Tim Smith School Counselor (H-Kt, PVA) Stephanie Swonger School Counselor (Dem-G) Junior parent night “You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!” ~Dr. Seuss

Program Content  Words of Wisdom  The College Search  The Visit  College Testing/Test Preparation  The Application Process Application Recommendation Essay  Financial Aid  ECAP Program

Words of Wisdom Relax… You will get in. 70% of colleges accept an average of 70% of their applicants.

Words of Wisdom You don’t need to go far away. Most high school students go to college in their home state.

Words of Wisdom If you don’t have a major, it’s OK. More than half of new college students say a very important reason for going to college is “to find my purpose in life.”

School Counselors are here to help! We meet with your child many times… December: small groups February: course selection March: college planning groups April: individual junior meetings September: small groups and individual senior meetings Use Naviance/Family Connection! (ask your child to show you what they learned)

Naviance/Family Connection Website available to all students with many college/career resources available Communication with counselors Researching Colleges/careers College Visits at BHS Links to college websites, SAT/ACT websites, AACC, etc. Scholarship information Document Library

Types of Colleges TypeDescriptionTuitionAdmission Requirements Four year Degrees offered: Bachelors and beyond Provides: A well-rounded college experience that includes an academic area of study. State: Typically cost around $10,000/year (plus room & board) Private: Typically cost $30-40k/year (plus room & board) SAT or ACT GPA Class rank Essay Extracurricular activities Letters of recommendation Transcripts

Types of Colleges TypeDescriptionTuitionAdmission Requirements Two year Degrees offered: Associates Provides: A way to ease into college / take general college classes for credit. Typically have agreements with four year colleges to transfer credits. Typically around $4,000/year Open-door admission policy

The Search Who is your child? What is a good match? What is your role in the selection? Tools for looking for schools - College Representatives (sign up on Naviance/Family Connection) - College Fairs - Internet resources

Know Your Child Values Ambitions Achievements Academic Strengths Interests Your Standout Talents

Factors for Consideration Geography Cost Size Level of Competitiveness Majors Activities *A good match is one that addresses the needs of your child and matches those needs with the factors for consideration. Is this a place your child can see themselves spending the next 4 years?

The Visit Call ahead Ask to visit a class, see a department rep. Take the college tour Speak to other students Visit the dining hall Write down reactions as you leave campus Compare and contrast college visits

Your Role in the Process Help your student understand the process Be realistic not judgmental Be open to dialogue Be aware of deadlines Be in the “back seat” not the driver Things have changed in the last 20 years! Celebrate success!

Tools for looking for colleges Visit the Colleges! College Admissions Representatives College Fairs Open Houses Virtual tours on college websites Call, write or for information (MAKE CONTACT) Websites for searches…

Websites Naviance/Family Connection MDgo4it.org Cappex.com (college search) nacacnet.org (national organization) collegeboard.com (search and SAT registration and test prep) actstudent.org (ACT registration and test prep)

WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR? Grades Level of Classes *including senior year! Test Scores (SAT/ACT) Essays Recommendations Leadership Activities and Service Interviews Athletics Talent in the Arts Geography

About College Admission Tests ACT (American College Test) Predominantly used by schools in middle-U.S. states Consists of the following tests: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing Writing component is optional and recommended Top composite score is 36 SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test, College Board) NEW SAT starts March 2016 Predominantly used by east and west coast schools Consists of two sections: Reading & Math Each section is scored on a scale of Top score is 1600 SAT Subject Tests Required for most competitive colleges

COLLEGE TESTING TestsTestRegistration Deadline January 24SAT & Subject TestDecember 29 February 6ACT January 8 *March 5SAT OnlyFebruary 5 April 9ACT March 4 *May 7SAT & Subject Test April 8 *June 4SAT & Subject Test May 5 June 11 Fall 2016 ACT SAT/ACT May 6 Oct/Nov/Dec New SAT (1600) no writing section

Test Preparation Broadneck's SAT Prep Course Kahn Academy, Kaplan, Princeton Review, Sylvan, Huntington College QuickStart – from the PSAT score report Books - 5 SATs, Up Your Score, etc. Collegeboard.org

The Complete Application 1.Student’s Online Application (some use Common Application) 2.Broadneck’s School Information Transcript Teacher Recommendation Counselor Recommendation/Form School Profile 3.Test scores Must be requested from College Board or ACT

Application Deadlines General Timelines Military Service Academies Spring/Summer Early Action/Decision October/November University of MD November 1 st Regular Admission January 1 st

Early ActionRegular DecisionRolling Admission Apply early and receive a decision well in advance of regular response date. Submit application by specified date and receive decision in clearly stated period of time Review applications as they are submitted. Non-Binding Early DecisionRestrictive Early Action Students make a commitment to a first- choice school where if admitted they definitely will enroll. Early Deadlines. Students apply to a school of preference and receive a decision early. They may be restricted from applying ED or EA or REA to other institutions. BINDINGNon-Binding Admission Types

Financial Aid FAFSA (online form) Need Based vs. Merit Based Loans vs. Grants (scholarships) Work Study The Financial Package

Scholarship Resources on the Web Naviance/Family Connection – Local Scholarships Fastweb.com - Private scholarships fafsa.ed.gov - Free Application for Federal Student Aid Studentaid.ed.gov - The federal government’s website about paying for college MeritAid.com - $11 billion in merit scholarships Cappex.com - Scholarship matching finaid.org - Free student resource for learning about all types of financial aid Other web searches

Merit Scholarship Tips Merit scholarships are where the money is. There are more than $11 billion in merit scholarships available to students directly from colleges Not just for “A” students Many emphasize leadership or school involvement Nearly all colleges offer merit aid scholarships Scholarships can be small or cover full cost of college Many can be renewed year after year if the student maintains minimum academic standards

STUDENT ATHLETES Go to NCAA Eligibility Center website for information and to register The Eligibility Center is responsible for determining the eligibility of every prospective student-athlete in Divisions I & II on a GPA/SAT sliding scale Students should register after their junior year and have a transcript sent to the Eligibility Center Students must be ‘cleared’ to be ‘officially recruited’ and to be eligible to compete in college

ECAP Program at AACC Available to seniors with at least a 2.0 GPA Students should visit AACC and take placement exams *SAT scores can be used for placement as well Students need signed ECAP form to receive ½ price tuition March 8 th at 9:45am: Informational presentation for Juniors *sign up on Naviance/Family Connection under “College” by clicking “college visits”

Next Steps for Juniors In School Stay focused on academics Do not lighten your academic load for senior year Meet with your school counselor Stay involved in school activities Standardized Testing Prepare for and register for ACT / SAT tests College Exploration Explore colleges on the Web Visit colleges Sign up for college representatives’ visits in the fall Attend college fairs STAY ORGANIZED and MEET DEADLINES

Thank you! “The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” ~Denis Waitley