1. PLANNING FOR POST-SECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES

2. WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW?

3. Agenda Where We’ve Been … Where We’re Going How to Build a List of Schools Finding the Fit Researching Colleges and Visiting Campuses Standardized Tests

4. Where We’ve Been… 9 th Gr – Adjusting to High School 10 th Gr – Staying Focused & Staying Involved Where We’re Going … 11 th Gr - Reflection, Research, & Skill Building 12 th Gr - Application Process & Decision Making

5. CC’s Programs for Juniors Planning for Post-Secondary (PS) Opportunities– 10/5 (SL) PSAT – 10/14 (AM) Cougars On Site (COS) Workshop– 10/30 – 8 am-3 pm How to Research PS Opportunities– 11/18 (SL) Admissions Committee Part 1– 11/30 (SL) Admissions Committee Part 2– 12/1 (SL) COS Winterm/Exploring Internships– 1/4-8/16 An Evening with College Admission Deans– 2/22 (PM)

6. The Junior Year Plan Weekly Email – scholarship info, college visits Appointments with your College Counselor Haiku – Your Life and Times – Month by Month Guide – Information Sheet – CC Programs for the Junior Year Lunch & Learn Series

7. Learn from the Experts Members of the Class of 2016

8. How to Build a List …. but first lets listen to some musicmusic

9. How to Build a List Students should identify what matters to them Identify colleges that fit (academically, socially, etc.) What characteristics/traits do they have that you like Build a list of colleges that share these characteristics

10. Finding the College Fit - Self-Reflection – Am I a passive or participatory student? – What kind of faculty & students do I want to influence my learning? – What do I want to get out of four or more years of learning? – What do I expect the college experience to be like ….both academic and nonacademic? – What is my academic profile? Am I qualified to get in?

11. Finding the College Fit What to look for when considering a college: Academic Programs Student Life/Residential Life Also, advising and academic support, career opportunities, check their alumni links, athletic programs, artistic programs, internships, study abroad. Financial Fit – Scholarships/Financial Aid Admissions Profile

13. Consider Academic Profile and Selectivity What does mid-50% mean? Allswell University  GPA: 3.4 – 3.9  SAT: 1720 – 1980  ACT: 26-30  Acceptance Rate 35% Student Data  GPA: 3.7  SAT: 1860  ACT: 28  GPA: 3.1  SAT: 1600  ACT: 23

14. Uncovering the Rankings Undergraduate academic reputation (22.5%) Retention (22.5%) Faculty resources (20%) Student selectivity (12.5%) Financial resources (10%) Graduation rate (7.5%) Alumni giving rate (5%)

15. LEARNING ABOUT COLLEGES Family Connection – http://connection.naviance.com/cannonschool http://connection.naviance.com/cannonschool Sign up for college rep visits “SuperMatch” Road Trip Nation College Board – www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org – Lots of options from creating a plan to searching for colleges, paying for college to careers

16. Campus Visits Students set up visits (not your college counselor) Refer to CC Information Sheet for school holidays, Early Dismissals, Family Days, etc. Getting the most out of a campus visit

17. Standardized Tests… – Current versus Redesigned SAT – SAT versus ACT – SAT Subject Tests – Role of AP exams and scores

18. Questions?