Bishop O’Connell High School

JUNE 24, 2013

BRIEFING ON THE COLLEGE PLACEMENT PROCESS

Counseling Department

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PURPOSE OF BRIEFING PURPOSE OF BRIEFING   To present the college placement process enabling parents

and students to gain an understanding of the steps necessary to successfully pursue entry into college or university. This is a jump start effort commencing in June.

 Provide counselee assignments

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BRIEFING OUTLINE Welcome Counseling Team Parent Expectations College Placement Action Steps Questions and Answers Wrap up 

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BRIEFING PROTOCOL PresentationQuestion and Answer Session

( please hold all questions until the Q & A session)

Email dstabile@bishopoconnell.org if you desire a copy of the PowerPoint Slides.

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Counseling Department

DEAN OF FACULTY AND DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING

MRS. ERIN O’MALLEYDIRECTOR COLLEGE

COUNSELING MRS. KRISTINA HERBST

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College Counselorscounselee assignments Mrs. Herbst: A through

BergeronMr. Giska: Berube through Ellis

Iacobucci through ObeidDr. Stabile: Falcon through

HyltonOlafsson through Zinzi

*A number of students have been reassigned to counselors outside the alpha code due to family relationships or special

circumstances6

DJO AND PARENT EXPECTAIONS

Prepared for undergraduate schoolStrong spiritual base and moral

compass —to make appropriate choices, decisions, and always do the right thing

Succeed at the undergraduate and graduate level

Become independent 7

COUNSELOR’S MISSION

AdvocateGuide student and family through the

college placement processProvide complete range of

counseling services

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COLLEGE BOUND ACTION PLAN CLASS OF 2014 18 ACTION STEPS TO SUCCESS

1. REGISTRATION VERIFICATION OF NAVIANCE

2. IDENTIFICATION OF 5 TO 7 COLLEGES (August 15, 2013)

3. Transcript Request (Done through Naviance, no charge)

4. Register for Common Application (August 1-15, 2013)

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COLLEGE BOUND ACTION PLAN (CONTINUED)

5. Complete Applications online through Common Application or web sites of those colleges not participating with Naviance and hold until reviewed. (Ongoing)

6. Complete College Essay (August 30,2013)

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COLLEGE BOUND ACTION PLAN (CONTINUED)7. Request Faculty Recommendation

Letters, and Provide Resume, and Follow up email through Naviance.

( As soon as possible)8. Early Decision, Early Action

Submissions (To be completed by October 25, 2013)

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COLLEGE BOUND ACTION PLAN (CONTINUED)9. SAT/ACT, if Necessary, September,

October, and November10. Financial Aid Strategies (Ongoing) --Merit --Scholarships --Grants --Work Study --Loans

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COLLEGE BOUND ACTION PLAN (CONTINUED)11. Discussion with Parents (May-Sept) ---Landscape ---Same Direction12. ACADEMIES/ROTC/ART/MUSIC/ATHLETESArt-Digital Photos, Music Requires Audition, Athletes Based on Performance

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COLLEGE BOUND ACTION PLAN (CONTINUED)13. Self Advocacy With Colleges and

Universities14. First Semester Grades-GPA

Recomputed15. Submission of Acceptance Letters,

Scholarships, and Honors.

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COLLEGE BOUND ACTION PLAN (CONTINUED)16. Academics Awards Night

May 28, 201417. Close out Activities and Graduation

May 29, 2014 at the Basilica 18. Final Transcript Sent to Colleges

June 2014

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WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR

Assemble a freshman class that meets the requirements of its institution. Since most colleges have more applicants than they have available space, they establish certain criteria for selection. These include, but are not limited to, academic record (GPA, and strength of the program), test scores, activities, letters of recommendation and interviews.  Other factors they consider are athletic ability, special talents, legacy, and diversity.

No single factor will determine acceptance or rejection.

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SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS

Colleges must make “reasonable accommodations” (PL 94-142) College support programs fall into 3 levels:1. Basic: extended time: note taking—minimum support by law2. Coordinated Services: Go beyond minimum support required

by law. One trained staffer making input on admission decisions and offering study-skills classes, tutors, and other services.

3. Structured or Proactive Programs: Require student to sign a contract, and annual fees charges for $2,000 to 8,000 per year. Modified coursework, trained staffers to monitor student progress. Fewer than 100 schools fall in this category.

ACTION: Work with your O’Connell Counselor and Mrs. Newbold. 17

STANDARIZED TESTS

SATSUBJECT TESTSSCORE CHOICEACTADVANCED PLACEMENT

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TYPES OF COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Regular Admission Rolling Admission Early Decision Early Action Single Choice Early Action (Only One Private School) Open Admissions (600 CC;100 4 YR Listed in College Board

College Handbook) Franklin Pierce, Granite State College, Cambridge College, U Maine Augusta, Southern Vermont College

Deferred Enrollment Delayed/Provisional Admissions

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SERVICE ACADEMIES The United States maintains five service

academies: United States Military Academy at West Point, New

York; United States Naval Academy at Annapolis,

Maryland; United States Air Force Academy at Colorado

Springs, Colorado; United States Coast Guard Academy at New

London, Connecticut; United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings

Point, New York. 20

PRIVATE MILITARY INSTITUTES/ACADEMIES

Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, ME Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA The Citadel, Charleston, SC Norwich University Military Academy, Northfield, VT Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buzzards Bay, MA

.

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IN-STATE TUITION FOR NON-RESIDENT MILITARY DEPENDENTS STATIONED IN MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA WWW.DANTES.DODED.MIL

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FINANCIAL AID SOURCESTYPES OF FINANCIAL AID---MERIT---GRANTS---SCHOLARSHIPS---LOANS

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FEDERALLY –FUNDED PROGAMS

Federal Pell GrantsFederal Supplemental

Educational Opportunity Grants

Federal Work-Study Federal Perkins LoansFederal Stafford LoansFederal Loans to

Undergraduate Students 24

STATE FUNDED PROGRAMS

Virginia College Scholarship Assistance Program (CSAP)

VA Scholars Program (Merit Based) VA Tuition Assistance Program (TAG) VA Transfer Grant Program (VTGP) VA Work Study Program Last Dollar Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship

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RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) SCHOLARSHIP Offered by Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force One- to four-year scholarships available Pays for tuition, books, fees and a monthly

allowance Obligation of service, some of which may be

active duty (4 Years Active/ 4 Reserve) Highly competitive Applications available from recruiters on line in

spring of junior year Interview required

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COOPERATIVE EDUCATION Combines formal studies with an off-campus job

related to the major Emphasis placed on learning rather than work

(unlike college work-study) Offered at 2- and 4-year colleges Typically adds an additional year to the degree

program Money earned defrays college costs Can become a source of employment after

graduation

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APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

FASTWEB.COM—BEGIN SEARCHCHECK DEADLINESO’CONNELL FIN. AID WORKSHOP

OCTOBER 2014COMPLETE FAFSA (Opens on

January 1, 2014)

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FINANCIAL AID CALENDAR Apply Early. Apply Right. There's no need to be intimidated by the prospect of

applying for financial aid.

Summer Before Senior Year Request college applications and financial aid information.

Organize all college materials into separate files by college. You can use My College List on collegeboard.com to keep track of deadlines and materials.

Keep a college calendar of all admissions and financial aid deadlines.

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WHY VISIT COLLEGES

Seeing Beyond The BrochureGet Answers to Your QuestionsAssessing for a Good Fit

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CAMPUS VISITS WHEN TO VISIT

How to Schedule Your Campus VisitsDuring The WeekThe Best Seasons-Late Summer and

Early FallAfter You Have Been Accepted When Not To Go –when campus is

deserted

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RECOMMENDED TIMELINES

June, July, August Activities 2013         Take advantage of summer break and visit

colleges on your child's list. Call ahead for the campus tour schedule. Arrange to meet with a financial aid representative. Your child should (if necessary) schedule an on-campus interview with the admissions office.

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JUNE, JULY AUGUST ACTION ITEMS END OF JUNIOR YEAR

Start the Common Application www.commonapp.com Self Advocacy SkillsOrganize, analyze and Apply Athletes –NCAA Eligibility Clearing

House: www.ncaaclearinghouse.netAP EXAM Results---JulyRegister for fall SAT Tests

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Common Application WHAT IS THE COMMON APPLICATION?

The Common Application is a not-for-profit organization that serves students and member institutions by providing an admission application – online and in print – that students may submit to any of our 346 members.

WHY USE IT?Once completed online or in print, copies of the Application for Undergraduate Admission can be sent to any number of participating colleges. This allows you to spend less time on the busywork of applying for admission, and more time on what's really important: college research, visits, essay writing, and senior year coursework.

Transcripts, letter of recommendation , school report form , and teacher evaluations sent hard copy by Bishop O’Connell. 34

NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER

Grade 11 – Register with the eligibility center. – After your junior year, have your high school guidance

counselor send a copy of your transcript. If you have attended any other high schools, make sure a transcript is sent to the eligibility center from each high school.

– When taking the ACT or SAT, request test scores to be sent to the eligibility center (the code is "9999").

– Begin your amateurism questionnaire.

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NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER Grade 12

– When taking the ACT or SAT, request test scores to be sent to the eligibility center (the code is "9999").

– Complete amateurism questionnaire and sign the final authorization signature online on or after April 1 if you are expecting to enroll in college in the fall semester. (If you are expecting to enroll for spring semester, sign the final authorization signature on or after October 1 of the year prior to enrollment.)

– Have your high school guidance counselor send a final transcript with proof of graduation to the eligibility center.

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O’CONNELL ENGLISH DEPARTMENT-COLLEGE ESSAY UNIT OF STUDY

Unit on College Essay Writing Taught in September/October

Students Write Essays-Select From Common Application or University

One on One with Their English Teacher to Finalize Essay

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COLLEGE ESSAY TIPS So what advice can I give to a stressed essayist?

Remember the cardinal rule of writing an application essay: Your reader should know you better after reading your work. It’s important to keep in mind that you are the star of your essay, so be sure to involve yourself in your topic.

Make sure your topic is one you are passionate about; “What I Did on my Summer Vacation” isn’t going to cut it. Be creative. And most of all, be yourself.

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COLLEGE ESSAY TIPS (CONTINUED)

Here are some other application essay do’s and don’ts.Do’s• Begin writing early in the process to give yourself time to revise.• Write, rewrite and polish your essay.• Show your essay to people whose opinion you value, but don’t have parents or teachers craft your essay for you.• Check your grammar—clear out any fragments, run-on sentences, comma splices, split infinitives, etc.• Be careful with spell check and use word processing for future cut and paste. • Be specific and descriptive.• Vary your sentence structure. Avoid repetition of compound sentences filled with prepositional phrases. Use simple, short sentences to give power to important points.• Show us your weaknesses as well as your strengths—they make you uniquely you.• Incorporate humor (with good taste). Make us laugh, and your essay will stand out. 

Don’t• Avoid being wordy, overblown or flowery.• Stay away from colloquial, folksy or overly informal words such as “very,” “a lot,” “cool,” “awesome” and “nice.”• Avoid clichés, such as “…as American as apple pie.”• Don’t leave us hanging. Make sure there are no ideas introduced without being fully discussed.• Avoid using the same words over (and over and over) again.

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COLLEGE ESSAY TIPS (CONTINUED) Don’t

• Avoid being wordy, overblown or flowery.• Stay away from colloquial, folksy or overly informal words such as “very,” “a lot,” “cool,” “awesome” and “nice.”• Avoid clichés, such as “…as American as apple pie.”• Don’t leave us hanging. Make sure there are no ideas introduced without being fully discussed.• Avoid using the same words over (and over and over) again.

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NAVIANCE “FAMILY CONNECTION”

http//connection.naviance.com/bishopoconnellRegistration CodeStudents Received Training(Data is based on O’Connell Students)

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    SEPTEMBER 2013 

 Parents schedule conference with your counselor

Students meet with counselor to review your listing of colleges.

ACT Offered

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OCTOBER 2013

SAT , Subject Tests, or ACT Letter of recommendation writers should be

given plenty of time to meet application deadlines and should be provided with stamped and addressed envelopes.

SAT, Subject Tests, and ACT govern this month. Early decision or early action candidates should

be sure to get all forms in as soon as possible.

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NOVEMBER 2013   November 1st and 15th Early Decision/Early Action suspense

Dates  --SAT and, Subject Tests given this month --Your child should submit early decision and early action

applications on time. (Oct 25 DJO suspense Date) --Encourage your child to wrap up college essays no later than 30

August. You can help proofread essays for mistakes, but remember that writing the essay is your child's responsibility. It should reflect her voice, not yours.

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DECEMBER 2013

Stress that admissions offers are contingent upon final grades.

Early decision and early action responses arrive this month.

SAT, Subject Tests and ACT given this month.

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APRIL 2014 Only ACT given this month.      Most admissions decisions and financial aid award letters arrive this

month. Read each letter carefully, and take note of all reply deadlines. Carefully compare financial awards.

Report decisions to counselor and submit copies of all scholarship awards to the Counseling Department---specifically to your counselor.  

Your child should make a final decision, and mail the enrollment form and deposit check to the school she has selected before May 1 (the reply deadline for most schools).

Remind your child to notify in writing each of the schools she will not be attending so perhaps her place can be freed up for another student.

If your child is on the waiting list, have her contact the admissions office and communicate continued interest in the college. Your child should update them on her spring semester grades and activities, and request next steps. Discuss letter of appeal with your counselor.

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MAY 2014 Only SAT and Subject Tests given this month. If your child is taking AP Exams this month, make

sure the AP Grade Report will be sent to the final-choice college.

Encourage your child to study hard for final exams. Admissions offers are contingent on your child's final grades.

Your child should be sure to thank teachers, coaches, and anyone else who completed evaluations, wrote letters of recommendation, or otherwise helped with college applications.

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JUNE 2014

SAT, Subject Tests and ACT given this month. (Not at Bishop O’Connell)

O'Connell will send a copy of the final transcript to your child's college choice.

If your child plans on competing in Division I or Division II college sports, copy of the final transcript must be sent to the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse.

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JULY/AUGUST 2014

Make college travel plans. Book early for the best prices.

Finalize your child's housing plans. Shop together for items your child

will need in college. Make sure your child signs up for

first-year orientation.

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Websites and Resources

Our College Counseling website! www.bishopoconnell.org

College CornerCollege Board (

www.collegeboard.com)College Guide Books

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THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME OUT ON SATURDAY MORNING TEAMNG UP AS

WE MOVE OUR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN FORWARD TO ACHIEVE THEIR

DREAM . LET US CLOSE WITH A PRAYER.

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