GETTING READY FOR COLLEGE

Class 201711th GradeCollege Launch

College CounselorsCarolyn BlairMary Anne Modzelewski

THERE ARE 3 MAJOR DECISIONS IN THIS PROCESS…….YOU MAKE 2 OF THEM! You decide where to apply

Colleges decide WHO to admit.

YOU make the ultimate decision---Where to attend!

Each side has a great deal of anxiety around the decisions they don’t control!!

COLLEGE IS A FIT TO BE MADE, NOT A

MATCH TO BE WON.

ENGAGE IN THE COLLEGE SEARCH start with a map and a good conversation – look at the

distance from home… how far away do you want to be? csi: college investigator – ask yourself “what do you

want to do with your life?” ask others around you… discuss what is affordable

Reflect on your academic interests– search by programs and opportunities

OPEN YOUR EMAIL and READ IT! Colleges use email for demonstrated interest. We keep you informed via EMAIL.

PLAN college visits/ even colleges here in town Take responsibility– meet with the representatives who

visit CHS Do your research: utilize Naviance to find out more abo

ut the colleges that interest you MEET WITH YOUR COLLEGE COUNSELOR!

OWN THE PROCESSParents….keep in mind who is going to college

Students…Keep in mind who is paying for college

It’s a family decision, but the STUDENT should own the process

COLLEGE COUNSELORS..WHAT DO WE DO? We are your advocate in this process. We

write a comprehensive “Counselor Recommendation” for every student who needs it.

We are available to assist you in making this process go smoothly. That can mean different thing for different families….Let us know what you need.

College counselors develop relationships with our college partners.

SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH YOUR COLLEGE COUNSELOR

Ms. Blair Last name beginning with A -- J Ms. Modzelewski Last name beginning with K -- Z

Log into your counselor’s calendar to schedule a family meeting during the day. Post-secondary planning meetings take place Monday –Friday during the school day. Students will be excused from class:

carolynblair.youcanbook.me modz.youcanbook.me

Log into your Family Connection/Naviance account at connection.naviance.com/clayton. Complete the Student Questionnaire and Parents must complete the Parent Questionnaire.

COLLEGE PROCESS CHANGES FOR 2017

1. Standardized testing changes: NEW SAT released March 2016.

2. Common App Roll-Over – 11th graders can start their Common Applications and save the data for the opening of next fall’s application season.

3. “Prior-Prior” Financial Aid Process –recently announced changes to the financial aid application process includes requiring tax data from the "prior-prior” year, making the FAFSA available much earlier for the class of 2017’s applications to college. FAFSA will open October 2016.

WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FORThe exact things a college seeks may vary, but

most keep the following in mind.

1. Your Academic Record2. Standardized Testing/Test Optional3. The Secondary School Report4. Teacher/Counselor Recommendations5. An Essay and possible supplements6. Extracurricular Activities7. Perceived/demonstrated interest

TESTING ACT: Can be helpful for

state-funded scholarships CHS administers a FREE ACT

to all juniors on April 19 (you will not register for this ONE test—YOU must register for all other tests)

You MUST REGISTER on-line at act.org for additional tests that you are taking

If you qualify you may take the ACT two more times with a fee waiver. Your counselor can tell you if you qualify.

TESTING SAT I: Over three-hour long test divided into

three sections that test Evidence-based Reading and Writing Test, Math and Essay (optional-50 minutes). Students receive three scores ranging from 200 to 800 – Score is out of 1600: 800 for Math and 800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. This test may be taken as many times as needed, with most colleges taking the highest score.

You must register to take this test at collegeboard.org

TESTING SAT II: refers to a subject area. Highly

competitive schools may require or recommend SAT II and SAT I, but most schools require only the SAT I OR ACT.

The SAT II is one-hour long and tests a variety of subjects. Students may take the test as many times as they like, but can only take three tests in a single test date. SAT II and SAT I may not be taken on the same day.

If you need to take SAT II’s, June testing is best

TESTING SAT/ACT- Writing: both include a section on

writing. We recommend all students take the writing section.

TOEFL: required for students whose first language is not English. It is a computer test where a student works individually at his own pace within certain time limits.

FINANCIAL AID-IMPORTANT FACTSShould I apply for Financial Aid?

• Even students whose parents have high incomes receive loans, grants and scholarships

• Many parents miss out on possible financial aid because they do not fill out the FAFSA

• If you don’t need it… don’t apply

FINANCIAL AID- IMPORTANT FACTS1. Free Application for Federal Student

Aid (FAFSA)

• Almost every school will require you to fill this out and submit it to the government to determine your “Estimated Family Contribution” EFC

• You can go to www.fafsa.gov to estimate what your EFC.

• FASFA is filed after *OCTOBER (NEW) of your senior year- NOT BEFORE!

FINANCIAL AID-IMPORTANT FACTS2. CSS Profile

• Offered by the College Board. It allows schools to ask questions not covered by the FAFSA

• Helps with the distribution of nonfederal student aid funds or institutional funds

• A complete list of colleges that require PROFILE can be found at www.collegeboard.org

• You must register at least four weeks in advance of earliest school’s priority deadline

VISITING A CAMPUS Visiting a campus is one of the best ways to

learn about a college…and score some “demonstrated interest” points!

However, if one of your schools is an expensive plane ride away, visit a variety of local colleges.

SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES How are you going to spend this summer between 11th

and 12th grade? Some possibilities: Employment Summer School Pre-College Programs that relate to your interests:

Engineering (Rolla, Rose Hulman, Purdue) Architecture (Notre Dame, Wash U, U of Oregon) Visual Arts (MICA, MCAD, CCA, Wash U) English (U of Iowa, Kenyon, St. John’s) Shadow a professional Community Service Camp Counselor/leadership development Start your college essay, resume, activity sheet DRAFTS Free on-line test prep at Number2.com Visit some colleges during summer travel

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES VISIT CHS

4-SCHOOL COLLEGE FAIR JOHN BURROUGHS ON MONDAY, APRIL 25 6:30-8 PM

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR NEXT STEPS!