Embracing Change https vimeo com39290950 Welcome To College

Embracing Change https: //vimeo. com/39290950

Welcome To College Planning Night

Presented by the Kennett High School Counseling Staff Cassandra Allen- Students with last names A-D Colleen Allen- Students with last names E-K Heather Morihara- Students with last names L-Q Manuel Ibarra- Students with last names R-Z Kennett High School Class of 2021 1370 students 327 students

Tonight’s Program Handouts Overview of the college counseling program at KHS Finding best fit and resources Components of the application Factors colleges consider in making admissions decisions Q & A

Parental Roles Coach Consultant Executive Assistant Remember that you are interacting with an adolescent Adolescents think differently than adults This can be a very emotional process

The College Counseling Program at KHS Grade 11 Classroom visitations PSATs Admissions Test Options & Registration Process Post-Secondary Options, Best Fit and Resources Individual student/parent meetings College admission rep visits Grade 12 College Application Help Sessions Classroom Visit-Application Process

What to expect at the college planning meeting Academic progress review Course request review Discussion of potential careers/majors Discussion of important college factors & search process Review of the application process Financial aid and scholarship search advice

Admissions Trends Number of applications continues to increase each year Average selectivity/acceptance rate has increased Increase and broadening of recruitment strategies Anticipate further changes with NACAC rulings Increase in Early Action and Decision activity (10% in past year) Increase in use of waitlist while activity remains the same

Finding the Best Fit and Resources

Best College Fit ●Which college is best for you and why? ●A college that “best fits” should… ●Offer the course of study you want to pursue ●Provide instruction and learning opportunities that are compatible with how you like to learn ●Be a good match for your level of ability and academic preparation ●Provide a community that feels like home

Factors to Consider Offers the course of study you want to pursue: ● strongest programs ● guarantee of major, process for switching majors ● course selection process ● opportunities for those who are undecided Provide instruction and learning opportunities that are compatible with how you like to learn ● class size/format ● faculty : student ratio ● who teaches undergrads ● general education requirements, liberal arts

Factors to Consider Is a good match for your level of ability and academic preparation: ● level of difficulty ● student services: academic support/student advising/career services ● retention & graduation rates ● AP policies Provides a community that feels like home: ● location – distance from home ● environment – suburban vs. urban ● diversity ● campus size ● extracurricular opportunities

Other Factors to Consider • Honors Programs • Application? Advantages? Scholarships? Other opportunities/requirements? • Accelerated Programs • Certain programs requiring graduate degrees • Co-ops • Hands-on learning experiences • Study Abroad • Process? Locations? Cost? • Athletics • Varsity vs. club vs. intramurals • Military Academies • Must start NOW • Guide is available upon request

Financial Aid/Cost Considerations ●Public vs. private schools – be wary of the “sticker price” ●If you are seeking aid, you must apply ●What you can do now: ●Familiarize yourself with the financial aid application process (deadlines, forms, etc. ) ●Understand types of aid (handout) ●Get estimates of what aid might be available to you

Financial Aid Resources ●KHS Financial Aid Night – October ●FAFSA completion nights (local colleges) ●Financial aid information and resources ●Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), pheaa. org ●Net Price Calculator – specific to the college ●For cost estimates ●Every college is required to have this tool ●FAFSA 4 caster – EFC prediction

Tips for Getting Started Generating a List of Colleges • Start a conversation - Ask “big picture” questions & get on the “same page” • Explore & get educated on “the basics” • College visits – first-hand experience • College search – Naviance & bigfuture. collegeboard. org • Include Reach, Target, & Safety Schools (find a “safety” school that you love!) • This is an INDIVDUALIZED process – every student has their own considerations

Resources to Get Started www. collegeboard. org student. naviance. com/kennetths bigfuture. collegeboard. org

Application Process

Components Application Form (required) Application Fee Essay Letters of Recommendation Admission Test Scores- SAT/ACT Academic Record-Transcript/SRAR High School Report Form

Application Form On-line - available through the college’s admissions website College Specific Application Standardized Application Platforms Common Application- used by 700+ colleges Coalition Application- relatively new in 2016 Sections • Applicant Section (demographic, academic, activities) • High School Section/Report Form School info- (course offerings, grading policy) Student info- (scholastic, character, discipline)

Essay(s) Not always required Will be built into online application Some colleges might have multiple essays, short answer questions, and/or supplements Senior English classes will complete college essay assignment in September

Letters of Recommendation Who to ask - check app. requirements When - at least one month prior, in person How? Follow steps on ‘Tips Sheet’ • Submit blue release to guidance office • Submit electronic request on Naviance for each school (NOT ALL colleges) • Provide Brag sheet • Provide alternate instructions if applicable Thank you note

College Admissions Tests Colleges use students’ scores to help make admission decisions. Students typically take 2 times- winter/spring junior year and late summer/fall senior year Register online soon for spring test dates. ACT SAT Additional Requirements-SAT Subject Test Taken after completing course in that area Compassprep. com – who requires the subject test

REGISTERING for ACT/SAT Register on www. collegeboard. org Offered 7 times a year ACT Register on www. act. org Offered 6 times a year Both have Optional Essay/Writing Section not required by majority of colleges

Sending SAT/ACT Scores Students are responsible to SAT/ACT scores directly from testing organization scores not reported on transcript Some colleges may accept self-reported scores Four free reports included with registration SAT-Need to indicate schools w/in 10 days of test day

Academic Record Official Transcript Official sent directly from Counseling Office SRAR-Self Report of Academic Record Student enters academic record online within application or on another platform Unofficial transcript available in Skyward Official transcript not required for application

Deadlines: College Admissions Rolling apply and receive notification in about 6 weeks Standard Deadline midwinter, notification in April Early Decision binding, Nov. deadline, Jan. notification Early Action / Priority nonbinding, Nov. deadline, Jan. notification scholarship eligibility & admissions impact

Deadlines: Counseling Office Submit materials at least 15 school days to one month before the college deadline. What to hand in to Counseling Office? • Transcript Release/Application Sub Form • Follow directions on the back • Brag sheet for recommendations • School report form?

Getting the Process Started • When do I start the application process? • Summer before senior year. Finish by deadlines/Thanksgiving • Refer to College Planning Calendar to stay on track • How do I begin? • After narrowing the list of schools down • Look at each college’s application requirements • Use a Checklist to record requirements & task completion How many colleges should I apply to? Balanced list of typically 4 -8 colleges

Tips for Students Be Responsible • Take charge of the process, know deadlines, perform all leg work Be Organized • Use checklist- helps to complete all steps Be Early / Be Aware of Deadlines • Submit materials well in advance Counselors will meet with students in fall to explain College Selection & Application Process

Admission Factors

4000 accredited colleges and universities … Which schools are the best matches for YOUR student? Most Selective (<25% admitted) Very Selective (25 -50% admitted) Somewhat Selective (50 -75% admitted) Less Selective (>75% admitted) Open Enrollment (all or most admitted)

What are the factors that colleges evaluate when making admission decisions?

Level of Importance of Factors in College Admissions Process as Ranked by Colleges Considerable Importance Academic Achievement Grades in College Prep Courses (77%) Moderate Importance Teacher Recommendation (46%) Counselor Recommendation Grades in All Courses Essay/Writing Sample Strength of Curriculum Extracurricular Activities (36%) Admissions Tests (54%) SAT or ACT Subject Test Scores (AP) Portfolio/Auditions Level of Demonstrated Interest/Visits

High School Achievement Students should take the most challenging classes in which they can be successful Maintained and improved achievement is noticed Importance of junior year GPA Consider lab and language requirements

How do colleges compare high school records? 27, 000 High Schools GPA recalculation Rank in Class

How do colleges look at Test Scores? Every college utilizes admissions test scores in their own way Majority of public and private colleges use highest reading and math scores across multiple test administrations known as Superscore Formulaic vs. Holistic Larger universities may rely more on tests scores Smaller schools may emphasize essays/interview over test scores Are SAT or ACT optional? Test optional schools Different scores for different programs within a university

“Bubble Chart”

What do colleges look for in Essays and Recommendations? The opportunity to make the student “come alive” Beyond what the application says Help us help you – Brag Sheets

Essay Opportunity to show personality Chance to explain things about record Can show you’ve researched the college Way to demonstrate your writing skills Additional Resources https: //bigfuture. collegeboard. org/get-in/essays

What are the “Other Factors” that colleges consider? Institutional Needs = Alumni relationship (legacy) Athletics Ethnicity Geographic region Major / college applied to Activities Type of Admission Early Decision (binding) Early Action (non-binding)

When should a student apply through Early Decision? If the student: • has researched colleges extensively • is absolutely sure that the college s/he is applying to is a first choice • has found a school that is a strong match academically, socially, geographically and financially* • meets or exceeds the admission profile for the school for SAT scores, GPA, class rank • The student will attend NO MATTER WHAT *

What Now? Register for preferred admissions test (ACT/SAT) Prepare for admissions test SAT-Khan Academy ACT-ACT Academy Complete Parent/Student Questionnaires Consider factors that are important Discuss financial considerations Online college research Schedule college visits Begin to familiarize yourself with Financial Aid terms, process and tools (FAFSA 4 caster, net price calculators)

Comment Forms Your feedback is an important way for us address your questions and provide you with the information and guidance that will assist you and your student throughout the college selection and application process. Please drop off your gold comment form at the table in the rear.