College is not a trophy. Its a match.

College Night

General Information

College vs. UniversityWhat is the difference?Universities typically have

graduate degree programs, whereas Colleges do not

Universities are generally larger and have more research facilities/opportunities

There are exceptions to this, i.e. Boston College

Visiting SchoolsSpring Break is a great time to visit

colleges- students will be on campusGet a feel for the campusIf possible, sign up for a tour– let the

school know that you are there!“Demonstrated Interest” – schools

keep track of any visits, tours, communication, etc. that you have with the school

Remember, this whole process is about finding

schools that FIT your daughter

Testing- SATComprised of a verbal, a math

and a writing section Most students take it 2-3 timesSome students like to reserve

the October SAT test date in senior year for one last try at the test

Register for tests on www.collegeboard.com

Testing - SATMost colleges will acknowledge the

student’s highest verbal score, highest math score and highest writing score, even if they were not taken on the same test date

Students will be able to select which scores they send to colleges by test date for the SAT and by individual test for the SAT Subject Tests

Scores from an entire test date will be sent, NOT scores from individual sections

Testing - SAT Example:March, 2009

650 Math, 590 Critical Reading, 640 Writing

May, 2009620 Math, 640 Critical Reading, 650 Writing

October, 2009590 Math, 590 Critical Reading, 600 Writing

*About ½ of colleges take the writing score into consideration

Testing - SATSome colleges will require

that you send ALL of your scores

When you start to send your scores, you will be able to see what each college requires

Sending scores to colleges can be done

online at www.collegeboard.com

Testing - ACTEnglish, Math, Reading, Science,

WritingComposite score of 1–36, based on

average of scores from 5 tests No penalty for wrong answers Considered a “curriculum-based”

test, rather than “critical thinking based” test

Tests are produced by two different companies and are, therefore, given on different days

Testing- SAT Subject TestsNot all colleges require these tests,

but those that do normally require 2Research your prospective schools

to see what they requireTest in areas in which you will do

wellEnglish Literature, U.S. History,

World History, Math Level 1, Math Level 2, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Languages

Number / Type of Applications

4-7 applications is reasonableApplications should include at least

one reach school, one safety school, and two target schools

To determine safety, target and reach, students should compare her grade point average and SAT scores to the average statistics in the college’s “Freshman Class Profile” (information available on Naviance)

Number / Type of Applications

www.connection.naviance.com/villawalsh

Type of Applications

Every college has it’s own criteria and application requirements – BE SURE TO FIND OUT EACH SCHOOL’S REQUIREMENTS!

Different applications, supplements, deadlines, testing requirements, financial aid requirements, etc

IMPORTANT!

Type of ApplicationsRegular Decision

◦ Generally due in January

Early Decision◦ Generally due in November

◦ Binding

◦ May only apply to ONE

Early Action◦ Generally due in November

◦ Non-binding

◦ Most allow more than one – check each schools rules

Rolling Admission◦ First come, first served

◦ Apply Early!!

Types of ApplicationsCommon Application vs. School-

specific Application◦ Over 400 colleges and universities use the

Common AppSupplements to Common Application

Types of ApplicationsLarge majority of students will

complete applications online (quicker, easier, most colleges prefer it)

About 95% of colleges accept the application online

About 80% of colleges will accept transcript and recommendations online, through Naviance

The other 20% will need to be mailed via USPS

Letters of RecommendationMost colleges require 2 letters of

recommendations from teachers and 1 from a guidance counselor

Letters DO NOT have to be from teachers of Junior year classes, but should be recent

Make sure the teacher knows you and can speak well about you

Financial AidFAFSA = Free Application for Federal

Student AidCSS PROFILE = College Board aid

application for about 200 private collegesBoth are used to determine financial aid,

but CSS PROFILE is generally used by private schools to determine non-federal student aid (institutional scholarships, grants, loans)

Which forms you fill out will depend upon what each of your colleges requires…so research each school to find out!

Financial AidFamily financial information is

analyzed to come up with the EFC = Expected Family Contribution

EFC based on:◦Parents Income◦Parents Assets◦Student Income◦Student Assets◦# of family members◦# of children in college

Financial Aid – FAFSA vs. PROFILE

Cost: The FAFSA is free, the CSS PROFILE will cost you an application fee and a fee for each school to which it is sent.

Deadlines: The FAFSA can be submitted beginning on January 1 of your Senior year. The CSS PROFILE can be submitted prior to January 1.

Both financial aid applications use different needs analysis formulas. The FAFSA uses a Federal Methodology, while the CSS uses an Institutional Methodology.

VILLA SPECIFIC INFO

Information Forms:Activities ResumeCollege EssayBrag Sheet

Parent Brag Sheet

HOW VILLA WORKSAt the beginning of Senior year, I will meet

with Seniors to discuss the application process more in depth – how teacher recommendations and transcripts are handled

Each student will get a folder with instructions

Majority of transcripts, teacher recommendations, and counselor recommendations are sent through Naviance, where you can see what has been sent

What should we do now?Research and visit collegesTake SAT/ACT/Subject TestsBegin thinking about who you

would like to write your teacher letters of recommendations

Continue working hard without making yourself crazy

THANK YOU!