1. College Night Presentation
for Juniors and their Parents

2. Agenda Words of Wisdom Preparing for a College Search Scholarships
Parent Tips
Next Steps for Juniors

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

4. Words of Wisdom
You don’t need to go far away. 88% of high school students go to college in their home state.

5. 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.”

6. Preparing for a College Search

7. Know Yourself Values Ambitions Achievements Academic Strengths
Interests
Your Standout Talents

8. Types of Colleges Four year Type Description Tuition
Admission Requirements
Four year
Degrees offered:
Bachelors and beyond
Provides: A well-rounded college experience that includes an academic area of study.
State: Typically under $15,000/year
Private: Typically more than $20,000/year
SAT or ACT
GPA
Class rank
Essay
Extracurricular
activities
Letters of
recommendation
Transcripts

9. Types of Colleges Two year Type Description Tuition
Admission 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

10. Choosing Your College Priorities
What is important to you?
Location
Academics
Size
Campus Appeal
Social Life
Total Cost – Including aid

11. About College Admission Tests
ACT
Consists of four tests: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing
Writing component is optional
Top composite score is 36
SAT
Consists of three tests: Verbal, Math, Writing
Each test is scored on a scale of

12. What information do college admission officers review?
Grades / Overall GPA
Strength of high school course selections
Admission Test Score
Essay
Teacher and counselor recommendations
Class rank
Student’s demonstrated interest
Personal accomplishments
Personality characteristics
Courses in progress Junior and Senior year

13. Collecting College Information – Where to go
Naviance-college search, college application process-scholarship search
.Cappex.com - College search made simple. Your first stop to kick-start your college and scholarship search
nacacnet.org - National Association for College Admission Counseling. Offers national college fair information and articles about the college process
collegeboard.com - Information about the SAT
act.org - Information about the ACT test

14. Scholarships

15. Merit Scholarship Tips
Merit scholarships are where the money is.
There is more than $11 billion in merit scholarships available to students from colleges
Not just for “A” students
Many awards emphasize leadership or school involvement
Nearly all colleges offer merit aid scholarships
The average merit scholarship is $5,000
Many awards can be renewed year after year

16. Scholarship Resources
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
Local scholarships-application given to seniors in May

17. Are You a Helicopter Parent?

18. 10 Tips for would-be Helicopter Parents
Help your student understand the college search process
Be realistic and non-judgmental
Be in the "back seat" - and not the driver - of the college search process
Be open to dialogue and responsive to questions
Be aware of deadlines and fees due
Know that things have changed since your college days
Don’t overemphasize your own alma maters
Don’t compare your student with others
Don’t dwell on disappointments, like a rejection letter
Celebrate successes!

19. Next Steps

20. Next Steps for Juniors In School Standardized Testing
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
Register for AP tests as appropriate
College Exploration
Explore colleges on the Web
Visit colleges if you can
Meet with college representatives
Attend college fairs

21. SAT Timeline August 26, 2017 July 28, 2017 August 15, 2017
September 14, 2017
October 7, 2017
September 8, 2017
September 22, 2017
October 27, 2017
November 4, 2017
October 6, 2017
October 20, 2017
November 23, 2017
December 2, 2017
November 3, 2017
November 17, 2017
December 21, 2017
March 10, 2018**
February 9, 2018
February 23, 2018
March 29, 2018
May 5, 2018
April 6, 2018
April 20, 2018
May 24, 2018
June 2, 2018
May 4, 2018
May 18, 2018
June 21, 2018

22. ACT Timeline Test Dates Registration Dates Scores Posted Online
June 10, 2017
May 5, 2017
June 20, 2017–August 4, 2017
September 9, 2017
August 4, 2017
TBD
October 28, 2017
September 22, 2017
December 9, 2017
November 3, 2017
February 10, 2018
January 12, 2018
April 14, 2018
March 9, 2018
June 9, 2018
May 4, 2018
July 14, 2018*
June 15, 2018
ACT Test Dates