218 Days

1. 218 Days Senior Parent Night Trinity High School September 4, 2012

2. The National Candidate Reply Date May 1, 2013

3. Your College Search Timeline • Junior Year and before: Research • Fall of Senior Year: Apply • Fall/Spring: Get Admitted • Fall/Spring: Visit campuses (again) • By May 1 of Senior Year: Choose

4. Applying to College

5. YOU

6. Before you pick up your pen: Decide as clearly as possible what your skills and interests are and how you want to use them by selecting those institutions which are the best match for your hopes and dreams.

7. Important application facts • Organize your college information. • Follow the instructions. • Remember the deadlines! • Maintain contact with the schools to which you have applied.

8. 414 schools in 44 states (DC, Germany and Italy, too) use the Common Application • Some are Common App exclusively, others use it in addition to an in-house application. • Basic information is the same (fill it out once) • Supplements may be required from each school

9. Admission Schedules • Rolling Admission • Early Decision • Early Action • Regular Decision • “Priority Filing Period”

10. What if I don’t have a major? • Most students will change their major two or three (or four!) times before they graduate from college • Ask about “undecided” programs at the colleges you’re investigating • Use the resources at the college you choose to help zero in on a major

11. Parts of the application • Transcript • Standardized Test Scores • List of Activities • Letters of Recommendation • Essays/Personal Statements

12. Your Transcript • Most schools start with the numbers: your GPA and class rank. • We then look at the courses you took and your grade trends. • Have you challenged yourself appropriately? • What does junior year tell us? • Take ownership of the “bobbles” • We will notice if you think senior=slacker.

13. Standardized Tests • Which test should I take? • How many times should I take it? • What do schools do with my score? • What about the writing portion? • Is the ACT or SAT the only number that really matters?

14. Direct from ACT ACT has published “benchmark” scores that correlate to a 75% likelihood of earning a grade of C or better in that college class. These are: English 18 Math 22 Reading 21 Science 24

15. Test-Optional Many schools are choosing to give students the option of NOT submitting test scores. Instead, the student can demonstrate scholarship in another way. • Schools include: • DePaul University • Lawrence University • Augustana College • Illinois College • Lake Forest College • Knox College • UW-Parkside • UW-Whitewater www.fairtest.org

16. The Power of YOU! Decide as clearly as possible what you have to offer a college or university. Know what you bring to the table, and how your gifts and talents might make you a perfect candidate for admission!

17. List of Activities • Don’t join every club senior year just to make it “look good.” • We like to see commitment and passion! • Don’t forget work and outside activities, too. • This is a good time to brag a little bit!

18. Letters of Recommendation • The number one rule? If we don’t ask for one, don’t send one. • Junior year teachers make great recommendation writers. • Give at least two weeks notice. • Include a stamped, addressed envelope with your request. • Send a thank you note!

19. Personal Statements and Essays:Two basic formats and some twists

20. Personal Statements Xavier’s question: Please provide an essay (250-500 words) on any topic of your choice or a previously submitted school paper that shows us a sample of your writing. Simply attach it to this application. It could be a paper from a high school class or a piece of creative writing on any topic that you find interesting. Choose something you think would be valuable in helping us to understand your writing style and that will complete your application for submission.

21. Academic Personal Statement ISU’s question: The academic personal statement should be approximately 500 words and should address the following: a. State why you feel Illinois State University is a good fit for your educational goals b. Identify and explain your academic strengths and weaknesses c. Explain any circumstances which affected your high school academic performance, if applicable

22. Wild Cards Find X. (University of Chicago) Sartre said, “Hell is other people”; but Streisand sang, “People who need people / Are the luckiest people in the world.” With whom do you agree and why? Don’t be icky. (Amherst College) You have just completed your 300-page autobiography. Please submit page 217. (University of Pennsylvania)

23. What about the cost? • Investigate your options for financial aid and scholarships • Utilize your guidance office and the reps from the colleges to which you’ll apply • Early estimates are available! • You can afford to go to college.

24. Start at a two-year school, transfer to a four-year school • Admission process is usually “cleaner” for transfer students • Get to know the transfer staff at your school AND at your prospective transfer institution • www.itransfer.org

25. A Few Final Words on Applying to College • Spell check is good, but proofreading is better! • Choose your email address carefully. • i will not LOL if u wrt like u r txting me • Your future school might be part of your social network now. • It’s not necessary to send all of your information in one packet-we will get it in your file.

26. The Secret of Success Apply only to those institutions which interest you the most and are the best matches for you. Finding the appropriate college “fit” will increase your chances of admission and the likelihood that you’ll be happy as a student there!

27. Now you wait. . .

28. These might help you get admitted: A high “perceived level of interest” An unusual major An outstanding talent or skill An alumni connection

29. These might not: A lovely fruit basket Mentioning the wrong school in your essay or personal statement A huge case of senioritis Your last name (unless it’s on a building at that school)

30. THE BIG ENVELOPE

31. Congratulations! You’ve Been Admitted! Now What?

32. Visit Campus (again) • Two types of visits • Individual • Open House/Overnight • Visit when classes are in session • Call ahead • Wear comfortable shoes!

33. Be ready to ask (and answer) questions! • You’ve done a visit or two, so cast a critical eye. • Make the most of your time on campus. • Personalize your questions. • We want to know about you, too! • Is this the place you’ll call home for four years?

34. Include these in your visit: Talk to a current student, not just the tour guide Speak with someone about financial aid Eat lunch on campus Drive through town Sit in on class or meet a professor Walk through campus before or after your “official” visit

35. Driving the college search bus Notice they are not the same person. YOUR MOM YOUR ROOMMATE

36. Wrapping it up You have until May 1, 2013 to make your decision. When you do, deposit to only one school. Your deposit is your promise that you’ll attend that institution in the fall. Notify all your schools of your decision.

37. Your friendly neighborhood admissions counselor • We are your advocates in the admissions process. • We look for reasons to admit you! • We have the answers, so go ahead and ask the questions.

38. Today you are you. That is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You!--Dr. Seuss

39. Xavier University Chicago Information Session Monday, October 15 7-8:30 p.m. at Fenwick X-perience Days Sunday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Nov. 4 Find me at a college fair near you! Triton: Sept. 18 Navy Pier: Sept. 29

40. For more information: Julie Nelson Regional Recruitment Director Xavier University Past President, Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling nelsonj4@xavier.edu (866) 652-5357