Fairfield College Preparatory School Junior College Planning Night January 12, 2012

JOHN HANRAHAN - DEAN OF GUIDANCE & COLLEGE ADVISING (L-Z)

RICK HUTCHINSON - COLLEGE ADVISOR (A-K)KIM BERNIER – GUIDANCE ASSISTANT

Fairfield College Preparatory School

Junior College Planning NightJanuary 12, 2012

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings

Fall of Junior Year:

• Overview of the Junior Year• Standardized Testing– overview and

strategy• Identifying Appropriate Colleges• Naviance

Identifying Colleges My Game Plan My resume

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings

Spring of Junior Year:

• Standardized Testing • Key Factors in Admission• Resume• Campus Visits /Fairfield Regional College

Fair, Date/Location: TBD• **Junior Interview – with advisor**• Senior Course Selection• Summer Strategies• Admission Glossary

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings

Topics for Fall Senior Year:

• Check-In Meeting with College Advisor• Finalizing Application Strategy• Coordination of Application process:

application forms, essay (s), recommendations, sending testing to 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

College Planning Resources

www.fairfieldprep.org

Naviance and the College Advising Page in the Guidance Section on the Prep website provides information on:

InterviewingFactors in College AdmissionGlossary of College Admission TermsResume modelsSAT/ACT testing dates & deadlines

Evaluating a Transcript

Course of Study

5 core subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Science, Foreign Language

Grade Trends

→ Most challenging course load that the student can manage.

→ Limited # of “lighter” electives.

→ Junior year, 1st quarter senior year and 1st semester senior year are key.

Standardized Testing*Students register themselves for all SAT and/or ACT exams.*

SAT (SAT I) www.collegeboard.com • At least once in spring Junior Year (Jan., March, May,

June)• At least once in fall Senior Year (Oct., Nov., Dec.)

SAT Subject Tests (SAT II)• Some colleges may require (see websites)• Can highlight an academic strength

ACT www.act.org • Spring Junior year dates: Feb., April, June• Fall Senior year dates: Sept., Oct., Dec.

“Tip” Factors

Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: Highlight individual academic strengths and personal qualities

Essay(s):• Reveals self• “Show, Don’t Tell”

Significant activity(ies): • Will show depth and commitment to personal

interests and growth.

“Tip” Factors (Continued)

Athletic recruitment Special talents or attributes – how to

highlight?Interview (admission counselor, current

student or alumni)Supplemental letters (use sparingly)Demonstrated InterestEssays (From Common App.

Supplements)

Application options and strategies

Regular Decision

Early Action

Early Decision

Rolling Decision(w/ priority dates)

Finding a College “Fit”

Prospective College List: Personal Preferences

Size (# undergraduates)

Geographic LocationCampus setting (urban,

suburban, rural) Academic focusAreas of studyFacilities: Library,

Research Labs, etc.Social Atmosphere Campus Life, Sports,

ArtsReligious affiliationSupport services

CostFinancial AidHousing – 4 year

guaranteed?Diversity

(Ethnic,Geographic)Admission CriteriaGraduation +Retention

RatesOutcomes: employment

and graduate schoolsGreek system

Prospective College List: Other Resources

Friends and RelativesGuide booksRankings College AdvisorAlumni Honors and

accreditationsName Prestige

**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 (beware increasing selectivity)

Place in 5 Categories (as designated in Naviance): Far Reach, Reach, Possible, Likely and Safety

Use Naviance Scattergrams as a guide, but not as an absolute.

Final Application List

Up to 10 (+/-)

Fairfield Prep Average: 8

Prioritize the list

Only a “safety” school if you would attend.

Contact (i.e. demonstrated interest) is more important with small/medium 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 college 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 (i.e. Demonstrated Interest)

What to look for while on campus

General University/College Information*Read a Campus Newspaper*

Campus Life• Residence halls, cafeteria, 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 MeetingResearch: Web -based resources are bestContact institutionsVisit CampusesAttend spring open house programs Standardized Testing - first/second roundAttend local/regional college fairsConsider teacher recommendersDevelop an Activities Resume (excellent

document to present at an interview)Initial contact with athletic coaches etc.

College Planning: Summer before Senior Year

Campus VisitsRefine listConsider application options: Regular, EA, ED,

Rolling Establish Common Application Account after August

1st. 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 AdvisorMeet admission representatives who visit Fairfield

Prep Ask teachers to write recommendations.Parent/Family Recommendation to CounselorAttend College Fairs and Information Night programsFinalize essays and applications Final campus visits (tours, interviews, overnights, class

visits, open houses)Standardized Testing – final roundCheck merit scholarship requirements and deadlines.FAFSA/CSS Profile – Financial Aid instruments

Trends in Admission

Test Optional Colleges Fast Track/Priority Applications Demonstrated Interest – particularly in schools

deemed “safeties” Interview (smaller colleges) re-emergence “Authenticity” More Writing on Common Application

Supplements Public School interest on the rise Requests for Financial Aid rising

Useful Web Sites

www.collegeboard.comhttps://connection.naviance.com/

fairfieldprep/www.commonapp.orgwww.fafsa.ed.govwww.act.orgwww.ncaa.org

Miscellaneous Thoughts…

Encourage student to stay in contact with the College Advising Office. Communication is essential.

Allow ample time (2 + months) for essay writing.

Discern all requirements of your list early (Standardized testing requirements, supplements, essays, deadlines, etc.).

[email protected] 203-254-4200 ext 2238 (L-Z)

[email protected] ext. 2502 (A-K) [email protected] ext. 2437