Foundations of College Planning

College Workshop #1

November 24th, 2015

COLLEGE WORKSHOP SERIES

WORKSHOP #1Foundations to College Planning Tuesday, November 24, 2015 - 7PM – MHS Main Campus Auditorium

Massapequa School Counselors Emily Comack, Courtney Waller and Jaclyn Kratzer will present a comprehensive view of the entire college admissions process. This will include detailed timelines, broad ranging themes, and current trends.

WORKSHOP #2 College Search and Selective Admissions

Tuesday, December 1, 2015 – 7PM – MHS Main Campus AuditoriumPaul Weber, Executive Assistant for Guidance will discusspersonal anecdotes and experiences related to selective collegeadmission and emphasize essential components to successful applicants.

UNDERSTANDING THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

• Know what colleges are looking at: major factors in application review

• Know what colleges are looking for: how factors are evaluated and decisions reached

COLLEGES LOOK AT…

• High School Academic Record• Standardized Test Scores• College Essay• Extracurricular Involvement• Letters of Recommendation• Special Talent

TRANSCRIPT

• Academic History

• Final Grades

• Regents Exam Grades

• Courses

• Grade Point Average

QUALITY OF COURSEWORK

• Take the MOST CHALLENGING Courses You Can Handle (Acc., AP, College Level)

• SOLID Academic Foundation• 4 YEARS: English, Social Studies, Math,

Science, LOTE + Electives

• School Profile

SENIOR YEAR COURSES

• AVOID Senioritis!• Appear on Transcript• Senior course grades are forwarded to

colleges• BEWARE OF DROPS!

TESTINGNEW SAT REASONING TEST

3 hours +50min Optional Essay:• Critical Reading (200-800)

-Reading

-Writing and Language

• Mathematics (200-800)• Essay (separate score; 2-8)

SAT SUBJECT TESTS• 1 hour per subject test (200-800)• Check with individual colleges for testing

requirements!

• “Score Choice” - SAT Score Reporting Policy

www.collegeboard.com

TESTING

ACT with writing option• Curriculum based:

ENGLISH

MATH

READING

SCIENCE• Score: 1 - 36

• Required Writing Component

www.actstudent.org

Remember, test scores are only ONE factor used for college admission and scholarship

decisions.

THE ESSAYWho Are You?

• Specific questions to answer• Personal experiences• Your preferences, values, thought

process• Follow specific instructions on

application • Proofread! Grammar and spelling

count!• Get feedback!

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• School clubs & activities• Athletics• The Arts• Community service• Summer experiences• Employment• Quality not quantity• Commitment & depth of experience• Leadership and growth over time

• ACTIVITY RECORD

* SPECIAL TALENT *Athletics• Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse www.eligibilitycenter.org• Athletic Profile• Contact Coaches

Fine Arts• Portfolio• Audition

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

• Counselor Letter• Teacher Letters

–11th or 12th grade

Content Area Teachers• Coaches, Employers, Community

Leaders, Volunteer Coordinators

Let’s Focus on College

Remember...decision making is a PROCESS, not an event!

Successful college searches begin with

knowing who YOU are and what matters most

to YOU!

COLLEGE SEARCH FACTORS

• Size• Location• Programs of study • Admissions policy• Cost• College affiliation• Campus activities• Support services

RESOURCES• Websites• College Rep Visits at MHS• MHS Mini-College Fairs • Spring College Expo • NAVIANCE/Family Connection

www.connection.naviance.com/massapequa– Access college placement reports through

Naviance

LIST, COMPARE,

VISIT!• Create a college comparison

CHECKLIST• CONTACT the Office of Admissions• SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS for

your campus visits

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT

• Meet with an Admissions Counselor• Verify admission requirements• Discuss your chances for success:

– Internship– Graduation– Job Placement

• Students… Show YOUR Interest!– Always follow up with a “Thank You”

note/email!

CHECKLIST FOR A CAMPUS VISIT

• Take a campus tour• Investigate the neighborhood• Campus security• Investigate academic program(s)• Meet with faculty members, coach, etc.• Check facilities• Speak with students• Inquire about housing on & off campus (Is it guaranteed?) • Transportation facilities to and from campus• Spend the day with a student

– Weekend activities– Attend a class– Spend the night in a dorm

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• Sign-up for challenging senior courses in subjects including: math, science and foreign language

• WORK HARD!

YOURJUNIOR YEAR

TIME LINEJunior Year

• Junior Interview- meeting with counselor- Appointments begin end of March

• Do college searches- Naviance, www.collegeboard.com• Visit college campuses• Spring College Fairs (NCA Spring College Expo @ Hofstra - TBA)

• Take standardized tests:- SAT Reasoning – Jan 23rd, March 5th, May 7th, June 4th - SAT Subject Tests - May 7 th, June 4th - ACT with Writing – April 9th, June 11th

During the summer months…

• Research schools• Begin working on essay• Visit campuses• Use your time wisely…

TIME LINE:Senior Year

• Grade 12 Parent Workshop – September 2016• Students meet with your counselor• Attend MHS College Fairs and Private Visits• Retake standardized test(s) – October/November• Finalize your college list and apply… Be aware of early deadlines!• Attend MHS Financial Aid Workshops January 2017

It’s YOUR Future—Take responsibility for

it!

…I hope kids and their parents will go into the college application process realizing that it is not

necessarily fair, it’s not necessarily meritocratic, and even if they do everything “right”, they still can’t be

assured that they will get what they think they want. I hope that, understanding this, families will refocus their efforts, away from attaining the Holy Grail of

admission to a particular elite school and toward the realization that there are many great colleges and

universities in this country, many places where students will be happy and can acquire a good

education. And, if they don’t get into their dream school it is only their application that is being denied.

~Rachel Toor~Former Admissions Officer , Duke University

Next time…

College Search and Selective Admissions