how to get your high school student into college in 4 years or less

How to get Your High School Student into College in 4 Years or LessGretchen Zaitzeff & Holli Will University High School PSN September 2016

2016 All rights reservedZaitzeff & Will

The Will Students

Plebe, US Naval AcademySophomore, Blair AcademySenior, U-High

The Zaitzeff Students

College Freshman, UMNEight grade, CJHSPHD, U of MStudent teacher, EMUCollege Junior, BYUSophomore, U-HighCollege Junior, BYU

Begin with the end in mind.Stephen R. Covey, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Habit #2

As an adult, I see my student as: Happy Well-informed Gainfully Employed Industrious Open-minded Empathic Engaged in Good Causes Active Balanced Capable Creative Innovative Fill in the blank_____________

It doesn’t matter what path your student is on, as long as they are on a path. About 80 % of students in the US end up changing their major at least once, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. On average, college students change their major at least three times over the course of their college career.

Freshman Year

Focus

Focus on:

Developing a four-year plan that meets the requirements for graduation, has academic rigor and if needed, meets the criteria for NCAA eligibility

Exposing your student to interesting people and ideas through non-fiction reading, TED Talks, Khan Academy, Lynda.com, etc.

Becoming involved in targeted activities Tracking and documenting everything

Sample ResumeThere are multiple ways to track your students activities including Career Cruising and Google Docs.Resumes are helpful when applying for service, employment, admission, letters of recommendation and scholarships.

Transcripts & School Report

Ask for official copy of the transcripts Ask to delete unwanted test results Obtain a copy of official school report Read and become familiar with details

Targeted Activities

INTERESTS ABILITIES

VALUES

SERVICE

Service and Volunteerism is the sweet spot for distinction and scholarships.

What problem does your student want to solve?Asked future interviewer.

The question is not what does your student want to do in the future, but rather what problems are they passionate about solving.

The 10,000 Hour Rule

Champions are made in the off-season. Said Every Coach Ever.

Investing time in a passion:

AcademicsCause

Extra-curricularsFine Arts

MusicSportsValues

Volunteerism

Summer #1:

Summer School Read Non-fiction Work/Volunteer Career Shadow Practice/Rehearse/Train

High-Interest Non-fiction Recommendations

(SAT/ACT Prep)

Summer To Do List for Parents

Read Study is Hard Work by William H. Armstrong

& Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges by Loren Pope

& The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College by Jacques Steinberg

Research Scholarships Develop an organizational system for

correspondence, copies of application, etc.

Marketing for Student Athletes & Artists

Personalize stationary including letter head, business cards and thank you notes

Self-identifying email inbox for corresponding with coaches and colleges— shared with parents/guardians

Dynamic resume

Vistaprint.com Gmail.com

Service Academies:

Go to Service Academy Forum in local area Apply to Academy Summer Programs 5:1 Application process Apply to local congressman, both senators

and Vice-President for nominations (Due November Senior Year)

Interview with Officer from Service Academy Physical Readiness test (Coach Hampton) January 31st: Hard deadline

Sophomore Year

Analyze

Analyze:

Your student’s 4-year plan and refine Your student’s activities and eliminate or add Your student’s interests in career fields and target 10-

15 colleges of interest List of colleges visiting U-High

To AP or to not AP, that is the question.

PROS $95 is a bargain for 3-5 college

credits Shows academic rigor Challenging teachers and

curriculum Can lead to Dual Enrollment

opportunities or college classes

CONS College of choice may not

provide any credit for high school AP classes; 4-5 to receive credit

AP tests may be more rigorous than actual college level class

May affect grade point average Time commitment

Letters of Recommendation

Your student will need at least three people willing to write recommendation letters for camps and colleges

Compose a letter asking for letters of recommendation with links and deadline information

Include resume

TOUGH QUESTION #1:Is my student academically and socially preparing for the rigor of college and independent life?

If yes, then stay on the path.

If not, then consider a different path or alternative experiences and needed supports.

TOUGH QUESTION #2:Is my student seeing a positive return on their time investments?

If yes, then stay on the path.

If not, then reconsider their 4-year plan and activities. Make changes as necessary.

TOUGH QUESTION #3:Does my student have/need a Plan B?

If yes, then research options. Gap year, vocational training, work-study, academic support, etc.

If not, then stay on the path.

Summer #2:

Test Prep College Research or Visits Read Non-fiction Work/Volunteer Career Shadow Practice/Rehearse/Train

Summer #2--Athlete Specific:

Take June ACT Sign up for recruiting sites (free) Captain U.com Berecuited.com Create and update personalize page Create a video Wesleybward@gmail.com Attend summer camps at colleges Establish relationships and demonstrate interest with

schools Step back as a parent Register with NCAA Eligibility Center ($75)

Junior Year

Plan

Plan the work

Prepare a resume Narrow college list from 10-15 to 5-8 Contact college departments for scholarship information,

on-campus days, and other recommendations Research additional scholarships Take the ACT/SAT and plan Subject Tests, if needed Calendar application and scholarship deadlines for next year

Summer #3:

College Research or Visits Intensive Camp or On-campus

Experience Read Non-fiction Work/Volunteer Practice/Rehearse/Train Ask yourself and your student the

tough questions again

Summer #3—Athlete Specific:

July 1st is the first date that coaches can contact your student.

Level 1: Impact Player (Contributes as a freshman)

Level 2: Program Player Level 3: Contributor Level 4: Non-contributor

Senior Year

Execute

It takes a Village

o Connect your student with professionals in their fields of interest.

o Talk to faculty, family and friends about their experiences.

o Consult a financial advisor.o Seek out alum online and in person.

Execute Your Plan: First Semester

Narrow your student’s college list from 5-8 to 3-5 schools Prepare for and schedule auditions/try-outs/interviews Take the ACT/SAT again Know and meet all criteria and deadlines

Early Decision vs. Early Action vs. Regular

Early Decision Binding agreement Application deadline in November Decision in December May increase your student’s chances,

but not significantly May be accepted, denied or deferred May affect financial aid package

Early Action Non-binding Application deadline in November Colleges make an acceptance decision

in December Financial aid package in the spring

Cost of Attendance

Published vs. Net Cost Need-Blind Family income is the most important

consideration for Federal Financial Aid. The average discount for first-year students at

private colleges is now a staggering 46 percent. Reciprocity agreements allow for in-state tuition

at out-of-state schools. (Midwest Student Exchange)

Check out the possibility of your student getting residency over time. (Finaid.org)

Merit scholarships are awarded basically by looking at a student’s grade point average, test scores and class rank.

TuitionFeesRoomBoardTravelOther Expenses

Financial Aid

FAFSA—Federal Financial Aid: Opens October 1st CSS Profile Need vs. Merit Questbridge.org & Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Private Scholarships 2012: Forbes Article Department Scholarships University Scholarships

Breathe. Your student can go to a college of their choice.

It just takes planning and preparation.

Be Flexible

Think Outside the Box

Where your student goes to college is not who they’ll be.

“80 percent of American students go to public colleges and universities.”Washington Post, April 5, 2016.

Top Colleges Corporate Recruiters Like the Best and Trust the Most:1. Penn State 2. Texas A&M 3. The University of Illinois 4. Purdue 5. Arizona State 10. Carnegie Mellon14. Cornell

Original Cast of Hamilton the Musical

Renee Elise Goldsberry Sasha Hutchings

BFA Carnegie Mellon, 1993MM University of Southern California, 1997

BA Oklahoma City University, 2011

Gretchen Zaitzeffgzaitze@ilstu.edu

Holli Willholliruns@gmail.com

2016 All rights reservedZaitzeff & Will