Tom Kleese, College Planner & ACT Test Prep Coach

Stephanie Barth, Coach for Prospective Student Athletes & ACT Test Prep Coach

College PlanningSmart StartWorkshop

Goals for tonight

• Big picture view of your path to college– What colleges look for in applicants– How many people plan for college vs. a better

approach – Key priorities and activities by grade

• What prospective student athletes need to know & can do RIGHT NOW

• Crash course on college costs • How we help students and families

What colleges look for in applicants... the short list in order of importance

1. classes you take2. grades you earn3. ACT or SAT scores4. application essays5. extracurriculars

6. leadership7. personal characteristics8. intellectual curiosity9. demonstrated interest

10. letters of recommendation11. special talents12. out-of-school experiences

1. A rigorous high school curriculum that challenges the student and may include AP or IB classes.

• Are you challenging yourself? How? • The value of an AP course is more in the

experience than how it looks on an application or the credits you may earn.

2. Grades that represent a strong effort and an upward trend. However, slightly lower grades in a rigorous program are preferred to all A’s in less challenging coursework.

• Your cumulative GPA starts on your first day of high school. → Turn in your stinkin’ homework!→ Beware the $8000 German vocabulary quiz.

• Track your unweighted cumulative GPA.

3. Solid scores on standardized tests (ACT or SAT). These should be consistent with high school performance.

● All colleges accept either the ACT or SAT.● March 9th, 2021 = state-mandated ACT ● Some colleges are test optional. →

FairTest.org● Some colleges “super score”.

Middle 50% ACT range

UW-Madison 27 - 31Minnesota 27 - 31 Marquette 24 - 30 Loyola (Chicago) 24 - 29 St. Norbert College 22 - 27 UW- La Crosse 23 - 26 Carroll (Waukesha) 20 - 26 UW-Whitewater 20 - 25Duke 33 - 35Middlebury 32 - 33www.CollegeData.com

Impact of ACT Scores on Merit Aid

3. Solid scores on standardized tests (ACT or SAT). These should be consistent with high school performance.

● SAT Subject Tests → elite colleges only● AP Exams are for placement and credit● PSAT, Pre-ACT, ACT ASPIRE

3. Solid scores on standardized tests (ACT or SAT). These should be consistent with high school performance.

“Should be consistent”...no easy chart comparing GPA and ACT/SAT

TRUTH: The ACT and SAT measure, reward and punish students in very specific ways which don’t necessarily align with high school courses.

4. A well-written essay that provides insight into the student’s unique personality, values and goals. The application essay should be thoughtful and highly personal. It should demonstrate careful and well-constructed writing.

Your #1 goal = Tell a compelling story that helps

them understand you.

In the initial stages of this process,

the WHAT + WHY > HOW.

5. Passionate involvement in a few in- or out-of-school activities. Commitment and depth are valued over minimal involvement in a large number of activities.

● Depth > breadth…● ...but breadth can be pretty cool, too.

College Athletic Recruiting

Take Action Now

Freshmen: Read the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete. Create and

update your recruiting profiles and highlight video.Sophomores: Research/visit target schools. Begin to contact college coaches via email and/or phone. Schedule your ACT exam.Juniors: Continue to research, talk to and visit target colleges. Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse.Seniors: Research athletic and academic aid at your target schools. Complete NCAA academic requirements.

What’s Changed

● NCAA has extended the current dead period through Aug. 31 for Div. 1 with Div. 2

in a Quiet Period

● Some campus tours suspended but most are offering extensive online tours

● Summer sports seasons are likely altered

● College coaches who would typically be meeting, evaluating and recruiting athletes in person are in their offices

What’s The Same

● College coaches are very good at their job and will do what it takes to stay competitive

● College coaches want to build relationships with prospective student athletes

● College coach outreach helps you differentiate yourself from other prospects, now more than ever

● Online recruiting profiles and other ways to help coaches find, evaluate and get to know you are critical

Baseball Recruiting and Covid 19

-In person recruiting has been suspended until Aug. 31st.

-The NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility to college seniors.

-All recruiting activity is happening online.

-Avoid scheduling college visits during a dead period if you wish to meet the coach and their staff.

Action Steps for Prospective Student AthletesStep 1: Understand NCAA Guidelines

❏ Read the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete.

Key resource: NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Athletehttp://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Student_Resources/CBSA.pdf

Talk with your club and high school coaches they are key resources.

Action StepsStep 2: Create/maintain your profile

Create a highlight tape.

Keep your social media accounts positive and a reflection of your personal values.

Reach out to colleges prior to tournaments to let them know when and where you will be playing.

Action StepsStep 3: Research schools

❏ I have researched schools that may be a good fit for me.Athletically Academically SociallyFinancially Geographically

❏ Colleges have pivoted in the midst of the pandemic, and they now offer robust virtual tour/visit opportunities.

❏ Look into the financial state of the institution and the sport you are wishing to participate in.

❏ Phone calls/emails to admissions reps.

Action StepsStep 4: I have reached out to college coaches.

❏ I have contacted college coaches at my “target schools”. Make and keep a list of reach, target and safe schools.

*This could include going to camps and clinics, phone calls and emails to coaches.

College Bound Confidence teaches you how to make great phone calls, emails, etc. Get first month FREE plus $10 off monthly at collegeboundconfidence.com with code SLUGGERSDEAL.

Action StepsStep 5: Visit colleges.

❏ I have visited schools where there’s mutual interest, my “target schools”. You can (and should) schedule a college campus visit sooner than later, scheduled through the Office of Admissions for that school. These are “unofficial” visits.

❏ Pursue “virtual visit” opportunities, including online research, virtual campus tours and outreach to admissions reps at schools of interest.

Action StepsStep 6: Schedule your ACT exam.

❏ I have taken the ACT (soph/junior year). Important part of your academic record. Could help you earn merit aid and admission at your top-choice schools.

❏ Begin to research the type of aid you could be eligible at your target schools-Is there are opportunity to combine athletic and academic aid? This differs by sport, by institution, and level.

Action StepsStep 7: Register with the NCAA.

❏ Complete a minimum of 16 core courses for Div 1 and Div 2

❏ Earn a minimum GPA (2.3-Div 1 and 2.2 Div 2) in core courses and a qualifying test score on ACT or SAT (sliding scale)

❏ Graduate from high school❏ Request final amateurism certification from the

NCAA upon graduation.❏ Covid-19 Update from NCAA-only effects 2020 grads at this point.

on.ncaa.com/COVID_FAQ

1. There’s only one Division: Division 1.2. It’s up to the recruiting service you recently hired to

get you a scholarship.3. I’m a senior; there’s plenty of time to get recruited.4. You only need a highlight video to get coaches

interested in you.5. If you receive an email/letter from a coach, that

means you are now being recruited.

● Step up to the high school plate and be as committed to academics as you are to sports.

● Your cumulative GPA begins day #1, and it’s based on 3 years not 4. (Whoa!)→ Turn in your stinkin’ homework, bro!

● Sign up and visit a college campus. ● Use sports camps & clinics as opportunities to

learn about colleges vs. showcasing your talents.

Freshman Year

● Take it to the next level in the classroom. ● Visit more colleges and begin your college

search.● Take a full-length practice ACT in spring.

Sophomore Year

● This is the heavy lifting year! Accept the challenge and put in the hard work NOW that will pay off later.

● Push yourself in the classroom with AP or Honors classes.

● Take an official ACT in the fall and use the state-mandated exam as your final attempt.

● Build your college list and add to your shopping cart.

● Visit, visit, visit!

Junior Year

● Keep pushing. This is not a victory lap. ● Prep your college applications before senior

year. ● “Application season” is Labor Day to

Halloween. ● Delay the final decision and take advantage of

admitted student days. ● Take advantage of high school while you’re

still in high school → What haven’t you tried that seems kinda cool?

Senior Year

Crash course on college costs

- Understanding what Cost of Attendance (COA) means so you don’t freak out in the stands when Nancy Know-It-All drops some questionable numbers on you in the 5th inning...

- Reducing costs with merit aid- Estimating your family’s costs and having the

Big College Cost Conversation as a family

Cost of Attendance (COA)COA = estimate created by each college every year of all costs for a full-time first year student living on campus

Direct → you pay the college

1. Tuition & Fees2. Room & Board

Indirect → you don’t pay the college

3. Books & Supplies4. Travel5. Personal Expenses

UW-Madison

Cost of Attendance (COA)

Direct = much greater % of total costs

1. Tuition & Fees = cost to teach your student• determine Tuition & Fees and then look for

possible merit aid → apples to apples 2. Room & Board = food and shelter

Cost of Attendance (COA)

Direct

1. Tuition & Fees2. Room & Board ~ $12,000

The 3 factors that drive higher R&B costs:

1. lifestyle → suite, new dorms, dining out 2. location → Boston, NYC, CA3. selectivity → U. Chicago $17,000/year

Maple Hall, Bemidji State, R.I.P.

Tom’s palatial dorm 1983-84

2018-19 national averages

Tuition & Fees COA

in-state public $10,230 $25,890

out-of-state public $26,290 $41,950

private $35,830 $52,500

Will we receive financial aid?Percentage of full-time undergraduate students at 4-year colleges receiving financial aid

• all 85%• public 83%• private non-profit 89%

work-study

need-based merit-based

grants + scholarships

loans

Merit aid = scholarships you earn

• athletics, performing arts, special talents • academics

– cumulative GPA– standardized test scores: ACT or SAT

• not tied to need-based aid• renewable for four years

→ starts day 1 of high school!

Where and how to find it

• both public and private• most obvious and easy to find examples are

at the flagships, i.e. largest public university in each state – more out-of-state recruiting than “state schools”– higher out-of-state tuition & fees

• UW-Madison $10,725 vs. $37,795• UW-La Crosse $9271 vs. $18,090

Creating “instant reciprocity”

GPA ACT annual award adjusted tuition & fees

Excellence 3.75 30 $16,868 $11,706 ~ UW

Distinction 3.50 28 $14,345 $14,229 < MN

Achievement 3.25 24 $11,822 $16,752 ~ MN

tuition $ fees

UW-Madison $10,746

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities $15,236

University of Kansas in-state $11,369

University of Kansas out-of-state $28,574

KU merit scholarships for out-of-state students

Merit aid at Miami U.

Net Price Calculators

= tool found on all college websites that helps you estimate your costs using financial and/or academic data

• NPC’s range from detailed to simple Washington CollegeOhio WesleyanCreightonAurora

Net Price Calculators

Big question people like to avoid

Q: Have you had a family discussion about paying for college and the level of shared responsibility between student and parent(s)?

A1: Not yet.

A2: No, but we plan to pay for everything. We will expect Casey to have some skin in the game.

parent(s)

student

parent(s)

student

ALL

ALL

SOME

SOME

NONE

NONE

Models of Shared Responsibility fall somewhere along a continuum.

parent(s)

student

parent(s)

student

ALL

ALL

SOME

SOME

NONE

NONE

Parent(s) pay for all expenses.

Define “all”. Spending money? Expected to work? Student is still aware of COA. Cap on years or semesters?

+ Full gift to student- Excessive burden on parent- Parent(s) need to be all in no matter what.

parent(s)

student

parent(s)

student

ALL

ALL

SOME

SOME

NONE

NONE

By category

Parents

1. Tuition & Fees*2. Books & Supplies3. Travel

*opens up out-of-state and private colleges

Student

1. Room & Board**2. Personal Expenses

**student chooses lifestyle

Goals for tonight

• Big picture view of your path to college– What colleges look for in applicants– How many people plan for college vs. a better

approach – Key priorities and activities by grade

• What prospective student athletes need to know & can do RIGHT NOW

• Crash course on college costs • How we help students and families

Ways We Can Help

❏ Equip and empower you with more than a decade of expertise working with thousands of college-bound students and families

❏ One-on-one coaching or group coaching online

❏ Help you navigate the path to the University of You

❏ Combine academic and athletic perspectives to help you move forward with your goal to play in college with the right team that’s also the right school for you

❏ Boost your scores, find college savings and your best college fit!

Next Steps for You

❏ FREE CONSULT (Zoom, phone, or in person) to get your key questions answered.

❏ Visit oncampuscollegeplanning.com/sluggers❏ Free College-Bound Confidence Video Series

https://oncampuscollegeplanning.com/college-bound-confidence-free-video-series-signup/

❏ College-Bound Confidence CommunityUse SLUGGERSDEAL to get your first month FREE, plus $10 off monthly (save more than 20%)

❏ Savings on one-on-one ACT Test Prep & College Coaching for Silver Sluggers

Academy families. Visit oncampuscollegeplanning.com/sluggers$100 OFF any coaching pkg with SLUGGERS100OFF coupon code

❏ Best value for students starting 9-11 grade this fall: Comprehensive College Planning Package. Guidance every step of the way.

❏ Follow us on FB and IG for free training videos and tools.

Contact Us

Email, text or call us with questions anytime.

Tom Kleesetom@oncampuscollegeplanning.com608-553-3445 (cell)

Stephanie Barthstephanie@oncampuscollegeplanning.com608-206-6010 (cell)