Welcome to Northside’s College Planning Night 2013/2014

Introduction

Alexander Hughes500 Pagani 501 Flores

502 Hennagir

Marina Medina503 Santiago J.504 Mulligan

Patrick Tassoni/ Vijayaletchmi Schnatterbeck

505 Vosnos506 Park, L.

Katie Mathews 507 Martinez508 Huestis

AgendaJunior Year

• Getting to know yourself• College Fit and

Characteristics• Cost of College• Keep up with current

classes• Testing• Junior Year Tasks• College Conference

Senior Year

• Demonstrating interest• Senior Year Planning –

what to expect• Application process• Recommendations• Essays• Naviance

You Are In the College Pipeline• Selective Enrollment/Peers• College Prep Curriculum• Intensive Writing curriculum/Essays• Curriculum addresses standardized testing• Technology/Application Process• Testing• Colloquium (Opportunities to shine)• Valuable extracurricular opportunities• Connect  with Academic Enrichment Programs• Global Initiatives • Teachers, Admin, Counselors, Parents• Alumni Support

Where Should Juniors Be In Their Planning? 

Getting to Know Yourself (p. 6 CHB)

This process is about you going to college. Reflecting on yourself and who you are is 

the most important first step in this process. 

1. Interests

2. Personality

3. Extracurricular Activities

4. Self‐Assessment Form on Naviance – DUE April 1, 2014

• Helps formulate letter of recommendation, essays,  & college choices

• Must be done before college conference

5. Parent Recommendation Form

Slide 5

2 Insert proper page numbersKatherine Mathews,

2 Slide 5 - just key points, explain each pointVijayaletchmi Schnatterbeck,

3 Insert senior year coursesKatherine Mathews,

Junior Planning College Fit/College Characteristics

Ask yourself what it is you want in a college? What do you need and want 

for the next four years of your life? Consider the following:

a. Size of school‐ (60,000 vs. 1,000)

b. Location of the school‐What part of the country? Distance from home? 

Travel time and cost? Vacations spent where? Homesickness? Parents can 

visit?

c. School setting (e.g. urban, rural, suburban) Fashion design vs. wildlife 

management?

Junior PlanningCollege Fit and Characteristics:Curricular and co‐curricular should be a whole experience. “ If you want to learn 

content, take an online course”‐Donna Shalala, President (University of Miami)

1. First Year Seminars and Experiences 2. Common Intellectual Experiences‐ Core, integrative studies3. Undergraduate Research/Internships4. Diversity/Global Learning5. Service Learning, Community Based Learning‐ "Experiential learning"6. Capstone Courses and Projects‐ project that integrates and applies knowledge 

learned

Outcome Data:1. Retention Rate2. Graduation Rate3. Job/Grad School Placement Rate4. Loan Default RatePeoplea. Student bodyb. BYU vs. U.C. Berkeleyc. Clubs & Activities

Junior Planning College Costs    

Consider cost, but do not let it be the deciding factor yet.  Remain open to all colleges now.  The financial aid packages you receive in spring of senior year will assist you in making a final decision about affordability .  Right now, consider the following:

• Cost of applications ‐ Application fees range from $0‐$60 each. Look for fee waivers from the colleges, if you qualify.   *Refer to page …… in the College Planning Handbook

• Total cost ‐ (tuition, board, fees, book, travel, misc.)• Consider family affordability, but also that schools try to meet difference through loans, 

work study, grants.• Consider total amount of loans student will have at graduation.  

• Educational Loans as an investment• Focus on outcome data• 1 year of school outright

• Net Price Calculator ‐ online estimation tool allowing prospective students, families, and consumers to estimate the individual net price of an institution of higher education for a student.  

• Have the conversation early about your financial situation / affordability

Net Price Calculator:  http://collegecost.ed.gov/netpricecenter.aspx

Junior PlanningGRADES MATTER MOST! Be Determined to do Your Best! • Colleges review your transcript 

closely              • Rigor• Balance• Upward grade trends• Quality vs. quantity of AP

Senior Year Schedule should be challenging, but mindful of balance and college application/scholarship workload.

Graduation Requirements• 28 credits to graduate• 40 service learning hours• Consumer Ed• Constitution• Driver’s Ed

Junior Planning Standardized Testing:

• ACT Exam  (turn to p.29 CHB) ‐ www.actstudent.org

• SAT Exam (turn to p. 30 CHB) ‐ www.collegeboard.org

• SAT II’s/Subject Tests (p. 30 CHB) Take if required by college or if you want to show strengths

• ‐Take at the end of junior year if possible

• ‐Some colleges use for placement and not for entrance

• ‐There are 20 subject areas.

• ‐Further information can be found on www.collegeboard.org. 

• List of schools that do not use standardized tests as a part of the admission process:  http://fairtest.org/

PSAE (Prairie State Achievement Examination)  

• Day 1:  Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014 ACT with writing

• Day 2:  Thursday, April 24th, 2015 Work Keys ‐ practical 

work applications of math, reading and writing

• All juniors at NCP are automatically registered for this 

exam and will take the exam during the school day. 

• Most universities, colleges and the NCAA Clearinghouse

accept the ACT of the PSAE as an official ACT score.  

Begin Researching and Demonstrating Interest1. Joint College Fair: Von Steuben High School, March 27, 2014, from 

6:30pm‐8:30pm

2. Visit colleges in the area to get an idea of different campus environments.  (Lake Forest College, Northwestern University , Loyola University, University of Chicago, Art Institute)

3. Utilize college‐related websites and apps (i.e. NAVIANCE)

4. Attend college open houses.  Arrange for an overnight visit or fly‐out program

5. Meet with visiting representatives at school (see listing on NCP website under counseling/college information).

6. List and compare your college interests by what you want in a college 

7. Demonstrating interest (See p. 26in the CHB).

Junior Year Tasks

1. Complete Self‐assessment on NAVIANCE by April 1, 2014

2. Add prospective colleges to your NAVIANCE list (“Colleges I’m Thinking About”)

3. Arrange for your College Conference by the end of the school year

4. Ensure all graduation requirements will be made by end of senior year

5. Ask teachers if  they will write you a recommendation

6. If you’re pursuing collegiate athletics, register at the NCAA Clearinghouse

7. Utilize the summer to enhance your college applications

a. Summer Program

b. Volunteering

c. Internship/Job

d. College Bridge/Dual Enrollment

8. Review and draft Common App essay prompts to lighten your load Fall Senior Year

Senior Year Financial Planning• Search for Scholarships ‐ research throughout the year.  

• Check the Counseling Department’s Website every month for updates! 

• Utilize reputable websites, review the counseling  department’s monthly 

bulletin,  as well as financial aid websites of colleges of interest.  

• Some colleges require the CSS Profile (College Scholarship Services).

• Use Net Price Calculators.

• Attend Northside’s  Financial Aid Night – December of senior year

• Financial Aid‐ January 1st of your senior year, you will  fill out the FAFSA form. 

Obtain a pin number and complete the FAFSA  at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. 

Turning in Applications

Application TypesKnow your college application deadlines‐

a. Early Decision – Binding  agreement

b. Early Action (non‐binding)/Early Action Single Choice – November deadlines  

Usually more scholarships available when applying early.

c. Regular Decision – January 1st

d. Rolling Admission – Applications accepted on a rolling basis until all spots are 

taken.

e. Priority Deadline – Not an early program like ED/EA.  It is in your best interest to 

meet a priority deadline.  Less spots are available if you miss the priority 

deadline. (i.e. University of Illinois is November 1st)

Transcript/RecommendationDeadlines (p. 36 CHB)

Students may not hand in transcript/recommendation requests:• THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING BREAK* ‐ (November 24‐28, 2014)• 7 SCHOOL DAYS PRIOR TO WINTER BREAK*‐ (December 11‐19, 2014)• AFTER SCHOOL ON TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS ‐ (You can submit 

applications during your lunch on both days.)*These days are used to process applications prior to the breaks.

Other Notes:• The Counseling Department is closed during all holiday breaks.• Applications are processed on a deadline basis.• The student portion of the application does not have to be 

completed in order to turn in your transcript/recommendation requests

• Requests must be done on Naviance and Paper

Teacher RecommendationsAsk teachers who know you well in the following areas:

• Leadership• Intellectual• Academic• Personal (qualities)

Letters of recommendation from teachers often include:

• Length of time of acquaintance• Type of classes taken with teacher• Personal work and style• Anecdotes about your work• Description of personality• Overall assessment of your ability

Counselor RecommendationsLetters of Recommendation from Counselors:

• Comments about your academic program and achievement• Explanation of any unusual circumstances• Comments about course level and rigor• Comments on your abilities, habits, attributes, character, and 

personality• Colleges are looking for evidence of motivation, maturity, 

integrity, independence, initiative, leadership, originality, and capacity for growth

• Evaluates your contribution to the school’s community• Overall assessment of your ability to succeed in college• See page 28‐29 of CHB, Self‐Assessment

Slide 20

1 change pg no. for CHBVijayaletchmi Schnatterbeck,

Essays(p.14 of CHB) Essays are used to assess:  

• Your use of English language• Your writing skills• Your ability to follow directions

Essays Reflect:• Your attitudes• Your values• Your interests

Essay topics:• Extracurricular activities• Books• Summer travel• Influential people• Personal history• Memorable experiences

Yourself As a Brand/Essays

• Differentiate yourself among applicants.• What do you want them to like about you?• What do you want to convey?• What is your clear story of why you should be accepted?• What will you contribute as a lifelong member of the 

community?• What are you passionate about?• What are your most significant  contributions to date?• Did you take a risk and fail—and what did you learn?

Student Profile

Cesar RufinoQuestBridge WinnerDartmouth College Class of 2018Mentor, runner, and volunteer

Cesar was a leader in high school serving as a peer mentor,athlete, and role model. He was a member of the pep club,soccer and cross country teams;qualifying for statecompetition as a runner. Outside of school, Cesarvolunteered as an altar server and youth leader at his parishand took an active role in training and mentoring othervolunteers. He also coached his younger brother’s soccerteam.

Naviance• https://connection.naviance.com/family-

connection/auth/login/?hsid=northsideprep• Go to Northside’s Counseling website under forms/resources• College search and information software, self and parent assessment,

request and track transcripts and recommendations, & Secondary school reports.

• Utilize “Colleges I’m Thinking About” to receive special announcements

Slide 25

1 get updated scattergramKatherine Mathews,

Best Practices for Students

• Take ownership of this process• Communicate with your counselor• Check your CPS email and NAVIANCE account on a REGULAR BASIS

• Anticipate your deadlines• Read and use the College Handbook throughout the application process

ClosingStarting Feb. 14th, and once the student has 

completed their Self‐Assessment, call your counselor to set up a Family College Conference. 

We wish you well in your decision process, and we'realways here to assist you!

Alexander Hughesachughes2@cps.edu

773‐534‐3974

Marina Medinammedina1@cps.edu

773‐534‐3973

Mr. SchnatterbeckVSchnatterb@cps.edu

773‐534‐3975 

Mrs. Mathews773‐534‐3972  

kamathews@cps.edu