Early College Planning

Michelle Cundiff, MA, PSC

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Objectives

Relieve anxiety about the college process—information about searching, testing, and paying for college

Encourage thinking and planning—many options exist

Learn what you can do to help your child get ready

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Basics of College Planning

Searching - Browse web resources

RHS Guidance website linksRHS Guidance resourcesOCIS* http://ohcis.intocareers.org, (username –

riverdale & password – ohiocis03)

Individual college websitesCollege fair

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More Sources

Collegeresults.orgCollegeboard.orgCollegeprowler.orgCappex.comCollegedata.com

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Basics of College Planning

Testing Timeline Both tests? Test preparation

Do something – free online practice tests, review PSAT, SAT & ACT question of the day

LearningExpressLibrary.com – free practice tests. Classes and tutors for hire - time consuming &

expensive There are test optional schools – www.fairtest.org

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Basics of College Planning

Visiting campuses

Questions to ask Make notes www.WelcomeToCollege.com

Notice student reactions Don’t overdo it

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Basics of College Planning

Applying Between August and February of 12th gr. Application fees ($0-$90) Electronic applications Other parts of the applications In process of trying to organize a RHS

College Application Workshop in August of senior year

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Basics of College Planning

Paying

Apply for admission first Financial aid form (FAFSA) – Jan./Feb. of 12th gr. “Need” defined - “EFC” defined Estimate your need now? www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov Distribution of aid: gift aid and self-help aid

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H.S. Course Preparation

Minimum Selective 4 English -- 4 English 4 math -- 4 math 3 science -- 4 science 3 social studies -- 4 social studies

-- 3-4 foreign lang. 1 fine arts -- 1 fine arts

-- STRONGEST CURRICULUM

POSSIBLE

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Admission Criteria - in order of importance

Grades in college prep courses ACT/SAT scores Grades in all courses Class rank Essay Counselor Recommendation Teacher Recommendation Interview/documented interest Extracurricular commitments

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Academic Expectations

Personal responsibility for learning & managing time

Less class time but more school-related work 40-50 hours/week on academics outside of class Course material covered at a rapid pace Faculty expect students to come to class

prepared and ready to participate Very few grades to average

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What do colleges want?

Colleges ask themselves these questions:

1. CAN the student succeed?

2. WILL the student succeed?

3. What will the student bring to the college community?

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Top ten things “I wish I’d have known”

1. Keep a list of books you read

2. Choose one major community service project and stick with it. Log hours.

3. Quality, not quantity. Choose 2-3 clubs and get very involved.

4. Use college fairs wisely, not randomly

5. After campus visits, take notes and rate your visit (www.WelcomeToCollege.com)

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Top ten things “I wish I’d have known” – cont’d

6. Beware of false lures related to scholarships and for-profit schools

7. Get a summer job or lead a service project

8. Get essay tips

9. Talk face-to-face with college admission reps

10. Focus on your passion instead of the superficial

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What students fear about college

Am I smart enough? Will my roommate be weird? Where’s my new best friend? Will I be ok without my folks, my dog, my car? Peer pressure for drugs, alcohol, and sex. Will there be enough money? Will it be safe?

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Future Trends

Tuition Enrollment Selectivity Choices “The Net Generation”

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How good is the investment?

$0

$10,000

$20,000

$30,000

$40,000

$50,000

$60,000

$70,000

$80,000

HS 2 4 6 +

Annual EarningPower

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About college selectivity...

Over 2,000 four-year colleges in USA 8 Ivy League schools 50 colleges offer admission to LESS than half of their

applicants On average, four-year institutions nationwide accepted

about 2/3 of all students who applied for admission. Common Application has been a factor in the increase in

applications submitted.

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Practice Tests

PSAT -- Practice SAT and merit scholarship $14 cost to students Taken in mid Oct of 11th grade

PLAN—Practice ACT $14 cost to students Taken in Feb of 10th grade

Testingwww.actstudent.orgwww.collegeboard.org

ACT dates and registration deadlines left for this school year (6 dates a year):

February 9 with a deadline of January 11April 13 with a deadline of March 8June 8 with a deadline of May 3

SAT dates and registration deadlines left for this school year (7 dates a year):

January 26-deadline of December 28March 9 -deadline of 2/8 (no subject tests)May 4 – deadline of April 5June 1 – deadline of May 2

RHS code 363-525 –-- needed to register

What can a 10th grade student do NOW? Learn academic course content thoroughly

Learn to THINK in school

Get the best grades possible Take the most challenging courses possible

Follow a 4-year curriculum plan Record activities and honors for a future resume

Plan a job shadowing experience

Volunteer—do community service

Plan summer enrichment experiences

THINK about your wishes for your future

Polish study skills Enjoy high school!

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What can a PARENT do now?

Discuss career assessment and test results with your child

Help arrange a job shadowing experience Help facilitate volunteer experiences Visit campuses leisurely and record impressions Save $$$ for college Discuss college parameters that you choose to set

(financial, distance from home, etc.) Create a storage file for school records, test scores,

and awards

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Text Updates

Receive Guidance Updates by texting the words:

Follow RHS_Guidance1 to #40404

ACT dates, scholarships, deadline reminders

Questions?

Comments?

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