College Planning Seminar Trinity High School Class of 2016.

College Planning Seminar

Trinity High SchoolClass of 2016

Goals of Seminar

• Recognize what colleges find most important

• Understand standardized testing progression

• Become familiar with Naviance and other

resources

• Understand the idea of “fit”

• Understand Student/Parent/Counselor roles

• See what is coming up in the months to come

NACAC Survey: Most Important Factors

High School Transcript Standardized Test Scores

Letters of Recommendation (Counselor and Teacher)

Essay(s)

Activities and/or Employment

Senior Year Course Considerations

• Your course selections and your senior year grades are both VERY important to colleges!

• 4-5 Core Academic courses• Do NOT lighten load• Pay attention to graduation requirements AND college

requirements• Colleges look at strength of senior schedule• Register carefully and choose your classes wisely – no

changes senior year• See your counselor with questions

Trinity Graduation Requirements

Credits Subject4.0 English4.0 Theology3.0 Math3.0 Lab Science3.0 Social Studies2.0 World Language1.0 Physical Education1.0 Computer

Applications

Credits Subject1.0 Fine & Performing

Arts or Business Education

.50 Fine & Performing Arts

.50 Freshman Seminar

.50 Health

.50 Economics*

.50 Speech3.5 Electives

Standardized Tests

• PSAT Early Indicators• EXPLORE• PLAN • ACT• SAT• SAT Subject Tests• Test Preparation

ACT

• English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing• Colleges accept either the ACT or SAT• Many colleges require the ACT with writing, so

students are strongly encouraged to take the test with writing each time

• When you register, you can send your score to 4 colleges for free.

ACT TEST DATES 2015 - 2016

TEST DATE Registration Deadline

Late Registration(Late fee required)

April 18, 2015 March 13, 2015 March 14 – 27, 2015

June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015 May 9 – 22, 2015

September 12, 2015 TBD TBD

October 24, 2015 TBD TBD

December 12, 2015 TBD TBD

February 6, 2016 TBD TBD

Register online at www.act.org

SAT and SAT Subject Tests

• SAT - Critical Reasoning, Math, Writing• SAT Subject tests are required or

“recommended” at some colleges, especially highly selective universities (Ivy League, U of Chicago, Northwestern)

• Check schools’ requirements EARLY (now!)• Each test is only on one subject: Literature,

Spanish, Math, Chemistry, etc.• Each test is 1 hour long; You can choose to

take up to 3 tests on each test date

SAT TEST DATES 2015 - 2016

TEST DATE Registration Deadline (Late fee required)

March 14, 2015 February 13, 2015

May 7, 2015 April 8, 2015

June 4, 2015 May 6, 2015

Register online at www.collegeboard.com

Test Preparation

• Practice Makes Perfect: Students should take numerous practice tests!

• Utilize your resources: Take a test prep course!

• Go to www.trinityhs.org

Academics tab Guidance Department Testing Test Preparation Resources:

http://www.trinityhs.org/academics/guidance/standardized-testing/act-test-preparation-resources/

Guidance Website: Testing

Test Optional

• Many colleges and universities recognize that the standardized tests may not be the best way to evaluate a student’s admissibility– DePaul University, Augustana College, Illinois College

• These schools are called “Test Optional” – meaning that a test score is optional in their application

• A list of these schools can be found at www.fairtest.org

Naviance – Family Connection

• Get involved in the planning and advising process – Build a resume, complete online surveys, and manage timelines and deadlines for making decisions about colleges and careers

• Research colleges – Compare GPA, standardized test scores, and other statistics to actual historical data from our school for students who have applied and been admitted in the past

• Research careers – Research hundreds of careers and career clusters, and take career assessments

• Create plans for the future – Create goals and to-dos, and complete tasks assigned by the school to better prepare students for future college and career goals.

Naviance – Family Connectionhttp://connection.naviance.com/trinityhisch

Naviance – Family Connection

Naviance – College Profile

Naviance - Scattergrams

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Finding the Best Fit:“The 6 Ps”

1. Person—Learning Style, Likes/Dislikes, Size, Extracurricular Activities, Athletics

2. Program—Majors, Internships, Study Abroad, Honors Programs

3. Place—Distance from Chicago, Region/State, Rural/Suburban/Urban

4. People—Diversity—Cultural, Religious Affiliation, Geographic

5. Price—Scholarships, Grants, Loans, Work Study6. Prestige—What does that mean?

Fit Continued

• Prioritize the Ps

• After self-reflection comes research

• Narrow down list

• Remind your student to keep blinders on

• Importance of a balanced list

• International Baccalaureate

• University recognition policies: www.ibo.org/recognition

Application Overview

•When?

•How? Paper (extinct?) vs. Internet

•Admission Processes• Early Decision (binding)• Early Action/Priority• Regular Decision/Rolling Admissions

•How many?•Reach/Target/Likely •The Common Application: www.commonapp.org

Teacher Recommendations

• Whom to ask?

• When to ask?

• How many?

• Thank you notes!

Essays/Personal Statements

•Choosing a topic

•Must be in your own words!

•Length

•When to start working on them…

•Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!

•Ask for input from family, friends, teachers & counselors, but make it your own!

The Financial Aid Process

FormsFAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid)CSS Profile

Will DetermineEFC = Estimated Family Contribution

Financial Aid Process Continued

College Cost EFC NEED

Example:College Cost $42,000

E.F.C. (20,000)

Need $22,000Financial Aid “Package”

IMAP = $4,500

Academic Scholarship/Grant = $10,600

Federal Grants = $2,000

College Work/Study = $2,400

Loan Recommendation = $2,500

NEED MET = $22,000

College SearchFinancial Aid/Scholarship Sites

• www.isac.org• www.fafsa.ed.gov/• www.cappex.com • www.collegeboard.com• www.collegeillinois.org • www.collegenet.com• www.fastweb.com• www.gocollege.com• www.collegeview.com

Student Role

• Research colleges• Schedule appointments with College Counselor• Ensure a balance of likely, target and reach schools• Register for and send standardized test scores to

colleges directly from testing agency• Complete and submit application and all required

material to colleges by the deadline• Keep Naviance list of “colleges I’m thinking about” up

to date

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Role

• Help manage Student’s timeline

• Submit all forms (questionnaire & FAFSA) required of parents

• Read all correspondence from Trinity High School’s counselors

• Conduct open and honest discussions with your student regarding your thoughts, expectations, and preferences

• Stay behind the white line• Take the student on visits, if possible• Do NOT complete applications, write essays, or call schools on

behalf of students

White Line ViolationsGet ‘em ready, but stay off of the field/stage/court

• Living vicariously through your child

• Pronoun misuse: “our” vs. “her”

• Spending more time investigating colleges than your daughter does

• Asking all of the questions on the campus tour

• Some colleges note contact from students vs. parents

• Writing, typing, submitting applications for your child

College Counselor Role

• Provide guidance around all aspects of the college admission process

• Meet with students in small groups, in workshops, and on an individual basis

• Assist with college list generation and review, upon student request

• Application and essay review and interview preparation

• Act as liaison to admission officers at colleges• Other Professional Development

College Conference

• Mandatory 30 minute meeting with College Counselor during school day

• College Search Questionnaire – Student completes on Naviance

• Parent College Questionnaire • Action plan and time line• Discussion of fit • Suggest colleges to add to college list, if

appropriate

College Visit Tips

• Try to visit at least one of each:– Public– Private– Small– Medium– Large

• Set up an official tour & information session (look on the school’s website for information on how to set this up)

• If possible, sit in on a class and stay overnight in a residence hall

Fairly Easy College Trips (see 3 colleges in one trip!)

• Illinois:– Illinois Wesleyan U. (Bloomington) – small, private– Bradley U. (Peoria) – medium, private– U. of Illinois (Urbana/Champaign) – large, public

• Indiana: – Depauw U. (Greencastle) – small, private– Butler U. (Indianapolis) – medium, private– Indiana U. (Bloomington) – large, public

• Wisconsin:– Carroll U. (Waukesha)– small, private– Marquette U.(Milwaukee)– medium, private– U. of WI-Milwaukee (Milwaukee)– large, public

TimelineJUNIOR YEAR

• SPRING– Work on Grades– Complete college questionnaire (Naviance)– Continue to research colleges – develop initial list of

schools (Naviance)– Visit colleges over Spring break– Register and take standardized tests– Ask 1-2 teachers for recommendation letter

• SUMMER– Finalize “short list”, College visits, Essays, Start Applications

Timeline

SENIOR YEAR•FALL–Complete applications & essays–Complete transcript requests–Retake tests (if necessary)–Maintain strong grades–Visit college campuses, attend college fairs

•WINTER–Apply for financial aid and scholarships

•SPRING–Apply for housing and make enrollment deposit

Trinity Counseling Department

Mrs. Rachel Behren, School [email protected]

Mrs. Victoria Herling, School [email protected]

Ms. Renee Koziol, [email protected]

Mrs. Rosalie Martinez, [email protected]