Junior Parent College Meeting USA/Canada: Testing, Counseling, Choosing

Agenda Getting Started as Juniors Selecting Colleges Financial Aid Comparing USA/Canadian/UK Admissions Admission to Selective Institutions What Colleges Look for in Applicants Selecting Colleges Getting Started as Juniors

Spring Semester Testing Counseling College Planning

Testing By the end of Junior Year, students should have taken the appropriate standardized tests: PSAT SAT or ACT SAT II Subject Tests TOEFL/IELTS

SAT & ACT Test Dates SAT & SAT Subject Tests 2017: May 6, June 3 Register: www.collegeboard.org ACT 2017: April 8, June 10 Register: www.act.org

TEST Preparation Strongly recommended Many options available: Group courses Individual Tutoring SAT-Khan Academy Online Self-study/Shmoop Diagnostic & Mock Testing See ASP website/US College Counseling & BESPOKE Course Information

Getting Started: Counseling Required Group Orientation Meetings (February) First Individual Meeting with Counselor (after group meeting) Review graduation requirements / academic record Initial list of colleges Parents encouraged to attend Second Individual Meeting with Counselor Student Data Questionnaire submitted Explore personal qualities, goals and interests Revise initial list of colleges Review Essay Topic/Personal Statement

Getting Started: Parent Contribution Parent Data Sheet: How I see …. Download from the ASP website under College Counseling. Preferably completed by second student meeting. Obligatory.

College Planning and Prep Visit University Websites Participate in meetings with visiting university representatives Utilize college guidebooks/Online resources (ASP website) Plan college visits Consider summer programs Talk with alumni, friends, relatives, contacts

College Selection Principles From the Education Conservancy (a group of admissions professional, including Harvard, MIT, UChicago, Smith & UWashington): “Know that what you do in college is a better predictor of future success and happiness than where you go to college.” “Resist the notion there is one perfect college. Great education happens in many places.” “Resist attempts to turn the process into a status competition.” “Rankings oversimplify and mislead.”

Selecting a College Genuine interest vs name recognition College type (size, private, public, liberal arts, co-ed) Location Academic Environment (competitiveness, majors, core curriculum) Campus Life (housing, social life, athletics) Expenses/Costs Entrance requirements: Safety*/Target/Reach (8-10 schools)

EARLY Admissions Early Decision Early Action Rolling Admissions

Evaluating the Applicant Admissions Academic Performance Extra-curricular engagement Uniqueness Contribution to Diversity Character Alumni connections University Priorities

ACADEMIC Course rigor Grades Position in the class (Grade Distribution and Weighted GPA) Standardized Test Scores Recommendations Awards

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ENGAGEMENT Seek evidence of meaningful involvement Emphasis on depth, not breadth

Uniqueness Personal essay Interview Recommendations Special Talents

Alumni Connections In most cases, parents or grandparents Loyalty to institution

Contribution to Diversity Minority students Low-income students First-generation applicants International students Geographic distribution Gender

Character Ethical and responsible citizens Contributing members of society Future leaders in a global society

University Priorities Enrollment plans Development

Selective College Admissions These colleges deny between 70% and 95% of applicants, many more than admitted. Academic success is required but not sufficient for admission. Your chances are doubled if you have differentiation. Examples of differentiation include: minority status, alumni affiliation, athletic recruitment, award-winning achievements, outstanding leadership and exceptional talent.

Admission to CANADA Appeal of Canadian universities Each school has specific admission requirements Application deadline varies from January to March IB Diploma candidates are not required to submit SAT scores AP and USA high school diploma applicants in many cases must submit SAT (including Subject Tests – McGill), or ACT scores Applications made to specific faculties

Admissions to the UK Applications submitted via UCAS to study a specific course within university In most cases, IB Diploma or 3 or more AP exams required In some cases, UK unis will also admit with a high school diploma and SAT or ACT scores Conditional offers will be based on predicted exam results Non-native English speakers should plan on submitting proof of English language proficiency (IELTS – visa seekers)

Financial Aid Net price calculator/estimator Need-based Loans Scholarships & Grants Work-study programs Non-Need Based US Citizens FAFSA CSS Profile College application International Students – limited in USA Certification of Finances