WELCOME Please pick up a copy of all

WELCOME! Please pick up a copy of all college handouts on the back table! Stay tuned for… College Information Night for Parents

College Information Night for Parents Ms. Brandi Cooper Mr. Cody Masters November 14, 2018

Agenda for the Evening GHS College Counseling Curriculum 5 Easy Steps for College Searching College Testing Strengthening Applicant Profile Financial Aid (briefly) Save the Dates Q&A

GHS College Planning Curriculum 9 th Grade— 4 -Year Academic Planning Meetings Career Interest Profiler on Naviance 10 th Grade— Do What You Are assessment in Naviance College Major Searching Sophomore Hands-On Day PSAT Results 11 th Grade— College 101 Curriculum (See “College 101 Calendar” handout) College Information Night for Parents (Nov. )

GHS College Planning Curriculum 12 th Grade— College Application Process for Parents (Sept. ) College Application Work Sessions All Grades— Athletics in College (Required Sports Meeting) Licking County Financial Aid Night (October) Scheduling Presentations (Feb. ) College Representative Visits @ GHS College Visits

Tools for the Journey Ahead Naviance Family Connection—College Exploration and Search Database SCOIR—College Exploration and Search Database Grade-level College Planning Calendars & Tons of Other College Resources www. granvilleschools. org/College. Planning. aspx Websites: www. collegeboard. org College-specific websites https: //studentaid. ed. gov/sa/

Tools for the Journey Ahead College 101 Folder (juniors) – All juniors will have a specific college-planning folder that will be added to throughout junior year. College Books: Fiske Guide to the Colleges 2019 Peterson’s publications College. Board’s College Majors Princeton Review Family & Friends School Counselor

What is Naviance/ SCOIR? College search tool Database that compares your student’s applicant profile to former GHS graduates who applied to the same schools on your student’s list! Helps you & your student organize the college process Personality strengths assessments Career assessments Scholarship searches Summer Enrichment Programs

How do I begin this process with my student?

STEP 1: Self-Reflection Have your child reflect on: Who am I? What are my strengths? What do I want from my college experience? What would I like to do at the end of 4 years? What are my goals? How do these qualities match with potential majors and careers? College Counseling Curriculum: “Career Interest Profiler” and “Strengths Explorer” assessments in Naviance Exploring College Majors & Careers Path- Sophomore year

STEP 2: Understand Different Types of Colleges • • Public and Private Colleges For-Profit Colleges 4 -year and 2 -year colleges Liberal Arts Colleges Universities Vocational-Technical and Career Colleges with special focus • Arts, single-sex, religious, specialized mission College Counseling Curriculum: College 101 Folder – “College Search Process” packet and “Qualities that Make a College Right for You” packet

STEP 3: Qualities that Make a School “a Good Fit” Student Life Enrollment Academic Environment Student Body Characteristics Academic Offerings Cost/Availability of Financial Activities (including Athletics) Aid Admission Difficulty Religion Big Name School or Best Fit Ethnicity School Coeducation or Single Sex Any other factors… Location College Counseling Curriculum: College 101 Folder – “ “Qualities that Make a College Right for You” lesson

STEP 4: Build a College List & Research 1. Using the “College Search” features in Naviance so students can narrow field of search based on qualities of importance. View college acceptance data from previous GHS students (without names) Personalize a list of schools you have interest in and keep track of deadlines 2. Use SCOIR “College Search” function to crossreference results. College Counseling Curriculum: College 101 Folder – “How to Build Your College List” lesson

STEP 4: Build a College List & Research 3. Review college profile on Naviance, SCOIR, or on the college’s website Average SAT and/or ACT scores or mid-50% range of scores for acceptance Average GPA of acceptance Recommended number of courses for math, science, global language, fine arts, etc. Acceptance rates Courses & majors offered Other unique programs/activities for students

STEP 5: College Visits Visiting is the best way to learn about colleges If you can, go when school is in session Plan trips during long weekends, vacations, GHS Spring Break Set up the appt. 2 -3 weeks in advance, through the phone or website See: “Questions to Ask During Your Campus Visit” handout n n n Standard Visit = Tour and Presentation Virtual Tours available on some college websites and College. Week. Live Experience as much as possible (meetings with coaches, department chairs, professors, see the town, etc. )

Things to keep in mind As you begin searching for schools & visiting…

Students should consider their applicant profile: Grades in college preparatory courses Strength of curriculum Admission test scores/ACT & SAT Overall GPA Essay Percentages are the results of the annual NACAC Admissions Trends Survey, which denotes the most important factors in admissions decisions.

How do you determine if a college is a… Reach? Your student’s applicant profile is not as strong as the middle 50% (GPA & test scores) or average of admitted students to that school. 50/50? Your student’s applicant profile is similar to the middle 50% (GPA & test scores) or average of admitted students to that school. Safety? Your student’s applicant profile is significantly stronger than the middle 50% (GPA & test scores) or average of admitted students to that school.

The College Continuum Reach 50/50 Safety When it comes to applying, we recommend applying to a variety of schools on a continuum based on your student’s applicant profile. Reach 50/50 Safety

Selective Schools Admissions 2017 Applicants 2017 Accepted 2017 Admission Rate Harvard 34, 295 2, 045 5. 96% Yale 30, 932 1950 6. 3% Univ. of Chicago 30, 188 2521 8. 35% Duke Univ. 31, 523 3596 11. 41% Vanderbilt 29, 518 3865 13. 09% Northwestern Univ. 33, 674 4416 13. 11% School Though acceptance rates are low for these highly selective schools, we encourage all students that match the school’s academic profile and feel that the school is a “best fit” for them to apply. ***2018 admission data is not yet available***

Selective Schools Admissions The fewer students a school accepts, the more likely it is to place emphasis on “tip” factors in the admissions process. Demonstrated Interest On-campus visits Summer programs at the school Table visits at college fairs (See the back of your YELLOW handout) Student’s unique strength/situation Particular musical instrument, sport, or other strength Major area of study interest First generation college student What is the need for their incoming class?

College Testing Here we go…

SAT and ACT See: “Test Dates & Deadlines” YELLOW handout = GHS is a Test Center for that date. All students should have a “Testing Plan” to take both the SAT & ACT WITH writing once each. We encourage students to retake whichever test was the stronger test for them AT LEAST ONCE.

SAT and ACT All initial testing should be done by the end of Junior year, which leaves fall of senior year to test again if desired. Pay special attention to whether or not colleges require the “writing” portion of the ACT. We strongly recommends taking the writing portion as some colleges require it! Test-optional schools www. fairtest. org/optional. htm

Make A Testing Plan In Pre-Calculus, IAP, Fundies, AP Calc (or higher) this year? First round of ACT & SAT in the Winter (December, January, February) of junior year Second round of ACT or SAT in the Spring (March, April, May, or June) of junior year In Geometry, ALPH, or Algebra II this year? First round of ACT & SAT in the Spring (March or April) of junior year Second round of ACT or SAT in the Spring/Summer (May or June) of junior year See: “ 2018 -2019 ACT/SAT Dates & Deadlines” handout - YELLOW

SAT and ACT SUPER SCORING! Date: English Math Reading Science Composite April 2018 34 29 29 28 30 June 2018 34 27 30 29 30 New Super Score is = 31 Why it can be good to take both tests more than once! Policies vary by college as not all schools super score.

Registration Register for tests online & record the username and password as that will be how you access your scores and send them later on! Students must upload a photo of themselves with their online registration. Student must be the only person in the picture with a plain colored background. For students requesting accommodations, please review the information at www. granvilleschools. org/Testingfor. Studentswith. Disabilities 1. aspx You can choose 4 schools to receive your scores for FREE when you register for the test.

Inside the SAT How is the test scored? What points is theper test structure? • 200 -800 section for a total of 1600 possible • Evidence-Based Reading & Writing • 2 -8 points for the essay • Mathematics but recommended • No • Essay—Optional penalty for guessing, so student should answer every question!

www. granvilleschools. org/PSAT 1. aspx Administered in October each year Recommended for ALL 10 th & 11 th grade students every year. Students’ scores available online in December if students provided an email on their test form Provides Personalized SAT Study Plan online National Merit consideration pertains only to juniors. The school counselors will contact your student if they are selected.

SAT Subject Tests Typically more selective colleges and highly academic programs require the SAT subject tests. Take these tests right after you have completed the class that focused on the subject in which you are being tested. Each subject test lasts approximately one hour, so students can sign up for up to three tests on one test date. How do I know if my schools require SAT Subject Tests? Use Compass Prep: http: //www. compassprep. com/subject -test-requirements-and-recommendations/ Each specific school’s admissions website Search for your college on College. Board’s website

Inside the ACT How is the test scored? • 1 -36 for each section • 2 -12 points for the writing What is the test structure? • English • Reading • Mathematics • Science Reasoning • Writing (optional…but recommended)

Free: - Test Prep PSAT Score Report www. collegeboard. org www. actstudent. org Check out links on our website: www. granvilleschools. org/Test. Prep. Opportunities. aspx Fee-Based: - Workshops are advertised through the announcements under “College Testing” - Check out your Test Prep handout! - Private tutoring Note: Make sure that any prep service focuses on problem solving and testtaking skills, as well as time management.

We did it! Almost there!

At the end of Junior Year April: Students complete a “Check-In” Worksheet: Testing Plan, College Visit Plan, Potential Majors, Colleges of Interest, & Potential Recommenders May: Prepare for the college essay, review “To-Dos” for the summer, submit requests for letters of recommendation Going in to Senior Year: Have a list of colleges to which your student will apply Student attend Summer College Application Workshop--August All initial ACT/SAT testing completed, with the option to re-test again in the fall if desired. Many applications open as early as August 1 for students to begin work. They should NOT submit their apps until counselors have met with them in September of senior year.

Grades 9 – 11: Strengthen Your Applicant Profile Coursework/Course schedule/Rigor Get involved in our school AND our community Your child should invest in activities they are passionate about and/or talented Find a few things (not 10) to focus on and to develop more Consider the opportunities available during the summer —programs/camps/leadership events Encourage them to get to know their teachers and counselor Family Meetings

Financial Aid College 101 – March topic Begin to research the cost of college for your family specifically. There are many tools and resources available to help you get an estimate of what your family will pay. SCOIR is helpful for parents to review expected costs of individual colleges. Junior parents should have an account. Individual Colleges/Universities: Net Price Calculators (see “Calculating the Cost of College” on the GHS Financial Aid website) Scholarships specific at the college/university Federal Aid: https: //studentaid. ed. gov/fafsa/estimate Scholarships—Federal, State, Local Attend Licking County Financial Aid night—October 2019

Financial Aid Resources are available on the School Counseling & College Planning website www. granvilleschools. org/financialaid. aspx During your college visits, make a separate appointment to meet with financial aid officers. Or don’t hesitate to call the financial aid office! SAVE THE DATE n n March 24 th (Sunday)—Columbus NACAC College Fair, 1: 00 -4: 00 p. m. Columbus Convention Center September 2019 – College Application Process for Senior Parents

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