with a college counselor when the time comes to discuss the options.

Financing Your Education Financial aid comes in four forms: grants, scholarships, loans, and workstudy; it can be awarded based on either need or merit.

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Grants are generally awarded based on a student’s financial needs by an individual college and the government; they do not need to be repaid. Government grants include the Pell Grant program and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), which is a campus-based program administered by the financial aid offices at participating colleges. Many colleges themselves also offer grants for families who demonstrate need.

Federal Work-Study employs a student part-time on his or her college campus to earn money to contribute towards college costs.

Scholarships are generally awarded in recognition of academic achievement, special abilities or talents (athletic, musical, etc.), religious affiliation, ethnic or racial heritage, community activities, or special interests; they come from specific colleges or from private sources. While most merit scholarships are not need-based, some require that a student have demonstrated financial need Loans: There is a variety of loan programs administered by the federal government, some of which are need-based and subsidized, and some of which are not.

How does need-based financial aid work?

All colleges and the federal government determine a family’s eligibility for need-based financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA), which assess a family’s income and assets to calculate the Expected Family Contribution. Most institutions define a student’s financial need as the difference between a college’s Cost of Attendance (room, board, tuition, books, personal expenses) and the Expected Family Contribution. Some colleges pledge to meet 100% of demonstrated need, others do not.

Many private colleges also require the CSS Profile form in addition to the FAFSA; register for the CSS Profile in the fall of senior year, at least two weeks before the earliest priority filing date specified by your colleges. And some colleges will ask families to file an in-house financial aid form.

Financial Aid Timeline Eleventh Grade • • • •

Preview your need-based aid eligibility at www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov or at www.finaid.org.

Continue your research on those websites, the College Board’s Net Price Calculator, or SimpleTuition.com.

During Junior Seminar, begin researching scholarship opportunities.

As you research colleges, consider their financial aid practices.

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Right after October 1st of senior fall, complete FAFSA and CSS Profile online.

Apply for scholarships.

Learn more about financial aid practices and processes at schools you are considering, particularly for early applications.

A Note for International students: Financial aid is extremely limited for non-US citizens. To qualify for federal, need-based financial aid, a student must be a legal U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Discuss your needs with your college counselor and check with each of your college’s financial aid offices.

GFA College Guidance Team MICHAEL PINA, DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE GUIDANCE Michael Pina has more than fifteen years of experience in the world of college admissions. Michael joined the GFA community as Director of College Guidance in 2011 after serving as Co-Director of College Counseling at The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, CA and, before that, Director of College Counseling at Worcester Academy in Worcester, MA and Associate Director of College Counseling at The Rivers School in Weston, MA. Prior to his work in independent schools, Michael served as Assistant Director of Admission and Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment at his alma mater, Trinity College (CT). Throughout his career, Michael has held multiple leadership roles, including two stints as a NACAC Assembly Delegate, chair of multiple committees, and most recently, five years as a member of the Common Application Board of Directors. Michael holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Trinity College (CT) and a J.D. from Boston College Law School.

DAVID OLINS, SENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE GUIDANCE David has over twenty years of experience in college admissions and college guidance at both the university and independent school levels. David came to GFA in 2008 after seven years at Choate Rosemary Hall, where he had served as the Senior Associate Director of College Guidance. Prior to that, David worked in the admissions office at Tufts University, his alma mater. In his role as Assistant Director of Admissions, David also oversaw the campus overnight hosting program and was an academic adviser for groups of first-year students. At GFA, David coordinates the junior seminar program and is the junior class academic dean. He also coaches Varsity Girls Basketball and Junior Varsity Boys Tennis. David holds a B.A. from Tufts University and an M.A. from Wesleyan University.

RACHEL BOYER, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE GUIDANCE Rachel joined GFA in 2017 after eleven years as the Director of College Guidance at Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich. Prior to Sacred Heart, Rachel was a Senior Admissions Coordinator at her alma mater, Boston University, where she also worked during her undergraduate years. Rachel holds a B.A. in English and Art History and an Ed.M. in Policy, Planning, and Administration, both from Boston University.

JENNIFER SHAIRER, OFFICE MANAGER AND TESTING COORDINATOR Jen joined the GFA community from the corporate world in 2006 and serves as Office Manager and Testing Coordinator in the GFA College Guidance Office. In her roles, Jen helps students to manage the nuances of the college application process and oversees the timely sending of student transcripts and recommendations to colleges. As Testing Coordinator, Jen manages the administration of the PSAT test each fall and AP exams each spring. Additionally, Jen serves as the point person for scheduling student and family meetings.

Jen holds a B.A. from Albertus Magnus College and an M.S. from Southern Connecticut State University.

Affiliations: College Board NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) NEACAC (New England Association for College Admission Counseling) NYSACAC (New York State Association for College Admission Counseling) ACCIS (Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools)

With three experienced counselors, a full time office manager and testing coordinator, and a wide array of resources to deploy, our office is ready to give you the considerable personalized attention and advice that this process deserves. We look forward to working together to find the right collegiate homes for GFA graduates, and to making the journey through the college process another rich​​learning experience for our students.

GREENS FARMS ACADEMY

35 BEACHSIDE AVENUE P.O. BOX 998 GREENS FARMS, CT 06838-0998

College Guidance Office Michael Pina, Director of College Guidance mpina@gfacademy.org | 203.256.7576

David Olins, Senior Associate Director of College Guidance dolins@gfacademy.org | 203.256.7516

Rachel Boyer, Associate Director of College Guidance rboyer@gfacademy.org | (203) 349-7435

Jennifer Shairer, Office Manager & Testing Coordinator for the College Guidance Office jshairer@gfacademy.org | 203.256.7513