1. Preparing to Apply to University
May 6, 2015
Sean Menton/Kathy Ortman
AISG HS Counselors

2. Tonight’s Goal College Applications Process – Overview
Where are we now?
What should be done this summer?
What happens in senior year?

3. Members of the Team Student Parents HS Counselors Teachers
College Admissions Representatives
Friends/Siblings

4. Student Expectations
Research colleges—know the admissions requirements
Keep parents informed
Organization: Set and meet deadlines
Use more than one source in researching choices – best to use the university website to get answers
Manage academics

5. The Parent’s Role
Listen, support and advise, be careful not to take over
Discuss openly and honestly the financial considerations
Provide a quiet space to work on and organize college information
Visit colleges together, but stay in the background
Offer encouragement, but not extra pressure!

6. The Counselor’s Role Informed resource to the student and parents
Provide clarification about the process
Offer suggestions, not choose a college for the student
Help student stay on track with the process
Monitor coursework
Provide encouragement
Submit high school documents requested by colleges

7. What’s been done so far? Family Connection Moodle AISG Website
ASA – The College Applications Process
Course Selection for
Junior Conferences

8. Junior Conference Topics
To what country will the student apply?
Specific schools of interest?
What is the student’s area of interest?
Budget/Financial Aid/Bank Statements
SAT/TOEFL testing plan
Letters of Recommendation
Former school transcripts
Summer plans

9. What should students do over the summer?
Spend time with family and friends
Read good books, have fun, visit colleges if possible, rest and take time for self-reflection
Research areas of interest/college majors and work on finalizing college list
If not on file already, obtain official transcripts from former HS
SAT preparation – a BALANCED approach!

10. What else should students do over the summer?
Informational Interview
Job/Job Shadow/Internship/Summer Job
Extended Essay (IB Diploma Students)

11. What else should students do over the summer?
Start working on college essays

12. What else should students do over the summer?

13. What should parents do over the summer?
Talk with your son or daughter about:
Areas of interest for further study at university
What kind of college and where
Finances/Budget for college
Review process for requesting bank statements if you are a non-US citizen applying to the U.S.

14. Family Discussions: Finding the Right Match?
Questions to ask
What kind of learner?
What kind of college?
Size?
Location?
Programs? (Co-op, study abroad, etc.)
Student life?

15. Working Together: How do we build a college list?
Research
Consider financial aid implications
Be realistic
Reach – no more than 3
Possible – at least 2
Likely – at least 2
Safety – at least 1
Between 5 – 10 universities total

16. Looking Ahead… Semester One of Senior Year
Senior Conference– Parents invited!
Finalize college list – Reach, Possible, Likely, Safety
Decisions about financial aid/implications
Review college essay/feedback
Check progress – letters of recommendation
Check progress – Former school transcripts in file and uploaded to Naviance/Family Connection

17. Looking Ahead… Semester One of Senior Year
When to apply?
From September – December
Most students will finish by late November
More about timelines at the next Parent meeting in September

18. Thanks for attending this evening’s session!
Contact Information:
Sean Menton –
Kathy Ortman –
HS Office Telephone Number:
X5301