College Admission Counseling 101 ASCA 2007 Bob Bardwell, Director of Guidance, Monson High School Roberto Garcia, Director of Admission, Colorado College.

College Admission Counseling 101

ASCA 2007

Bob Bardwell, Director of Guidance,

Monson High School

Roberto Garcia, Director of Admission,

Colorado College

Why teach college admission counseling?

• 43% of counselors surveyed spend more than 20% of their time doing college admission counseling

• More people going to college– Only 1/3 of HS graduates in 1960 went to college

– Today - More than half do

• 50% of bachelor degree students drop out• Lots of misinformation is out there• Under-represented students need help

National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

• Networking with over 8000 members• Premiere organization for professional and ethical

issues facing college counseling• Access to national conference and professional

development opportunities• Web site (www.nacacnet.org)• E-list ([email protected])• Newsletters/Journals

Statement of Principles of Good Practices

• All members must adhere to these ethical and professional policies

• Reviewed annually

• Two articles– Promotion and recruitment

– Admission, Financial Aid & Testing policies and procedures

• Mandatory practices vs. best practices

The role of the secondary school counselor in college admissions

• Advisor• Information provider• Researcher• Sounding board• Surrogate parent• Advocate• Financial aid expert• Teacher

Working with parents, faculty and administrators

• What do (some) parents expect?– You are the expert– Lots of information– Available 24/7– You to do the work for them

• Some parents are not

involved at all

Working with parents, faculty and administrators (continued)

• What do the faculty expect?– Letters of recommendation assistance – Course placement information– Grading and test score information– Do they need my course to go to college?– Classroom guidance lessons/presentations

• General college planning (ie: junior seminar)• Essay writing• College searching (internet or reference book)

• Primarily serve as a resource

Working with parents, faculty and administrators (continued)

• What do administrators expect?– Excellent placements/Where students got in– Professionalism– High quality college admission counseling

programs/activities– Satisfied students and parents– Good publicity for the school/community

Setting up the College Counseling Office

• Reference materials– print

• search guides - Peterson’s, College Board, Chronicle• catalogs/viewbooks• non-fiction books• free materials

– multimedia (Videos, DVD’s, CD-ROM’s)– online– maps/guides

Setting up the College Counseling Office

• Programs– grade level programs

• junior prep night

• senior financial aid night

• junior/senior seminars

• Newsletters

• E-mail/e-group options

Required college counseling seminar for juniors

– Introduction to the college search process– Timelines– Identifying needs/self-exploration/values clarification– Testing issues– Exposure to college materials, critical thinking– Dispelling myths, creating awareness, getting kids “on

board”, alleviating anxiety– Planning for junior spring & summer visits– The essay

Profiles

• Should accompany every transcript sent

• Tell the college about your school– School & community facts

• name, address and contact information• type of school (public/private)• enrollment by grade level• accreditation(s)• calendar system (quarter/semester/trimester)• description of the school community

Profiles (continued)

– Staff• Name of principal/headmaster

• Name(s) of counseling staff w/contact information

– Grading system• Grading system

• Computation of class rank (if computed) policy

• Grade weighting policy

• Graduation requirements

• Special situations (ESL or special needs students)_

Profiles (continued)

– Recent college admission test scores• Percent of students taking ACT/SAT• Range of scores

– Further schooling of graduates• chart or table showing percent of graduates attending

various types of post secondary schools

– Curriculum information• All courses offered• Designation of honors, AP & IB courses• Unusual programs or opportunities

Timeline for Conducting the College Search

• Sophomore year

• Junior year

– Fall• Take PSAT’s

– Winter/spring• Research schools; narrow down your list

• Prepare for the SAT/ACT

• Select appropriate senior year courses

– Summer• Visit Schools

Timeline for Conducting the College Search (continued)

• Senior Year– Fall

• Finalize your list of potential schools

• Visit schools

• Get letters of recommendation

• Take SAT/ACT

• APPLY

• Get financial aid information/forms

• Begin to apply for scholarships

Timeline for Conducting the College Search (continued)

– Winter• Continue to apply for admission and scholarships

• Apply for financial aid

• If accepted, make sure to let the admissions office know if you want an extension until May 1

– Spring• Evaluate acceptances and financial aid offers

• Send non-refundable deposit by May 1

• Send final transcript after graduation

Factors to consider when selecting a college

• Location, location, location– Large city– Small city– Rural area

• Major• Size of school

– Extra large 15,000 + (University of Mass.)– Large 5000-10,000 (Boston College) – Medium 1000-5000 (Springfield College)– Small under 1000 (Elms College)

Factors to consider when selecting a college (continued)

• Type of school– Liberal arts (Amherst College)– Technological (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)– Health sciences (Mass. College of Pharmacy)– Business (Bryant University)– Art (Mass. College of Art)– Military (Mass. Maritime Academy)

Factors to consider when selecting a college (continued)

• Type– Private– Public– Religious affiliated

• Lifestyle/Activities– Fraternities/sororities– Athletics– Clubs/organizations– Special programs - study abroad; co-op

Factors to consider when selecting a college (continued)

• Selectivity– Very selective (admits less than 30%)– Selective (admits 30-60%)– Competitive (admits 60-90%)– Open enrollment (admits 100%)– Institution selectivity vs. major selectivity

• Reputation

A word of caution about rankings/ratings

• US News & World Report & Rugg’s Recommendations on the College are helpful, but….

• The best school for a student may not have the best program

• Check the industry for programs that are accredited or endorsed

Resources to search for a college

• College Search Books– Peterson’s Guide– College Board Handbook– College Board Index of Majors– Chronicle Guidance Publications– Barron’s Guides– Lovejoy’s College Guide

• The Fiske to the Colleges• Rugg’s Recommendations on the Colleges

Resources to search for a college

• Athletic resources– National Directory of College Athletics

• Honors Programs– Peterson’s Guide to Honors Programs & Colleges

• Vocational/Technical Schools– Peterson’s Guide to Vocational & Technical Schools

• Religious Affiliated Schools– Peterson’s Christian College & Universities– Catholic Colleges – www.catholiccollegesonline.org

Resources to search for a college

• General Books– A is for Admission- Hernandez– The College Admissions Mystique - Mayer– Colleges that Change Lives - Pope– Admissions Confidential - Toor– The GateKeepers - Steinberg– The Public Ivys- Moll

Resources to search for a college

• Magazines/periodicals– US News & World Report– Money Magazine– The Gourman Report– Newsweek - How to Get into College– The Princeton Review– The free stuff

Resources to search for a college

• Placement Reports– Database (Microsoft Access)– Make your own program

• Scattergrams– www.naviance.com – www.inresonance.com.

College Fairs

• NACAC sponsored– Almost 50 national fairs – 15 Performing & Visual Arts college fairs

• State & Regional ACAC sponsored

• High school sponsored

• Other privately sponsored– National Hispanic College Fair

College tours for counselors

• Private– College Visits, 207 East Bay Street, Suite 304 Charleston,

SC 29401, 800-944-2798, www.college-visits.com

• College sponsored– College sponsored, usually ones situated close together– Free or inexpensive; you may pay to get there– Several days or part of the day– Overnight programs for counselors and their families– As part of conferences

College Tours for Students

• Commercial packages – www.college-visits.com– www.niep.com– The College Authority

(949) 371.1111

• Design your own college tour• Field trip to local college

– College may offset cost of transportation & meals

• Field trip to local college fair

The counselor cycle

• College Planning begins in the middle school– Middle school early planning program for parents

– Early testing programs - SSAT

• Develop a 4 year plan with incoming freshmen emphasizing proper course selection and good grades

• Continue in grades 10 & 11• Taking AP/Honors courses vs. less challenging

course

The counselor cycle(continued)

• Fall of junior year– Program to discuss calendar & resources

available to search for colleges• Voluntary

• Give out transcript

– PSAT administration• Third Saturday or Wednesday after Columbus Day

in October

• Given at most high schools nationally

The counselor cycle (continued)

• Spring of junior year– Program for students and parents

• Evening

• Panel of admission representatives

– SAT/ACT registration and administration– College search– College tours

The counselor cycle (continued)

• Fall of senior year– Large group meeting to gather information

• Review calendar & responsibilities• Review letter of recommendation guidelines• Deadlines

– Evening program– Small group/individual appointments– Folders– SAT/ACT test administration & registration– Letters of recommendation– Financial aid night

The counselor cycle (continued)

• Winter of senior year– Letters of recommendation– Reviewing applications and/or essays– Financial aid deadline reminder– Verification of transcripts sent

The counselor cycle (continued)

• Spring of senior year– Follow up with students who have not applied– Field trip to local community college– Assisting with financial aid award letter

interpretation and decision making– Coordinate program to help plan for the

transition to college for parents & seniors

Parts of an application• Application• Fee• Personal statement/essay• Secondary school report• Counselor recommendation• Teacher recommendations• Standardized test scores• Personal Interview• Portfolio• Other requirements for specific majors

How many applications?

• 3-5 was the average; 5-10 more common now– Community standard will determine this

• Sort institutions by selectivity– Reach - tend to be more competitive– Likely - a pretty good chance of getting in– Safety - pretty much a guaranteed admission

• Try to put 1-2 schools in each category to ensure choices later on

When to apply?

• Most early admission programs have deadlines around November 1st

• More selective schools have deadlines around January 1st

• Most schools have February or March 1st

• Less selective schools may continue accepting students up to May 1st

• Financial aid award may be determined by when you were accepted (priority deadline)

Counselor letter of recommendation• Should provide an overview of the applicant’s

strengths and potential for success in college• Don’t repeat what is already in the application

(I.e.: activities)• Reveal things that are not necessarily known

to the reader• Make connections, especially with events

which have shaped their goals/choices

Counselor letter of recommendation (continued)• Fill in the gaps• Give insights that most people wouldn’t know• Explain problems/issues (assuming you have

the permission of the student)• Respect confidentiality• Be positive, yet honest• Don’t state the obvious

Counselor letter of recommendation (continued)• Three parts

– Introduction - context in which you know the student

– Body - provide specific examples and documentation; can include teacher comments, but……

– Conclusion - summary of recommendation

• To show or not to show?

Counselor letter of recommendation (continued)• Where to gather information

– From student interactions & past experiences– From faculty– From records/cumulative folder– From parents

• How long should it be?

Teacher Letters of Recommendation• Don’t have too many; 2-3 at the most

• Have different disciplines represented unless specific individuals are needed

• Try to include letters from outside of the school if appropriate– Clergy– Coach– Advisor– Employer

Teacher Letters of Recommendation

• Ideally a student should have had the teacher for at least two classes

• Choose teachers from junior or senior year courses

• Student should provide information sheet

• What does the teacher do with it after it is written?

The Personal Statement/Essay

• This is a personal experience; don’t talk about other people or if you do, how he/she impacted you

• Be yourself

• This may be the only subjective information that the reader has about the candidate

• Should provide reflection about the individual’s strengths and weaknesses

The Personal Statement/Essay

• Should expand upon the application, not repeat it

• Should be your best effort, not a last minute piece

• Don’t write about what you think they want to hear

• Answer the question(s)• Follow directions

The Personal Statement/Essay

• Provide concrete, vivid examples Avoid gimmicks, humor (if you’re not funny) and preaching

• Avoid controversial topics

• Can be used to “explain” something

• Develop an outline prior to writing

• Don’t use big words or thesaurus words

• Make your introduction memorable

The Personal Statement/Essay

• Demonstrate higher level thinking; make the connection

• If you are going to mention the school, make sure to send the correct one

• Revise & rewrite

• Have others proofread it

• How long?

Secondary School Report

• Basic academic information • GPA• Rank• Strength of curriculum in comparison to others• Ratings/checklists• Statistics about placement rates• List of senior courses/grades• Transcript request• Letter of recommendation/counselor comments• Discipline/suspension issues

Campus visits

• Are a must

• Make an appointment; be sure to get “credit” for being visiting

• Bring a notebook to take notes

• Ask questions

• Observe students on campus and in the student center

• Visit a class

Campus visits (continued)

• Don’t schedule more than two a day

• Don’t schedule your first choice school first

• Visit classrooms and talk with faculty

• Eat in the cafeteria if possible

• Take part in activities if possible

Campus Interviews

• This is a chance for the student to get to know the campus as well as the admissions office to get to know you

• Don’t schedule first choice school first

• Learn as much as you can about the school before the interview

• Ask questions that are not already answered in the literature

• Be positive

Campus Interviews (continued)

• Be yourself

• Explain things not already found in your application

• Dress neatly

• Practice before going

• Don’t try to bluff; if you don’t know say so

• If possible, apply before interviewing

• Send thank you note

Alumni or Off Campus Interviews

• Make an appointment

• Individual vs. group interviews

• Have one if far from campus and can’t visit

• Do it even if you have been on campus; shows enthusiasm and interest

• Will give you a different perspective

The Common Application

• Used by 320 institutions

• Provides common form

• May be used in lieu of the school’s application or may be the only application

• Easily reproduced

• www.commonapp.org

Confidentiality

• Counselor expectations– FERPA

• Student expectations

• Follow SPGP guidelines

• Be sure to get student permission to send anything or make contact

Computer Search Resources

• www.myroad.com

• www.eguidance.com

• www.collegeboard.com

• www.act.org

• www.nacacnet.org

• www.neacac.org

Computer Search Resources (continued)

• www.finaid.org

• www.fafsa.ed.gov

• www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

• www.cyberguidance.net

• www.commonapp.org

• www.counselorstoolbox.com

Standardized Testing

• To test or not to test

• What scores are needed and who wants them?

• Why even use test scores?

• Do they predict college success?

ACT Assessment

• Formerly called American College Test

• Includes World-of-Work Map

• $29.00 basic fee

• 4 areas– English

• 75 question, 45 minute test; 2 subscores

• Usage/mechanics – Punctuation (13%)– Grammar and usage (16%)– sentence structure (24%)

ACT (continued)

• Rhetorical skills – Strategy (16%)– Organization (15%)– Style (16%)

– Mathematics• 60 question, 60 minute test

– Pre-algebra (23%)– Elementary algebra (17%)– Intermediate algebra (15%)– Coordinate geometry (15%)– Plane geometry (23%)– Trigonometry (7%)

ACT (continued)

– Reading• 40 question, 35 minute test; 2 subscores

– Social studies (25%)

– Natural sciences (25%)

– Prose fiction (25%)

– Humanities (25%)

• Questions ask to derive meaning by referring to what is explicitly stated and reasoning to determine implicit meanings

ACT (continued)

– Science Reasoning• 40 question, 35 minute test

– Data representation (38%)

– Research summaries (45%)

– Conflicting viewpoints (17%)

• Includes biology, chemistry, physics and earth/space sciences

• Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning and problem solving skills required in the natural sciences

ACT (continued)

– Writing Test• Optional

• 2 additional scores– Combined English/Writing score (1-36)

– Writing subscore (2-12)

» Scored holistically by 2 readers (1-6)

• 30 minute test

• Writing prompt with two viewpoints

• $43.00

PLAN

• Practice test for sophomores• Similar to ACT but less time and fewer questions

– English - 50 questions, 30 minutes

– Mathematics - 40 questions, 40 minutes

– Reading - 25 questions, 20 minutes

– Science Reasoning - 30 questions, 25 minutes

• Can be given at any time from September through December

• $8.65 - $9.00 per test depending upon # of tests to score

SAT Reasoning Test

• Formerly called Scholastic Aptitude Test• $41.50 Basic registration fee• Mathematics, critical reading and writing

sections• Scores range from 200-800• 1 point for every correct answer; no points for

omitted questions; lose a fraction of a point for each wrong answer

• Calculators permitted on math sections

SAT Reasoning Test (continued)

• Critical reading– 3 sections; 2 @25 minutes and 1 @ 20 minutes

• Reading comprehension

• Sentence completions

• Paragraph length critical reading

• Math– 3 sections; 2 @25 minutes and 1 @ 20 minutes

• Multiple choice

– Number and operations; algebra and functions; geometry; statistics, probability, and data analysis

• 10 student produced responses

SAT Reasoning Test (continued)

• Writing – 2 sections– 35 minute multiple choice

• Identifying sentence errors• Improving sentences• Improving paragraphs

– 25 minute essay• Always the first section of the test• Scored from 1-6 by two readers online

• Equating section - math or verbal 25 minutes – not included in your score

SAT Subject Tests

• Formerly called SAT II’s

• 20 individual subject tests; $18.00 basic registration fee + $8 per test (Language w/listening $19)

• Listening tests are only offered in November

• Should be taken at the end of the course

• 1 hour long; can take up to three in one day

• Not offered in the March/April administration

SAT Subject Tests (continued)

• Required by more selective colleges– Will indicate if specific tests are required– Will usually want 2 or 3 tests

• English literature• Math• Third in an area of intended study, in an area of

strength or an area of extended study

– New SAT Reasoning test has caused colleges to change their requirements

PSAT/NMSQT

• Preliminary SAT• Given the Wednesday after Columbus Day or 3rd

Saturday in October at high schools nation wide• $12.00 per test, although administrative fees can

be charged• Normed for juniors although some sophomores

take it– Should this be encouraged?

PSAT (continued)

• Register directly with the high school; online registration not available

• Very similar to the new SAT, except– No Algebra II will be included– No essay

• Try to emulate the SAT as much as possible

Standardized Testing

• Comparison from SAT I - ACT– Can be used to predict scores on the other test– Based upon scores from previous test takers

who took both tests– May find different tables depending upon data

used by an individual institution

Test of English as a Foreign Language

(TOEFL)• Moving towards entirely internet based test in 2006• $140• www.toefl.org• Measures proficiency in reading, listening, speaking

& writing• Approximately 4 hours long• Score is based upon on how well you answer the

questions (0-120)

College Level Examination Placement (CLEP)

• Over 2900 colleges grant credit or advanced standing for satisfactory scores

• 90 minutes long• $55

– Composition & Literature - 6– Foreign Languages - 3– History & Social Science - 12– Science & Mathematics -7– Business - 5

Advanced Placement

• 34 subjects offered– Art History & Studio Art– Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science,

Physics B & Physics C– Calculus AB, Calculus BC & Statistics– Computer Science A & AB– English Language & English Literature– Music Theory

Advanced Placement (continued)

– Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, European History, Comparative Government & Politics, U.S. Government & Politics, Human Geography, Psychology, U.S. History & World History

– French Language, French Literature, German Language, Latin Vergil, Latin Literature Spanish Literature & Spanish Language

– Coming soon – Italian, Japanese and Chinese Culture and Literature

Advanced Placement (continued)

• Tied to standardized curriculum

• Earn credit or waive courses in college

• Tests are given in the first two weeks of May of each year; set schedule

• Scores range from 1-5

• Exposed to college level material

International Baccalaureate

• The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect

• Available at 1600+ schools in 121 countries

• Is a non-profit educational organization that was established in 1968

International Baccalaureate• 3 program in schools worldwide

the Diploma Program, for students in the final two years of school before university

the Middle Years Program for students 11 to 16 the Primary Years Program is for students 3 to 12

• The IBO provides IB schools with: detailed curriculum guidelines teacher training workshops online access to 3,000 education resources, subject area

experts, and discussion sessions with teachers

High School of Commerce, Springfield

Fee Waivers

• Must meet eligibility guidelines set by testing service based on household size

0

5,00010,00015,00020,00025,00030,00035,00040,00045,00050,000

SAT ACT

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Fee Waivers (continued)

• Must be used initially to register for SAT Reasoning/ SAT Subject Tests or ACT– Subsequently can be used for application fee waiver

• Utilize school free/reduced lunch lists• There is a limit to the number of fee waivers you

can use, so be careful to ensure the most needy students get them; You can request more, but…..

• Request from the college directly

Test Prep Thoughts

• Lots of options– Princeton Review, Kaplan, Sylvan, etc.– Colleges/universities (I.e.: Westfield State)– High schools– Private companies (College Counseling

Services)

• Are they worth the cost & time?

• Access & equity issues

Admission Categories &Decisions

• Early decision

• Early action

• Restrictive early action

• Wait List

• Rolling admission

• Denial

• Deferment

Early Decision• Binding contract with the school• Clearly one’s first choice• Student promises to withdraw all other applications

from other schools if accepted• School must provide adequate financial aid• October 15 - November 15 deadlines• Early notification, usually within a month• If denied ED, can have file reviewed under regular

application pool• Counselor should only send 1 transcript ED

Early Action

• A non-binding admission process by which a student can apply to multiple schools

• Can have until candidate reply date to respond if attending

• Early deadline in November or December• Early notification usually a month later• Student does not have to withdraw other

applications

Restrictive Early Action

• Recently changed for the 2007-08 admission cycle• Similar to early action, however institutions may

place restrictions on the student applying to other early plans

• Restrictions will be part of the written agreement• Admitted students are not obligated to accept the

offer or submit a deposit until the regular candidate reply date

Early or not?

• Many students see this as an advantage since in many institutions a greater percentage of applicants are admitted early

• Creates havoc in the admissions office

• Seen as a clear advantage for the college - gets committed students early; affects yield

• Has gotten away from the original premise of one’s first choice school

Wait List

– You’re almost good enough…but– To get on the WL is tied to number of applicants and

strength of applicant pool – To get off the WL is tied to the number of students

who deposit– Will not know the status of the wait list until well

after May 1– Will not likely get any financial aid– Students must deposit elsewhere or get permission to

have their spot “held”

Rolling Admission

• Process by which students are accepted and notified anytime after their application is complete

• Schools usually have a February or March deadline (or no deadline)

• Majority of these schools are non-selective with no early deadline

• Usually send financial aid award letters under separate cover

Denial

• Or rejected? Either way, it is the same

• The thick or thin envelope?

• In some cases, it is to a major and other options are given, but in most cases it is to the institution

Candidate Reply Date

• Universally accepted as May 1

• Applicants must pay non-refundable deposit of at least $200

• The timing of the deposit may be tied to housing

• Should never deposit until student knows the status of financial aid

Options after May 1

• Many schools are still accepting qualified applicants

• May not get financial aid

• New England Board of Higher Education– www.nebhe.org

• NACAC– www.nacacnet.org/survey

Deferment

• Student knows which school s/he wishes to attend, but is not ready to start school

• Could be for one semester or one year• Not all colleges participate• Must have valid reason

– Earn money

– Travel

– Volunteer work

– Family obligations

• Advantage - have the acceptance in place

Taking a Year Off Options

• Explore the world– Global quest - www.gquest.org - Thailand– www.ithaka.org - Greece

• Volunteer work– www.dynamy.org– www.city-year.org– www.americorps.org– www.nascc.org

• www.takingtimeoff.com

13th year

• Opportunity for students with weak academic credentials to continue their education; gives them a better shot at getting into a more competitive college

• Most private prep schools will admit students for a 13th year

• Sometimes athletes will be encouraged to participate to improve athletic skills and become more competitive

What will make the difference between acceptance and denial?

• Academic performance

• Strength of academic schedule– Test scores– Personal statement– Recommendations– Application– Activities– Interview

Financial Aid

• General Thoughts– As important as admission– Student is the applicant, not the parent– Cost of attendance - Expected Family

Contribution = Financial Need– Special circumstances should be reported to the

financial aid office directly

Financial Aid Resources

• Your financial aid administrator (FAA)• 1.800.4FEDAID (800.433.3243)• State agencies

– Mass. Education Financing Authority - www.mefa.org

• www.fafsa.ed.gov - FAFSA online• www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide• www.finaid.org• www.wiredscholar.com

Working with special populations

• These students are in all schools– Students of various colors, cultures & ethnicities– Students of varying socio-economic status– Students from different religious backgrounds– Students with learning differences– Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered students– Gender

• How do deal with issues of diversity?

Issues of Race

• Supreme Court Rulings– Regents of Univ. of CA v. Bakke (1978)

• Can use race to determine admission; it is a compelling interest of the institution

– Grutter v. Bollinger et al. (2003)• Univ. of Michigan Law School• Can use race as one factor in determining admission

– Gratz et al. v. Bollinger et al. (2003)• Univ. of Michigan Undergraduate Admissions• Can no longer automatically award points for minorities

Students with Disabilities

• Disclose or not disclose?

• Are supports/services/accommodations available?

• Is there a cost for these services?

• 504 plans go with a student to college; not the IEP

Testing Students with Disabilities

• College Board Programs– Register as early as freshmen year for PSAT/NMSQT,

SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject Tests, AP

– Must have documentation on file that supports the need for an accommodation

– Receive and utilize the requested accommodation on school tests

– Student only has to complete the registration form once

Testing Students with Disabilities (continued)

– Center testing vs. school testing• Center

– regular Saturday exam

– Extended time up to 50% extra (time and 1/2)

• School– 100% extended time

– All other accommodations

» visual assistance, auditory assistance, scribe, etc.

• ACT has similar accommodation plans

• Each school should have designated testing coordinator

Student athletes

• Never tell a student which division they can play at; let the coach do that

• Make sure that students speak to coaches and ask the important questions; not parents

• Make sure the college coach has your schedule

• Visit during NCAA approved times

• Don’t give in easily; be persistent but not pushy

Student Athletes (continued)

• NCAA Clearinghouse– For Division I & II schools only– List of Approved Courses (Form 48-H)– Core GPA calculation & Test score– Initial eligibility vs. final eligibility– Register after completion of junior year– Send final transcript after graduation

Military Academies

• Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Military Academy (West Point) & Merchant Marine Academy

• US Coast Guard doesn’t require nomination

• Must be nominated by U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator, President, Vice-President or military affiliated nominations

• Maximum of 5 students per academy at one time; may nominate up to 10 candidates per vacancy

Military Academies (continued)

• Must be between 17 & 23, U.S. citizen, single, not pregnant and no dependents

• Very selective admission requirements• Must meet physical aptitude requirements• Should complete preliminary application with

the academy in spring of junior year• Should complete required file with

Congressman by deadline (fall senior year)

Senior Slump/Senior Slide/Senioritis

• Why?

• Colleges can withdraw acceptances if serious; most give severe warning or put on academic probation

• What can you do to motivate these seniors?

• Some schools provide unique senior programs during the second semester or final quarter to avoid this problem

Final thoughts…...

• College admission counseling is an ever changing process which requires continual professional development

• Your role as a college counselor will depend on the community in which you work

• For some students, you may be the only help that they have