Back to School Night: Senior Parents

1. Back to School Night: Senior Parents

3. Eminem & LL Cool J could show up at parents’ weekend. • Having a chat has seldom involved talking. • Gaga has never been baby talk. • They have known only two presidents. • Their TV screens keep getting smaller as their parents’ screens grow ever larger. • A tablet is no longer something you take in the morning. • Growing up with the family dog, one of them has worn an electronic collar, while the other has toted an electronic lifeline. • With GPS, they have never needed directions to get someplace, just an address. • They may have been introduced to video games with a new Sony PlayStation left in their cribs by their moms.

4. Advice to Parents: How to navigate the college application process with your student • Be mindful of their stress level and yours. • Allow your student to take charge of the college process. • Continue to take your student on college visits. • Encourage your student to take advantage of college rep visits here at Glenbard West – List is on Naviance Family Connection. • Every student has met with their counselor during the senior convo and currently in small groups. Individual appointments are available upon request - we are here to help your student. • This is a process; it will all work out!

5. Time Management • Make a To-Do List Every Day • Use Spare Minutes Wisely • It’s Okay to Say No • Find the Right Time • Review Your Notes Every Day • Get a Good Night’s Sleep • Communicate Your Schedule to Others • Become a Taskmaster • Don’t Waste Time Agonizing • Determine Your Priorities List borrowed from College Board: www.collegeboard.org

6. Naviance Family Connection • Web-based college/career exploratory program • Interest inventories • Extensive Scholarship Database • College Representative Visits at West • Scattergrams • College Application management

7. Naviance Family Connection • Conduct college search • Organize college applications • Electronic transcripts • Common Application school forms • Request teacher recommendations • Senior Profile & Parent Input Form • Complete Activity Resume

8. Before students submit applications: • Know application deadlines! • If essays are required, prepare carefully. Answer the question completely and always have someone proofread. • Have your ACT or SAT scores sent directly from the testing company to each college. • Utilize Naviance Family Connection as a resource for college application information. • Playing sports in college (Division I or II)? Be sure to register on the NCAA Eligibility Center (NCAA.org)

9. What to do when an application is complete: • Log applications into Naviance Family Connection under “colleges I’m applying to” • Request transcripts to be sent to colleges (allow at least two weeksfor processing) • Complete paper copy of the GBW Transcript Request Form and turn into your counselor • Follow up to be sure all the materials have been received by the college

10. Naviance Family Connection

11. What to do when an application is complete: • Log applications into Naviance Family Connection under “colleges I’m applying to” • Request transcripts to be sent to colleges (allow at least two weeks for processing) • Complete paper copy of the GBW Transcript Request Form and turn into your counselor • Follow up to be sure all the materials have been received by the college

12. Naviance Family Connection

13. What to do when an application is complete: • Log applications into Naviance Family Connection under “colleges I’m applying to” • Request transcripts to be sent to colleges (allow at least two weeksfor processing) • Complete paper copy of the GBW Transcript Request Form and turn into your counselor • Follow up to be sure all the materials have been received by the college

14. GBW Transcript Request Form

15. What to do when an application is complete: • Log applications into Naviance Family Connection under “colleges I’m applying to” • Request transcripts to be sent to colleges (allow at least two weeksfor processing) • Complete paper copy of the GBW Transcript Request Form and turn into your counselor • Follow up to be sure all the materials have been received by the college

16. Is your student applying to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign? Students must complete an onlineSelf-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) form instead of sending a transcript. DO NOT SEND A TRANSCRIPT! *Other schools that require students to self-report include: Northern Illinois, University of Iowa, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa.

17. Letters of Recommendation • Speak with the teacher in person to request a letter of recommendation. • Invite a teacher to send their letter to the colleges through Naviance Family Connection • In Naviance, be sure to include a personal note that lists your college plans, greatest achievement, and what you enjoyed most about their class. • Indicate where to send letters and application deadlines • Allow at least 3 weeks • Check Naviance Family Connection to be sure the letters were sent. Follow up with teacher, if necessary. • Send a hand-written Thank You note to the teacher!

18. Social Media & College Admissions • Monitor behavior on social media sites - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc. • Use social media to help promote activities, community service, and positive involvement. • Communicate with college reps on Facebook and “like” the college admissions page.

19. Glenbard West Guidance – College Coach“Like” our fan page for Guidance updates, college news, and important reminders.

20. www.gwcollegeinsider.blogspot.com

21. Essay Writing Workshops – TBA (during lunch periods) • Navy Pier College Fair – September 28 @ 11 AM • College Night – October 10 @ 7 PM – Glenbard West Auditorium • COD College Fair – October 22 @ 6:30 PM – College of DuPage • SAT test – Saturday, October 5 • ACT test – Saturday, October 26 • Financial Aid Planning – December 12 @ 7 PM Glenbard West Library • FAFSA application available – January 1, 2014 • Local Scholarship application available – February 3, 2014