Fairfield College Preparatory School Junior College Planning Night January 12, 2012

1. Fairfield College Preparatory SchoolJunior College Planning NightJanuary 12, 2012 JOHN HANRAHAN - DEAN OF GUIDANCE & COLLEGE ADVISING (L-Z) RICK HUTCHINSON - COLLEGE ADVISOR (A-K) KIM BERNIER – GUIDANCE ASSISTANT

2. Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings Fall of Junior Year: • Overview of the Junior Year • Standardized Testing– overview and strategy • Identifying Appropriate Colleges • Naviance • Identifying Colleges • My Game Plan • My resume

3. Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings Spring of Junior Year: • Standardized Testing • Key Factors in Admission • Resume • Campus Visits /Fairfield Regional College Fair, Date/Location: TBD • **Junior Interview – with advisor** • Senior Course Selection • Summer Strategies • Admission Glossary

4. Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings Topics for Fall Senior Year: • Check-In Meeting with College Advisor • Finalizing Application Strategy • Coordination of Application process: application forms, essay (s), recommendations, sending testing to colleges

5. NAVIANCE Research and develop prospective college lists: https://connection.naviance.com/fairfieldprep Students: Username/email : students’ Prep email address Password: student created Parents: Accounts established for all parents

6. College Planning Resources www.fairfieldprep.org Naviance and the College Advising Page in the Guidance Section on the Prep website provides information on: • Interviewing • Factors in College Admission • Glossary of College Admission Terms • Resume models • SAT/ACT testing dates & deadlines

7. Evaluating a Transcript • Course of Study • 5 core subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Science, Foreign Language • Grade Trends → Most challenging course load that the student can manage. → Limited # of “lighter” electives. → Junior year, 1st quarter senior year and 1st semester senior year are key.

8. Standardized Testing *Students register themselves for all SAT and/or ACT exams.* SAT (SAT I) www.collegeboard.com • At least once in spring Junior Year (Jan., March, May, June) • At least once in fall Senior Year (Oct., Nov., Dec.) SAT Subject Tests (SAT II) • Some colleges may require (see websites) • Can highlight an academic strength ACT www.act.org • Spring Junior year dates: Feb., April, June • Fall Senior year dates: Sept., Oct., Dec.

9. “Tip” Factors Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: Highlight individual academic strengths and personal qualities Essay(s): Reveals self “Show, Don’t Tell” Significant activity(ies): Will show depth and commitment to personal interests and growth.

10. “Tip” Factors (Continued) • Athletic recruitment • Special talents or attributes – how to highlight? • Interview (admission counselor, current student or alumni) • Supplemental letters (use sparingly) • Demonstrated Interest • Essays (From Common App. Supplements)

11. Application options and strategies Regular Decision Early Action Early Decision Rolling Decision (w/ priority dates)

12. Finding a College “Fit”

13. Prospective College List: Personal Preferences • Size (# undergraduates) • Geographic Location • Campus setting (urban, suburban, rural) • Academic focus • Areas of study • Facilities: Library, Research Labs, etc. • Social Atmosphere • Campus Life, Sports, Arts • Religious affiliation • Support services • Cost • Financial Aid • Housing – 4 year guaranteed? • Diversity (Ethnic,Geographic) • Admission Criteria • Graduation +Retention Rates • Outcomes: employment and graduate schools • Greek system

14. Prospective College List: Other Resources • Friends and Relatives • Guide books • Rankings • College Advisor • Alumni • Honors and accreditations • Name Prestige **Consider many different types of institutions. Do not always go with the pack. Break new ground in the search process. **

15. Search List Up to 15-20 Research (beware increasing selectivity) Place in 5 Categories (as designated in Naviance): Far Reach, Reach, Possible, Likely and Safety Use Naviance Scattergrams as a guide, but not as an absolute.

16. Final Application List Up to 10 (+/-) Fairfield Prep Average: 8 Prioritize the list Only a “safety” school if you would attend. Contact (i.e. demonstrated interest) is more important with small/medium schools.

17. The Campus Visit

18. Campus Visit Options • Campus Tour • Information session • Open House/Special Event • Sit in on a class • Interview • Athletic visit • Overnight • Shadow student

19. Why is the Campus Visit Important? • Demonstrates YOUR interest • Experiencing the campus to help decide if you want to apply. • Find the institutions that are the right “Fit”.

20. Preparing for the Campus Visit • Visit college website to explore visit options. • Do your homework before the visit • Make reservations/appointments for campus tours, interviews, open houses and meetings with faculty or coaches. • Stick to the Office of Admission schedule • Avoid the Drive-Thru visit, if possible • Always sign in…Smaller colleges tend to track this information(i.e. Demonstrated Interest)

21. What to look for while on campus General University/College Information *Read a Campus Newspaper* Campus Life • Residence halls, cafeteria, parking, student center, chapel Student Life/Athletics • Clubs & organizations, social life, recreation facilities, visual/performing arts, varsity athletics Academic Life • Classrooms, professors, course offerings, internships, research opportunities

22. College Planning Checklists

23. College Planning: Spring of Junior Year • Initial Student/Advisor College Planning Meeting • Research: Web -based resources are best • Contact institutions • Visit Campuses • Attend spring open house programs • Standardized Testing - first/second round • Attend local/regional college fairs • Consider teacher recommenders • Develop an Activities Resume (excellent document to present at an interview) • Initial contact with athletic coaches etc.

24. College Planning: Summer before Senior Year • Campus Visits • Refine list • Consider application options: Regular, EA, ED, Rolling • Establish Common Application Account after August 1st. • Determine what application and/or supplement forms each school requires. (i.e. common application) • Start filling out applications • Begin first draft of essay(s). • Continue to develop an activities resume.

25. College Planning: Fall of Senior Year • Check-In Meeting with College Advisor • Meet admission representatives who visit Fairfield Prep • Ask teachers to write recommendations. • Parent/Family Recommendation to Counselor • Attend College Fairs and Information Night programs • Finalize essays and applications • Final campus visits (tours, interviews, overnights, class visits, open houses) • Standardized Testing – final round • Check merit scholarship requirements and deadlines. • FAFSA/CSS Profile – Financial Aid instruments

26. Trends in Admission • Test Optional Colleges • Fast Track/Priority Applications • Demonstrated Interest – particularly in schools deemed “safeties” • Interview (smaller colleges) re-emergence • “Authenticity” • More Writing on Common Application Supplements • Public School interest on the rise • Requests for Financial Aid rising

27. Useful Web Sites • www.collegeboard.com • https://connection.naviance.com/fairfieldprep/ • www.commonapp.org • www.fafsa.ed.gov • www.act.org • www.ncaa.org

28. Miscellaneous Thoughts… • Encourage student to stay in contact with the College Advising Office. Communication is essential. • Allow ample time (2 + months) for essay writing. • Discern all requirements of your list early(Standardized testing requirements, supplements, essays, deadlines, etc.). • jhanrahan@fairfieldprep.org 203-254-4200 ext 2238 (L-Z) • rhutchinson@fairfieldprep.org ext. 2502 (A-K) • kbernier@fairfieldprep.org ext. 2437