Fairfield College Preparatory School Junior College Planning Night

Fairfield College Preparatory School Junior College Planning Night January 8, 2015 RICK HUTCHINSON - COLLEGE ADVISOR (A-F) SUZANNE GORAB – COLLEGE ADVISOR (F-M) JOHN HANRAHAN - DEAN OF GUIDANCE & COLLEGE ADVISING (M-Z)

One Exciting Year of definition – personal and academic Ultimate decisions – one after another Defining challenges Unique opportunities to represent self

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings Fall of Junior Year: • Overview of the Junior Year • Importance of Academic Record • Standardized Testing– overview and strategy • Identifying Appropriate Colleges • Naviance

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings • • Spring of Junior Year: Junior Interview – schedule with advisor Standardized Testing Review Key Factors in College Admission Activities Resume Campus Visits Senior Course Selection Admission Glossary Summer Strategies

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings Topics for Fall Senior Year: • Check in meeting with College Advisor • Finalize Application Strategy • Coordination of Application process: application forms, essay (s), recommendations, sending SAT/ACT scores to colleges • Continue to demonstrate interest – visiting colleges

NAVIANCE Research and develop prospective college lists: https: //connection. naviance. com/fairfieldprep Students: • Username/email: students’ Prep email address • Password: student created Parents: • Accounts established for all parents

Naviance – Document Library https: //connection. naviance. com/fairfieldprep The “Document Library” link on the Main Page of Naviance Family Connection provides information on a variety of college planning topics: Interviewing Factors in College Admission Glossary of College Admission terms Resume models

Evaluating Academic Records Course of Study 5 core subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Science, Foreign Language Grade Point Average (GPA) Grade Trends → An appropriately challenging course load that the student can manage successfully. → Limited # of “lighter” electives. → Junior year, 1 st quarter senior year and 1 st semester senior year

Standardized Testing Students register themselves for all SAT/ACT exams SAT www. collegeboard. com • • 1 to 2 tests taken in spring Junior Year (January 24, March 14, May 2, June 6) At least once in fall of Senior Year (October 3, November 7, December 5) ACT • • www. act. org Spring Junior year dates: February 7, April 18, June 13 Fall Senior year dates: September 12, October 24, December 12 **Security procedures require photo upload for SAT and ACT.

Standardized Testing SAT Subject Tests Some colleges may require (see websites) • • • 1 Hour Long Multiple Choice Tests. Take up to 3 on one test date. Offered in Core Subject Areas Literature, US History, Math I and/or Math II are taken most often by Prep Students Can highlight an academic strength “Super-Scoring”

“Tip” Factors Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: Highlight individual academic strengths and personal qualities Parent/Guardian “brag” sheet Essay(s): • • Reveals self – authenticity is essential “Show, Don’t Tell” Most Significant activity(ies): • Will show depth and commitment to personal interests and growth.

“Tip” Factors (Continued) Early Decision (E. D. ) Demonstrated Interest Athletic recruitment Special talents or attributes Interview (admission counselor, current student or alumni) Supplemental letters (use sparingly)

Application options and strategies Regular Decision Early Action (E. A. ) Restricted Early Action Early Decision (E. D. ) Early Decision II (E. D. II) Rolling Decision (w/ priority dates)

Finding a College “Fit”

Construct a Prospective College List Size (# undergraduates) Geographic Location Campus setting (urban, suburban, rural) Academic focus Areas of study Facilities: Library, Research Labs, etc. Social Atmosphere Campus Life, Sports, Arts Religious affiliation Support services Cost Financial Aid Housing – 4 year guaranteed? Diversity (Ethnic, Geographic) Admission Criteria Graduation + Retention Rates Outcomes: employment and graduate schools Greek system

Prospective College List Consider many different types of institutions. Do not always go with the pack. Break new ground in the search process.

Search List Up to 15 – 20 Research Place in 5 Categories (as designated in Naviance): Far Reach, Possible, Likely and Safety Use Naviance Scattergrams as a guide – not as an absolute.

Final Application List Up to 10 (+/-) Fairfield Prep Average Application: 8 Prioritize the list Only a “safety” school if you would attend. Contact (i. e. demonstrated interest) is more important with small/medium sized schools.

The Campus Visit

Campus Visit Options • • Campus Tour Information session Open House/Special Event Sit in on a class Interview Athletic visit Overnight Shadow student

Why is the Campus Visit Important? Demonstrates YOUR interest Experiencing the campus to help decide if you want to apply. Find the institutions that are the right “Fit”.

Preparing for the Campus Visit • Visit website to explore visit options • Do your homework before the visit • Make reservations/appointments for campus tours, interviews, open houses and meetings with faculty or coaches. • Stick to the Office of Admission schedule • Avoid the Drive-Thru visit – if possible • Always sign in… smaller colleges tend to track this information. Campus Visit is an important indicator of “demonstration of interest”.

What to look for while on campus General University/College Information Campus Life • Residence halls, dining options, parking, student center, chapel Student Life/Athletics • Clubs & organizations, social life, recreation facilities, visual/performing arts, varsity athletics Academic Life • Classrooms, professors, course offerings, internships, research opportunities

College Planning Checklists

College Planning: Spring of Junior Year Initial Student/Advisor College Planning Meeting Research: Web -based resources are best Contact institutions Visit campuses Attend spring open house programs SAT/ACT/Subject Tests- first/second round Attend local/regional college fairs Consider teacher recommenders Develop an Activities Resume – excellent document to present at interview. Initial contact with athletic coaches etc.

College Planning: Summer before Senior Year Campus Visits Refine list Consider application options: Regular, EA, ED, Rolling Establish Common Application account. Determine what application and/or supplement forms each school requires. (i. e. common application) Start filling out applications Begin first draft of essay(s) Continue to develop an activities resume.

College Planning: Fall of Senior Year Check in meeting with College Advisor Meet admission representatives who visit Fairfield Prep Ask teachers to write recommendations Parent/Family Recommendation for counselor Attend College Fairs and Information Night programs Finalize essays and applications Final campus visits (tours, interviews, overnights, class visits, open houses) Standardized Testing – final round Check merit scholarship requirements and deadlines. Financial Aid Instruments - FAFSA/CSS Profile

Trends in Admission § Early Decision (E. D. ) § Increase in ACT “Super-Scoring” § Fast Track/Priority Applications § Interview (smaller colleges) re-emergence § “Authenticity” § Increase in writing requirements § Test Optional Colleges § Public School interest on the rise § Requests for financial aid rising

Useful Web Sites www. collegeboard. com https: //connection. naviance. com/fairfieldprep/ www. commonapp. org www. fafsa. ed. gov www. act. org www. ncaa. org

Miscellaneous Thoughts… Encourage student to stay in contact with the College Advising Office. Communication is essential. Allow ample time for essay writing (2 months) Discern all requirements of your list early (Standardized testing requirements, supplements, essays, deadlines, etc. ). rhutchinson@fairfieldprep. org 203 -254 -4200 ext. 2502 (A-F) sgorab@fairfieldprep. org 203 -254 -4200 ext. 2133 (F-M) jhanrahan@fairfieldprep. org 203 -254 -4200 ext 2238 (M-Z)