1. The Bush School January 15, 2014

2. This is NOT the point of tonight:

3. THIS is the point of tonight:

4. Tonight we will not: Get bogged down in details Get too far ahead of ourselves And, we will definitely not: Get nervous about the college search process Get stressed out about the college search process Get tired of the college search process when it has only just begun

5. Tonight, we will: Talk about upcoming meetings Provide a timeline Talk about each of our roles throughout this process Discuss basic elements of the college application Talk about campus visits and colleges coming to Bush Naviance Ask questions!

6. Student Meetings Students should have completed the ‘Junior College Counseling Survey’ already. Students must contact Melissa or Alice to schedule the first meeting, which lasts about 30 minutes. All of Melissa’s students (Aglion – Haseley + Tevlin) need to set up a meeting ASAP that will take place before January 31. Alice’s students (Hilton – Wyatt + Corff) must meet by February 14.

7. Family Meetings (student, parents, Melissa, Alice) After completing the ‘Parent Survey’ on Naviance, and after your student has met with us individually, parents contact Melissa and Alice to set up the first Family Meeting. Melissa’s families must meet her by February 5. Alice’s families must meet her by March 15. Family meetings last approx. 45 minutes. During these first meetings, we work together to identify the things that will be important throughout your college search. No magic college list will be provided – instead, we’ll work together to create a balanced, thoughtful, and exciting list that will evolve throughout this entire process!

8. JUNIOR YEAR TIMELINE Monday, January 27: Why STEM? Event with Dean of NYU Admissions from 7-8:30pm in the Community Room. Saturdays, February 1 and February 8: Free practice SAT/ACT from 8:30am-1:00pm in the Community Room. Stay tuned for registration information. Monday, February 17 – Friday, February 21: Consider visiting colleges during Mid-Winter Break. Let us know during student and family meetings if you need advice! Monday, April 7 – Friday, April 11: Consider visiting colleges during Spring Break.

9. JUNIOR YEAR TIMELINE, continued Saturday, April 26: Students & parents attend the Seattle PNACAC College Fair from 12 – 3pm at the Seattle University Connolly Center (Optional). Friday, May 2: Deadline to choose 2 academic teachers to write letters of recommendation. Friday, May 2: Senior Speak (Students only) Lunch in the Community Room. Tuesday, May 13: Students and parents attend the College Admissions Panel for Juniors and Parents from 7 – 8:30pm in the Community Room (Mandatory).

10. JUNIOR YEAR TIMELINE, continued Wednesday, May 28: Senior Parent Panel for Junior Parents from 7 - 8:30pm in the Community Room. Tuesday, June 3 and Wednesday, June 4: Senior Projects Presentations from 1 - 3:30pm in Wissner classrooms. Juniors and parents are invited to get a sneak peek into Senior Projects for next year! Friday, June 13: Last day in the College Counseling office before summer.

11. JUNIOR YEAR TIMELINE, continued Over the Summer… Consider taking the Summer College Essay Writing class at Bush: (dates to be determined, typically late July to mid-August.) Plan college visits! Make sure to call ahead and/or book online in advance: summer is a very busy time for colleges. Students create Common Application account on August 1: www.commonapp.org. Attend Senior Sessions that focus on Naviance and the Common Application: August 18-19 and 21-22, 10:00-11:30am, room TBD.

12. 2013/2014 SAT & SAT SUBJECT TESTS TEST DATEREGISTRATION DEADLINE NOTES Saturday, January 25 December 27Students studying abroad in the spring take the SAT for the 1 st time. Saturday, March 8February 7Most juniors take the SAT for the 1 st time. Saturday, May 3April 4Juniors who did not take the SAT for the 1 st time in March, take the SAT for the 1 st time. Saturday, June 7May 9Some students take Subject Tests at end of a yearlong course! SAT also available. Saturday, October 11 N/ASeniors re-take the SAT (unless they have chosen to re-take the ACT). Saturday, November 8 N/ASAT and Subject Tests Saturday, December 6 N/ALast chance to take SAT or Subject Tests for Regular Decision.

13. SAT & SAT SUBJECT TEST INFORMATION Students cannot take the SAT and SAT Subject Tests on the same test date – must choose one or the other! You can take up to 3 SAT Subject Tests on one test date (most schools that require the submission of Subject Tests ask to see 2). October and November test scores count in time for Early Decision/Early Action at most schools. Students must create an account with the College Board to register for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests: www.collegeboard.com Fees: SAT = $51/test. SAT Subject Tests: $24.50 for 1 test + $13 for each additional test (with the exception of language tests + listening = additional $24).

14. 2014 ACT DATES TEST DATEREGISTRATION DEADLINE NOTES Saturday, February 8January 10Students can take the ACT for the 1 st time Saturday, April 12March 7Most juniors take the ACT for the first time Saturday, June 14May 9Students who did not take the ACT in April, take the ACT for the 1 st time Saturday, September 13N/ASeniors re-take the ACT (unless they have chosen to re-take the SAT). Saturday, October 25N/A Saturday, December 13N/ALast chance to take the ACT for Regular Decision

15. ACT INFORMATION Always register for the ACT With Writing!!! September and October test scores will count in time for students applying Early Decision/ Early Action. The ACT is not part of the College Board. Students must create an account with ACT to register for the exam: http://www.actstudent.org/index.html Fees: ACT with Writing = $52.50/test.

16. AP EXAMS Week 1: May 5 – 9, 2014 (AMP Week): Monday, May 5: Chemistry, Environmental Science (am)/ Psychology (pm) Tuesday, May 6: Computer Science, Spanish Language (am) / Art History (pm) Wednesday, May 7: Calc AB, Calc BC (am) / Chinese Language & Culture (pm) Thursday, May 8: English Lit and Comp (am) / Japanese Language & Culture, Latin (pm) Friday, May 9: English Language and Comp (am)/ Statistics (pm)

17. AP EXAMS Week 2: May 12 –16, 2014 Monday, 5/12: Biology, Music Theory (am) / Physics (pm) Tuesday, 5/13: US Government and Politics, (am) / French Language &Culture, Human Geography (pm) Wednesday, 5/14: German Language & Culture, US History (am) / European History (pm) Thursday, 5/15: Macroeconomics, World History (am) / Microeconomics, Italian Language & Culture (pm) Friday, 5/16: Comparative Government and Politics, Spanish Literature (am)

18. AP LATE TESTING 2014 May 21 –23, 2014 Wednesday, 5/21 (am): German Language & Culture, Macroeconomics, Music Theory, Statistics, U.S. Government and Politics, U.S. History Wednesday, 5/21 (pm): Comparative Government & Politics, English Language & Composition, Environmental Science, French Language & Culture, Microeconomics, World History Thursday, 5/22 (am): Art History, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Computer Science A Thursday 5/22 (pm): Chemistry, Chinese Language & Culture, European History, Human Geography, Spanish Language & Culture Friday, 5/23 (am): English Literature & Composition, Italian Language & Culture, Japanese Language & Culture, Physics B, Psychology Friday 5/23 (pm): Biology, Latin, Physics C, Spanish Literature & Culture, Physics C

19. AP TESTING INFORMATION All AP exams take place at The Bush School and are completely optional. Students register for AP exams through Bush in late February/early March. Late testing is only permitted due to unavoidable conflicts, such as off-campus AMPs during AMP week. Fees: Each AP Test = $89.00/test. Extra fee for Late Testing = $45.00/test

20. NOTES ON STANDARDIZED TESTING It is always the student’s responsibility to stay on top of test registration dates and to register for exams. Also student’s responsibility to send test results to your schools next fall – College Counseling never sends test scores to colleges. Register early! Late registration results in extra fees, having to take tests at locations far from your house, and at the worst, test centers reaching maximum capacity. With the exception of the PSAT and AP exams, no standardized tests take place at The Bush School. Bush School CEEB Code needed to register: 481085 Please see Melissa & Alice for info on fee waivers!

21. Enough about testing… OUR ROLES THROUGHOUT THE COLLEGE SEARCH PROCESS STUDENTS: Always, always, always: BE YOURSELF. Lead the process: Be responsible Be organized Be excited Keep an open mind. Use common sense and observe ethical guidelines. Be sensitive to your community and peers.

22. STUDENTS CONTINUED… Know your interests, abilities, passions, goals, personality, and learning style. Know that there are hundreds of colleges out there and take your time in building a thoughtful list of options. Take advantage of the opportunities that surround you (Seattle Area Independent School College Fair – next Fall, college rep visits to Bush, Bush alums…). In the end, choose the school that feels like the best fit!

23. Roles continued… PARENTS: Be a sounding board and help your student with important decisions Remember your student’s college search is not ‘our college search’ Communicate and ask questions Be calm Help to organize campus visits Plan ahead for financial aid and scholarships Celebrate and be proud!

24. THE COLLEGE COUNSELING OFFICE (Melissa & Alice): Know the student and know the family. Know the colleges. Help you to think outside of the box and explore options you might not have thought of on your own. Be accessible! Organize the process: Keep students focused and aware of deadlines Make sure colleges understand The Bush School curriculum and spirit Prompt submission of all counselor & teacher materials

25. BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE APPLICATION Transcript & Course Selection: In almost all cases, the most important piece of the college application. An upward trend is always a good thing Junior and Senior years are important! Colleges are looking at rigor of curriculum and grades within the context of The Bush School curriculum School Profile: Goes out with all counselor packets in the fall to explain our grading system and experience education philosophy.

26. BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE APPLICATION, continued Standardized Test Scores: Colleges treat the SAT and ACT equally – take both exams junior year to see which one suits you best! Some schools don’t require any testing! Visit www.fairtest.org for a list of test-optional colleges. Some, but not all, schools require SAT Subject Tests. Note: Melissa & Alice will counsel students individually about whether or not it makes sense to take Subject Tests – often best to take them at the end of a yearlong advanced course, ie: Advanced Chemistry. More schools are giving students the option of taking the SAT and 2 Subjects Tests OR the ACT.

27. BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE APPLICATION, continued Letters of Recommendation: Most schools require 2 from academic teachers. Must come from teachers in 2 different subject areas who have preferably taught you junior and/or senior year (there may be exceptions to this rule). Teachers you choose should know you both in and outside of the classroom (Do you have a teacher who has also been your advisor or led you in an AMP?). Students must ask 2 teachers to write college letters of recommendation by Friday, May 2, 2014. You will then follow up with official forms provided by the College Counseling Office during the fall of senior year after creating your Final College List with Melissa & Alice.

28. BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE APPLICATION, continued Extracurricular Activities Quality over quantity! Colleges are looking to see what you might bring and/or add to their campus community. Leadership and consistency are important. Think about Bush and non-Bush involvement. Should I do community service? Summers Jobs and family responsibilities count! Passions that do not lend themselves to leadership or organized activities can also be important (e.g. self- taught foreign or computer languages)

29. BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE APPLICATION, continued The Essay: Be Personal: Different from a typical academic paper. Be Yourself: Authenticity is crucial. Would a friend or family member recognize it in a stack and say, Yes, this is absolutely you? Be Thoughtful: Not just what you did, but why. Be Specific: Details make an essay vivid and memorable. Be Careful: Proofread! Does it flow? Did you spell the name of the school correctly? Your name? Is it the right school? Be Creative and Have FUN: more often than not, the best college essays don’t sound ‘college essay-y’

30. 2012/2013 Common Application Essay Questions (choose 1) 1. Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn? 3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? 4. Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you? 5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

31. BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE APPLICATION, continued Interviews: Not required at most schools but if available, good to do. On-campus v. local alumni interviews Most interviews take place with alums and admissions reps in Seattle during the fall/winter of senior year. Interview Workshop in early October 2014.

32. Campus Visits & Visits to Bush Junior Year: Mid-Winter & Spring Break Summer between Junior and Senior years Senior Year: Thanksgiving Break, in-service days for local visits On-Campus Opportunities: Information Sessions Campus Tours Overnight Visit in a dorm with a current student (next fall) Class Visits Open House programs Interviews (summer & next fall/winter) Make the most of your visit – talk to as many people as you can and explore the surrounding neighborhood!

33. Campus Visits & Visits to Bush, continued Check admissions websites and register for information sessions and campus tours in advance of your visits! Check in with Melissa and Alice about open house programs and local events in the Seattle area College Visits to Bush: September through early December. College reps who visit Bush are the people who will first- read your applications – important to make these contacts! Over 130 visitors to Bush this year!

34. Campus Visits & Visits to Bush: What To Do At Bush and on college campuses: Choose a variety of schools to visit—geography, size, campus culture, acceptance rates. It helps to narrow things down. And you might be surprised. Visit “reach” schools and great options for “possible” and “likely” schools. Try to figure out what is truly unique about each school. Ask students why they chose to attend, why faculty/admissions reps chose to work there.

35. Campus Visits & Visits to Bush: What To Do Strike up casual conversations with multiple students on campus, not just the tour guides, but not only one random student, either. If you’re interested in any particular majors, visit the department. You never know what professor or student might be willing to answer questions. Realize that visits during the academic year will give different information than when class is not in session. Take photos and keep notes—they run together after a while!

36. Campus Visits & Visits to Bush: Why They Matter You get to learn what is unique about the school You get a sense of the “vibe” The admissions rep gets to know you and Bush better You demonstrate interest.

37. So you can’t visit campus…That’s okay too! Other ways to learn about a school and demonstrate interest Come to the visits at Bush Go to the college fairs, especially the SAIS Talk to Bush alums—see Melissa and Alice for contact info The Fiske Guide…really! College websites: However, don’t judge a school merely by an outdated circa 2003 website! College guide websites—with a BIG caveat: Some interesting information can be found here, especially about a school’s culture and overlap schools. But a lot of rumor mongering and panic are also traded. Read with a CRITICAL eye and judge for yourself!

38. NAVIANCE/FAMILY CONNECTION Naviance/Family Connection website: https://connection.naviance.com/bush You can also link to Naviance from the Junior/Senior Portal on The Bush School College Counseling website: https://www.bush.edu/CollegeCounseling. “Colleges I’m Thinking About” page (deadlines, early, Common Application, etc.) College Match Graphs/Scattergrams

39. IMPORTANT CONTACTS Melissa Lanctot, Director of College Counseling melissa.lanctot@bush.edu P: 206.326.7758 F: 206.838.8998 Alice Huang, Associate Director of College Counseling alice.huang@bush.edu P: 206.838.8996 Bush College Counseling: https://www.bush.edu/CollegeCounseling CEEB Code: 481085