AN OVERVIEW OF THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS 1

AN OVERVIEW OF THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS 1 Presented by the QRHS Guidance & Counseling Department Find us on Facebook Search @Quabbin. Guidance https: //www. facebook. com/Q uabbin. Guidance/ For Text Message Reminders – Text Code @quabbincl to 81010 Email updates are sent throughout the year

The Quabbin High School Guidance & Counseling Department Guidance Counselors Donna Hubbard Last Names A-GL dhubbard@qrsd. org Katie Gaspar Last Names Go-N kgaspar@qrsd. org Ashley Januszewski Last Names O-Z ajanuszewski@qrsd. org Office Administrator Margaret Cooley mcooley@qrsd. org Adjustment Counselor Gr. 7 -12 Jennifer Cutler jcutler@qrsd. org Guidance Director Meg Cloutier mcloutier@qrsd. org 2

Doing research now will help make sure your future is more secure and happier! https: //www. bls. gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earningseducation. htm https: //www. bls. gov/emp/images/growing_occupations. png 3

A Matter of Geography • Percentage of People, age 25 years or older, who have completed a Bachelor's Degree • In the US, Massachusetts is #2 in a listing of percentages of people who have completed a bachelors degree (37. 4%), second only to Washington DC (47. 7%). • The national average of people who have completed a bachelors degree is 26. 7% Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 State District of Columbia Massachusetts Maryland Connecticut Colorado New Jersey Virginia New Hampshire Vermont Washington New York Percentage 47. 7 37. 4 34. 8 34. 6 33. 7 33. 3 32. 7 32. 1 32 31. 3 30. 5 • Four of the six New England states are in the top 10. • Average student loan debt is higher in Boston than any other metro area in the country, 44% above the national average 4 http: //www. bls. gov/emp/ep_chart_001. htm https: //www. census. gov/population/www/cen 2000/censusatlas/pdf/10_Education. pdf https: //www. bostonglobe. com/magazine/2016/05/18/hopes-dreams-debt/f. R 60 c. Kakw. Ul. Gok 0 j. Tl. ONTN/story. html

COLLEGE IS AN INVESTMENT INVEST WISELY!!! -Low 4 -Year Graduation Rates -Students not graduating -Graduates underemployed -Students unable to pay for all four + years of tuition & fees -Colleges not offering financial aid that meets families EFC -Americans have over $1. 48 trillion in college debt -Low Enrollment Numbers -Colleges feeling the financial burden and unable to pay for services and supports that students need -More competitive colleges are hyper aware of their ‘statistics’ -Maintaining Accreditation for programs/majors https: //studentloanhero. com/student-loan-debt-statistics/ 5

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-Trade/Apprenticeship Program MANY OPTIONS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL -Career Specific Training -Military -Employment/Career -Gap Year: Service/Volunteer Work -Certificate Training Program -2 -Year College -4 -Year College (Public or Private) 7

- Between 2014 -2024, 41% of job openings will be in middle skills - Middle skills jobs in computer technology, health care, construction, and manufacturing account for 54% of the labor market, but only 44% of workers are trained for these jobs - 40% of middle skills jobs pay more than $55, 000 a year - 14% of middle skills jobs pay more than $80, 000 a year https: //www. nationalskillscoalition. org/resources/pu blications/2017 -middle-skills-factsheets/file/Massachusetts-Middle. Skills. PDF 8

Beginning in 2019, Quabbin will offer pathways in Information Technology and in Advanced Manufacturing for students planning on entering a career directly after high school or attending college 9

10 2 -YEAR COLLEGE

Student Led vs. Parent Led Process • College Admissions has increasingly become a parent driven process whereas previously it was more of a student led process. • Due to the financial investment as well the requirement of parents to participate in the financial aid process, parents have tended to play a greater role. • Make sure that you work together, but remember that the admissions process should be a student led process. Students will be at a deficit when it comes time to ask for help or when they need to reach out to their colleges if they have not led the process. • Colleges want to see that they have a responsible young adult looking to attend their school. • Summer Melt 11

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF ATTENDING ANY COLLEGE THAT YOU FINISH & GET THE DEGREE! So Find the College or University that is the best Fit 12

The College List: The colleges that your child applies to Developing a Good List is the MOST Important Part. Creating a good list Guides the Whole Application Process. A Good List Includes the following: – Academic Safety (= less anxiety for student) – Financial Safety (= less anxiety for parent) – You know what you need to do in order to apply – guides the application process – Only contains colleges your child wants to attend – Includes colleges that will produce a positive return on investment – Colleges your child is likely to attend and GRADUATE from 13

Colleges are on a Continuum: They do not fit in to clearly defined Academic or Financial categories Safety School Target School Reach School 14 You are looking for a Good Fit for You

How Admissions Reviews Your Application Quantitative/Mechanical Review • They are focused more heavily on the grades you earned, the difficulty of the courses you took, and test scores. Qualitative/Holistic Review • They are more focused on an overall review of the applicant where the essay, student achievement and leadership in the school and who the student is as a person are important. 15

Factors the Colleges will consider in the Decision of Admission • Rigor of Study/Difficulty of Classes • Grades • Standardized Test Scores • Service / Involvement in the Community • Demonstrated Interest • Work Experience • Alumni Relation / Legacy • Essay • Letters of Recommendations • Geographical Area • First Generation College Student • Demonstrated Leadership • Cultural Difference/Affiliation • Interview • Urban/Suburban • Celebrity / Prominence • Talent / Ability – Musical/Artistic/Athletic • Ability to Pay / ‘Need-Blind’ 16

The Best Trajectory for College Admissions Creating a Foundation Grade 9 Skills, academic, & extra-curricular interests are developed Gr 10 -11 Taking more rigorous courses & grades are improving Gr 11 -12 17

How Do You Develop a Good List? • Have your child ask the questions of themselves to determine what they want. • Have the conversations together to determine what your child needs. • Recognize it is okay if your child does not know exactly what they want to study, and plan accordingly. • Make sure your child knows that this is a family decision. Research!!! • Visit, Visit! • Do your homework. Research the college’s information and make sure it is what you are looking for and willing to invest in. (Graduation rates, Employment rates, accreditation, etc. ) • Attend College Fairs! • Ask MANY questions. Colleges are service oriented. They want to help you! 18

Private Colleges/Universities MA State Public Universities -Private Colleges do what they want – each is unique -Make sure the school & program are accredited Governed by the MA Board of Higher Education 19 All over the spectrum – Safety – Target - Reach More likely to be a Target or Reach -UMass universities are very competitive -(The average accepted student GPA at UMass Amherst hovers around a 3. 8 - recalculated) -Private schools often tout their alumni network and -Offer programs, travel abroad, research opportunities, their academically-minded campus atmosphere and other experiences if students seek them out -Focus on customer service and your college experience Higher price tag BUT more financial aid to give Subsidized by tax dollars so the initial price tag is less BUT there is usually not as much aid to hand out Holistic or qualitative review (ex: emphasis on essay, what you bring to campus, letters of rec, demonstrated interest) Quantitative or mechanical review (ex: Test Scores, GPA) -With the exception of ‘test optional’ colleges (Salem State University, UMass Lowell, etc. )

Subject Requirement for college freshmen entering a Massachusetts University or Umass (Fall 2017 and beyond) English 4 Courses Math 4 Courses (Algebra I & II and Geometry or Trigonometry, or comparable coursework) including mathematics during the final year of high school. Sciences 3 Courses (drawn from Natural Science and/or Physical Science and/or Technology/ Engineering), including 3 courses with laboratory work. Social Science 2 Courses (including 1 course in U. S. History) World/Foreign Language Electives 2 Courses (in a single language) Note: American Sign Language (ASL) is a foreign language 2 Courses (from the above subjects or from the Arts & Humanities or Computer Sciences) MA Board of Higher Education beginning with the class entering college in the fall of 2016 the following minimum course requirements must be met for entrance to a Massachusetts State University. MA community colleges may admit any high school graduate or Hi. Set/GED recipient. Please refer to the MA DHE website for current information on Massachusetts public institutions. https: //www. mass. edu/foradmin/admissions/documents/DHEAdmissions. Standards. Reference. Guide_2019. pdf 20

MA Department of Higher Ed (DHE) Released Updates Spring 2019 -High school graduates who have earned a cumulative GPA of 2. 7 place directly in to credit bearing English and Math courses -New cut scores for math (Accuplacer) and multiple math pathways for students -Test Optional for Admission to some MA Public Institutions: Bridgewater State, Fitchburg State, Framingham State, Mass Art, Salem State, UMass Boston, UMass Dartmouth, UMass Lowell, and Worcester State. *Some programs still require SAT/ACT test scores and some scholarship money is determined based on test scores. -There is a GPA Calculator online so students can recalculate their GPA Resources: https: //www. mass. edu/masstransfer/ https: //accuplacer. collegeboard. org/educator/next-generation https: //www. mass. edu/forstufam/admissions/gpacalc. asp https: //www. mass. edu/foradmin/admissions/documents/DHEAdmissions. Standards. Reference. Guide_2019. pdf 21

FORMAL VISIT VS. INFORMAL VISIT Formal Visits: -You contact Undergraduate Admissions and set up a time to take a guided tour. -Students can have up to two excused absences for these visits (with form completed and returned to Quabbin). -You can see housing, academic buildings, classrooms, lab space, the students commons, dining commons and more. -You get to see a more polished view of the school. Informal Visits: -You are in the area so you stop in to campus. -You can stop by admissions and let them know you are interested in the school. You COULD get the application fee waived for being on campus. -You walk around the campus and public areas. Have lunch in the dining commons. -Ask some of the current students how they like things – financial aid, safety and how issues were resolved are great to ask about. 22

NCAA Eligibility Students who would like to play college sports must follow the regulations. Log on to the NCAA Eligibility Center to make sure your student has what is needed and to register www. ncaa. org -2. 3 or Take a Knee – Students must have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) for DI and DII -Students must have certain subject requirements met -Students must send SAT or ACT Scores to the NCAA 23

24 http: //www. qrsd. org/our-schools/high-school/guidance/

How to Research 3 rd Party Sites College. Board. org Naviance Portal Petersons College Scorecard Many More… Should be Free! 25

Information is also available directly on college websites Scattergram available on Naviance for UMass Amherst shows GPA and test scores for accepted students from Quabbin 26

College. Board Big Future Site 27

Use your PSAT or SAT Scores to identify schools as Safety, Target or Reach 28

https: //collegescorecard. ed. gov/ 29

30 Student Login credentials for Naviance are the same as Aspen, unless a student has transferred over to using their email address as their username https: //student. naviance. com/quabbinhs

31 Students can: -Create their Resume -Search colleges -Save their searches -Save colleges to their list of ‘Colleges I’m Thinking About’ -Once students know they will apply they can move a college over to the list of ‘Colleges I’m Applying To’ -Guidance Counselors can see their activity and suggest colleges

Types of Application Deadlines – The Application Creep Early Action –About 50% of QRHS students apply by an EA Deadline –An emerging trend –This is Non-Binding, which means students do not have to enroll if they are accepted –Students like this option because they may find out earlier if they are accepted Early Decision –This is BINDING. Student is obligated to enroll if they are accepted- even without knowing finances. –Be cautious about choosing this option as it may mean that your child will have to rescind all other pending applications once accepted for Early Decision. This can leave you in the lurch once you get the financial aid award. Major Specific Deadlines -Certain Majors have different earlier required deadlines, such as nursing Early Evaluation -When a college reviews your information and tells you the ‘likelihood’ that you may gain admission to their institution. This is NOT an admissions decision. Regular Admission Deadline – This is a general institution application deadline – Be advised that even if an institution has a Regular Admissions Deadline there could be certain majors within an institution that require an earlier deadline or that are more competitive and slots fill earlier – It can be beneficial to apply early Rolling Admissions Deadline – Colleges will accept applications on a rolling basis, beginning their reviews of student’s applications once the full application is received – Colleges will continue to review students until their slots are full – It can be beneficial to apply early Open Admission – The college accepts all applicants who have a high school diploma, a GED/Hi. Set, or have completed homeschooling 32

• Paper Application How You Actually Apply to College – Print the application off the college website – Call the college to have them mail a copy of the paper application • Online Application (Institution Specific) – The college may have their own application that can be filled out online – Make sure you keep track of deadlines • Online Profile – You can create one profile and apply to multiple colleges – Examples of this are Common Application, Universal Application, Send EDU – Be Careful what you post as there are only some sections that are institution specific. Make sure you follow directions. – Make sure you let your guidance counselor know once you have applied and requested your transcript be sent. 33

Goes ‘Live’ Over the Summer for First Year Applicants 34

The Common Application: Make Sure You Have ‘Submitted’ All Parts! Submitting your application is a 3 Step Process: -Step 1 is review of the PDF of the application -Step 2 is paying for the application -Step 3 is signing the application and clicking the submit button 35

DO NOT REQUEST letters of recommendation from teachers/counselors on Common App DO NOT REQUEST transcripts on Common App -These should ONLY be requested via NAVIANCE There is a handout in guidance and in the College Admission Guide that walks a student through matching their Common App and Naviance accounts 36

General Components of an Application � Student provided information – Completed Application (Paper or Online) – SAT or ACT Scores – request scores to be sent directly from the College. Board or ACT – Application Fee [For those who qualify, fee waivers are available in guidance, see Counselor] – Essay(s) & Short Answer Questions – Personal Resume – Optional: Portfolio or Digital File – If applicable, AP/IB scores – Letter of Recommendation from someone outside of school (optional) – Special Education Records, IEP/testing or 504 Plans/medical documentation � School provided information (initiated by student) – Official High School Transcript – The “PURPLE SHEET” & Naviance – Senior Grades, GPA, Class rank – Secondary School Report and School Profile – Mid-year Report & Final Report – Counselor Recommendation – The “PINK SHEET” – Teacher(s) Recommendation – The “PINK SHEET” & Naviance 37

Standardized Testing • • Most students take the SAT in Spring of Junior year and Fall of Senior year We recommend taking the test with the optional Writing component Register on www. collegeboard. org Must Send Scores directly from College. Board to your colleges Must upload a picture and print registration ticket QRHS is a test site in May & November Students applying to more competitive colleges may also need SAT Subject Tests – plan your testing accordingly based on when you complete more difficult courses • If you/your child has an IEP or 504 and you think they may need testing accommodations contact your child’s guidance counselor – Allow at least four months for the test company to approve accommodations • Free Test Prep for all students for the SAT is online through the Khan Academy • Test Fee Waivers available in guidance for students who are eligible – If you take the SAT with a waiver you qualify for four college application fees to be waived also 38

Test Optional/ Test De-Emphasized • Some Colleges have test optional policies - they all differ • MA Public Universities have developed test optional policies: Bridgewater State, Salem State, Fitchburg State, Framingham State, Worcester State, Mass Art, UMass Lowell, UMass Boston, and UMass Dartmouth • Some Colleges ‘de-emphasize’ testing in the admissions process • Test-Optional Fine Print – Your major may still require standardized testing • Make sure you understand fully what it means to not submit test scores – if there are scholarships or merit aid awarded based on test scores and you do not submit scores it could take you out of the running for that aid/award. Also colleges may place greater emphasis on other components of the application if test scores are not available. Evaluate this option carefully! • www. fairtest. org is a site with a wealth of information 39

Why do a Personal Resume? Personal Resume q Needed for College and Scholarship Applications q Needed to request letters of Recommendation (Pink Form) This is a personal resume. It should include the following: q Your accomplishments, both academic and extracurricular q Focus on QUALITY not Quantity q It helps explain what has been important to you throughout high school and how you have used your time q Should be accurate, use positive language, and be edited q Activities done in and outside of school q Online learning/Internship/Dual Enrollment/Capstone q Include work experience q Volunteering/Community Service q May include familial responsibilities q Should clearly articulate any leadership roles you have assumed 40

Tips for Writing the Essay • Do not procrastinate! • Brainstorm ideas for your topic and make sure the essay is about you, not someone else. • The essay should explain something about you not easily known through the other materials in the application packet. • Edit, Edit! • You do not have to present a tragic story. Often great essays are positive and catch the readers attention. • Do not overshare. • Stay within the required length and keep to the point! • Write the essay as though it is the only thing that is keeping you from being admitted – make it great! 41

1. 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. 2019 -2020 COMMON APPLICATION ESSAY PROMPTS 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or 42 failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 4. 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. 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? 7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Two Steps to Request your Transcript: Step 1: Fill out a PURPLE SHEET • Submit purple sheet to Guidance at least two weeks before the application deadline Step 2: Add the Colleges to ‘List of Colleges I’m Applying To’ in Naviance � Must fill a separate purple sheet for each Institution/Request � Purple sheets are required for any application, including: �College �Military �Scholarship �NCAA Registration � Allow 10 school days to process transcript packets (be aware of vacations) For Example: � IF Application deadline = January 1 � THEN Guidance deadline = December 12/6 43

Two Steps to Request a Letter of Recommendation Step 1: Must fill out a PINK SHEET and hand it in to Guidance Step 2: Must Request the Recommendation in Naviance �One pink sheet required for each Recommender �Teacher, Guidance Counselor, Administrator, Coach, etc. �Attach a completed Personal Resume to your pink sheet �You may also attach a completed Parent/Guardian Feedback Form (optional) �Submit to recommender by the deadline indicated on the back of the form ****ALLOW AT LEAST THREE WEEKS**** �IF Application deadline = January 1 �THEN Guidance deadline = December 1 �It is considered best practice to write a ‘Thank You’ to your recommenders 44

Financial Aid is largely dependent on information supplied in your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This is FREE to file with the government. FAFSA is required by all college for any student who would like financial aid. Colleges may also require their own financial aid application and/or the CSS Profile. The CSS Profile is filed with the College. Board and does cost money to file. CLICK HERE FOR AN EFC CALCULATOR This will let you know an estimate of what the federal government says your family can afford for college each year, or your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Good to know at the beginning of this process. 45

DEADLINES Admissions/Application deadlines are different from Financial Aid deadlines. 46 Financial Aid application deadlines vary from school to school and could include the CSS Profile and/or other forms. Attend the Financial Aid Night with MEFA in the fall for seniors and their parents. The one universal deadline is for the FAFSA, which is used to apply for Federal Financial Aid which ALL colleges require. The FAFSA can be filed as early as October 1 st for the following fall. Remember that different majors may have earlier deadlines, for example Nursing usually has an earlier admissions deadline.

SCHOLARSHIPS Are Listed on the QRHS Guidance & Counseling website. Two pages are dedicated to Scholarships: -Local Scholarships -Regional & National Scholarships THESE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE JUST A PORTION OF THE MANY SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE. STUDENTS CAN CREATE PROFILES ON THIRD PARTY SITES AND BE MATCHED UP WITH SCHOLARSHIPS THAT FIT THEIR PROFILE. BE CAUTIOUS. YOU SHOULD NOT EVER PAY FOR SCHOLARSHIP MONEY. 47

Your Electronic Footprint Be Careful what you post online! You don’t want to have a college recruiter, admissions officer, future employer, or someone doing a background check seeing something online that could jeopardize your chances. https: //www. npr. org/sections/ed/2017/06/06/531591202/harvard-rescinds-admission-of-10 -students-over-obscene-facebook-messages https: //www. insidehighered. com/admissions/article/2018/04/23/new-data-how-college-admissions-officers-view-social-media-applicants https: //www. insidehighered. com/admissions/article/2017/08/28/u-rochester-revokes-admissions-offer-student-who-lied-her-way 48

REMEMBER TO BREATHE AND HAVE FUN! This can be an anxiety provoking process for student and parent/guardian. Try to plan ahead, stay organized, maintain communication, and utilize the resources that are out there. The more you do these things the more you will feel in control of the situation, the better time you will all have, and the more success your student will have once they transition on. Thank you! 49