The Class of 2014 Looks Beyond Barrington

1. The Class of 2014Looks Beyond Barrington College Counselors: Elizabeth Hannon and Kate Moody Counselors: Jill Argall, Monica Barreiro, Joan Bell, Marla Engleman, Michelle Fitzgerald, Tim Martin, Ray Piagentini, Bryan Tucker Director: Jill Fearday

2. 2013-2014Barrington High SchoolCollege and Career Planning Guide # Students Per State 2008-2012 1 – 9 10 – 20 21 – 50 51 – 100 101 – 501 501 – 1000 1001+ None BHS Celebrates Diversity of College Destinations

3. “MAP” Book • Almost any fundamental question is covered in this College & Career Planning Guide • You might even want to note the following pages: Timeline p. 2, Application Procedures p. 15, Websites pp.16 & 17, FAQ’s p. 26, Visit Questions p. 13, Resume p. 27, Parent Letter p. 28, Transcript Request p. 37

4. TWO PORTIONS TO OUR PRESENTATION • The first part: HOW YOU CHOOSE A COLLEGE • The second part: HOW A COLLEGE CHOOSES YOU

5. FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS • There is a college for everyone. • This is a process. • It is all about finding the fit. • With that in mind, this will be part practical and part philosophical!

6. THE PROCESS

7. NAVIGATING THE PROCESS • Communicate as a family. • Do your homework. • Visit. • Be realistic. • Find the fit. • Fit is about finding the right school not simply about finding the best school.

8. MAKE THIS A RESEARCH PROJECT WHICH INVOLVES: • Clear goals • Deadlines • Lots of note-taking • Use the 5 P’s—Person, Place, People, Price, Program • And please remember--this isn’t brain surgery. It is entirely reversible.

9. A bit of advice from some BHS alums: • “Be proactive. The right college won’t find you.” • “Don’t waste time. Jump right into it. • “Manage time well.”

10. The Five “P’s” • Person • Place • People • Price • Program

11. PERSON • The person is YOU. • Why do I want to go to college? • How do I learn? • Do I have special talents? • Do I have special needs? • FIND YOUR PASSION!

12. Perhaps consider a “Gap Year” • A gap year is a year for students to explore other interests between high school and college. • “Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation” – a very informative article • Gap Year Fair – New Trier, Saturday, Jan 26, 1:00 – 3:30 pm

13. Lyndsay Janura, Transition Facilitator

14. PLACE • Distance • High school [40 hrs/wk] vs College [15 hrs/wk] • Size: Small [1200-2500] vs Large [15,000+] • Types of schools: Music, Technical, HBCU’s, Religious, Single Gender • YOU MUST VISIT—TOGETHER. • Prestige

15. PEOPLE • Liberal? • Conservative? • Another area of the country? • Faith based? • One thing is certain—it won’t be like high school!

16. PRICE • Have the talk about cost. • Don’t get confused by sticker shock. Go thru the financial aid process. • IWU Admission Dean, “Let me show you that you can afford our school.” • “Scholar”- ships

17. PROGRAM • You usually don’t have to choose your major until the end of sophomore year of college! • If you don’t know what you want to do, know what you don’t want to do. • Utilize your BHS resources: Career Cruising, Career Treks, Naviance “Do What you Are”, Community Service

18. SEARCH AND SELECTION TIMELINE • Nov – Jan Meet with your counselor in groups. Do your research. Schedule a college counseling appt. • Feb – June Complete a college counseling appt [Feb 1 – end of school]. Create your list [5 – 8 schools tops]. Visit. • Summer Finish Resume, Brainstorm Essays. • Aug- Return to school ready to apply.

19. HOW TO DO YOUR RESEARCH • Create a list of schools [using a search engine like Naviance- “It’s a great website and it gives you a realistic perspective on college admissions”]. • Use the GRC and the individual college websites. • Attend all of our programs next semester (Financial Aid Night, Ask the Experts, College Night). • Make the most of College Night. • READ the “Map Book”

20. HOW WE CAN HELP • Counselors – know your students, know academic advisement, can answer questions about college, write letters of recommendation, and process applications • College Counselors – can help refine your list of schools, can answer questions about specific colleges and their particular admission processes

21. If I could do one thing over, I would… • “Look more openly at places and at a broad range of schools.” • “Talk to my college counselor earlier. I had no idea how helpful, encouraging and comforting they really are.” • “Worry less.” • “Meet with college counselors! They know what they are doing and can guide you to schools that will likely fit your personality and needs.”

22. FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE • Parents – Your child will remember how you supported him or her. • Students – Realize that this is emotionally difficult for your parents. • Both – Remember that it isn’t the college but the student that has the magic!

23. How A College Chooses You

24. What Does the Admission Committee Review? • High School Transcript • ACT/SAT Scores • Essays/Writing Samples • Counselor and/or Teacher Recommendations • Demonstrated Interest • Extra-curriculars/Work • Race, Legacy, State or County of Residence

25. High School Transcript • Most colleges admit on 6 semesters • GPA • Has student taken a college prep curriculum? 4 Eng, 3-4 math,3 sci,3 ss, 2 wl and/or fine and applied arts, + electives • Grades in college prep classes most important • Grade trends • Senior classes

26. A Tale of Two Transcripts Student A Student B E,m,sci,ss,wl,pe +el E,m,sci,ss,wl,pe +el 3.400 wtd (f) 4.000 wtd (f) 3.654 wtd (s) 3.885 wtd (s) 3.909 wtd (j) 3.417 wtd (j) Cumulative GPA 3.662 wtd 3.770 wtd

27. A Word About Senioritis YIKES!!!!!

28. ACT/SAT Scores (Map Book pages 18-20) • Colleges will accept ACTs or SATs • If multiple test scores are given, colleges will look at the best score(s). • SAT subject tests req/rec by highly selective colleges (www.compassprep.com) • PSAE ACT may be used for college admission and NCAA

29. Essays and/or Writing Samples(Map Book page 35) • Submit student’s own work • Answer the question!!! • Correctly identify the college in the body of work • Additional personal statement can always be included • Save a graded paper- sometimes a college will ask for one

30. Teacher Recommendations(Map Book pages 29-30) • Ask teachers for a letter of rec only if required by college. • Complete the “College Recommendation Questionnaire” • Allow 3 weeks for completion • Can send one letter of rec to multiple schools

31. Counselor Recommendations • Get to know your counselor • Many applications have a counselor form that must be completed • Speak to your counselor about what additional information they may need • Ask counselor for a letter of rec only if required by college. Allow 3 weeks for completion • Can send one letter of rec to multiple school

32. Demonstrated Interest(Map Book pages 4, 13) • Schedule a formal campus visit through the college admissions office • Thank you note or email is important • Visit college reps in GRC • Visit reps when they are in Chicagoland

33. Interviews (Map Book page 36) • Some schools require an interview • Interviews can take place on or off campus • Can be done by alumni • Dress appropriately • Send thank you note/email

34. Extra-curriculars/Work (Map Book page 27) • Colleges want involved students • Choose quality over quantity • Submit a resume with every application • Resume should include activities from Grades 9 – 12 only

35. Factors You Cannot Control • Race • Legacy • State or County of Residence

36. Upcoming Programs • Focus on Financial Aid – 1/24/13 • Ask the Experts – 3/14/13 • BHS ICE College Night – 4/8/13 • PSAE Exam – 4/23/13 + 4/24/13

37. Your To Do List • It’s all “mapped out” for you on pages 2 – 5 in the Map Book!

38. Thank you for joining us this evening!