PPAS College Office Parent Presentation FALL 2016

1. PPAS College Office Parent Presentation FALL 2016

2. BACHELORS: (B.A./B.S.) • 4-year program • Includes about 50% general education requirements • BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS: (B.F.A.) • 4-year program • More focus on arts curriculum • Degree you would likely receive from a conservatory or visual arts program • ASSOCIATES: (A.A./A.S) • 2-year program • Degree you would likely receive from a community college • GRADUATE: (Masters or Ph.D) • Degree completed AFTER Bachelors • CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA/CREDENTIAL: • Credential for employment in a specific occupation (i.e. computer technology, cosmetology) COLLEGE BASICS: TYPES OF DEGREES UNDERGRADUATE

3. REGULAR (GENERAL)—set deadline • ROLLING—applications roll in/roll out • EARLY DECISION (ED)—apply early and find out early (BINDING) • EARLY ACTION (EA)—like early decision but not binding (usually TWO fall dates) • RESTRICTED EARLY ACTION (NOT BINDING, BUT you cannot apply early action to any other private college within the US & you cannot apply ED. • OPEN—you pay and attend For more information on early admissions: http://www.admissionsconsultants.com/college/earlydecision.asp MAKE SURE WITH ANY EARLY APPLICATION TO ASK IF REJECTED, WILL APPLICATION BE SUBMITTED FOR REGULAR DECISION!!! COLLEGE BASICS: Types of Admission

4. COLLEGE BASICS: SCHOOL OPTIONS CUNY: The City University of New York • 11 senior colleges and 6 community colleges • Very affordable and offer a variety of majors • A space for all New York City students who graduate • Honors College a great program for qualified students • SUNY: The State University of New York • 64 campuses across the state • Affordable but many are competitive WE have fee waivers for the above, but CUNY is first come, first serve • Women’s Colleges • Examples: Smith and Wellesley • Conservatories • Specialized programs for artists (BFA degrees) • Examples: Boston Conservatory, Mannes at the New School • Historically Black Colleges • Examples: Howard and Fisk

5. Competition to get into college

6. Educational Opportunity Programs • Provide students who fit certain income and academic requirements with admissions consideration • Note eligibility during application process. Tax information needed for verification • Can provide up to a full scholarship to a variety of schools in New York. • HEOP: Private institutions in New York State (See handout) • SEEK: Four-year CUNY institutions • EOP: SUNY institutions

7. COLLEGE REFERENCE BOOKS (all updated annually) US News Ultimate College Guide The College Board: College Handbook Princeton Review: Complete Book of Colleges Guides specifically for the performing arts: (new editions every few years) Arco: The Performing Arts Major’s College Guide Peterson’s: Professional Degree Programs in the Visual and Performing Arts COLLEGE BASICS: RESOURCES INTERNET RESOURCES • www.collegeboard.org • www.review.com • www.collegenet.com • www.cappex.com • OUR COLLEGE WEBSITE (link on PPAS website)

8. RESEARCH OPTIONS And of course, use resources from this presentation

9. Students SHOULD APPLY TO: SAFETY SCHOOLS (1-2)— will definitely get in LEVEL SCHOOLS (4-6)— will probably get in REACH SCHOOLS (1-3)— might not get in START COLLEGE LISTS Student A GPA: 3.3 SAT: 1200 Student B GPA: 2.5 SAT: 980 Safety: Looking for 3.1 and 1000 Level: Looking for 3.3 and 1200 Reach: Looking for 3.5 and 1400 Safety: Looking for 2.2 and 850 Level: Looking for 2.5 and 980 Reach: Looking for 2.7 and 1150

10. Graduation rate: 4 years vs. 6 years • Sophomore year retention rate • Location – what are the surroundings? Bustling vs. quieter? Does it bring students together or is it a commuter campus? • Campus Life – crime rates, # of rape cases • Student body – diversity statistics • Services for students with disabilities • Financial Aid • Merit based scholarship • Need based funds available – if they say they give 100% demonstrated need, then in what form? Is it Loan Based? • Post college debt • Fiske Guide • Professor ratings, such as through Princeton review • College Confidential = website with ratings • Setting aside the format of the website (which can be tricky), look at wording in descriptions of programs and student expectations • Program offerings • Is there an option of double major • Career placement and preparation (Swarthmore pairing with employee in career of interest) How to assess colleges…

11. Most colleges require the same language credits as is required to graduate high school (4 semesters), but FIND OUT if they desire more. Ivy Leagues rarely consider less than 3 years. Here is a sample list of schools that must see at least 3 years of credit in a foreign language in order to apply: Schools with specific language requirements • Emerson (MA) • Providence College (RI) • Syracuse (NY) • Trinity College (CT) • Williams (MA) • Bard (NY) • Brown (RI) • Colby College (ME) – and must be in same language • Stanford (CA) - and must be in same language Wesleyan = 4 years! Other schools that would PREFER 3 years include: Amherst College, Boston College, Central Connecticut State Univ, Columbia, Mount Holyoke, University of Michigan, &UCLA

12. Be realistic—know where your child stands • Be honest with your requirements & expectations • Encourage your child to stay on track and meet deadlines • Do not do ALL of the work! • Submit the FAFSA ASAP • Be prepared to hear from us if your child has not completed applications by end of semester 1 SPECIFICALLY FOR PARENTS

13. College Specific Scholarships: • Presidential Scholarships • Honors Programs • Application based scholarships • Service Related Scholarships Private Scholarships: • Companies (e.g. KFC, Coca-Cola, CreditSuisse) • Foundations, Churches OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS: • Worth the time and effort! • Search using: fastweb.com, zinch.com, scholarships.com • Scholarships for NYC students • New York State Opportunity Programs (HEOP, EOP, SEEK.) • It’s FREE money! Private Loans: • Regular banks (e.g. Citibank or Chase) • Lending institutions who specialize in educational loans • Secondary market lenders (e.g. Sallie Mae) RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS

14. What you need to know about the fafsa FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid • Fill out in October!!! NO need to update • Need an FSA ID: Students and parents can get FSA IDs either before or while filling out the FAFSA. The FSA ID can be used to sign the FAFSA or a Master Promissory Note for a federal student loan or for several other purposes. • An email address can ONLY be associated with ONE FSA ID • Make sure student writes down the answers or takes screen shot of “challenge questions” page after clicking “show answers” • Must complete in order to apply for TAP (3-5 days after FAFSA) • Used by schools to assess financial need • 2017-2018 will use 2015 income – IF, you have changes in 2016, reach out to individual college financial aid offices to discuss circumstances • Necessary for receiving government, state, and school scholarships and grants • Watch for the SAR—If it does not arrive, call 1-800-4-FED AID • IF you can NOT qualify the Tax Data Retrieval Tool (DRT), you can get an on the spot “tax transcript” – some schools will request this transcript • - Some colleges will still require a CSS PROFILE: Another application for financial aid required by some private schools but not others. It is an online application at collegeboard.com. There is a fee, though fee waivers are available first come, first served. (Our website has a list of which schools require the CSS Profile.)

15. WHAT WE DO What Seniors Do Decide what’s best for you Take the appropriate courses Prepare for standardized tests Research colleges Fill out college applications and track deadlines Prepare for Auditions Request and handle teacher recommendations – must be TWO different subject areas if two academics requested Read ALL of the college office emails! Attend scheduled meetings with college advisors Help you consider your options Offer college suggestions Send transcripts, test scores, and school profiles when requested Update the PPAS profile Write your counselor recommendation (if required) Keep you informed about the application and financial aid process Advocate for waitlisted students Support and aid you through the process (and congratulate you when you get in!)

16. Working With the College Office Senior Year • Fall Semester • Fill out College Questionnaire • Meet with counselor at least twice (for ex. we have your class rank) • After meetings, add counselor as contact if using Common App or SEND EDU • Provide counselor w/ brag sheet • Provide counselor ample notice for requests on transcripts and letters • Confirm deadlines w/ counselor • Leave stamped & addressed envelopes in mailbox • Spring Semester • Confirm mid-year report was sent • Let counselor know WHERE you’ve been accepted • Let counselor know of scholarships & financial aid awards • We celebrate! • Attend mini group meetings on the senior transition • Provide counselor with a 2nd envelope for final transcripts

17. We don’t We will do the following when… • Call about auditions • Confirm that mailed transcripts have arrived • Find students to provide fee waivers • Provide application deadlines • Send things without stamps, envelopes and notifications • Lie about financial status • Order and mail-out official transcripts based on student requests – 48 hour turn around • Contact colleges when they should have materials but claim they don’t • Fax SAT or ACT scores when colleges accept to avoid the ordering fee • Common Mistakes to avoid: • - Requesting hard copy transcripts sent when schools are on Common App, are sent through SENDEDU, SUNY, or CUNY APP • Not applying to safety schools • Forgetting to rank CUNY school preferences • Using different names • Forgetting to assign recommenders online

18. Check out the college website! Use it. Bookmark it. Love it.

19. Contact the college office: ppascollege@gmail.com College Counselors: Ms. Pourghasemi- ext. 342 Casey Singer (Robin and Barrie) College Office Fax: 212-247-7514 College Office Phone: 212-247-8652