College Information Night for Parents of Juniors Ms. Brandi Cooper Mrs. Amber Gilsdorf Ms. Ann Raffay January 11, 2012

Our January Agenda Tuesday, January 10 th – –Pass back PSAT results – –CollegeSmiths re: SAT & ACT Monday, January, 23 rd : – –What happens junior year – –Junior Timeline – –Conducting your college search Tuesday, January, 24 th : – –Types of applications – –Campus visits – –Mock interviews

1.2. November: - Personality Assessment - Exploration of Naviance - College searching January: - Licking County Financial Aid Night at C-TEC (Jan. 25 6:30 PM) Other Junior Guidance about College 3. April: - Licking County College Fair at GHS (April 25 6:00 PM)

Post-secondary Planning (help is available!) Students should take advantage of the opportunities to help them in their college search process provided to them by the counselors: Students should take advantage of the opportunities to help them in their college search process provided to them by the counselors: ● Personality Profile – “Do What You Are” ● Naviance college search ● CollegeBoard college searching ● Guidance on how to strengthen your academic profile ● College advising meetings with your counselor ● NCAA Eligibility

Course Registration Presentation Night Make sure to have your parents attend the Future Seniors Course Registration Presentation Night on Wednesday, February 15 at 8:15 PM in the theatre. - 7:00 P.M. – Tips on Selective Schools Admission in the GHS Library – open to all grade levels Find out about appropriate choices for senior scheduling! Find out about appropriate choices for senior scheduling!

The SAT and the ACT Students should take both the SAT and ACT in the spring of junior year Re-take either the SAT or ACT to improve scores following a review. All testing is recommended to be completed by the end of junior year. Research colleges of interest and determine which test they prefer (usually colleges will take either) Pay special attention to if colleges require the “writing” portion of the ACT. Guidance strongly recommends taking the writing portion as some colleges require it! The SAT is offered at GHS March 10 th and June 2 nd ; The ACT is offered at GHS April 14 th

Registration Register for tests online & record your username and password Register for tests online & record your username and password For students requesting accommodations, please see your counselor for additional registration information. For students requesting accommodations, please see your counselor for additional registration information. –Collegeboard –ACT –Test-optional schools

Inside the SAT What is the test structure? Critical Reading Mathematics Writing How is the test scored? points per section for a total of 2400 possible 2-12 points for the essay ¼ points subtracted for every wrong answer Strategy tip!  Educated guesses only…if you don’t know it – leave it blank. How do colleges get my scores? You can choose 4 schools to receive your scores for free when you register for the test. Otherwise, you can log-in to your CollegeBoard account to send scores individually to colleges as part of your application. How do I get more information about the SAT? You can go to the GHS Guidance & Counseling website for more information:

SAT Subject Tests Only more selective colleges and highly academic programs require the SAT subject tests. Only more selective colleges and highly academic programs require the SAT subject tests. Take these tests right after you have completed the class that focused on the subject in which you are being tested Take these tests right after you have completed the class that focused on the subject in which you are being tested Each subject test lasts approximately one hour, so students can sign up for up to three tests on one test date. Each subject test lasts approximately one hour, so students can sign up for up to three tests on one test date. Use Compass Prep to view which schools require subject tests & how many. You can also access Subject Test information from your specific school’s admissions website. Use Compass Prep to view which schools require subject tests & how many. You can also access Subject Test information from your specific school’s admissions website.

What is the test structure? English Reading Mathematics Science Reasoning Writing (optional…but recommended) How is the test scored? 1-36 for each section 2-12 points for the writing Guessing is encouraged! Strategy tip!  ACT: A Classroom Test How do colleges get my scores? You can choose 4 schools to receive your scores for free when you register for the test. Otherwise, you can log-in to your ACT account to send scores individually to colleges as part of your application. How do I get more information about the ACT? You can go to the GHS Guidance & Counseling website for more information: Inside the ACT

FAQs on Testing Do colleges need both SAT and ACT scores? Do colleges need both SAT and ACT scores? Do I need the ACT with writing? Do I need the ACT with writing? Which scores are better to send to colleges? Should I send them now, or wait? Which scores are better to send to colleges? Should I send them now, or wait? How important are grades as compared to test scores? How important are grades as compared to test scores? What if English is not my first language? (TOEFL) What if English is not my first language? (TOEFL)

The College Focus in on finding a good match Focus in on finding a good match Compare your performance and interests with the colleges’ profiles Compare your performance and interests with the colleges’ profiles Communication between parents and their student is important Communication between parents and their student is important –Parents are key in helping the student through the process, but they should not take over the process

The College Refer to the College Handbook (page 12 & 13)—downloadable on the website Refer to the College Handbook (page 12 & 13)—downloadable on the website It takes research! It takes research! Research and college visits are vital to finding a good fit Research and college visits are vital to finding a good fit Enjoy the process! Enjoy the process!

Finding your match: Using the colleges’ profiles Location Class sizes Size of student body Graduation Rate Student Activities Majors offered Selectivity Majors offered Residence Life Facilities Reputation Male/Female Ratio Study Abroad Greek Life Cost GPA

Ask yourself… Who am I? Who am I? What are my interests? What are my interests? What do I want from my college experience? What do I want from my college experience? What would I like to do at the end of 4 years? What would I like to do at the end of 4 years? What college will meet my needs? What college will meet my needs?

Selecting Your Colleges When it comes time to apply…we recommend applying to five colleges. –1 “safety” school –3 “possibility” schools –1 “reach” school Narrowing down your choices: –Start with the most important criteria for you (2-3 criteria) –Reflect on additional criteria and use college visits to help narrow the list down from there

Colleges and Selectivity Though acceptance rates are low for these highly selective schools, we encourage all students that match the school’s academic profile and feel that the school is a “best fit” for them to apply. Acceptance rates from 2011 Harvard 7.2% Harvard 7.2% Stanford 7.97% Stanford 7.97% Yale 8.56% Yale 8.56% Princeton 10.6% Princeton 10.6% Columbia 11% Columbia 11% Brown 11% Brown 11% Penn 17% Penn 17% Georgetown 19% Georgetown 19% Duke 22% Duke 22% Gathered from Naviance, 2012 School% Accepted# of Applications Received Harvard7.23%30,489 Stanford7.31%32,022 Yale7.53%26,003 Princeton8.8%26,247 Brown9.34%30,135 Columbia9.84%25,427 Duke14%30,000 U. of Penn.14.26%26,941 Vanderbilt17.95%21,811 Georgetown19.78%18,616

Types of Applications Early Decision - apply early, commit to your first choice institution, Binding-- (NACAC Admissions Trends Survey, 2010) Early Decision - apply early, commit to your first choice institution, Binding--15% greater chance of admission vs. the Regular deadline (NACAC Admissions Trends Survey, 2010) Ex: Miami, Kenyon, Wooster, Oberlin Ex: Miami, Kenyon, Wooster, Oberlin Early Action- apply early, find out early, not binding Ex: Miami, Ohio Wesleyan Ex: Miami, Ohio Wesleyan Priority - apply early, find out a little bit earlier, not binding, usually due to scholarship eligibility or special programs Ex: Ohio State Ex: Ohio State Rolling- decisions made throughout the admissions cycle Ex: Kent State, Toledo, Ohio State Ex: Kent State, Toledo, Ohio State Regular- apply by a specified date, applications considered after that date Ex: Miami Ex: Miami

Top Factors in Admission Decisions Admission offices identify high school curriculum, test scores, and grades as the top factors In order of importance: 1. Grades in college preparatory classes (98%) 2. Strength of curriculum (92.7%) 3. Admission test scores/ACT & SAT (89.8%) 4. Overall grade point average (89.5%) 5. Application essay 6. Recommendations 7. Demonstrated Interest NACAC Admissions Trends Survey NACAC Admissions Trends Survey

To have the strongest application possible, you should: Get involved in our community Get involved in our community Get involved in school Get involved in school Explore your talents and what excites you Explore your talents and what excites you Consider the opportunities available during the summer Consider the opportunities available during the summer Find a few things (not 10) to focus on and to develop more Find a few things (not 10) to focus on and to develop more Get to know your teachers and your counselor Get to know your teachers and your counselor Schedule a family meeting (or two) Schedule a family meeting (or two)

“Tip” Factors Colleges have de-emphasized their assessment of a student’s rank in class (16% ranked “considerable” importance in 2010, down from 42% in 2005) Colleges have de-emphasized their assessment of a student’s rank in class (16% ranked “considerable” importance in 2010, down from 42% in 2005) Essay as a factor in admission has grown in importance…26.4% of colleges report that student’s essays have considerable importance Essay as a factor in admission has grown in importance…26.4% of colleges report that student’s essays have considerable importance Demonstrated interest has grown as a “tip” factor Demonstrated interest has grown as a “tip” factor The fewer students a school accepts, the more likely it is to place emphasis on “tip” factors in the admissions process The fewer students a school accepts, the more likely it is to place emphasis on “tip” factors in the admissions process NACAC Admissions Trends Survey

College Visit- In Depth Investigation Visiting is the most important way to learn about colleges Go when school is in session Plan trips during vacations- spring break Set up the appt 2-3 wks in advance, through the phone or website Standard Visit - Tour and Presentation Virtual Tours available on some college websites and CollegeWeekLive Experience as much as possible through additional meetings and seeing the town

Remember your Resources! 1. Your School Counselor! 2. The GHS Guidance Office research resources: GHS Guidance & Counseling Website GHS Guidance & Counseling Website GHS College Handbook (downloadable on website) GHS College Handbook (downloadable on website) New books and resources available for check-out in Guidance New books and resources available for check-out in Guidance 3. Family & friends – especially those who have gone through the process. 4. Online research tools – Naviance, CollegeBoard, college sites, & other search websites.

Naviance: College Searching Conduct a college search Conduct a college search Research college profiles Research college profiles View college acceptance data from previous GHS students (without names) View college acceptance data from previous GHS students (without names) Personalize a list of schools you have interest in and keep track of deadlines Personalize a list of schools you have interest in and keep track of deadlines Access Naviance via the GHS Guidance & Counseling Website Access Naviance via the GHS Guidance & Counseling WebsiteGuidance & Counseling WebsiteGuidance & Counseling Website Important tool for the actual college application process, i.e. sending of online transcripts Important tool for the actual college application process, i.e. sending of online transcripts

Remember these steps! 1. Begin putting together your college list. 2. Take both the SAT & ACT in the spring. 3. Stay organized & enjoy the process! 4. Visit colleges. Talk with your parents about college options. Schedule a meeting with your counselor. 5.6.

Junior Year Timeline Winter Review PSAT score report and utilize on-line service provided by CollegeBoard. Review PSAT score report and utilize on-line service provided by CollegeBoard. Access the GHS guidance website to find presentations and resources. Access the GHS guidance website to find presentations and resources. Register for ACT and SAT/SAT subject tests. GHS counselors recommend taking both the SAT and ACT at least once your junior year, and choose one of the tests to re-take. Register for ACT and SAT/SAT subject tests. GHS counselors recommend taking both the SAT and ACT at least once your junior year, and choose one of the tests to re-take. If taking SAT Subject Tests, consult with your counselor about the appropriate ones to take. If taking SAT Subject Tests, consult with your counselor about the appropriate ones to take. Develop your long list of colleges to investigate, and plan college visits especially during spring break and over the summer. Develop your long list of colleges to investigate, and plan college visits especially during spring break and over the summer.

Junior Year Timeline Spring Organize college mailings and materials into folders or a file system. Organize college mailings and materials into folders or a file system. Consider organizing materials by “high interest” schools, “maybe” schools, and “reach” schools. Consider organizing materials by “high interest” schools, “maybe” schools, and “reach” schools. Counselors and English teachers work with students on college interviewing skills as needed. Counselors and English teachers work with students on college interviewing skills as needed. Talk with your parents to plan a realistic schedule of when to visit schools of interest. Plan visits during spring break, and schedule interviews if necessary. Talk with your parents to plan a realistic schedule of when to visit schools of interest. Plan visits during spring break, and schedule interviews if necessary.

Junior Year Timeline Attend the Licking County College Fair on Wednesday, April 25, Granville High School from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Located in the GHS Gym. Consider a “summer at college” experience or other summer work opportunities (you can find these through Naviance & in guidance). May  During a time when your English 11 class is in the library, you will have a 5 minute meeting with your counselor to check in on your college list. Consider requesting letters of recommendation from teachers & counselors if you plan to work on applications throughout the summer. Students should schedule a college planning meeting with your counselor…this is a 50 minute meeting to go over your college process in-depth (this can be junior or beginning of senior year)

Save the Date! February 15, 7:00 P.M. – Tips on Selective Schools Admission in the GHS Library – open to all grade levels February 15, 7:00 P.M. – Tips on Selective Schools Admission in the GHS Library – open to all grade levels

Questions? * Sign-up for announcements to get information about College Representative Visits in Guidance and the College Application Summer Workshop (August 2012)