From Schoolcraft to Harvard…

Planning for Success beyond High School!

Thomas KasperPast-President: Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling

Senior Admission Advisor, Eastern Michigan University Office of Admissions

We’re your partners for success!

www.nacacnet.org www.macac.org

The Facts:

The more you learn, the more you’ll

earn!

Options exist for EVERY STUDENT after high school It is just like buying a pair of shoes, you will have to try

a few options on to find the one which is the best fit for you

Make informed decisions: Know yourself – strengths, interests, skills and

weaknesses Research and visit colleges and career programs Consider cost and financial aid options Start planning now– which option will best prepare you for

your future career goals?

Planning for Success

Start now…

Lots of Option

s ‘Close’

to Home

A Variety and Flavor for Every Student!o National (most students are from out-of state)

versus Regional (most students are from in-state)

o Public (state-funded, typically lower tuition) versus Private (smaller size, bigger price-tag)

o Athletics: Division I versus Division II (fewer athletic scholarships) versus Division III (no athletic scholarships)

o Single-Sex, Religiously Affiliated, LGBTQ inclusion, Veteran-friendly, special program focus (Art and Design, Culinary, etc.)

Four-Year Colleges and Universities

Most schools accept most applicants – 68% of applicants in the United States are accepted

Highly selective schools are well known, but small in number (fewer than 100)

Approximately 150 Schools have more than 20,000 students

Most Colleges have less than 2,500 students!

Four-Year Colleges and Universities

Study! Study! Study! High school courses, GPA and test scores will be the most important part of your college application

Prepare for the ACT and SAT by utilizing test preparation resources and by taking real practice tests

Register for the ACT (part of the March MME each junior year) and SAT (mostly for out of state colleges)

Four-Year Colleges and Universities

What it Takes…

“Try it on” by attending representative visits at school, going to college fairs, and visiting campuses

Determine which colleges fit your needs based on: Academic program variety and availability Size Location Scholarship offers and total cost Campus life, activities and other “fit”

factors

Four-Year Colleges and Universities

What it Takes…

File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA early for best

Financial Aid Offers!

fafsa.ed.gov

Student and Parent(s) will need a pin to sign the FAFSA

pin.ed.gov

Four-Year Colleges and Universities

What it Takes…

Compare financial aid awards Calculate financial aid offer versus total

cost Calculate your total out of pocket cost by

subtracting scholarships, grants, loans and other offers from total cost of attendance.

Make sure it’s the best fit! Visit campus again Meet with faculty in your proposed major, and

talk with current students Sit in on a class or two

Four-Year Colleges and Universities

Making the Right Choice…

Take advantage of the valuable resources available to you right now: Your counselors Representatives from colleges, the military

and career programs (high school visits, fairs, campus visits)

Printed materials Web Resources When in doubt: ASK!

Planning for Success

The Application ProcessThe Application Process

Take your time Ask for help when you need it Do it correctly the first time Get things in on time Have realistic expectations

Things to Remember

Apply Broadly

Reach: Your dream college (2) Match: You meet the minimum

requirements (2) Safety: You exceed the minimum

requirements (2)

Application StrategyApplication Strategy

What Colleges May Look At Academic Record

Breadth & Depth of courses – How many, how challenging, which ones

Grades Consistency or improvement

Class Rank Standardized Test Scores

In terms of ranges Out-of-Class Activities

Depth of involvement – variety and how long Initiative – leadership Creativity, service or work

Recommendation

Application StrategyApplication Strategy

The Application The Application

The Application – online or on paper The Fee – do you qualify for a waiver? Official high school transcripts High school profile Official test scores Letters of recommendation Essay Other and miscellaneous

The ApplicationThe Application

Personal Information – Name, Date of Birth, etc

Mailing Address – often used to determine

residency status

Can you make use of the Common Application?

Be complete and honest.

Fee or No Fee or No Fee?Fee?

Application fees range from $0 to more than $100 with the average being $40

Many colleges offer a free or discounted fee for applying online

Online applications usually require a credit or debit card for

payment

Application fees are sometimes waived at open house programs or

other special events

Colleges will waive the application fee for families with financial

need. Fee Waiver applications are available through The College

Board, NACAC, and high school counselors

OfficialOfficial High School High School TranscriptsTranscripts

High school GPA is the best predictor of academic success in college

Many colleges recalculate GPA based on AP or Honors courses, core versus elective courses, and other factors

You have to request your transcript! When possible, send electronic transcripts!

OfficialOfficial High School High School TranscriptsTranscripts

Official transcripts must arrive at the college in a sealed envelope or via Parchment / Docufide from your high school – request transcripts at least a month before your application is due

Some colleges may accept official hand-delivered transcripts from you for faster processing

Prospective student athletes must submit transcripts to the NCAA Initial Eligibility Center

High School ProfileHigh School Profile

Your High School Profile is often the Admissions Office only view of critical data about your high school

It lists test score averages, course offerings and information about your teachers, counselors and administrators

OfficialOfficial Test Test ScoresScores

Scores are sent for free to four schools you identify when you register for the ACT or SAT

Most high schools receive official score reports which can be attached to your transcript

Never send your student score report to colleges - student reports are not official!

Which test does your college prefer? ACT, SAT or both?

Guidance Counselor Recommendations Many colleges require a letter of recommendation from your

high school guidance counselorTeacher Recommendations

How to decide whom to ask? How well does the teacher know you? Has the teacher taught you for more than one

course? Has the teacher sponsored an extracurricular

activity in which you made a contribution? Do you get along with the teacher? Is the recommendation is required/recommended

from a specific subject-area instructor? If you declare an intended major, can you obtain

a recommendation from a teacher in that subject area?

RecommendationsRecommendations

What to provide your Recommender Request a recommendation at least 2 weeks in

advance Provide the recommendation form and

information on the college Provided a copy of your application Provided a copy of your Academic Resume Include a stamped, addressed envelope if

needed

RecommendationsRecommendations

What to include in your Academic Résumé

GPA Honors/AP courses (completed and

in progress) Standardized test scores Out-of-School Activities (offices,

length, contribution) Awards, Honors and Recognition Special Talents (sports, arts,

music) Part Time Jobs Educational and Career Goals Family background, if needed

Academic RAcademic Réésumsuméé

EssayEssay Some colleges require short essays Make sure your essay:

is authentic answers the application question describes your true self without narrating your

transcript or résumé Is written by the student avoids spelling or grammatical errors

EssayEssay

In other words, your essay is your chance to make yourself stand out!

Other requirementsOther requirements For Music, Theatre or Art majors a portfolio or

audition may be part of the application requirements

Common Application: Over 450 colleges (including the University of

Michigan at Ann Arbor) use the Common Application form exclusively. All give equal consideration to the Common Application and the college's own form.

Additional Application Requirements? Application SAT Reasoning/ACT, some req. SAT Subject Tests Essay Teacher Recommendation School Report Midyear Report Supplemental forms

www.commonapp.org

Are you usingAre you using“The Common Application”“The Common Application”

Have a college binder and use a checklist for each school… this one from cappex.com or make your own.

Save everything each college sends you in your binder

Make copies of everything you send each college and keep in binder

Keep it organized…

Final Thoughts…Final Thoughts…

Give yourself Plenty of time! Follow a time line to give your

counselor and any recommenders plenty of time as well

Work on the applications in steps, not all at once at the last possible minute

Be patient with your colleges, this process can take 3-12 weeks!

Thank You and Good Luck!

Thomas KasperPresidentMichigan Association for College Admission CounselingSenior Admission Advisor, Eastern Michigan University Office of Admissions

tkasper@emich.edu

www.nacacnet.org www.macac.orgwww.collegeisyours.com/

www.zinch.com www.cappex.comwww.collegeboard.org

www.actstudent.org www.fastweb.orgwww.knowhow2go.org