1. College is not a trophy. Its a match. College Night

2. General Information

3. College vs. University What is the difference? Universities typically have graduate degree programs, whereas Colleges do not Universities are generally larger and have more research facilities/opportunities There are exceptions to this, i.e. Boston College

4. Visiting Schools Spring Break is a great time to visit colleges- students will be on campus Get a feel for the campus If possible, sign up for a tour– let the school know that you are there! “Demonstrated Interest” – schools keep track of any visits, tours, communication, etc. that you have with the school

5. Remember, this whole process is about finding schools that FIT your daughter

6. Testing- SAT Comprised of a verbal, a math and a writing section Most students take it 2-3 times Some students like to reserve the October SAT test date in senior year for one last try at the test Register for tests on www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com

7. Testing - SAT Most colleges will acknowledge the student’s highest verbal score, highest math score and highest writing score, even if they were not taken on the same test date Students will be able to select which scores they send to colleges by test date for the SAT and by individual test for the SAT Subject Tests Scores from an entire test date will be sent, NOT scores from individual sections

8. Testing - SAT  Example: March, 2009 650 Math, 590 Critical Reading, 640 Writing May, 2009 620 Math, 640 Critical Reading, 650 Writing October, 2009 590 Math, 590 Critical Reading, 600 Writing *About ½ of colleges take the writing score into consideration

9. Testing - SAT Some colleges will require that you send ALL of your scores When you start to send your scores, you will be able to see what each college requires Sending scores to colleges can be done online at www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com

10. Testing - ACT English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing Composite score of 1–36, based on average of scores from 5 tests No penalty for wrong answers Considered a “curriculum-based” test, rather than “critical thinking based” test Tests are produced by two different companies and are, therefore, given on different days

11. Testing- SAT Subject Tests Not all colleges require these tests, but those that do normally require 2 Research your prospective schools to see what they require Test in areas in which you will do well English Literature, U.S. History, World History, Math Level 1, Math Level 2, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Languages

12. Number / Type of Applications 4-7 applications is reasonable Applications should include at least one reach school, one safety school, and two target schools To determine safety, target and reach, students should compare her grade point average and SAT scores to the average statistics in the college’s “Freshman Class Profile” (information available on Naviance)

13. Number / Type of Applications www.connection.naviance.com/villawalsh

14. Type of Applications Every college has it’s own criteria and application requirements – BE SURE TO FIND OUT EACH SCHOOL’S REQUIREMENTS! Different applications, supplements, deadlines, testing requirements, financial aid requirements, etc

15. Type of Applications Regular Decision ◦ Generally due in January Early Decision ◦ Generally due in November ◦ Binding ◦ May only apply to ONE Early Action ◦ Generally due in November ◦ Non-binding ◦ Most allow more than one – check each schools rules Rolling Admission ◦ First come, first served ◦ Apply Early!!

16. Types of Applications Common Application vs. School-specific Application ◦ Over 400 colleges and universities use the Common App Supplements to Common Application

17. Types of Applications Large majority of students will complete applications online (quicker, easier, most colleges prefer it) About 95% of colleges accept the application online About 80% of colleges will accept transcript and recommendations online, through Naviance The other 20% will need to be mailed via USPS

18. Letters of Recommendation Most colleges require 2 letters of recommendations from teachers and 1 from a guidance counselor Letters DO NOT have to be from teachers of Junior year classes, but should be recent Make sure the teacher knows you and can speak well about you

19. Financial Aid  FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid  CSS PROFILE = College Board aid application for about 200 private colleges  Both are used to determine financial aid, but CSS PROFILE is generally used by private schools to determine non-federal student aid (institutional scholarships, grants, loans)  Which forms you fill out will depend upon what each of your colleges requires…so research each school to find out!

20. Financial Aid Family financial information is analyzed to come up with the EFC = Expected Family Contribution EFC based on: ◦ Parents Income ◦ Parents Assets ◦ Student Income ◦ Student Assets ◦ # of family members ◦ # of children in college

21. Financial Aid – FAFSA vs. PROFILE  Cost: The FAFSA is free, the CSS PROFILE will cost you an application fee and a fee for each school to which it is sent.  Deadlines: The FAFSA can be submitted beginning on January 1 of your Senior year. The CSS PROFILE can be submitted prior to January 1.  Both financial aid applications use different needs analysis formulas. The FAFSA uses a Federal Methodology, while the CSS uses an Institutional Methodology.

22. VILLA SPECIFIC INFO

23. Information Forms: Activities Resume College Essay Brag Sheet Parent Brag Sheet

24. HOW VILLA WORKS At the beginning of Senior year, I will meet with Seniors to discuss the application process more in depth – how teacher recommendations and transcripts are handled Each student will get a folder with instructions Majority of transcripts, teacher recommendations, and counselor recommendations are sent through Naviance, where you can see what has been sent

25. What should we do now? Research and visit colleges Take SAT/ACT/Subject Tests Begin thinking about who you would like to write your teacher letters of recommendations Continue working hard without making yourself crazy

26. THANK YOU!