Eastlake High School

Junior Parent Night

Preparing parents and students for senior year and post-secondary

planning

Kirsten Keller

Counselor

Agenda

Junior Parent Night Goals Balancing the Senior Year 10 Steps To Good College Planning Q&A Session

Junior Parent Night Goals

Identify the challenges seniors face in balancing the senior year

Understand the post-secondary planning process

Simplify college search and application process

Assist parents in becoming an informed support for your son or daughter in planning for the senior year and the year following graduation

Provide resources for parent questions

A Well-balanced Senior year

Help your student plan for next year’s commitments now

Understand that social connections are more important than ever

Anticipate conflicting emotions with upcoming change

Reassure students that parents, advisors, counselors, and teachers are there to help provide support

Student responsibilities are split between planning their futures and working on high school demands:

10 Steps To Good College Planning

Begin the college search process with parent support

Plan for deadlines in the post-secondary planning process

Survive and thrive throughout the senior year

The following 10 steps will help your student:

1. Match aptitudes and career goals with schools and

programs Visit the EHS Career Center

Andrea Wehner, EHS Career Specialist

Use Career Cruising - www.careercruising.com

Explore college search websites Write a resume Look for schools with a good range of

programs in an area of interest

2. Register for a rigorous and balanced senior course

schedule

Core academic courses Coursework beyond minimum college

entrance requirements Advanced classes/course studies Elective classes in areas of interest

Washington Four-year College Entrance Requirements

English 4 yearsMathematics 3 years (req. math senior

year)

Social Science 3 yearsScience 2 years (incl. 1 yr Alg.

based lab)

World Language 2 yearsFine Arts 1 year

SAT Reasoning Test - www.collegeboard.com

ACT with optional writing test - www.act.org

Both are tests of college readiness Recommended Spring of Junior year Last testing opportunity Fall of Senior

year

3. Sign up for College Entrance Exams

College Entrance Exams

ACT 25% English 25% Mathematics 25% Reading 25% Science Optional Writing Test

Subtests range from 1-36

Composite of 4 test scores(1-36)

No penalty for guessing

SAT 33% Critical Reading 33% Mathematics 33% Writing

Subtest range from 300-800Sum of 3 test scores

(600-2400)Score adjusted for wrong

answers

Test Score ComparisonOld New

ACT SAT

SAT

36…1600 2400

35…1580 2340

34…1520 2260

33…1470 2190

32…1420 2130

31…1380 2040

30…1340 1980

29…1300 1920

28…1260 1860

Old New

ACT SAT SAT

27…1220 1820

26…1180 1760

25…1140 1700

24…1110 1650

23…1070 1590

22…1030 1530

21….990 150020….950 141019….910 1350

Old New

ACT SAT SAT

18….870 129017….830 121016….780 114015….740 106014….680 100013….620 90012….560 78011….500 750

4. Build a list of

schools/programs to research

Gather information about:

• Location• Size• Admissions Requirements – typical test scores/GPA• Academic Offerings – majors/programs• Expenses – tuition, travel to/from school• Financial Aid• Housing• Campus Visits

5. Plan school visits

Walk around campus Attend a class Interview admissions officers Spend a night in the dorm Talk with other university students Use campus comparison form as a

tool

6. Build a list of schools for application

Discuss the college comparison data and get feedback from others

Students should talk with parents, counselors, advisors, teachers, and friends

Help your son or daughter examine their goals, thoughts and feelings so that they may choose schools for application

Build a well-considered, reasonable list of schools for application

7. Submit applications

Demographic Information/Essays Academic record Test scores (SAT or ACT) School/counselor report Teacher recommendation

Application elements:

Letters of recommendation

Ask someone who knows them well Choose teachers of classes where they were most

engaged intellectually, showed creativity, or completed a special project or independent work

Tell the writer how their experience in the classroom or learning style relates to the college of application

Talk to the writer about their dreams for college and a career

Remember to write thank you notes to letter writers including exciting news of acceptance

To receive letters that add depth and excitement to an application students should:

College admission factors

College admission decisions

Match between college needs and student characteristics

Colleges provide admissions statistics range of GPA and test scores

Holistic review process Academic Index less frequently used

as a sole determinant in admissions decisions

Community and Technical Colleges

Opportunity for lower tuition costs while exploring academic interests

Small setting to solidify academic record or learn a trade

Admissions consist primarily of biographical information and proof of high school equivalency

8. Financial aid and scholarship

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS profile

Factors that determine a families financial strength

Schools determine distribution of funds as financial aid packages

Research independent sources of scholarship funding

Athletes should register with the NCAA EHS Financial Aid Night in December

Financial aid and scholarship references

http://studentaid.ed.gov

9. Plan senior year

SAT/ACT Fall National College Fair Application deadlines EHS finals, AP tests, senior project Sports, activities, community service,

social events National College Decision Day May 1 Graduation

Use a calendar to plan for:

10. Fall Senior Seminar for students

Review college application process Discuss elements of the Common

Application Reminder of Fall National College Fair Answer student questions

NACAC tips for parents: Dos and don’ts for college

admissions Do learn about the college admission

process Do discuss restrictions up front Don’t limit choices based on fees Do remind your child of deadlines Do listen and offer advice when asked Don’t make decisions for your son or

daughter Do encourage and celebrate

Books and Resources “Parents' Guide to College Life” by Robin Raskin

“The Thinking Parents Guide to College Admissions” by Eva Ostrum

“Sending Your Child to College: The Prepared Parent's Operational Manual” by Marie Pinak Carr and her daughters, Katharine Carr, Ann Carr and Elizabeth Carr

www.nacacnet.org – Steps to College Newsletter and College Preparation Calendar

http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/ - Parent of Junior Newsletter and Alerts Help your junior make the most of high school and stay on top of important deadlines and requirements. It includes links to the student version of the newsletter.

*References provided by: The College Board

The National Association for College Admission Counseling

Q & ASession