abc’s of college counseling
DESCRIPTION
Why does it seem like everyone knows more than you? Simple, they’ve been doing it longer. How do you know what it is you don’t know? How do you ask if you don’t know what to ask? Join us as we unravel essential areas of counseling the college-bound student. This session will include a discussion of “best practice” and provide resources and tools to get it all done back at the office. High school counselors just entering the field will leave this session with the know-how to confidently and successfully guide high school student and families from the college search through selection.Beth Arey, College and Career Coordinator – Evanston Township High SchoolBrad Kain, Guidance Counselor – Homewood-Flossmoor High SchoolTRANSCRIPT
An Introduction to College Counseling
Graduate school • Get a job → trial by fire• Connect with the college “expert” at your
school• Get organized– School profile– Transcript procedure– Application procedure
• Learn your school’s history• Seek additional training, experience and
network
• The Academy for College Admission Counseling: 101, 201, 301 and 401
• UCLA Online: College Counseling Certification Program
• Harvard Summer Institute on College Admission• Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
Seminars• www.collegeweeklive.com• Local counselor organizations• Counselor breakfasts, luncheons, college rep visits
and local fairs
TravelCounselor fly-ins ACAC tours and school sponsored tripsPersonal trips
Keep up-to-date with your readingChronicle of Higher Education / newspapersListservesCounselor newsletters / other college
mailings
Non-Members:State and National ConferencesNACAC WebinarsNACAC National College Fair – ChicagoIACAC District SeminarsMembers:ListservesCommitteesJob PostingsMember Directory
What are Colleges Looking for in an Applicant?
Academics: Course selection Grades Test scores
Co-Curricular engagement Passion Commitment Leadership
Personal qualities / Character Letters of recommendation, essay/personal statement,
interview Diversity or Institutional priorities
Talent, race, gender, geography, major….
A Counseling Timeline for College & Career Readiness
Explain the relevance of EXPLORE and PLAN Develop relationship Course planningCollege awareness
Applicant requirementsAcademic expectations
Career / major explorationResearch summer enrichment opportunitiesExplore co-curricular activities
Freshman and Sophomore Year
Junior Year• ACT/SAT…and Subject Tests
• Test prep?• How many times to take the test• Registering• Fee waivers• Sending scores• Test optional schools - fairtest.org
• The College Search• Review computer resources: Naviance, College Board, other web
sites• Investigate college priorities: geography, size, academics, cost,
program,etc…• Visit with reps at school • Visit colleges• Attend college fairs• Discuss how grades are used in college application process
• Talk about reality - diverse range of schools• Discuss unique qualities of public vs. private • Discuss planning timeline
Junior Year - Cont. Involve parents
Make sure everyone is aware of student’s current academic standing
Inform them of the application process Encourage them to take an active, but not overly active
role Be ready to answer questions
If you don’t know the answers, tell them and then follow up!
Work on essays/statements over the summer
Initiate online application accounts over the summer
Working through the application and selection process
Requesting transcripts Submitting applicationsOnline applications – Common ApplicationLetters of recommendations
Who to askWaiving rightsSending them
Writing college essays/personal statementSending test scores / retaking testsMeeting deadlines
High SchoolApplication Financial aidScholarship
• Revisit Search Parameters• Consider Financial Aid Packages
• Who has more free money - grants/scholarships vs. loan money?• Need more money? Present your case to the school.
• May 1 Deadline Adherence• Need an extension? Call the college.• No double depositing!
• Managing the Wait List• Accept and deposit at one school and then…• Decide how long you want to wait on your waitlisted school.
• Send the Final Transcript
• Don’t forget to discuss the High School to College Transition
• Senior Survey• Application decisions, attending (final
transcript), NCAA Eligibility Center • Scholarships• Other ?
• How do you track your caseload?
• How does the department track the class?
• ISAC: Illinois Student Assistance Commissionwww.collegeillinois.org– College Illinois! Corps– Workshops
• FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aidwww.federalstudentaid.ed.gov
• CSS PROFILE: College Scholarship Service Profilewww.collegeboard.com
• Other institutional verification forms
Group meetings with students Classroom setting Auditorium/Gymnasium
Individual student meetings
Student / Parent meetings Evening programs Breakfast/Coffee meetings Office appointments
Internal school communication PA announcements E-mail Website Bulletin Newsletter
Brad Kain, CounselorHomewood-Flossmoor High [email protected](708)335-5615
Beth Arey, College & Career CoordinatorEvanston Township High [email protected](847)424-7161