Preparing for College Parent guide to helping your child in Grades 9-12
GRADE 9 SEMESTER 1 Iden%fy strengths and challenges in academic behavior Hone study skills Advocate for self and use resources available - Managing stress and healthy decision- making Choose extracurricular ac%vi%es of interest and show commitment A?end PTC Parent- Counselor mee%ng SEMESTER 2 Career planning workshop Take personal strengths assessments Work on 4- year plan Choose courses and rigor based on interest and strength Create schedule that is appropriate Work closely with teacher (Office Hours) and use resources on campus SUMMER: Summer programs, enrichment classes and volunteer opportuni%es
Know Yourself SKILLS What are my strengths and weaknesses? What skill do I need to acquire? VALUES What satisfaction do I seek in a learning/ working environment? In what type of school/work environments would I be happy? INTERESTS What activities have I enjoyed the most? What kind of school setting would I enjoy? PERSONALITY What personal qualities do I possess that will help me be successful? How well do I get along with my peers and those in supervisory positions?
Know Yourself HOLLAND CODE STRENGTHS-FINDER Gallop
Why Know Yourself? Creative, original thought Productive discussion Disciplined work habits Work habits Maturity Motivation Leadership Integrity Reaction to setbacks Concern for others Self confidence Initiative Independence
Four Year Plans - Completed in 2nd semester of Grade 9. - Gives overview of high school courses. - Plan graduation requirements & prerequisites. - Selections are not cast in stone. - Course offerings and pre-reqs may vary.
Course Requirements University of California (A-G) Minimum Requirements Recommended Requirements ENGLISH 4 years 4 year 4 years MATH 3 years 3 years 4 years SOCIAL STUDIES 2 years 3 years (U.S. History) 4 years SCIENCE 2 years 2 years 4 years VPA (Arts) 1 year 1 year 1 year LANGUAGES 2 years 2 years 3 years OTHER + 1 core elective **Check individual schools
SIS Course Guide - Course offerings and descriptions by department - Course prerequisites - AP course recommendations - Grading categories by departments
Summer Programs - Overnight, multi-week programs - Student can use the following websites to do research www.teenink.com www.encrichmentalley.com http://cty.jhu.edu/imagine/ - Has no bearing on college admissions - Great exposure and growth opportunity - Choose what you are INTERESTED in - Writing - Great Books Program - Outdoor Education - Visual & Performing Arts - Science Research What am I interested in? - Applications need to be completed by students - All announcements will be in the Daily Bulletin by Mr. Macklin. - Teachers & counselors need 3 weeks to do recommendation letters. - Return home on time for the start of the school year.
GRADE 10 SEMESTER 1 Iden%fy ac%vi%es based on interest and show commitment October- Take PSAT A?end PTC Parent- Counselor mee%ng SEMESTER 2 Jan/Feb - Career & College planning workshop June- SAT Subject tests (if in AP) Take SAT Reasoning once, based on PSAT scores Choose courses and rigor based on interest and strength Create schedule that is appropriate Work closely with teacher (Office Hours) and use resources on campus A?end mee%ngs with college representa%ves if there are any of interest SUMMER: - Summer programs, enrichment course, college tours or volunteer opportuni%es/ SAT prepara%on
PSAT Score Report NEXT STEPS
Meeting with College Reps BEFORE THE MEETING Explore website and look at Admissions Academics Student Life - Write down things to you want to ask about. - Make necessary arrangements to attend meetings. - Check Daily Bulletin frequently for upcoming meetings. DURING THE MEETING Ask good questions. Not about facts you can find online. - Identify what aspects of the college or college life in general appeal to you. - Obtain information specific to programs you may be interested in. - Get the representatives contact information
SUMMER - Create list of colleges, work on essay dra\s, college tours and summer programs if an op%on, SAT prep if necessary GRADE 11 SEMESTER 1 October - Take PSAT November - Counselor interview Iden%fy processes that need early start (athle%cs, military academies, etc.) Dec/Jan- Review PSAT Scores Use My College QuickStart to con%nue college research SEMESTER 2 Jan/Feb- Research summer program op%ons (recommended not mandatory) May- College applica%on process and research workshop with Mr. Schneider - Wri%ng workshop with English teachers April- Request le?ers of rec from depar%ng teachers June - SAT subject tests Meet with college representa%ves & research colleges online Take the SAT Reasoning OR ACT (with wri%ng), twice at the most Subject tests (Any 2 tests from subject areas of choice and interest)
Doing your college research Resources you can use: College websites- look on Admissions page. College Guidebooks - Check provided list College representatives Official social media pages of the college College visits My College Quickstart (from PSAT report)
Doing your college research Mentor programs Housing & dining Health & fitness Medical services Mental health International student services Career counseling Academic support SIZE ADMISSIONS DIFFICULTY ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT -Small town, rural, urban/city, suburban, -Proximity to relatives -Proximity to international airport.
College Research- Academic Environment Courses, majors, and programs offered Teaching staff - Professors or students? Class size for lower & upper div classes Academic resources - tutoring Graduate student numbers Career and grad school prospects of graduate 4-year graduation rate Retention rate COMMON DATA SET
College Research- Academic Environment Georgetown Cohort of Fall 2007 For Fall 2007 Cohort, 1,387 students graduated within 4 years or less. Georgetown CDS
College Research STUDENT LIFE Feel of student body Diversity Disposition of the students Student-faculty interactions Recreational facilities Greek life Party policies Special interest groups Student clubs and activities Religious affiliation Gender-specific college Campus safety SIZE Large- >15,000 students Large, lecture-style courses; array of majors; difficulty accessing courses. Medium - between 5,000-15,000 students Combination of small and large classes; fewer academic programs; possibly more professor contact. Small - Fewer than 5000- High professor contact, generally only undergrad programs; higher retention rate, guaranteed housing; facilities and activities may be limited.
Admissions Difficulty Have I satisfied the course or other academic requirements of the college? Are my test scores in the appropriate range for this school? Are the standards appropriate for my abilities and interests? Will this college admit me? NYU s Admissions Data for Fall of 2012. NYU CDS Report
College Research - Affordability Have a conversation with your child A. College options; Identify colleges that have qualities that are appropriate for your child. B. Talk finances...early. This will keep you from having to tell your child senior year that you cannot pay for University. C. Research options to help pay for college: Your employer, loans, student work study, scholarships, grants etc. Plan ahead: Use the FAFSA4caster to understand your options to pay for college. This site will estimate how much student aid a student might get if they applied today. https://fafsa.ed.gov/fafsa/app/f4cform?execution=e1s1 Compare Colleges for the best deal: http://collegecost.ed.gov/scorecard/ The College Scorecard is a way to assess not only a school s affordability but also its value for money You can find colleges based on name, programs or majors offered, location, and enrollment size.
Financial Aid and FAFSA TYPES OF AID: 1. Loans: Repayment mandatory a. Federal b. Private 2. Grants: No repayment a. Merit-Based: Based on a student s skill or ability b. Need-Based: Based on a student s financial need 3. Scholarships: No repayment but some have GPA requirement 4. Need blind admission: The admitting institution does not consider an applicants financial situation when deciding admission https://www.edvisors.com/plan-for-college/ college-admissions/need-blind-admissions/ Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (www.fafsa.ed.gov) Who is eligible for Federal Student Aid? 1. US Citizen 2. US National 3. Eligible Non-citizen College Scholarship Service (CSS) Financial Aid PROFILE: An online application that collects information used by certain colleges and scholarship programs to award institutional aid funds. https://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile Deadline: A. Federal: June 30th B. State: Varies from state to state Apply for a PIN number: Student and Parent(s) need a PIN number in order to electronically sign and file the FAFSA. https://pin.ed.gov/pinwebapp/pinindex.jsp
FAFSA Eligibility
Eligibility
Financial Aid Deadlines
College Visits BEFORE TRIP Check website for prospective applicants Check on tours, options to audit classes, stay a night in the dorms, etc. Plan to visit multiple schools if you are there a long time. If you are allowed to meet with admissions representatives, take an unofficial transcript and record of test scores and activities with you. DURING VISIT Tour campus Sit in on classes Stay a night in the dorms & eat in the cafeteria Take a look at the college newspaper Visit department office/lab Read notice boards Check out off-campus housing Check out establishments and businesses in the area
ACT vs. SAT SAT (until Spring 2016) ACT Test Structure 3 sections 4 sections Content Math, Critical Reading Writing Math, Science, Reading English (Optional Writing) Penalty ¼ for wrong answer No penalty Scores 200-800 per section. 2400 composite 1-36 for each subject 36 max composite Registration www.collegeboard.com www.actstudent.org Dates 6 times internationally 4 times internationally nacacnet.org
SAT Subject Tests Literature Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics Mathematics Level I & II United States History World History Languages: Reading Only French, Spanish, German, Modern Hebrew, Latin, Italian Languages with Listening Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Spanish Students need to take TWO tests in subject areas of choice and strength. Complete subject tests even if you are taking ACT. Students may pick the subjects. Look at sample exams & questions online. There are no preferred subjects. More does not mean better. NOTE: For Listening tests, students need to bring their own equipment and these tests are offered only once a year.
SAT Testing Plan
Special Application Processes VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS *Variability in programs- BA/BFA/BM, Certificate Programs *Variability in schools - arts schools, conservatories, colleges/universities *May have portfolio or audition requirements *Check websites of individual schools for admissions requirements. ATHLETICS *Division 3- Smaller schools, no athletic scholarships. *Interested students may contact coaches starting junior year. Division 1 & 2 - www.eligibilitycenter.org Need to register with NCAA Clearinghouse nacacnet.org
Summer Before Senior Year - Continue your research for colleges and narrow your list down. - Start working on drafts of your essay. - If you have the chance to visit schools, plan college tours, although it is not mandatory. - Visit a range of schools.
Grade 12 The Senior s Responsibili7es: A. Finalize your research of schools B. Complete applica%ons: online (www.commonapp.org) and other apps. C. Download School Report and Teacher Recommenda%on forms D. Register promptly for all necessary standardized tests E. Assure that test scores reach all the schools to which you apply F. Approach teachers who you wish to write recommenda%ons G. Meet me to hand over SCHOOL REPORT FORMS and TEACHER RECOMMENDATION FORMS H. Complete your applica&ons no later than my deadlines I. Complete forms necessary for financial aid J. Do your best in your courses the ENTIRE senior year K. Manage your %me with your classes and extracurricular commitments
GRADE 12 Responsibilities of Ms. Lee, teachers and me: A. I complete School Report Forms and write my recommendation. B. I route forms to the teachers who will recommend you. Teachers return forms to me. C. Ms. Lee assembles the forms which I complete and those from teachers. D. Ms. Lee mails the assemlbed forms and transcripts. E. I complete Mid-Year Report Forms (end of first semester). F. Ms. Lee mails forms and transcripts to each school to which you apply. Your Fate: A. Decisions on E.D.(binding), E.A.(non-binding), & R.E.A (non-binding but could not have applied to any other school in early plan) by end of December - It is best for the community when students pull other applications. A. Decisions for regular applications March & April B. By May 1st, commit to one school C. Final grades sent must be consistent with previous grade
Questions from Parents QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY PARENTS Q. Sample of the Common Application A. www.commonapp.org Q. Clubs and Activities--- A. These are reported on the Common Application by the seniors. Space is restricted and students are encouraged to report those that show commitment.
Questions from Parents Q. Required supplementary documents--- A. Most schools discourage the submission of additional information. However some schools will accept Athletic and Arts Supplements. Some schools will accept an additional recommendation or an abstract of a research project. They do not want research papers, novels, patents, CDs etc.
Questions from Parents Q. Experience with non-common Applications-- A. The U. C. system, U. I. U. C, University of Washington for example require selfreported transcripts with nothing required from the school. Applications to schools in Canada are similar to applications to schools in the U. S. Some schools in the United Kingdom use the Common Application while others use UCAS.
Questions from Parents Q. Subject test requirements-- A. Some schools require none, most require two and only Georgetown requires three. There is no advantage to submitting a huge number of Subject Test scores because schools will take the two highest or in the case of Georgetown, the three highest. Q. Class rank-- A. This is requested on the Secondary School Report along with the highest GPA in the Class. We report decile rank.