Eastlake High School Junior Parent Night

1. Eastlake High SchoolJunior Parent Night Preparing parents and students for senior year and post-secondary planning Kirsten Keller Counselor

2. Agenda • Junior Parent Night Goals • Balancing the Senior Year • 10 Steps To Good College Planning • Q&A Session

3. Junior Parent Night Goals • Identify the challenges seniors face in balancing the senior year • Understand the post-secondary planning process • Simplify college search and application process • Assist parents in becoming an informed support for your son or daughter in planning for the senior year and the year following graduation • Provide resources for parent questions

4. A Well-balanced Senior year • Help your student plan for next year’s commitments now • Understand that social connections are more important than ever • Anticipate conflicting emotions with upcoming change • Reassure students that parents, advisors, counselors, and teachers are there to help provide support Student responsibilities are split between planning their futures and working on high school demands:

5. 10 Steps To Good College Planning • Begin the college search process with parent support • Plan for deadlines in the post-secondary planning process • Survive and thrive throughout the senior year The following 10 steps will help your student:

6. 1. Match aptitudes and career goals with schools and programs • Visit the EHS Career Center Andrea Wehner, EHS Career Specialist • Explore college search websites • Write a resume • Look for schools with a good range of programs in an area of interest

7. 2. Register for a rigorous and balanced senior course schedule • Core academic courses • Coursework beyond minimum college entrance requirements • Advanced classes/course studies • Elective classes in areas of interest

8. Washington Four-year College Entrance Requirements English 4 years Mathematics 3 years Social Science 3 years Science 2 years (incl. 1 yr Alg. based lab) World Language 2 years Fine Arts 1 year

9. 3. Sign up for College Entrance Exams • SAT Reasoning Test - www.collegeboard.com • ACT with optional writing test - www.act.org • Both are tests of college readiness • Recommended Spring of Junior year • Last testing opportunity Fall of Senior year

10. ACT 25% English 25% Mathematics 25% Reading 25% Science Optional Writing Test Subtests range from 1-36 Composite of 4 test scores (1-36) No penalty for guessing SAT 33% Critical Reading 33% Mathematics 33% Writing Subtest range from 300-800 Sum of 3 test scores (600-2400) Score adjusted for wrong answers College Entrance Exams

11. Test Score Comparison

12. 4. Build a list of schools/programs to research • Gather information about: • Location • Size • Admissions Requirements – typical test scores/GPA • Academic Offerings – majors/programs • Expenses – tuition, travel to/from school • Financial Aid • Housing • Campus Visits

13. 5. Plan school visits • Walk around campus • Attend a class • Interview admissions officers • Spend a night in the dorm • Talk with other university students • Use campus checklist as a guide

14. 6. Build a list of schools for application • Discuss the college comparison data and get feedback from others • Students should talk with parents, counselors, advisors, teachers, and friends • Help your son or daughter examine their goals, thoughts and feelings so that they may choose schools for application • Build a well-considered, reasonable list of schools for application

15. 7. Submit applications • Demographic Information/Essays • Academic record • Test scores (SAT or ACT) • School/counselor report • Teacher recommendation Application elements:

16. Letters of recommendation To receive letters that add depth and excitement to an application students should: • Ask someone who knows them well • Choose teachers of classes where they were most engaged intellectually, showed creativity, or completed a special project or independent work • Tell the writer how their experience in the classroom or learning style relates to the college of application • Talk to the writer about their dreams for college and a career • Remember to write thank you notes to letter writers including exciting news of acceptance

17. College admission factors

18. College admission decisions • Match between college needs and student characteristics • Colleges provide admissions statistics range of GPA and test scores • Holistic review process • Academic Index less frequently used as a sole determinant in admissions decisions

19. Community and Technical Colleges • Opportunity for lower tuition costs while exploring academic interests • Small setting to solidify academic record or learn a trade • Admissions consist primarily of biographical information and proof of high school equivalency

20. 8. Financial aid and scholarship • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS profile • Factors that determine a families financial strength • Schools determine distribution of funds as financial aid packages • Research independent sources of scholarship funding • Athletes should register with the NCAA • EHS Financial Aid Night in December

21. Financial aid and scholarship references http://studentaid.ed.gov

22. 9. Plan senior year • SAT/ACT • Fall National College Fair • Application deadlines • EHS finals, AP tests, senior project • Sports, activities, community service, social events • National College Decision Day May 1 • Graduation Use a calendar to plan for:

23. 10. Fall Senior Seminar for students • Review college application process • Discuss elements of the Common Application • Reminder of Fall National College Fair • Answer student questions

24. NACAC tips for parents: Dos and don’ts for college admissions • Do learn about the college admission process • Do discuss restrictions up front • Don’t limit choices based on fees • Do remind your child of deadlines • Do listen and offer advice when asked • Don’t make decisions for your son or daughter • Do encourage and celebrate

25. Books and Resources • “Parents' Guide to College Life” by Robin Raskin • “The Thinking Parents Guide to College Admissions” by Eva Ostrum • “Sending Your Child to College: The Prepared Parent's Operational Manual” by Marie Pinak Carr and her daughters, Katharine Carr, Ann Carr and Elizabeth Carr • http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/ - Parent of Junior Newsletter and Alerts Help your junior make the most of high school and stay on top of important deadlines and requirements. It includes links to the student version of the newsletter. *References provided by: The College Board The National Association for College Admission Counseling

26. Q & ASession