The subliminal message you will receive from your child once in college Dear Dad, $chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can’t think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you. Love, Your $on Dear Son, I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh. Love, Dad

Junior Family College Planning Meeting

Agenda Decide What’s Important Timelines Testing Application Support (physical and emotional)

What Are My Options? College Two vs Four Year Armed Services Academy vs Enlistment Gap Year Academic/Travel School to Work Trade Skill

What Do You Want? A Time For Exploration! Ask the right questions to narrow down your choices and decide what’s best for you. NOT THE FIRST QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK What SAT score do I need to get in? Do you have bio- chemical engineering? What’s your tuition?

Location How far/close from home would you like to be? One hour Four hours Accessibility Transportation costs Commuter campus

Size of College Would you prefer to attend a school with a large enrollment (30,000) or small (1,500) How large would you like the physical campus to be?

Environment Would you rather attend a 2 or 4 year institution? An urban, suburban, or rural setting Co-ed or single-sex school Religious affiliation Make-up of student population

Admissions Requirements At what schools would you feel most competitive at? Check academic requirements against what your standing is. (Don’t dismiss the “hidden treasures.”) Big fish in small pond vs little fish in big pond

Academics Which schools offer the major you are CONSIDERING? What kind of student/faculty ratio and class size are you looking for? Are there academic support programs?

Housing Would you rather live on campus in a dorm, or commute to school? What type of dorm environment do you prefer? What’s it like having a roommate?

Facilities What type of academic and recreational facilities should your college have? Where will you be spending your time? Will college feel like home?

Activities What kinds of clubs and organizations do you want your college to offer? What types of athletics should be offered? Are there opportunities to explore new things?

College Visitations Drive By When out and about Scheduled visit Contact admissions office Follow up after visit Consider who to bring “Weather” or not On-line shopping Virtual tours

College Expenses How expensive a school can you afford to attend (consider ALL expenses)? FAFSA will help determine grants, loans, and work study program. Public V$. Private

Testing Research which colleges require specific testing plans SAT SAT ACT ACT Subject Tests AP scores Test Optional Schools

Keeping your list organized

“My parents and I are about to sit down and map out my college selection process. Can you break it down for me!”

Junior Year College Planning Guidelines by Season FALL Junior Group Sessions PSAT Visit Counseling Dept. Website My Website College Night – November 7pm Naviance Document Library College Search Rep Visits Preliminary College Visits – How To… Planning for Special Needs Students or Athletes

Guidelines Cont. WINTER Junior Family Conference SAT/ACT – formulate plan/prep course Test optional schools Naviance – Search functions Naviance Plan/strategize spring college visits Continue academic achievement PLAN FOR SENIOR YEAR PROGRAM OF STUDIES

Academic Admissions Selector

Guidelines Cont. SPRING SAT/ACT registration: January/March/May/June Continue researching schools Visitations Develop List – place in Naviance/Colleges I’m Thinking About Junior groups sessions Think/ask about teacher recommendations

Guidelines Cont. SUMMER Narrow down your list Visitations Prep for essay Prep for SAT/ACT Complete Brag Sheet/Naviance Start the Common Application (after Aug. 1) Activity List Essay/Supplements

Guidelines Cont. FALL Finish standardized testing Finalize school list in Naviance ED, EA, RD, Rolling, priority/scholarship Attend Senior Parent Support Night Ask for recommendations Keep track of application deadlines Financial Aid Presentation

Application Process College Application Common Application On-line Application

Scholarship Tips Look in the most unlikely places Safety School = Scholarships Look for scholarships related to activities Know deadlines Look, look, look

RECAP What Students Should Do Now Transcript Grades/Rigor Testing Plan Prep/registration Involvements Commit to something Naviance Helps with the search Connect with Colleges Daily visits/college fair Junior Family Meeting When you’re ready!

RECAP What Parents Should Do Now Understand this is a process Listen, Listen and Listen some more Support looking outside the box Understand there is no one answer for each question Realize that what works for one might not work for another

What Are The Admission Representatives Saying? “There are more than 1, even more than 5 great fit colleges for each student.” “This is a very personal and private process. Keep it that way.” “We look for a reason to admit, not a reason to deny.” “The essay should be a window into your life.” “What works for one college doesn’t work for another.” “Admission terms are broad. I look for students who: Are good academic fits Those who “get” the college Have proven abilities Have support from others