College Planning An Overview

1. College Planning An Overview Presented by GVHS Counselors: Mr. Chip Harvey Ms. Anna Impriano

2. JuniorMeeting • WHO? • student, parent(s), school counselor • WHEN? • Parents are invited to call and schedule these meetings following junior night. It is recommended to schedule the meeting in November, December or January • WHY? • This meeting will allow for individualized college planning • Review of general admission requirements, student transcript, college testing, college factors, building a college list, Navianceand a time to get questions answered

3. Important Factors in Admission Decision • HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT!!! • Grades and Rigor are the most important factors • Senior year courses should reflect ability and interests • STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES • Review requirements on Naviance or on school’s webpage • YOU- WHO ARE YOU AS A PERSON!? • Essay(s), Interviews (if required/recommended), Letters of Rec, Resume • APPLICATION • Completed and submitted online

4. 11th Grade Milestones • Fall/Spring • Register Online for Entrance Exams (SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Tests) • Familiarize Yourself with Naviance and College Websites • Search for Colleges & Research GOOD FIT Schools • Develop Preliminary List of Schools • Build Your Resume • Visit Colleges (Great time- Spring Break!) • Course Selection (strategically select senior courses) • Request Letters of Recommendation from Teachers (spring) • DI/DII Potential Athletes- Register with NCAA Clearinghouse • Spring/Summer • Finalize List of Schools (6-10) • Work on College Essays and Begin completing Applications • Investigate/Enroll in Summer Programs

5. Taking Entrance Exams (SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Tests) • When? • First exam sometime between January-March • Refer to Naviance for the test dates and locations • Register for these Exams Online • SAT & Subject Test Registration: www.collegeboard.com • ACT Registration: www.actstudent.org • Does my school require Subject Tests? • View link to determine the answer: www.compassprep.com • Some Schools do NOT require test scores • Test optional schools: www.fairtest.org/optional

6. The College Search • Goal – Develop Preliminary List of Schools This Year • Identify Good Fit Characteristics • size, location, major, activities, strength of program, learning env., etc. • Use College Search Sites to Narrow List • VISIT Colleges (small, big, city, rural) • Selection Process (foundational, target, reach) • Narrow List! (subjective and objective research)

7. VISIT COLLEGES • Great time to visit- SPRING BREAK! • See school when students are on campus- ask questions~ • Sign up for a tour with the admissions office by calling the school in advance. Some schools offer online registration. • Bring a Notebook! • Jot down your likes and dislikes as SOON as you leave campus • Your impressions of a school are important and will help you to determine good fit and factors of importance

8. Build Your Resume • Include activities, jobs and volunteer hours that you have been involved with since the beginning of 9th grade • Use appropriate grammar (you are not texting!!!) • Take on leadership roles and stay involved • Consider a summer program that is related to your career goals or that is on a college campus of interest

9. Letters of Recommendation • Ask 2 Teachers to write you a letter • When to ask!? When you return from Spring Break ! • Ask Major Subject Teachers • Math, English, Science, Social Studies • Consider the major you might pursue in college • Follow up by providing a teacher request form! • Available in the counseling office this spring • Forms also may be printed from Naviance (in the document library) Say THANK YOU!

10. Potential DI/DII Athletes • REGISTER with the NCAA at: ncaa.org/Eligibility Center • Send transcript to NCAA after junior year & after graduation • Review NCAA core-course requirements • Send your test scores (SAT &/or ACT) to the NCAA • Enter the code 9999 when you register to take the exam • Familiarize yourself with College Athletic Sites: • njcaa.org/-The National Junior College Athletic Association • naia.org/ - The NAIA is another collegiate athletic association

11. Application Process • ED/EA/Rolling • ED- binding, EA- nonbinding, Rolling- no deadline • Common Application(review) • Send SAT/ACT Scores Online • School Packet • Supporting documents sent from your Guidance Office • Includes Transcript, Secondary School Report (data sheet), Counselor Letter of Rec, School Profile, Teacher(s) Letters’ of Rec • Must be requested 15 days before materials need to be at college

12. Acceptances and Decisions • When!? • Rolling Schools- response within 2-3 weeks • Early Action/Early Decision- response before winter break • Regular Decision- response before April 1st • How • Most Schools post application decisions online • Many Schools mail a decision in the mail • National Decision Day! • Students must commit to a school by May 1st, anytime before • Some colleges do not guarantee housing if you wait until 5/1 • Consider your financial aid package with decisions (next slide)

13. Financial Aid • FAFSA • Free Application for federal student Aid • Apply for a pin and then complete application soon after Jan. 1st (12th) • Complete online: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ • CSS Profile • Required by many private colleges and universities to determine your eligibility for non-government financial aid, such as the institution's own grants, loans and scholarships • Can be completed in the fall (12th) • Completed online: https://profileonline.collegeboard.org/prf/index.jsp • Local Scholarships • Fastweb

14. Questions