1 Welcome CLASS of 2018
2 College Choice is a ProcessThe college search is a series of steps in which each builds on the previous one. Take your time and carefully complete each step before moving on to the next. There is a school for everyone, so remember:
3 College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won….The Guiding Principle…. College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won…. It’s essential to instill this value in the students and parents to whom we speak! There is no “best/better/nicer” school, only the school that is best suited to the student. Additionally, colleges and universities think this way too…we are looking for a STUDENT that is a good fit….
4 Easing the fear & anxietyThere is no magic formula. Hard work, attention to details are important. But – luck enters into it at the more selective schools. Meticulous mapping and planning does not guarantee any college admissions. As with life, it isn’t always fair. That is where we come in – to give you guidelines, timelines, and to bust myths. . .
5 MYTHS If you haven’t heard of a college, it can’t be good.I am a FAILURE if I don’t get in to College X. The more Rigorous the Admission the BETTER the school Prestigious schools lead to better jobs or admission to graduate programs Students MUST have AP classes to get into a GOOD college MYTHS
6 RANKINGS: Are not all they are cracked up to be & can beEvery year, various magazines publish their college rankings issues. These rankings often get a lot of attention But just because a magazine says that a particular college is number one doesn't mean that it would be a good match for you. Every student looks for different characteristics in a college—characteristics that may not be considered by a magazine writer looking for a hot story. You may find that the college of your dreams is ranked number one, number ten, or not at all. Are not all they are cracked up to be & can be Hurtful as well as Helpful
7 Truths The college search and application process takes organization and work so start now. Everyone has an opinion – but only YOUR student is going to go to the college It is NOT all about the bumper sticker You don’t need to know what you want to do in life or major in at college Rankings are overrated and subjective
8 Find schools that are a GOOD FIT for Your studentBottom Line: Find schools that are a GOOD FIT for Your student !! Read that : YOUR STUDENT
9 Departments Counseling: Click on Naviance Link Sign in – open ABOUT ME Click on Profile Naviance Stress in both sessions: Parents and Students need their own, separate Naviance accounts because there is different information available on each account.
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11 Tell students to open ABOUT ME linkTell students to open ABOUT ME link. Show students where profile is located; where resume is located, where game plan is located; point out surveys section. Tell parents about 3 links at top
12 Resume – helps itemize their activities for applications – or submit a professional resume for applications and scholarships as needed Survey Questionnaires – completion mandatory if they want counselors to write letters of rec
13 All colleges, scholarships and National Honor Society applicants will be asked for a listing – this will help the student’s efficiency and it helps with any required counselor letters of recommendation.
14 Researching Colleges Factors to ConsiderYou want to find a college that is a good fit for the student! Find one that allows them to have a Balance between academics, social and emotional needs Factors to Consider
15 Factors in Admission DecisionsYOUR FACTORS Public/Private Instate/Out of State Distance From Home Size Special Programs City/Suburban/Rural Majors Offered Diversity Cost The COLLEGE Factors Course Selection Grades SAT/ACT Scores Required Essays Extracurricular Activities Leadership Required Recommendations Read and discuss different points: Public vs. private; instate/out of state; location, diversity, size Objective college data; subjective data: essays and recommendations, activities, leadership; Can you follow directions???
16 College Search and Compare TipsChoosing a College How do I narrow my search from 4,000 options? NAVIANCE Naviance is not just a college search engine. It is the on-line program CCHS uses to track applications & send school records. Why know how to use Naviance? It is the main way counselors communicate with parents and seniors. It keeps students organized, they can track their own progress, and the application process from Catholic cannot be completed without following all the necessary steps
17 Under Colleges link – this is page where they can access their lists; research colleges; research scholarships.
18 Review factors to consider in college search: TYPE: 2 yr/4 year cuts number of matches in halfLOCATION: generic regions vs. one particular state; search by miles from home Athletics Division 1, 2 3 sports, MAJORS
19 Where to Start Search schools on Naviance using criteria you think is important to you ADD schools you are interested in exploring to your COLLEGES I AM THINKING ABOUT list Mention CPCC: great for saving up to 1/2 of the cost of 4 year college ($2000/year tuition vs. $7500 at App State or $8800 at UNC; getting an Associate degree then transferring to a 4 year college or certification to go into workforce. Thinking About list is their researching list – access school’s website, tell us their level of interest; see admissions data specific to CCHS for popular schools
20 LIKELY (?)** GPA, SCORES, Courses are higher than average accepted student range TARGET GPA, SCORES, Courses are JUST RIGHT in the Average Accepted Student range REACH GPA, SCORES are BELOW average accepted student range Review these categories. Scattergrams can help students narrow list of schools down to mostly target and likely schools – where they most likely can get in vs. a reach school. 1 or 2 reaches is ok, especially if they have a dream school, but you don’t want all reaches. **Please note: These are MOVING TARGETS: SAT/ACT and GPA ranges change from year to year, usually moving up and out. Reach Schools – some schools are a “reach” for anyone (think: IVY League.
21 Scattergram Access with Bar Graph or on College’s “Thinking About” page Are you in the LIKELY, TARGET or REACH area? Where does IM Able fall. Use pointer to show little red circle and state that she is in the target GPA but her scores could be better to make it a true target school.
22 Standardized Tests ACT + Writing ACTstudent.org February 28:ALL CCHS – required SAT: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat SAT Subject Tests: 39 selective schools require subject tests – read application requirements carefully.
23 Standardized Tests Free Online Test Prep:SAT: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/ & Khan Academy ACT: All colleges require scores be sent directly from ACT or CollegeBoard to the colleges Just an aside: Khan Academy has both old and new SAT prep on it.
24 Test Dates SAT ACT December 3, 2016** January 28, 2017 **March 11, 2017 ** May 6, 2017 ** June Fall, Senior Year ACT December 10, 2016 February 11, 2017 February 28, 2017 @ CCHS April 8, 2017 June 10, 2017 Fall, Senior Year We are encouraging juniors to take the SAT : December or January so they can mix and match a highest score from each section. They can also try the new SAT starting in March. On the New SAT: No penalty for guessing.
25 Registering for the testsACT: ACTstudent.org SAT: collegeboard.org Photo ID required ON Admission TICKET No standby testing: Register by deadlines! Can send scores to 4 colleges for free with each time you take the test Sending scores after testing costs money – remember: all scores must be sent directly to colleges from testing agency Practice tests help improve scores. Stress importance of students signing up for “membership” on CollegeBoard and ACT websites – if parents do it students often cannot access important information in their counselor’s office.
26 Representative Visits @ CCHSVisit Colleges Visit the College Representative CCHS Go to Admission web page Sign up on each colleges website to take office tour of the campus Sign up for Open House Sign up to meet with Representatives at CCHS on Naviance hours in advance – Print off Pass for teacher. Attend Spring NACAC College Fair
27 What to Look for; What to AskThe people, the campus – can you see yourself happily living; are the current students active, happy – what do they do on weekends? Living Learning Communities? Greek Life? Honors Programs; Tutoring Centers Career Centers for exploration; availability of internships; Percentage of freshmen who return for sophomore year (retention rate)
28 To ask Out of State CollegesAre non-resident applicants reviewed differently than resident applicants? What circumstances may waive out of state tuition? Residency requirements Any benefits for legacies?
29 Narrow your college list downBased on your objective criteria (SAT, ACT, GPA) & Based on your college visits and research: Narrow your College List Down
30 Terminology Types of Applications: Early Decision (Binding);Early Action; Regular Decision; Rolling Admission Deadlines: Early Decision, Early Action, Regular. Scholarship Deadlines; Scholarship Applications Supplemental Forms: Required or optional Scores from Testing Agency (College Board, ACT) ED: Binding – explain’ EA: not binding – still have until May 1st, the universal decision date, to decide. Students must know the deadlines – CCHS needs at least 3 days notice to send transcripts; teachers need at least 3 weeks notice to write recommendations.
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32 De-mystifying Some Common StressorsTranscripts: Must be requested on Naviance; transcript fee required before transcript will be sent No transcripts will be sent until 1 week after Labor Day. Requesting Required Letters of Recommendation: Students and Parents Insight Questionnaires must be completed no later than 3/1/17 Teacher recommendations: if required by colleges, students must ask the teacher In Person. complete the Teacher Questionnaire on ABOUT ME tab go to COLLEGES I AM APPLYING TO and add teacher request under Teachers need 3 weeks notice prior to deadline!
33 De-mystifying Some Common StressorsDeadlines: Teachers & Counselors need 3 weeks notice for letters of recommendation Registrar needs 1 week for transcripts Applications for colleges have various deadlines – check their websites Scholarships have specific deadlines – read directions carefully This is a lot of information – again – it will be on the website. Costs: $20.00 Transcript Fee - all seniors must pay by Labor Day - via Online store 2. College Application fees are required at time application is submitted online.
34 Paying for College Yup, Money doesn’t grow on trees AndNo one is just going to give it to you
35 Scholarships = Free MoneyMost scholarships come directly from colleges Check college website financial aid/scholarship page DEADLINES are important – Priority deadlines for scholarships; check college websites. Requires WORK: Search & Apply: CCHS website: Counseling link under Departments has a Financial Aid section with resources Internet Searches:
36 Financial Aid Package consists ofScholarships and Grants (from colleges) Loans Work Study Requires application by parent and student AVOID SCAMS: NEVER PAY for Scholarship Search or Applications
37 Info on Web site and in NavianceApplying for Fin Aid Fall 2017 CSS Profile September 2017: Fin Aid CCHS Info on Web site and in Naviance October 2017** FAFSA *Net Price Calculators are available on every college financial aid website *Davidson College’s Financial Aid Presentation to CCHS is available on website, Departments: Counseling, “Financial Aid” link. **FAFSA will be changing dates for submission – look for more info next year
38 To Do Tonight: To Start Doing: Resume: Surveys:1. Finish updating Profile with correct phone and cell phone numbers for you and students. To Start Doing: Students: Schedule Appointment with counselor Resume: Keep updating it Surveys: Student Insight Questionnaire: DUE: MARCH 1st Parent Insight Questionnaire: DUE: MARCH 1st Questionnaires are located on the About Me tab. Parents must sign into to their account for access to their student account (separate from student’s sign in) in order to see the Parent Insight Questionnaire.
39 Register: for SAT &/or ACT Prepare: Use Free online test prep Do NOW: Register: for SAT &/or ACT Prepare: Use Free online test prep SAT Most dates at CCHS ACT + Writing - act+writing February 28th at CCHS Public school test sites Subject Tests For admission: spring & fall
40 Pick strong senior curriculumSign up on Naviance to meet reps visiting CCHS Plan College Day (3) Visits – see Ms. Ryan And of Course You Need to: Update Colleges Thinking About Research & Visit Colleges Check application requirements on web page: SAT Subject tests? Teacher Recs? Pick strong senior curriculum Talk to your teachers See your counselor Keep your grades up Do your best Balance Work & Fun
41 Get important updates from Counselors on Twitter:Web Site Resources CFNC.ORG: Access to all NC college web sites, applications, scholarship searches, etc. Do 1 application; it pre-fills in all other NC apps with same information CommonApp.Org: 1 common application for hundreds of colleges with additional supplemental forms for each school Coalitionforcollegeaccess.org: 90 schools providing another common application option. .coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/ Get important updates from Counselors on Twitter: @HeadToCollege
42 ESSAYS – Required?? Common Application Schools and many other schools do require an essay. They will often give you several topics to choose from. Here are the Common Application essay choices for the Fall 2017 Applications (go to commonapp.org for specific directions):
43 2016-2017 Essay Prompts - will change in July of 2017 for seniors 1Essay Prompts - will change in July of 2017 for seniors 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. 5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
44 The road may seem long and winding But, Take it one step at a time, Follow the road map we have laid out to help you Discover your destination. Don’t be afraid to Ask for directions and help. We haven’t lost anyone yet and. . .
45 Follow your own Road to findCollege Match Nothing here but a Great Amen Glory Be It’s Done!