the road to college admissions

The Road to College AdmissionsDecember 6, 2014

Thank you for joining us for today’s session!

Josh AckermanSpanOne College Admissions Advisor

Welcome

Chris TaylorSpanOne

Christine ParaviciniSpanOne College Admissions Advisor

SpanOne, VP Client Services

It’s a brave new college admissions world

It’s a brave new college admissions world

It’s a brave new college admissions world

It’s a brave new college admissions world

It’s a brave new college admissions world

The big picture

5.07%Stanford acceptance rate

Colleges and universities don’t admit 2400s or 36s.

They admit .real students. with .real experiences. and

.real stories.. You are one of those students.

These numbers don’t tell the full story

You will walk away from this more empowered and informedthan ever before about the college admissions journey.

Goal

You will walk away from this more empowered and informedthan ever before about the college admissions journey.

Goal

The College Admissions Journey

Application components

The final decision

Absorb everything

Information gathering

The college essay

Academics come first

SAT vs. ACT

Next level strategy

Getting involved

Freshman Sophomore

Junior

Senior

Parents: Be partners in your child’s success - support them

● Junior High: Passions, exploration, academics

● Freshmen: Game plan, goals, challenge yourself

● Sophomores: Reach goals, summer plan, explore

● Juniors: Focus, evaluate plan, determine likes/dislikes

● Seniors: Stay engaged, re-evaluate game plan, reflection

1. Absorb everything, start early, set goals

College planning can begin in 7th grade, but it’s never too late to start

● Past success = Future success

● The importance of .AP. , .IB. , and .honors. courses

● Challenge yourself ○ Be competitive with yourself, not your classmates

2. Academics come first

Your transcript is the most important part of your application

.4.0. , .5.0. , .7.0. , .100. ?

2. Academics come first

What’s with all of these crazy GPA scales?

.4.0. , .5.0. , .7.0. , .100. ?

.No GPA at all!.

2. Academics come first

What’s with all of these crazy GPA scales?

● Time spent outside of the classroom● Work? Volunteer? Play a sport, instrument? ● How many hours per week? How many years?

1. Dedication 2. Persistence 3. Personal growth 4. Leadership

3. Getting involved, athletics, special talents

Follow your passion, be proactive, stay engaged

● Academically: support, desire and ability to succeed?● Athletically: Can I contribute and improve?● Socially: Will I be comfortable and grow as a person?

Know NCAA rules: www.ncaa.orgGood grades = more opportunityThe reality of athletic scholarships

3. Athletic recruiting

Be proactive, persistent, and know the rules

● Explore. Know thyself. Likes/dislikes, weather, school size ● Name brands and looking for the “best fit”● Research. More knowledge = more opportunity● Parent research, net price calculators● “Colleges That Change Lives” - www.ctcl.org● 10 schools on the list: Reach schools, Competitive,

Probable

4. Information gathering

The science behind building your college list

.SAT.

2400 -> 1600Reading, Math, Writing25-min sections x 10+ SAT IIs

5. SAT vs. ACT

Critical thinking in two different forms.

.ACT.

36English, Math, Science, Reading60-min sections x 4+ optional Writing section

.SAT.

2400Reading, Math, Writing25-min sections x 10+ SAT IIs

5. SAT vs. ACT

.Score choice? Super score?.

It’s all about your personal preference

.ACT.

36English, Math, Science, Reading60-min sections x 4+ optional Writing section

● Personal Information

● Academic Information

● Transcript

● Extracurricular Information

6. Common application components

The majority of your application is already crafted

● Essay

● Letters of recommendation

○ 1 guidance counselor

○ 2 teachers

● Personal Information

● Academic Information

● Transcript

● Standardized testing scores

● Extracurricular Information

6. Common application components

But really, what’s .most important.?

● Essay

● Letters of recommendation

○ 1 guidance counselor

○ 2 teachers

6. Additional application components

The majority of your application is already crafted

College-specific supplement● Essay● Proposed area of study

On-campus / Alumni Interviews

Scholarships

Financial Aid

7. The art of the college essay

● Essay can be the “swaying factor” ● Essays and short answers provide an interview on paper ● Illustrate your personality, humor, eloquence, and writing

ability ● Tips: answer the question, edit, proofread, be yourself, be

concise, be accurate, be vivid

7. The art of the college essay

The “tip factor” that brings YOU off the page

The timeline is in your hands. But is there a competitive advantage?

Early Action

Early Decision

Regular Decision

Rolling Admissions

8. Next level strategy - Early, rolling, regular

The timeline is in your hands. But is there a competitive advantage?

.NOV. Early Action

.NOV. Early Decision

.JAN. Regular Decision

.VAR. Rolling Admissions

8. Next level strategy - Early, rolling, regular

The timeline is in your hands. But is there a competitive advantage?

.NOV. Early Action Not binding

.NOV. Early Decision Binding

.JAN. Regular Decision Not binding

.VAR. Rolling Admissions Not binding

8. Next level strategy - Early, rolling, regular

The timeline is in your hands. But is there a competitive advantage?

.NOV. Early Action Apply to multiple*

.NOV. Early Decision Apply to one

.JAN. Regular Decision Apply to multiple

.VAR. Rolling Admissions Apply to multiple

8. Next level strategy - Early, rolling, regular

The timeline is in your hands. But is there a competitive advantage?

.NOV. Early Action Hear by mid-December

.NOV. Early Decision Hear by mid-December

.JAN. Regular Decision Hear by April 1

.VAR. Rolling Admissions Hear by April 1*

8. Next level strategy - Early, rolling, regular

Who should apply early action / early decision? A student who...

8. Next level strategy - Early, rolling, regular

● Researched colleges extensively

● Absolutely sure that the college is the first choice

● Meets or exceeds the admission profile for college

● Consistent academic record of success

What’s the true cost of college?

Scholarships● Local to national● School specific ● Follows application

season

8. Next level strategy - Scholarships and financial aid

Don’t let the price tag of a great education ever deter youFinancial aid● FAFSA● CSS profile● Follows calendar year

(Jan to Dec of junior / senior yr)

Aid: Need-basedAdmissions: Need-blind

● Go with your gut● Does it feel like home- visiting is imperative● Campus life● Long range goals● Location, weather, school size, cost

9. The final decision

Choice: a good problem to have

What does success look like?

Even professional athletes need coaches.

Each bullet point is a full presentation on its own.

Success is within reach.

YOU CAN DO THIS.

Who’s Guiding Your Child to College?

● College Admissions Advisors - former teachers, counselors, college admissions staff, professors

● Work 1-on-1 with your expert advisor the ENTIRE journey● Complete guidance from finding passion to acceptance● Expanding the possibilities while giving peace of mind● Finding the best fit for your child● Start now!

www.SpanOne.com - ResourcesContact form / CTaylor@SpanOne.com / 408-398-5238

Questions?