A Presentation for Parents of Juniors March 6, 2017

1. College Search & Application Overview A Presentation for Parents of JuniorsMarch 6, 2017

2. Introductions • Court Wirth • 6th year at Marist • 11th year as a Counselor • Senior Counselor, Director of Counseling

3. Tonight’s Agenda • Four stages of the application process • Nate Mannetter- Insight from a College Admissions Counselor • Factors in a college’s admission decision • Events to help with the college search • Naviance • Course Selection • Odds & Ends

4. The Four Stages of the College Application Process • 1- Research/ Planning/ Narrowing • 2- Applying • 3- Financial Aid and Scholarships • 4- Evaluating Offers and Making a Decision

5. Stage One: Now thru the Fall Research-Planning-Narrowing This is a very important, and often overlooked, time in the college planning process. Students should: • Engage in self-reflection • Determine the factors that are most important in selecting a university • Research • Refine their list

6. Compiling a Final college list • Seniors will enter the list of colleges to which they plan to apply in to Naviance The final list should be: • 3-8 schools • A combination of Reach, Target, & Safety schools (factoring in both odds of admittance, and cost) • Well researched • Both the school and the application process • Know requirements (such as whether letters of rec, or SAT Subject Exams are required)

7. Stage one (continued) • Students need to do the best they can in their classes right now • Take the SAT/ACT (and possibly SAT Subject Exams) before end of junior year (all juniors will take the ACT here April 19) • Take advantage of this summer- • Volunteer, work, participate in an educational or travel experience • Visit college campuses, and spend time researching them online

8. Stage two: Applying (Fall) • We will talk more about this in September, but here are some basics: -Students submit their application to a college -Students need to have their test scores sent directly from the testing agency (SAT or ACT) to the college -Student needs to be aware of what school forms are needed (transcripts, letters of rec), and make the appropriate requests.

9. Stage Three: (Fall/ Winter)Financial Aid and Scholarships • Have open discussions about finances. • Talk to your son/daughter about what THEIR financial responsibilities will be. • When researching a college, be mindful of the cost of attendance, as well as aid that they offer. • Be straightforward about what your expectations are regarding applying for scholarships. • Scholarship “high season” is from about January-April of senior year, but there are others out there before then.

10. Stage Four: (Winter/ Spring)Evaluating Offers and Making a Decision • Students should have all notifications, and financial aid offers, by April 1. • Continuing to pursue private scholarships • May 1 is National Candidates Reply Date. • Remember to keep in mind the self-evaluation that you did at the beginning of this process. “College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.”

11. An insider’s perspective… • Nate Mannetter, Assistant Director of Admissions at Gonzaga University

12. The College Admission Process Nate Mannetter Senior Admission Counselor Gonzaga University

13. Overview • How to approach and manage the college admission process • The basics: moving from a “prospect” to an “accept” • Five key myths and realities • Open discussion and questions

14. The Helicopter

15. The Snow Plow

16. The Coach

17. The Coach • Ask questions • Assist with research • Encourage hard work • Help create and monitor a calendar of deadlines • Be an emotional support • Plan college visits • Lead the financial process

18. The Coach • Assess strengths • Focus on finding the right “match” • Utilize your support network

19. Admissions Office Operations • Any student can be a “prospect” or “inquiry” • Application: Submit transcript, scores, activity information, writing pieces, recommendations • Check email regularly to know if any information is missing • Colleges want completed applications

20. Application Review • Index guarantees, holistic review • Rolling admissions, pooling admissions • Early deadlines, regular deadlines Colleges want to admit students!

21. Myth #1 • Monster’s University sent me information or a free application that is pre-populated, so they will accept me if I apply. • Monster’s University is seeking your interest. There are no promises.

22. Myth #2 • “It’s all about the essay.” “It’s all about high test scores.” “It’s all about participating in a lot of activities.” • Nothing is more important than academic performance in high school.

23. Myth #3 • Sharing information about hardships, learning differences, etc. is risky. • The more we know about each applicant, the better informed our decision-making.

24. Myth #4 • Colleges and universities accept only a tiny percentage of their applicants. • Average acceptance rate in the U.S. is over 60%

25. Myth #5 • I cannot afford Monster’s University because the published tuition, room, and board rates are too high. • It is rare for a student to pay the “sticker price” due to financial aid strategies.

26. Enjoy the Process • The process can be FUN and EXCITING! • Students build skills by managing their college search • Ask questions whenever you need assistance

27. Contact Information • Nate Mannetter • Senior Admission Counselor at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA • mannetter@gonzaga.edu, 509-313-6575 • www.gonzaga.eduorbeazag.gonzaga.edu

28. Factors in the Admissions Decisions(Percentage of colleges attributing different levels of importance to factors in the admission decision: 2014)

29. Factors in the Admissions Decisions, continued

30. What about community colleges? • Guaranteed Admittance for high school graduates • Transfer to a 4-year college after 1 or 2 years, and earn a Bachelor degree. • Certificate and Associate Degree options • Dual-enrollment programs (Linn-Benton and OSU, for instance) are available • Deadlines are far later in the college timeline • Oregon Promise- Tuition covered for first two years of community college for all Oregon grads with a 2.5 GPA • Financial Aid process is the same

31. Marist events to help throughout the process • NCAA Info Session- April 10 • College Planning Night for Seniors- September • Financial Aid Night – October • College visits at Marist (throughout the fall) • Common Application tutorial (fall)

32. Area events to help throughout the process • April 30- PNACAC Spring College Fair, Portland • May 25-JET (Jesuit Excellence Tour) at Jesuit High School in Portland • August 2- Colleges That Change Lives College Fair & Info Session, Portland • October- PNACAC Fall College Faire, Eugene

33. A Note About Naviance • Naviance is essential throughout this process. • Communication tool between myself and the students. • Students need to keep their application plans up-to-date • Students request transcripts, letters of recommendation, to the colleges they apply to • Parents have their own log-in info- (if you need yours, please email me)

34. NavianceResources • Strengths Explorer • Career Interest Profile Game Plan • Resume • Letter of Recommendation Request Form (if letters will be needed) • College Search Tool & College pages

37. Course Selection and the College Process • Senior year courses should continue to be good preparation for college • Admissions officers consider course rigor throughout high school INCLUDING senior year • Dropping courses halfway through the year may impact a student’s application to university • Mid-term grades are required by many colleges, and final grades are always required by college a student is attending. • Please discuss this with your son/daughter as they register for next year’s courses

38. College Athletics • Students who hope to be recruited for college athletics at NCAA or NAIA schools MUST complete the necessary forms online before they can be contacted by college coaches. • If student is considering this, they should contact me • NCAA info session April 10

39. What’s in your packet? • “How to Pick a College” article • Glossary of Terms • A timeline for Junior/Senior Year • SAT/ACT Information • “Useful Websites”/ Choosing a College Worksheet • A copy of the student’s current transcript

40. My contact info Questions? Feedback? Court Wirth (541) 681-5483 cwirth@marisths.org