1. College Planning Seminar
Trinity High School
Class of 2019
Welcome

2. Session Goals
Understand Student, Parent and Counselor roles in the college selection process
Recognize what factors go into an admission decision
Introduce the college planning timeline and admissions process
Learn about Naviance and other college planning resources

3. Folder Contents Transcripts: Please check for accuracy Naviance Login
College Planning Guide
College Planning Questionnaire
College Visit Form
Letter of Recommendation Request Form
Transcript Request Form
Transcripts: Slightly different than those the Juniors received last week. Now include Block 1 & 2 grades. Please check for accuracy. Now is the time to fix any errors.
Naviance Login: Parent access code is provided. Students have already logged in to Naviance. If you’ve forgotten you password, please see Mrs. Granholm to reset your password.
College planning guide: All of the information covered tonight is included in the guide. This guide, along with this powerpoint, can be accessed on the Trinity website as well. Please reference this guide often, as it provides a lot of helpful information.
College Planning Questionnaire- completed by students. Optional parent section. Due March 1.
The three final pieces listed will be referenced later in the program. Extra copies of all three are available in the Guidance Office.

4. Most Common Institutions of Enrollment
Most Common Institutions of Enrollment
UNIVERSITY OF URBANA
DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY
DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
ST NORBERT COLLEGE
BRADLEY UNIVERSITY
LEWIS UNIVERSITY
BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY
CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY
KNOX COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
AUGUSTANA COLLEGE
Trinity graduates go on to accomplish amazing things. We boast a 100% college going rate, with over 90% of graduates continuing on to 4-year colleges and universities.
The graph on the left shows the college breakdown of last year’s graduating class. From this specific class, students split close to even between public and private colleges and universities. On the right, the list includes the most popular colleges and universities amongst Trinity grads between While these are all located in the Midwest, each year our graduates enroll at colleges all across the country. Graduates of the class of 2017 are also enrolled at the Boston University, Santa Clara, Northwestern, Loyola Marymount, Loyola New Orleans, and more…

5. Roles in the Process Student Parent Counselor
Our Philosophy
The college selection process is a collaborative process between the student, parent or guardian, and the counselor. The college counselor takes into consideration a student’s interests, needs and abilities during the decision-making process. An open line of communication between a student, the counselor, and a student’s parents is necessary to help facilitate the best individual fit and match in a successful college search. The process is student-centered with appropriate family involvement and counselor support where the focus is on the individual student and what will serve her best in the college transition process.
It is our expectation that the student plays a primary role in this process. The counselor will act as a facilitator and advisor, with parents sharing expectations, supporting, questioning, guiding, and encouraging. When the student takes the lead, she will develop problem-solving, critical-thinking, and self advocacy skills which will serve her well in college and beyond.
During this process, open and honest communication is key. Students and parents should have open conversations about expectations for college, including finances. The more information you provide Mrs. Granholm, the better she will be able to assist you. Mrs. Granholm will provide frequent updates about important dates, upcoming events, opportunities, and to-dos. She will meet with students in large and small group meetings, and in 1:1 counseling appointments. Students or parents can request to meet with her as needed.
College Planning Guide pp. 5-7

6. College Planning Timeline
Spring Junior Year:
Participate in ACT/SAT Test Prep
Take the ACT on February 10 or April 14
Participate in the MACAC College Fair at Trinity on Feb. 12
Explore interests and careers
Complete College Questionnaire
Attend Junior College Planning Meeting in March
Use Naviance to research colleges
Visit colleges over Spring Break
Request letters of recommendation before summer vacation
Summer:
Continue college visits
Retake ACT/SAT
Review application requirements
Create a plan for application completion
Begin drafting essays
Start working on applications
Participate in Trinity’s Summer Workshops
Fall Senior Year:
Submit applications to top choices by Halloween
Participate in Senior College and Financial Aid Night in September
Attend college fair(s)
Submit FAFSA after October 1st
Meet with college representatives at Trinity
All applications submitted by Winter Break
Await admission decisions!
This is a very exciting time! Over the coming months, you’ll have a lot to do, but we’ll be here to guide you along the way. A detailed timeline of the college planning process can be found on pages 3 & 4 of the College Planning Guide.
This spring will be focused on exploration. Tonight you’ll learn about some factors to consider when deciding which colleges and universities are best for you. We’ll share some helpful resources, and you’ll be introduced to the overall application process. With this information, you’re goal will be to explore your own interests, clarify expectations, and learn more about some potential schools so that by the end of summer, you have a well-defined list of schools to which you will apply.
Toward the end of summer and into fall, you will actually complete your college applications. It should be your goal to have applications to your first choice schools submitted by Halloween, with everything complete by early December.
College Planning Guide pp. 3-4

7. Factors in College Admission Decisions
High School Transcript
Standardized Test Scores
Letters of Recommendation
(Counselor and Teacher)
Essay(s)
Activities and/or
Employment
So let’s talk about what colleges are looking for in an applicant. Overall, colleges are looking to admit students who will be able to thrive academically and make positive contributions to their campus community. In evaluating candidates, each college or university will consider a number of factors in order to make this determination. Just as you will take time to consider which college will be the right fit for you, college admission officers do the same.
The factors that typically go into an admission decision are listed here. We’ll go over the steps within the college application process in just a bit, but I’ll start by reviewing the first two primary factors in admissions decisions: the high school transcript and test scores. While you won’t start working on college applications until late summer, you should be paying attention to both your Trinity coursework and standardized tests now.

8. Every Transcript Tells a Story
Course Rigor: Will show the level of rigor of your courses. Colleges can see how you are challenging yourself.
Absences: Colleges can see how consistently you attend school. Pattern can be a red flag.
Your Senior Year: When you apply in the fall, your grades will not be reflected. Some schools will require a midyear grade report.
Academic Trends: Colleges look at how grades change over time; your ability to improve over time. Grades that drop can be a red flag.
Inside your folder, you’ve been given a copy of your Trinity transcript. When you apply to college, Trinity will send a copy of your transcript that includes information up through the end of your Junior year.
Colleges can tell more about you from your transcript than you may think:
How are you performing in comparison to other students at Trinity?
Has your attendance been consistent?
Are you challenging yourself?
Have you show academic growth?
Let’s take a look at your transcript and see what an admission officer sees:
Course Rigor: In addition to the transcript, each college will receive a copy of Trinity’s school profile. Together with the transcript, these documents tell about the level of rigor in your course. Have you challenged yourself with honors or IB classes?
Electives: what classes have you chosen to take for your elective courses. Tells the college about your interests/passions.
Academic trends: Are your grades consistent over time, or has there been a period where they slipped? Have you improved in certain areas, or have you been consistent?
GPA: Simple: based on 4.0 scale; Adjusted/weighted: if you’ve taken honors or IB courses, those classes are weighted on a 5.0 scale. It is impossible to receive a 5.0 gpa, even if you are a full IB student. Depending on the college, either gpa could be used for admission.
Class Rank: Trinity no longer assigns class rank.
Absences: Pattern of absences could be a red flag for an admissions officer. If you had an extended illness or other situation, you may consider addressing this in your personal statement.
Rank: Trinity no longer assigns class rank.
Weighted GPA: gives more value to advanced classes.
Electives: Gives schools an idea of your passion and interests.

9. Senior Year Courses
Course selections and grades are very important to colleges!
Take 4-5 core academic courses
Do not lighten your load
Pay attention to graduate requirements AND college requirements
Colleges look at the strength of your senior schedule
Register carefully and choose wisely – no changes senior year
See your counselor with questions
The number one predictor of success in college is success in high school. Colleges want to see that a student has challenged herself. The courses taken and her success in them shows curiosity, diligence, intelligence, and dedication. Colleges and universities know what specific high school courses correlate with success in college level coursework. For example, if finite math is required for all business majors, colleges will look to make sure admitted students have been successful in Pre-Calc during high school.
Juniors are in the midst of registration appointments. Please take this information into consideration when making courses selections. Challenge yourself. Do not lighten up the rigor now.
College Planning Guide pg. 12

10. Course Requirements College Planning Guide pg 12
State Universities in Illinois
Out of State Universities, Private Universities and Colleges
Highly Selective Colleges and Universities
Community Colleges/Vocational Schools
THS Graduation Requirements
English
4 years
Math
3-4 years
2-4 years
3 years
Science
2-3 years
Social Science
World Language
2 years at some schools
2-4 years at some schools
0-2 years
2 consecutive years of the same language
Students, this chart should look familiar to you. We reviewed it during our class meeting last week. The chart highlights typical admission requirements for various types of colleges and universities. In the purple column on the far right, you will see Trinity’s graduation requirements. It shouldn’t take too long for you to notice some differences.
We show this slide to reiterate the benefits of challenging yourself and continuing your studies in math, science, social science and languages. If you are looking to attend selective colleges and universities, you’ll need to take courses in certain areas that go beyond Trinity’s minimum graduation requirements. Mrs. Granholm has shared this information during class registration appointments. If you’ve already met with her and would like to make adjustments to your schedule, there is still time to do so. If you’ve not met with her yet, please take these admission requirements into consideration when choosing senior year classes.
College Planning Guide pg 12

11. Standardized Tests Colleges accept either ACT or SAT
Recommended that students take ACT or SAT this spring, leaving time for retake in summer or early fall
Test preparation is recommended (in some form)
Upcoming test dates can be found on pg. or website
Take multiple practice tests
Take a test prep courses
It is important to note that standardized testing is only part of the information considered when admission decisions are made.
We recommend that students take the ACT or SAT this spring, leaving time for retake in early summer. Usually, the September or October exams would be the last opportunity to be considered for early or priority application deadlines.
While the decision to participate in test prep classes is up to you, it is recommended. Test Prep is a means of helping a student with test familiarity and awareness. Although test scores are only one factor in admission decisions, all students will benefit from gaining test awareness but the specific method of so doing is left to the individual student and parents.
College Planning Guide pp

12. Comparing ACT and SAT SAT ACT Format and Structure 4 required sections
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
Reading: 65 min section
Writing and Language: 35 min section
Mathematics: 80 min total
Section with calculators
Section without calculators
Essay (optional): 50 min section
English: 45min section
Mathematics: 60 min section
Reading: 35 min section
Science: 35 min section
Essay (optional): 40 min section
Total Number of Questions
154 questions and one optional essay
215 multiple choice questions and one optional essay
Testing Time
3 hours without essay
3 hours and 50 minutes with essay
2 hours and 55 minutes without essay
3 hours and 25 minutes with essay
Highest Mathematics Level
Trigonometry included
22% of responses are student produced “grid in”
Trigonometry (approx. 4 out of 60 questions)
Test booklet rarely provides formulas
Score Range
1600 (two subscores; each range from )
2-8 (essay)
0-36 (composite and subscores for each section)
1-12 (writing)
ACT:
Questions relate directly to what students have learned in high school courses: English, math, reading, science and writing (optional)
Writing: come up with your own argument and support it
SAT: New SAT looks a lot like the ACT
No science section
Writing: evaluate an argument that’s already been written
Includes some fill in the blank math problems and some without calculator
Provides more time per problem as compared with ACT
Recommend really looking at each test once (take a practice test) and see which you prefer. Then, stick with prep for that exam.

13. Test Optional Admission
Many colleges and universities recognize that the standardized tests may not be the best way to evaluate a student’s admissibility
DePaul University, Augustana College, Drake University, George Washington University…
These schools are called “Test Optional” – meaning that a test score is optional in their application
Test Optional schools will make some (or all) admission decisions without considering ACT or SAT scores.
A list of these schools can be found at
As of Fall 2016, 900 accredited undergraduate institutions have become “test optional”. These colleges and universities will make some or all admission decisions without considering ACT or SAT test scores.
In lieu of test scores, test optional schools typically require an additional essay. For a full list of test optional colleges and universities, visit
Just because some college and universities have adopted test optional policies does not mean that students should forego taking the ACT or SAT. Taking the ACT or SAT is still highly recommended. Most colleges and universities still do require these test scores for admission consideration, and it is in your best interest to perform as well as you are able. Test scores are utilized not only for admission decisions, but also for internal and external scholarship consideration.
If you are applying to a test optional school and would like to discuss whether or not to send your scores, Mrs. Granholm is happy to discuss this with you to help weigh your options.
College Planning Guide pp. 15

14. Admission Requirements
Starting the Search
Size
Academic Programs
Cost
Location
Extracurricular Activities
Admission Requirements
College Planning Guide pp

15. Researching Colleges College Websites College Fairs
Including social media
College Fairs
Catholic College Fair on February 12th during 3A/3B
IACAC College Fair at Morton College (September)
NACAC College Fair at Navy Pier (September)
Regional Admission Events
Campus Visits
College Visits at Trinity
College Guidebooks
Naviance Family Connection
Katie
College Planning Guide pp

16. Tips and Tricks
Consider a separate account for all college communication
Write down all logins and passwords used for colleges or applications
Save important messages and organize them into folders
Make notes to help you compare schools
Make good choices when it comes to social media
Katie

17. Naviance Family Connection
Get involved in the planning and advising process
Build a resume, complete online surveys, and manage timelines and deadlines for making decisions about colleges and careers
Research colleges
Compare GPA, standardized test scores, and other admission factors to actual historical data from our school for students who have applied and been admitted in the past
Research careers
Research hundreds of careers and career plans, and take career finder assessments
Create plans for the future
Create goals and to-dos, and complete assigned tasks to better prepare for future college and career goals
Katie
College Planning Guide pp. 8 & 32

18. Naviance Family Connection http://connection.naviance.com/trinityhisch
Katie

19. Naviance: SuperMatch College Search
Katie

20. College Profile
Katie

21. College Profile
Katie
Use the 'How I compare' feature to see how your grades and test scores compare with other students admitted to this school. That can help you understand your chances of admission and plan which schools to apply to.

22. Scattergrams
GPA
Katie
ACT Score

23. Finding the Best Fit: The 6 P’s
Person: Learning Style, Likes/Dislikes, Size, Extracurricular Activities, Athletics
Program: Majors, Internships, Study Abroad, Honors Programs
Place: Distance from home, Region/State, Rural/Urban/Suburban
People: Diversity- Cultural, Ethnic, Religious, Geographic, etc.
Price: Scholarships, Grants, Loans, Work Study
Prestige: What does that mean?
Prioritize the Ps
After self-reflection comes research
Narrow down list
Remind your student to stay focused
Importance of a balanced list
IB Recognition Policies (see planning guide)

24. Visiting College Campuses
Upcoming Days Off:
Friday, February 9
Monday, February 19
Friday, March 23
March 29- April 6

25. Scheduling a College Visit
Refer to college’s admission website
Online or via phone
Visits range from 1-2 hours, typically with tour and information session
Special visit programs or campus events
Often offered on school holidays
Opportunities to visit a residence hall, shadow a class, speak with faculty, interact with current students
College Planning Guide pp

26. College Visits Illinois Indiana Wisconsin
Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington)- small, private
Bradley University (Peoria)- medium, private
University of Illinois (Urbana/Champaign)- large, public
Indiana
DePauw University (Greencastle)- small, private
Butler University (Indianapolis)- medium, private
Indiana University (Bloomington)- large, public
Wisconsin
Carroll University (Waukesha)- small, private
Marquette University (Milwaukee)- medium, private
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee- large, public
Try to visit at least one of each type:
Public
Private
Small
Medium
Large
Set up an official tour and information session
If possible, see if you can sit in on a class or stay overnight (sometimes most helpful later in the decision making process)
College Planning Guide pp

27. Narrowing Your Choices
Student may not meet college admission requirements.
Colleges in this category are Most Competitive in admission selectivity.
Wishful hope for admittance.
Student is on target with admission requirements.
Student compares well with those previously admitted.
Admission possible.
Student meets or exceeds admission requirements.
Student’s gpa and test scores are well above those previously admitted and/or average range.
We recommend that students apply to 5-10 schools.
College Planning Guide pp.

28. Overview of Application Process
Request Teacher Letters of Recommendation
Complete Application
Write Essay(s)
Submit supplemental materials
Submit Transcript Request Form
Order ACT/SAT Score Report
Applications open in August
Top choices complete by Halloween; All by Christmas
Before end of Junior Year
ESSAYS:
Required by many colleges and part of the Common Application.
Choose your topic
Review Common App essay prompts or those specific to each school ahead of time
Must be in your own words!
Adhere to length requirement
Start over the summer
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread
Ask for input from family, friends, teachers & counselors, but make it your own
LETTERS OF REC:
College counselor will write letters of recommendation for all seniors
College planning questionnaires provide helpful information for this letter
Students should request at least two letters of recommendation from teachers
Complete Teacher Recommendation Request Form
Ask teachers prior to summer break (in person)
After teachers are confirmed, submit request via Naviance
Send thank you note after letter is submitted in the fall
College Planning Guide pp

29. Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know what I want to study in college?
How many times should I take the ACT/SAT?
When are college application deadlines?
If some application deadlines are not until the spring, why should I apply early?
When do I start applying for scholarships and financial aid?
Is it really important to talk to the college representatives at Trinity?
Why am I getting so much college mail?

30. Next Steps College Planning Questionnaire due March 1st
Junior College Planning Group Meetings on Tuesdays in March
Explore Naviance Family Connection
1:1 college counseling meetings in April
Consider summer enrichment opportunities
Summer college planning workshops

31. Questions? Contact Us: Mrs. Rachel Behren Director of Student Services
Mrs. Katie Granholm
(All Seniors)
Ms. Grace Bahn
(Juniors Last Names A-Me)
Mrs. Victoria Herling/ Mrs. Samanda Johnson
(Juniors Last Names Mi-Z)