Form XII College Program for Parents & Guardians Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Tonight s Program Looking Back Reviewing the basics Stats and trends Looking Forward Lists Self-Advocacy Application materials After you hit Submit Rights, responsibilities, and expectations Financial aid and scholarship
Reviewing the Basics
Non-restrictive Application Plans Regular Decision Students submit an application by a specified date and receive a decision in a clearly stated period of time. Rolling Admission Institutions review applications as they are submitted and render admission decisions throughout the admission cycle. Early Action (EA) Students apply early and receive a decision well in advance of the institution s regular response date.
Restrictive Action Plans Early Decision (ED) Students make a binding commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted, they commit to enroll, and withdraw all other applications. The application deadline and decision deadline occur early. A small number of schools offer a second round of Early Decision, which typically occurs in January. Restrictive Early Action (REA) Students apply to an institution of preference and receive a decision early. They may be restricted from applying ED or EA or REA to other institutions. If offered enrollment, they have until May 1 to accept or decline. REA applications have a non-binding commitment.
Admission Decisions Accept Defer (from early round) Waitlist Deny Conditional Acceptance Different program, different start date, remedial work Deferred Enrollment (Gap Year) Scholarship and Financial Aid Offers
State of College Admissions Report Top factors: 1. Grades 2. HS Curriculum 3. Test Scores Among the next most important factors Student essay Student s demonstrated interest Counselor and teacher recommendations Extracurricular activities Other factors of consideration include: high school attended, race/ethnicity, first-generation status, ability to pay, gender, development consideration, and alumni relations
Taking a Look at Last Year
Taking a Look at Last Year Application numbers continued to increase at many institutions Overall, early application numbers increased, causing admit rates to decrease in the early pool (though still higher than regular admit rates). Chart of specific data
Moving Forward What to Expect in the Year Ahead
Narrowing the List Every case is individual, but your daughter s application list may look like: Likely/Comfort options (2-3) Possibilities (2-3) Wishes/Reaches (2) Students work with Ms. Schultz & Mrs. Priest in individual meetings to discuss the list, as well as any early application options LOVE the list!
Self-Advocacy With admissions representatives, online, and with disciplinary issues
Self-Advocacy Demonstrated Interest Demonstrated interest contact history is considered tour campus, visit with the rep at CSG, interview, email with our rep, opening emails from the college, etc. Targeted communication Don t be a stealth applicant
Self-Advocacy Social Media According to a Feb. 2017 survey of 365 admission officers conducted by Kaplan Test Prep: 35% of colleges check students social media during the admissions process Review social media privacy settings! http://footballscoop.com/news/three-seperatecollege-assistants-tweet-about-dropping-a-recruitbased-on-their-social-media/
Self-Advocacy Interviews Three basic type of interviews: With Admission rep on campus With Admisison rep in your local area Alumni/ae Find out which/if colleges offer fall interviews and what type Notes from class and tips in Naviance Option to set up a mock interview with the College Counseling Office
Application materials Naviance and a complete application
Naviance The Moodle for College Counseling Document Library Helpful Website Links Visit schedule & hosting reps School material submission portal Scholarship search Checklist (hard copy)
Organizing App Materials A Complete Application The student application: School-specific Coalition Application Common Application Supplement to the application Required by some but not all colleges Most often includes additional essays
Organizing App Materials A Complete Application Standardized Testing Testing requirements vary by school SAT and/or ACT scores must be sent by the student from the testing agency to colleges, (unless self-reported scores are accepted) AP scores are self-reported Test-optional schools may require additional materials
Organizing App Materials A Complete Application Teacher Evaluation(s) Common App cover sheet (via Naviance) Letter of recommendation Schools will require 0-2, most discourage more than 2
Organizing App Materials A Complete Application Secondary School Report (Counselor Report) CSG creates a custom school report cover sheet Official Transcript Letter of Recommendation School Profile
Organizing App Materials A Complete Application Supplemental Materials (may be optional) Could include: portfolio, artistic statement, résumé, audition, peer evaluation, etc. Midyear Report CSG sends in January Includes transcript with midyear grades
Organizing App Materials A Complete Application Final Report Sent to only one college, where student intends to enroll Includes final transcript with second semester grades and indicates graduation from CSG http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2017/6/5/ 2021-offers-rescinded-memes/
Application materials Student responsibilities
Organizing App Materials The Three T s Teacher Recommendations selection and providing information Transcript Requests completing the form Testing sending scores The Three T s are the responsibility of the student (in addition to the actual application with essays)
Organizing App Materials T#1 Teacher Recommendations Teacher recommendation process began at the end of junior year. Requested recommendations from 2 academic teachers Provided each teacher with a completed Class Assessment Form A list of colleges with their application deadlines is due to recommending teachers by September 14
Organizing App Materials T#2 Transcript Request Forms Application Deadline Request Due to CC Office Oct. 15 Friday, September 7 Nov. 1 and 15 Friday, September 21 Dec. 1 Friday, October 19 Dec.15 Jan. 15 Friday, November 2 For students applying through Rolling Decision plans OR to schools with deadlines after January 15, transcript requests may be submitted to the College Counseling Office at any time (the earlier the better); however, you must allow 4 weeks for processing of school forms.
Organizing App Materials T#2 Transcript Request Forms One in student and parent folders Additional blank forms can be found in the wall file next to Ms. Newland s office, on the website, and in Naviance. Completed forms can be dropped off in the bottom wall file slot (it s marked Completed Transcript Request Forms.)
Organizing App Materials T#3 Testing Students are responsible for sending scores to the colleges/universities. It can take up to 3-4 weeks for official scores to be received in their offices. 80+ schools now accepting self-reported scores Different policies on how the scores can be submitted
Organizing App Materials T#3 Testing Fall test dates SAT: October 6 & November 3 ACT: September 8 & October 27 Check with each college about their policy on accepting the Oct. ACT and Nov. SAT for early deadlines. Students may not be able to view fall test scores prior to sending them for early deadlines.
Organizing App Materials T#3 Testing www.compassprep.com - list of college policies on SAT Subject Tests, superscoring, and ACT and SAT writing requirements www.fairtest.org - schools that do not require standardized tests or have alternate testing policies. AP scores may be self-reported on applications. Official scores should be sent after enrollment.
Organizing App Materials Essays The College Counseling Office encourages students to share first drafts of all essays with our office. Common App main essay 1 st drafts were due prior to the start of College Application Boot Camp. Seniors have a first semester Essay Workshop Class 1x/rotation with Dr. Doden Students should work with ONE academic teacher to revise and edit essays.
Application submission After they hit Submit
Incomplete Application Notices Don t Panic, but don t ignore! Colleges receive thousands of documents - electronic and snail mail. Online submission simplifies things, but processing materials still takes time - at some colleges, as long as 4-6 weeks. Students MUST check email and online status OFTEN.
Incomplete Application Notices Don t Panic, but don t ignore! What should students do if a college notifies them of a missing item? 1. Know that the college is likely behind in processing 2. Notify college counselor if a school form is missing 3. Remind yourself that this is not uncommon!
Rights, Responsibilities, and Expectations
NACAC Rights, Responsibilities and Expectations The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), founded in 1937, is an organization of more than 11,000 professionals from around the world dedicated to serving students as they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education. http://www.nacacnet.org/
Students Have Rights Before You Apply: Students have the right to receive factual and comprehensive information. They have the right to be free from high-pressure sales. When Offered Admission: Students have the right to wait until May 1 to respond to an offer of admission and/or financial aid. Early decision programs are an exception to this. If You are Placed on a Wait List: The notification letter should provide a history of the number of students on the wait list and offered admission, and availability of financial aid and housing. Colleges may not require a deposit or a written commitment to be on a wait list.
Students Have Responsibilities As You Apply: Students must complete all required materials and submit their application on or before the published deadline. Students should be the sole author of their applications. Follow the process and timeline recommended by the student s high school for filing college applications.
Students Have Responsibilities After You Receive Admission Decisions: Students must notify each college whether they are accepting or rejecting its offer no later than MAY 1. Confirm their enrollment and, if required, submit a deposit to only one university. With an ED app, students must promptly withdraw the applications submitted to other colleges. ED candidates seeking financial aid do not need to withdraw other applications until they receive the aid information.
CSG Expectations of Students First priority: attend to academic work Take ownership of the process Explore financial feasibility of each institution on their list with their family Research and understand the admission requirements at each of the colleges to which they apply Check email daily and Naviance often
CSG Expectations Meet all deadlines (CSG and college) Communication between parents/guardians and students is essential! Set up a communication plan and commit to keeping each other updated during the process Formally thank teachers who write recommendations Respect one another throughout this process
CSG Expectations Keep the College Counseling Office up-to-date on your college process, esp. application list changes Individual Appointments 40-minute appointments Schedule 1 st or 2 nd half of period Try to meet individually with Ms. Schultz or Mrs. Priest every 4-5 weeks or provide email updates on a regular basis Family appointments are welcomed
Financing College Need-based & Merit-based Aid
1. FAFSA Financial Aid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov) must be submitted if you want to be considered for any federal and state financial aid. Many colleges also require the FAFSA to be considered for institutional financial aid. The FAFSA will be available in October.
2. CSS Profile Financial Aid College Board s College Scholarship Service Profile. It is designed to give colleges a more detailed look into student and family finances. Sending the Profile report costs $25 for the first college and each additional report is $16. College Board does offer fee waivers. More commonly used by private institutions
What can you do now? Financial Aid Net Price Calculators Visit www.studentaid.ed.gov/ CSS Profile Track college deadlines for FAFSA and Profile Financing College Night: Tuesday, October 2, 7:00 pm at Columbus Academy
Scholarship 1. College/University scholarships 2. Naviance scholarship search and listing 3. Scholarship Searches on the web: Columbus Foundation* (local awards) Fastweb.com* College Board Scholarship Search* MeritAid.com Scholarships.com Petersons.com Collegenet.com
Scholarship New Scholarship Platform: Going Merry (www.goingmerry.com) Like the Common App of scholarships. Students sign up, and all of their basic info is imported into scholarships for which they want to apply. It matches students with scholarships It s free!!! Includes estimated application time It s only in its second year, so it still might have some glitches to work through.
Dates & Events
Senior Year Events Financing College Program (Tuesday, 10/2 at 7:00 pm Columbus Academy) Columbus Suburban College Fair (Otterbein University, Sunday, 10/7, 1-3:30 pm) College App work day (during the PSAT at CSG) Check Naviance for area College Info Sessions Spring Events, such as the Next Steps Program
Dates to Remember August 24 - Updated résumé due September 4 any remaining Signed Teacher Recommendation Request Forms due to Ms. Newland September 7 1. Registration deadline for October 6 SAT 2. Transcript Request Forms due for applications with October 15 deadlines September 14 College deadline list to recommending teachers (Class Assessment Form for any teachers asked this fall) September 21 - Transcript Request Forms due for applications with deadlines between November 1 st and 15 th
Dates to Remember September 21 Registration deadline for the October 27 ACT October 5 - Registration deadline for November 3 SAT October 19 - Transcript Request Forms due for applications with December 1 deadlines November 2 - Transcript Request Forms due for applications with deadlines between December 15 th and January 15 th * Remember, it is your responsibility to have your test scores sent 3-4 weeks before application deadlines
Dates to Remember January 1 through March 1 - Most college financial aid deadlines fall during this time. April 1 Regular round admission decisions and most financial aid offers are released by this date. May 1 National Candidates Reply Date Students are required to make a college decision (and submit enrollment intent to one college) by this date
In 10 months, this will be the Class of 2019!
Our Contact Info Cari Schultz Director of College Counseling cschultz@columbusschoolforgirls.org 614-252-0781 x117 Trish Priest Associate Director of Admissions & College Counseling tpriest@columbusschoolforgirls.org 614-252-0781 x328 Kate Newland Registrar and College Counseling Administrative Asst. knewland@columbusschoolforgirls.org 614-252-0781 x402