College Admissions Overview

College Admissions Overview

We Will Discuss Helping your child develop a strategic plan for the college search and application process Admissions Testing Types of Colleges The Right Fit Admissions Process NCAA Financial Aid

Planning with Students Beginning in March Junior Conferences - Starting in March call Guidance to schedule an appointment How to develop a study plan for the SAT or ACT February 3 rd PSAT Presentation for students understanding your scores. Free resources-using College Board + Khan Academy to prepare for upcoming SAT Student Junior Year Timeline Prepare for and take college admissions exams (SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject Tests if necessary and/or ACT with Writing.) Attend College Fairs Set up visits to your top schools College Search Groups in early Feb. Naviance Family Connection Reach, Target and Safety Schools on the list How to research

SPRING COLLEGE EXPOS Monday, April 18, 2016 5:30-8:30pm Huntington Hilton, Melville, New York Tuesday, April 19, 2016 5:30-8:30pm Hofstra University, Mack Sports & Exhibition Complex, Hempstead, New York Wednesday, April 20, 2016 5:00-7:00pm Westhampton High School, Westhampton, New York

a) Urban There is a LOT to think about. b) Suburban c) Rural

College Selection Process Asking the Right Questions Location- Is it a location that is acceptable to me? Size- Does the size suit my needs? Personality- The personality of a college is usually a reflection of the staff and students. Does the college feel comfortable to me? Facilities- Do I have certain needs or interests? Major- Do they have a major or courses that I am interested in pursuing?

Looking for the Right Fit Costs- Does it meet my budget? Is financial assistance available? Extracurricular activities/sports, etc- Do they have the activities in which I would like to participate? Prestige- Most students want to attend a good college. Remember, what is good for a friend may not be good for you. How you do in college may be more important than where you go. College Visits- A college visit is very important. You should make every attempt to visit the school where you plan to spend the next four years.

Using Family Connection On-line Resource for Planning & Advising Overview for Parents & Students

What is it? Web-based resource that supports course, career, and college planning Specific to our school How is it accessed? Family Connection is on the Web http://connection.naviance.com/farmingdale Parent accounts Student accounts

How do you register? Each parent and student receives a code Use code to create a personal account Codes are random and alphanumeric for security reasons Codes can be used only once On your first visit, enter the code in the New User box, then follow onscreen instructions On subsequent visits, sign in using the Returning User box What can it do? Share plans Complete surveys Compare colleges Track deadlines Produce scattergrams Show schedule of college visits Submit college applications

College Profile

Scattergram

College Compare

Admissions Decisions Academic Record Level of courses completed Grades in academic courses Test Scores ACT or SAT, maybe SAT II s - check with individual college to determine requirements. Letters of Recommendation Essay(s) Student Activities and Employment

The College Application Package The application itself (Common Application, SUNY Application or individual school application) Supplements Transcripts Letters of recommendation Essays and short answers Activity record/resume Application fees Additional materials (ie. portfolio, cd s)

Applying to College Keep college information in separate folders. Keep notes about likes and dislikes, contacts, visits in the file with the information. Set up a checklist for all college applications including: Deadlines (both application and financial aid) Test scores Essays Recommendations Read all information sent by colleges, both e-mail and letter. Make copies of every application for admission and financial aid before sending!

First quarter of senior year the earlier the better!!! Early Decision Early Action (single choice/restrictive) Regular Admission Rolling Admission When to Apply?

Early Decision/Early Action Can Be Confusing Early Decision: Binding-apply to one school. If you get in, that is where you are going! Early Action: Apply early, college makes a decision early (make sure it is not restrictive early action)

Student Athletes & NCAA Student Athletes should talk to their HS coaches Develop Athletic Resume Sign-up with NCAA Must report SAT & ACT scores Make sure courses meet the eligibility requirements for D1 & DII colleges Each sport has rules about college visits and contact between college coaches and athletes See resources at www.ncaa.org

Tips for Parents DO Discuss Restrictions Up Front For example distance from home DON'T Limit Choices Based Solely on Fees use FAFSA4CASTER.gov to get a better idea of costs DO Help Your Child Organize a List of His/Her Activities DO Remind Your Child to Create a Grown Up e-mail address DO Remind Your Child of Deadlines

The application period can be a time of anxiety for students. Help your child follow the procedures properly and meet all deadlines. Be an active participant in the exploration process

Where Do We Go From Here? Come to your student s college planning meeting Review next year s schedule Explore the college process one-on-one with the counselor. Remind your child to register for SAT, SAT Subject Tests or ACT with Writing Come to the workshop April 14 th at 6 p.m. for an in depth discussion of the essay and other elements of the college application Next fall we will review the application process in depth with the students in school and at an evening meeting for parents

Financial Aid Changes to come Prior Year Available spring semester: January Only allows taxes from previous year File FAFSA & must make corrections to data once taxes are filed Incorrectly aligned with college application calendar Makes it difficult to meet priority filing deadline, which must be met to qualify for some forms of financial aid Financial aid information available nearing college decision deadline dates Forced more stressful and less informed college & financial aid decisions Prior-Prior Year Available fall semester: October Allows taxes from 2 years ago Taxes already filed & data is correct from previous year Better aligned with college application calendar Removes conflicts with priority filing deadlines, which must be met to qualify for some forms of financial aid Financial aid information available further in advance of college decision deadlines Allows for more at-ease, informed college & financial aid decisions

Learn about FAFSA FAFSA4caster Financial Aid Money to pay for college or career school Grants Loans Work-study Scholarships

More Financial Aid Information (for next year) SUNY Statewide Student Financial Aid Days Date: 02/20/2016 9am Farmingdale State College, SUNY Old Westbury, Suffolk County Community College(Brentwood Campus) 9:30am Nassau Community College 12pm SUNY Stony Brook Please visit www.suny.edu/studentevents for more information and to register Hands on help at SUNY Campuses

There is More to Talk About One-on-One 2 yr vs. 4 yr colleges Technical Schools You are the first in the family to go to college Fee waivers for SAT, ACT and college applications Questions to ask a college if your child currently has an IEP or a 504 plan Resources that meet your child s specific interests or needs i.e. college major, study abroad, extracurricular activities, sports and internship opportunities.

This is the Start When in doubt, ask us. Keep copies of everything. The process can seem overwhelming at times to both parents and students. Think of your child s counselor as a resource.