WELCOME!

1. WELCOME! Please pick up a copy of all super, useful handouts on the back table! Stay tuned for… College Information Night for Parents

2. College Information Night for Parents Ms. Brandi Cooper Mrs. Amber Gilsdorf Ms. Ann Raffay November 20, 2013

3. Agenda for the Evening • GHS College Counseling Curriculum • 5 Easy Steps for College Searching • College Testing • Strengthening Applicant Profile • Financial Aid (briefly) • Save the Dates • Remind 101 • Q & A

4. GHS College Planning Curriculum • 9th Grade—4-Year Academic Planning Meetings, Career Cluster Finder Inventory in Naviance, Freshmen Career Fair • 10th Grade—”Personality Type” Profile in Naviance, Sophomore Hands-On Day, PSAT Results • 11th Grade—College 101 Curriculum (See “College 101 Calendar” handout - GREEN)

5. GHS College Planning Curriculum • 12th Grade—College Application Process for Parents (Sept.), College Application Work Sessions, Alumni Day • All Grades—Athletics in College (Fall Sports Meeting), Licking County Financial Aid Night (Jan.), Scheduling Presentations (Feb.), Selective Schools Admissions Presentation (Apr.), Licking County College Fair (Apr.)

6. Tools for the Journey Ahead • Naviance Family Connection • Grade-level College Planning Calendars • www.granvilleschools.org/CollegePlanning.aspx • Websites: • CollegeBoard.org • College-specific websites • studentaid.ed.gov • GHS School Counseling & College Planning website links

7. Tools for the Journey Ahead • College Books: • Fiske Guide to the Colleges 2013 • Peterson’s publications • CollegeBoard’s College Majors • Available to borrow in the GHS Counseling Office • Family & Friends • School Counselor

8. What is Naviance Family Connection? • College search tool • Database that compares your student’s applicant profile to former GHS graduates who applied to the same schools on your student’s list! • Helps you & your student organize the college process • Personality assessments • Career assessments • Scholarship searches • Summer Enrichment Programs See: “Introduction to Naviance” handout - BLUE

9. How do I begin the process with my child?

10. STEP 1:Self-Reflection • Have your child reflect on: • Who am I? • What are my strengths? • What do I want from my college experience? • What would I like to do at the end of 4 years? • What are my goals? • How do these qualities match with potential majors and careers? • College Counseling Curriculum: • Naviance Family Connection – “My Personality Type” assessment • College 101 Folder - See “Exploring College Majors & Careers Path” Packet & College Majors 101

11. STEP 2:Understand Different Types of Colleges • Public and Private Colleges • For Profit Colleges • 4-year and 2-year colleges • Liberal Arts Colleges • Universities • Vocational-technical and career colleges • Colleges with special focus • Arts, single-sex, religious, specialized mission • College Counseling Curriculum: • College 101 Folder – Green “College Search Process” packet and “Qualities that Make a College Right for You” packet

12. STEP 3:Qualities that Make a School “a Good Fit” • Enrollment • Academic Environment • Academic Offerings • Cost/Availability of Financial Aid • Religion • Ethnicity • Coeducation or Single Sex • Student Body Characteristics • Student Life • Big Name School or Best Fit School • Activities (including Athletics) • Admission Difficulty • Location • Any other factors… • Adapted from College Match by Steven Antonoff

13. STEP 4: Build a College List & Research • Using the “SuperMatch” and “College Search” features in Naviance, students can narrow field of search based on qualities of importance. • View college acceptance data from previous GHS students (without names) • See: “Using Naviance to Compare to Past GHS Applicants” handout - BLUE • Personalize a list of schools you have interest in and keep track of deadlines • Use the CollegeBoard “College Search” function to cross-reference results. • College Counseling Curriculum: • College 101 Folder – “How to Build Your College List” packet

14. STEP 4: Build a College List & Research 3. Review college profile on Naviance, CollegeBoard, or on the college’s website • Average SAT and/or ACT scores or range of scores for acceptance • Average GPA of acceptance • Average number of courses for math, science, global language, fine arts, etc. • Acceptance rates • Overall Acceptance Rate • Courses & majors offered • Other unique programs/activities for students See: “How to Build a College List” packet - WHITE

15. STEP 5: College Visits • Visiting is the most important way to learn about colleges • Go when school is in session • Plan trips during long weekends, vacations, GHS Spring Break • Set up the appt. 2-3 weeks in advance, through the phone or website • See: “Questions to Ask During Your Campus Visit” handout - SALMON • Standard Visit = Tour and Presentation • Virtual Tours available on some college websites and CollegeWeekLive • Experience as much as possible (meetings with coaches, department chairs, professors, see the town, etc.)

16. Things to keep in mind As you begin searching for schools & visiting…

17. Students should consider their applicant profile: • Grades in college preparatory courses (98%) • Strength of curriculum (92.7%) • Admission test scores/ACT & SAT (89.8%) • Overall GPA (89.5%) Percentages are the results of the annual NACAC Admissions Trends Survey, which denotes the most important factors in admissions decisions.

18. How do you determine if a college is a… • Reach? • Your student’s applicant profile is not as strong as the middle 50% or average of admitted students to that school. • Target? • Your student’s applicant profile is similar to the middle 50% or average of admitted students to that school. • Likely? • Your student’s applicant profile is significantly stronger than the middle 50% or average of admitted students to that school.

19. The College ContinuumReach  Target Likely When it comes to applying, we recommend applying to a variety of schools on a continuum based on your student’s applicant profile. Reach Target Likely

20. Selective Schools Admissions Acceptance rates from 2013 • Harvard 7.2% • Stanford 7.97% • Yale 8.56% • Princeton 10.6% • Columbia 11% • Brown 11% • Penn 17% • Georgetown 19% • Duke 22% Gathered from Naviance, 2012 Though acceptance rates are low for these highly selective schools, we encourage all students that match the school’s academic profile and feel that the school is a “best fit” for them to apply. Though acceptance rates are low for these highly selective schools, we encourage all students that match the school’s academic profile and feel that the school is a “best fit” for them to apply.

21. Selective Schools Admissions • The fewer students a school accepts, the more likely it is to place emphasis on “tip” factors in the admissions process. • Demonstrated Interest • On-campus visits • Summer programs at the school • Table visits at college fairs • Student’s unique strength/situation • Particular musical instrument, sport, or other strength • Major area of study interest • First generation college student • What is the need for their incoming class? • Selective Schools Presentation – TBD April

22. College Testing Feel free to ask questions throughout! Here we go…

23. www.granvilleschools.org/PSAT1.aspx • Administered in October each year. • Recommended for ALL 9th, 10th, & 11th grade students every year. • Detailed Score Report returned in January in English classes • Provides Personalized SAT Study Plan online • AP Potential to assist with scheduling • "On average, students who take the PSAT score 146 points higher on the SAT than those who do not, and students who take the PSAT more than once earn even higher SAT scores.“ Source: CollegeBoard Counselor Workshop handout.

24. SAT and ACT • See: “Test Dates & Deadlines” yellow handout • = GHS is a Test Center for that date. • All students should have a “Testing Plan” to take both the SAT & ACT once each. • Retake whichever test was the stronger test AT LEAST ONCE. • Compare your scores using the downloadable Concordance Table at www.granvilleschools.org/CollegeTesting.aspx • All testing should be done by the end of Junior year.

25. SAT and ACT • Pay special attention to if colleges require the “writing” portion of the ACT. We strongly recommends taking the writing portion as some colleges require it! • SUPERSCORING! • Why it can be good to take both tests twice • Policies vary by college • Test-optional schools www.fairtest.org/optional.htm

26. Make A Testing Plan • In Analysis, IAP, Fundies, AP Calc (or higher) this year? • First round of ACT & SAT in the Winter (December, January, February) of junior year • Determine highest score – Concordance Table • Second round of ACT or SAT in the Spring (March, April, May, or June) of junior year • In Geometry, ALPH, or Algebra II this year? • First round of ACT & SAT in the Winter/Spring (February, March, or April) of junior year • Determine highest score – Concordance Table • Second round of ACT or SAT in the Spring/Summer (May or June) of junior year See: “2013-2014 Dates & Deadlines” handout - YELLOW

27. Registration • Register for tests online & record the username and password • Students must upload a photo of themselves with their online registration. Student must be the only person in the picture with a plain colored background. • For students requesting accommodations, please review the information at www.granvilleschools.org/TestingforStudentswithDisabilities1.aspx

28. Inside the SAT • How do colleges get my scores? • You can choose 4 schools to receive your scores for free when you register for the test. • Otherwise, you can log-in to your CollegeBoard account to send scores individually to colleges as part of your application. • How is the test scored? • 200-800 points per section for a total of 2400 possible • 2-12 points for the essay • ¼ points subtracted for every wrong answer • How do I get more information about the SAT? • You can go to the High School & College Testing website for more information: • http://www.granvilleschools.org/CollegeTesting.aspx • What is the test structure? • Critical Reading • Mathematics • Writing

29. SAT Subject Tests Typically more selective colleges and highly academic programs require the SAT subject tests. Take these tests right after you have completed the class that focused on the subject in which you are being tested. Each subject test lasts approximately one hour, so students can sign up for up to three tests on one test date. How do I know if my schools require SAT Subject Tests? Use Compass Prep: http://www.compassprep.com/subject_about.shtml Each specific school’s admissions website Search for your college on CollegeBoard’s website

30. Inside the ACT • What is the test structure? • English • Reading • Mathematics • Science Reasoning • Writing (optional…but recommended) • How do colleges get my scores? • You can choose 4 schools to receive your scores for free when you register for the test. • Otherwise, you can log-in to your ACT account to send scores individually to colleges as part of your application. • How is the test scored? • 1-36 for each section • 2-12 points for the writing • How do I get more information about the ACT? • You can go to the High School & College Planning website for more information: • http://www.granvilleschools.org/CollegeTesting.aspx

31. Test Prep Free: www.actstudent.organd www.collegeboard.org - questions, skill building activities, & full practice tests • Books to check out in the Counseling Office. • PSAT Score Report • Check out links on our website: www.granvilleschools.org/SATSATSubjectTests1.aspx Fee-Based: • $ on your “Test Dates & Deadlines” handout • Workshops are advertised through the Blue Ace Update • Private tutoring Note: Make sure that any prep service focuses on problem solving and test-taking skills, as well as time management.

32. FAQs on Testing • Do colleges need both SAT and ACT scores? • Which scores are better to send to colleges? Should I send them now, or wait? • How important are grades as compared to test scores? • What if English is not my first language? (TOEFL)

33. We did it! Almost there!

34. At the end of Junior Year • April: • Students complete a “Check-In” Worksheet: • Testing Plan, College Visit Plan, Potential Majors, Colleges of Interest, & Potential Recommenders • May: • Prepare for the college essay & review “To-Do” for the summer • Going in to Senior Year: • Have a list of colleges to which you will apply • All ACT/SAT testing completed

35. Grades 9 – 11:Strengthen Your Applicant Profile • Coursework • Parent Scheduling Night Rising Seniors & Juniors: Wednesday, February 19, 2014 • Get involved in our school AND our community • Your child should invest in activities they are passionate about and/or talented • Consider the opportunities available during the summer • Find a few things (not 10) to focus on and to develop more • Encourage them to get to know their teachers and counselor • Family Meetings

36. Financial Aid • College 101 – March topic • Resources are available on the School Counseling & College Planning website • www.granvilleschools.org/financialaid.aspx • During your college visits, make a separate appointment to meet with financial aid officers. • Or don’t hesitate to call the financial aid office! • SAVE THE DATE • January 22, 2014 @ 6:00 p.m. - Financial Aid Night @ C-TEC • September 2014 – College Application Process for Senior Parents

37. Save the Date! See your “Important College and Career Dates (and Parent Nights)” handout! - GREEN • Licking County Financial Aid Night • Course Scheduling Presentations • Selective Schools Admission Presentation • Licking County College Fair • College Application Process for Senior Parents

38. Parents of Juniors! Grab your phones!

39. REMIND 101 Respond to the “Welcome” text with your first & last name.

40. Questions?