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

Testing

By 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 Results

SAT Math: 636

SAT Critical Reading: 609

SAT Writing: 626

SAT & ACT Test Dates

SAT & SAT IIs2012: 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 Admissions

Early Decision

Early Action

Rolling 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

Uniqueness

Personal essayInterviewRecommendationsSpecial Talents

Alumni Connections

In most cases, parents or grandparents

Loyalty to institution

Contribution to Diversity

Minority studentsInternational studentsGeographic distributionGender

Character

Ethical and responsible citizens

Contributing 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