The subliminal message you will receive from your

child once in collegeDear Dad, $chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can’t think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.

Love,Your $on

Dear Son, I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.

Love,Dad

Junior Family College Planning Meeting

Agenda

Decide What’s Important

Timelines

Testing

Application

Support (physical and emotional)

What Are My Options?

CollegeTwo vs Four Year

Armed ServicesAcademy vs

Enlistment

Gap YearAcademic/Travel

School to WorkTrade Skill

What Do You Want?A Time For Exploration!

Ask the right questions to narrow down your choices and decide what’s best for you.

NOT THE FIRST QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASKWhat SAT score do

I need to get in?Do you have bio-

chemical engineering?

What’s your tuition?

LocationHow far/close from

home would you like to be?One hourFour hoursAccessibilityTransportation

costsCommuter campus

Size of CollegeWould you prefer to

attend a school with a large enrollment (30,000) or small (1,500)

How large would you like the physical campus to be?

EnvironmentWould you rather

attend a 2 or 4 year institution?

An urban, suburban, or rural setting

Co-ed or single-sex school

Religious affiliation

Make-up of student population

Admissions RequirementsAt what schools

would you feel most competitive at?

Check academic requirements against what your standing is. (Don’t dismiss the “hidden treasures.”)

Big fish in small pond vs little fish in big pond

AcademicsWhich schools offer

the major you are CONSIDERING?

What kind of student/faculty ratio and class size are you looking for?

Are there academic support programs?

HousingWould you rather live

on campus in a dorm, or commute to school?

What type of dorm environment do you prefer?

What’s it like having a roommate?

FacilitiesWhat type of

academic and recreational facilities should your college have?

Where will you be spending your time?

Will college feel like home?

ActivitiesWhat kinds of clubs

and organizations do you want your college to offer?

What types of athletics should be offered?

Are there opportunities to explore new things?

College Visitations

Drive By When out and about

Scheduled visit Contact admissions office Follow up after visit Consider who to bring “Weather” or not

On-line shopping Virtual tours

College ExpensesHow expensive a

school can you afford to attend (consider ALL expenses)?

FAFSA will help determine grants, loans, and work study program.

Public V$. Private

TestingResearch which colleges require specific testing plans

SAT www.collegeboard.org

ACT www.act.org

Subject Tests

AP scores

Test Optional Schools

Keeping your list organized

Keeping your list organized

“My parents and I are about to sit down and map out my college selection process. Can you

break it down for me!”

Junior Year College Planning Guidelines by Season

FALL Junior Group SessionsPSATVisit Counseling Dept. WebsiteMy Website College Night – November 12th @ 7pmNaviance

Document LibraryCollege SearchRep Visits

Preliminary College Visits – How To…Planning for Special Needs Students or Athletes

Guidelines Cont.WINTER

Junior Family ConferenceSAT/ACT – formulate

plan/prep courseTest optional schools Naviance – Search functionsPlan/strategize spring

college visits Continue academic

achievement PLAN FOR SENIOR YEAR

PROGRAM OF STUDIES

Academic Admissions SelectorAcademic Admissions Selector

Guidelines Cont.SPRING

SAT/ACT registration: January/March/May/June

Continue researching schools

VisitationsDevelop List – place in

Naviance/Colleges I’m Thinking About

Junior groups sessionsThink/ask about teacher

recommendations

Guidelines Cont.SUMMER

Narrow down your listVisitationsPrep for essayPrep for SAT/ACTComplete Brag

Sheet/NavianceStart the Common

Application (after Aug. 1)Activity ListEssay/Supplements

Guidelines Cont.FALL

Finish standardized testingFinalize school list in

NavianceED, EA, RD, Rolling,

priority/scholarshipAttend Senior Parent

Support NightAsk for recommendations Keep track of application

deadlinesFinancial Aid Presentation

Application Process

College Application

Common Application

On-line Application

Scholarship TipsLook in the most

unlikely places

Safety School = Scholarships

Look for scholarships related to activities

Know deadlines

Look, look, look

RECAP What Students Should Do

Now Transcript Grades/Rigor

Testing Plan Prep/registration

Involvements Commit to something

Naviance Helps with the search

Connect with Colleges Daily visits/college fair

Junior Family Meeting When you’re ready!

RECAPWhat Parents Should Do

Now Understand this is a

process

Listen, Listen and Listen some more

Support looking outside the box

Understand there is no one answer for each question

Realize that what works for one might not work for another

What Are The Admission Representatives Saying?

“There are more than 1, even more than 5 great fit colleges for each student.”

“This is a very personal and private process. Keep it that way.”

“We look for a reason to admit, not a reason to deny.”

“The essay should be a window into your life.”

“What works for one college doesn’t work for another.”

“Admission terms are broad. I look for students who: Are good academic fits Those who “get” the

college Have proven abilities Have support from

others