from schoolcraft to harvard… planning for success beyond high school! thomas kasper...
TRANSCRIPT
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
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
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
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
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
www.nacacnet.org www.macac.orgwww.collegeisyours.com/
www.zinch.com www.cappex.comwww.collegeboard.org
www.actstudent.org www.fastweb.orgwww.knowhow2go.org