Preparing for the College Application Process 4/26/16 Oxford Counseling Department

The Bottom Line Colleges seek to admit student that will : Colleges seek to admit student that will : –Eventually graduate from their institution –Expand and develop intellectually and personally while contributing to the campus community

Application Review Three Main Factors High School Curriculum Choices High School Curriculum Choices –Did you take advantage of the curriculum at Oxford? Core Courses, IB, AP, PLTW, Career Focuses Core Courses, IB, AP, PLTW, Career Focuses –Senior year counts! Standardized College Admission Test Score Standardized College Admission Test Score (SAT /ACT) Grade Point Average Grade Point Average –Weighted, Un-weighted, Recalculated –Is there a trend in grades…..upward or downward?

Other Factors Considered Honors and Awards Honors and Awards Involvement in Extracurricular Activities Involvement in Extracurricular Activities –School and Community –Leadership experiences –Volunteer Experiences –Work Experience Unique Background / Experiences Unique Background / Experiences –Successful in spite of major obstacles Personal Statement / Essay Response (if required) Personal Statement / Essay Response (if required) Recommendations (if required) Recommendations (if required)

Public Universities

Private Colleges / Universities Don’t rule out based on cost Don’t rule out based on cost Typically have more aid to give than public schools Typically have more aid to give than public schools –More grants and scholarships –Some will meet 100% of need based aid First generation college student and Pell grant eligible First generation college student and Pell grant eligible

Community College… A good option? Yes, if…….. –Not quite ready to leave home –Below a 2.5 grade point average –Desire to save money –Career choice requires a certificate or associates degree

When and How to Apply Apply at the start of senior year and pay attention to deadlines for admission and scholarships Apply at the start of senior year and pay attention to deadlines for admission and scholarships Read the application instructions….tells you everything you need to know Read the application instructions….tells you everything you need to know 99% of colleges have online applications 99% of colleges have online applications –Look for “Admissions” or “Future Students” section on the college website Applications available around 8/1/ Applications available around 8/1/15

Components of the Application Personal information, intended major, activities/honors in high school, senior year schedule, etc. Personal information, intended major, activities/honors in high school, senior year schedule, etc. High School Transcript High School Transcript SAT or ACT Scores SAT or ACT Scores Essay / Personal Statement * Essay / Personal Statement * Counselor Recommendation * Counselor Recommendation * –Sometimes called the Secondary School Report or Counselor Certification Teacher Recommendation * Teacher Recommendation * Application Fee * Application Fee * * Not required by all colleges / universities

Application Deadlines Different application plans have different requirements and obligations Different application plans have different requirements and obligations –Early Decision –Early Action –Single Choice Early Action or Restrictive Early Action –Rolling Admissions –Regular Decision

Common Application

The College Essay Address the topic specified Address the topic specified Honor all word limits Honor all word limits Allow time for someone to review Allow time for someone to review Proofread Proofread Make it memorable and personable (in your own words) Make it memorable and personable (in your own words)

Sample Essay Prompts 1. Describe a significant experience from the past two years which required you to interact with someone outside of your own social or cultural group (ethnic, religious, geographic, socioeconomic, etc.). How did this impact you? What did you learn and what surprised you? 2. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn? 3. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

Requesting Transcripts Parchment – allows students and educators to securely request, send and receive education credentials online Parchment – allows students and educators to securely request, send and receive education credentials online Use Parchment to request your transcript be sent to the colleges where you are applying Use Parchment to request your transcript be sent to the colleges where you are applying –

Requesting Letters of Recommendation Teacher Recommendations Teacher Recommendations –A recent teacher who knows you well –Core academic area –Request at least two weeks in advance / ask now –Provide resume to teacher –Follow up to ensure submitted /mailed –Common App recommendations are all online –Write a thank you note! Counselor Recommendation Counselor Recommendation –Student Profile and Parent Questionnaire

SAT / ACT Test Scores Each college will require either an SAT/ACT test scores before your application can be reviewed Each college will require either an SAT/ACT test scores before your application can be reviewed Students are responsible for sending their test scores to the colleges Students are responsible for sending their test scores to the colleges – SAT scores – ACT scores

Sending SAT Scores Juniors just completed the SAT testing Juniors just completed the SAT testing The State of Michigan and College Board will be providing the district information about the process of sending scores in the near future. The State of Michigan and College Board will be providing the district information about the process of sending scores in the near future.

Retaking / Taking SAT or ACT Register with the specific test organization for a National Saturday test date and test site Register with the specific test organization for a National Saturday test date and test site SAT ACT -

Test Prep Resources sat.org/officialpractice sat.org/officialpractice

Student Athletes

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Develop a Scholarship Strategy Check employers and personal organizations affiliations Check employers and personal organizations affiliations Use a FREE scholarship search service Use a FREE scholarship search service Check out scholarship opportunities on Oxford’s website – high school / counseling page Check out scholarship opportunities on Oxford’s website – high school / counseling page Local Community Ogranizations Local Community Ogranizations

Financial Aid Complete the FAFSA beginning in October 2016 Complete the FAFSA beginning in October Oxford - Financial Aid Night - October 6, 2016 Oxford - Financial Aid Night - October 6, 2016 Oxford – Senior Award Letter Workshop Oxford – Senior Award Letter Workshop – March 22, 2017 – March 22, 2017

Career / College Resources Career Cruising Career Cruising College Visits College Visits Meet with Admission Representatives Meet with Admission Representatives Talk to the Oxford Guidance Counselor Talk to the Oxford Guidance Counselor

Summer Experience Opportunities Oakland University Summer Career Camps for High School Teens Oakland Schools & Oakland University Summer Science & Engineering Experiencing Macomb Community College Career Academies