Junior Parent College Meeting USA/Canada:

Testing, Counseling, Choosing

Agenda

Comparing USA/Canadian/UK Admissions

Financial Aid

Admission to Selective Institutions

What Colleges Look for in Applicants

Selecting Colleges

Getting Started as Juniors

Spring Semester

Testing

Counseling

College Planning

TestingBy the end of Junior Year, students should have taken the appropriate

standardized tests:

PSATSAT or ACT

SAT II Subject TestsTOEFL

TEST Preparation

Strongly recommended

Many options available:Self-studyOnlineGroup coursesIndividual Tutoring

See ASP website/US College Guidance & Admission for BESPOKE Course Information

ASP Mean SAT ResultsSAT Math: 636SAT Critical Reading: 609SAT Writing: 626

SAT & ACT Test DatesSAT & SAT IIs

2012: January 28, May 5, June 2

ACT2012: Feb 11 (w/o writing),

April 14, June 9

Getting Started: Counseling

Required Orientation Meetings (February) First Individual Meeting with Counselor (assigned once

group meeting is completed) Review graduation requirements and academic

record Initial list of colleges Parents encouraged to attend

Second Individual Meeting with Counselor Data sheet submitted Explore personal qualities, goals and interests Revise initial list of colleges

Getting Started: Parent Contribution

Parent Data Sheet: How I see …. Download from the ASP website under

College Guidance. Preferably completed by second student meeting

College Planning and Prep

Visit University Website Participate in meetings with visiting university

representatives Utilize college guidebooks Plan college visits Consider summer programs Talk with alumni, friends, relatives, contacts

Selecting a College Genuine interest College type (size, private, public, liberal arts, co-ed) Location Academic Environment (competitiveness, majors, core

curriculum) Campus Life (housing, social life, athletics) Expenses/Costs Entrance requirements: Safe/Target/Reach (8-10 schools)

EARLY AdmissionsEarly DecisionEarly ActionRolling Admissions

Evaluating the Applicant

Admissions

ACADEMIC Quality of courses Grades Position on the class (Grade Distribution and

Weighted GPA) Standardized Test Scores Recommendations Awards

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ENGAGEMENT

Seek evidence of meaningful involvement

Emphasis on depth, not breadth

UniquenessPersonal essayInterviewRecommendationsSpecial Talents

Alumni ConnectionsIn most cases, parents or grandparents

Loyalty to institution

Contribution to Diversity

Minority studentsInternational studentsGeographic distributionGender

CharacterEthical and responsible citizensContributing members of society

Future leaders in a global society

University Priorities

Enrollment plansDevelopment

Selective College Admissions

These colleges deny between 70 and 90% of applicants, many more than admitted

Academic success is required but not sufficient for admission Your chances are doubled if you have differentiation Examples of differentiation include: minority status,

alumni affiliation, athletic recruitment, award-winning achievements, outstanding leadership, exceptional talent and, to some extent, international exposure

Admission to CANADA Appeal of Canadian universities Each school has specific admission requirements Application deadline varies from January to March IB Diploma candidates are not required to submit

SAT scores AP and USA high school diploma applicants must

submit SAT, including SAT IIs, or ACT scores Applications made to specific faculties

Admissions to the UK Applications submitted via UCAS to study a

specific course within university In most cases, IB Diploma or 4 AP exams

required Scottish unis will often admit with a high school

diploma and SAT scores Conditional offers will be based on predicted

exam results

Financial Aid Net price calculator Need-based

Loans Scholarships & Grants Work-study programs

Non-Need Based US Citizens

FAFSA Profile College application

International Students Collegeboard Financial Aid Supplement