1. Introduction to the College Search
Prospect Hill Academy
Introduction to the College Search

2. Topics Covered College Counseling Philosophy
Role of the College Counselor and College Prep
Six Dimensions of the College Application
Developing Your List
How to Apply/Timeline
What Juniors Should Do Now
Questions

3. Agenda Welcome & General Admission Overview: Erin McElligott
Junior Year So Far & Looking Ahead: Karin Freed
Financial Aid--Brief Overview & What Families Should Be Doing Now: Lauren Peckler
Let’s Hear From Seniors!
Q&A & Table Break-Out

4. Grades are MOST IMportant

5. philosophy
Prospect Hill Academy’s College Counseling Department seeks to place students at colleges and universities that are the best “fit” for the whole student. Students should matriculate where they will thrive both academically and socially, but also have the most opportunities in life with the least amount of financial burden.

6. Role of the College Counselor
Teach College Prep Course.
Get to know students and families.
Act as the student’s advocate in the college process.
Be available to meet with students and parents/guardians.
Help plan and create a list of colleges for students.
Advise families about chances of admission.
Write counselor’s recommendations for students.
Help students with applications, essays, and preparing for interviews.
Communicate key information on the college process to parents, including financial aid.

7. College Prep Curriculum
Grade 11
Grade 12
Improve professional communication skills
Self Reflection
Learning Terminology
Developing a College List
Researching Colleges
College Visits
SAT Prep
Essay Writing
First Meeting with Individual Counselor in Spring
Applying to College
Completing Common App/Coalition App
Revising Essays
Interview Prep
Transitions to College
Financial, Social, Academic
College Prep Curriculum

8. Six Dimensions Admissions Transcript #1 #2 SATs Curricular #4 Extra-
#6?
Other
Interview #5 #3
Essays
Recommendations

9. Junior Year Timetable November-December:
Create college folder (GoogleDocs!) and store test information, application info, passwords, and other college docs
Review your scores from the PSAT
January:
Start a scholarship search
February:
Work on resume, ask advisor or counselor to look at it
Attend college tours during break
Register for March SAT
March:
Take the 3/5 SAT
Apply for a summer job through Mayor’s Youth Program, Boston Youth Fund, etc
Start creating potential college list using Naviance
April:
Prepare for AP exams, if applicable
Begin 1st draft of college essay
Start learning about the financial aid process
May and June:
Take the SAT or AP Exams, if applicable
Ask college counselor and 1-2 teachers to write college recommendation
Apply to fly-in college visit programs, refer to College Greenlight’s list

10. Standardized Testing PSAT SAT (May 7th & June 4th)
SAT II (May 7th & June 4th)
ACT
Test Optional Schools (

11. Recommendations Two from Junior or Senior Year Core Academic Subjects
College Counselor
To summarize the students experience in the classroom and in the community. To provide context for the students transcript and testing.

12. Personal Statement or Essay
Common Application Essay Questions for
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

13. Extra Curricular Activities
Continue to stay involved!
Leadership
Athletics, arts, drama, clubs etc.
Part-time work
Family responsibilities
Summer after Junior Year
ATTEND OUR OPPORTUNITY FAIR TOMORROW TO LEARN ABOUT JOB & INTERNSHIP PROGRAM!

14. Developing Your List Self Reflection Research Visits
Demonstrating Interest
All students should apply to a range of schools, in terms of selectivity:
“Likely” School - (Think: 80%+ chance of being admitted)
“Possible” School - (Think: 50% chance of being admitted)
“Reach” School - (Think: 20% or less chance of being admitted)

15. Terminology Types of Colleges: College Living Options:
Public
Private
College Living Options:
Commuter
Residential
Types of Majors:
Liberal Arts
Pre-Professional
Types of College Degrees:
Two Year (Associates)
Four Year (Bachelor’s)
Graduate

16. How to APPLY Early Action Early Decision Rolling Regular Decision
Priority
See handout for a timeline of what to do when for senior year.

17. What SHOULD I DO NOW? Grades extremely important Continue involvement
College fairs
College visits and reps
Take SAT/ACT in spring and fall
Individual meetings during second semester
Think about who you will ask for letters of recommendation now and ask in the Spring.
Save graded papers and projects
Get involved!
Should be researching schools

18. Important Financial Aid Info
FAFSA Changes For Class of 2017:
The FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) will now be available as early as Oct. 1st, 2016
You will need to check college websites for individual financial deadlines
Using the IRS Retrieval Tool, most families will be able to easily and quickly transfer the 2015 tax info directly from the IRS website onto the FAFSA
Prior-Prior Year (PPY): Beginning in Oct. 2016, this class will be able to submit their FAFSA using tax information (from two years prior and will not be required to update with new tax info. Refer to table:
Financial Documents/Info That Might Be Required Next School Year:
2015 tax return and w-2(s) for student and parent(s)
Checking/savings total estimates (don’t overestimate)
Net worth of investments including rental portions of owned home
Amount of untaxed income, ie: Child support, disaibility, worker’s comp, etc
Tax Transcript (many colleges will request this document during verification)
You can request return transcript for free on the IRS website
Refer to uAspire’s FAFSA Checklist & CSS Profile Checklist
Class
Tax Forms Required
FAFSA Available
2017
2015
October 1st, 2016
Stay Tuned:
Financial Aid Night
Next Month!

19. Resources PHA Website Naviance uAspire Fly-In College Programs
Enrichment Programs

20. College Counseling Website!!

21. LET’S Hear from Seniors!
Introduce yourself!
What was your process like?
Are there things you wish you did differently, especially in the spring of your junior year?
Where are you in your process now?
What is one piece of advice you would give to students and families as they begin their process?

22. Q&A General—large group Individual—table break out
Erin: What’s coming next in senior year
Karin: Junior curriculum, including test prep, remainder of junior year
Lauren: financial aid info.