KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE

PLANNING

NOVEMBER 15, 2011

Highland Park High School

Counseling Department

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PROCESS BEGINS WITH STUDENT SELF-ASSESSMENT

Goals and values High school program & performance Activities and interests Personality and relationships

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COLLEGE PLANNING 101

Wednesday, February 1st at 8:00 a.m. in Auditorium

Designed to help students identify what is important to them

Students complete a self-assessment sheet Copy is sent home to be shared with parents Attendance is mandatory College planning appointments with college

counselors can be scheduled the day AFTER College Planning 101 (i.e. February 2, 2011)

Students who do not attend CP 101 will be unable to schedule a college planning appointment.

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DEVELOPING COLLEGE CRITERIA

Academic Atmosphere Academic Programs & Majors Calendar System Cost Environment and Geographic Location Religious Orientation Reputation Size Social Atmosphere Sports & Extra-curricular Activities Student Body

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COLLEGE PLANNING PROGRAMS

College Planning 101 – February 1 College Appointments – begin February 13

(Students must have attended CP 101) Exploring Colleges - February 15 @DHS Financial Aid and Scholarships – March 21 @HPHS

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DECIDING: WHERE TO APPLY

An on-going sorting and selecting process

The best Final List must include combination of:“reach” school“possible” schools“probable/likely admits”“financial safety”ALL OF WHICH YOU WILL BE HAPPY TO

ATTEND!

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TERMS FOR PREDICTION

REACH“dream” schools where admission

chances are either “iffy” or perhaps may be unattainable”

“toss up” schools that are a reach for anyone (usually have admit rates between 7%-20%)

POSSIBLEClosely meet the expectations in the

schools’ profile, but competition for spaces can still be tight

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TERMS FOR PREDICTION

PROBABLE/LIKELY ADMIT Chances for admissions are very strongA “safety” is so much harder to call

today! FINANCIAL SAFETY (sometimes an IL state

university but not always)A place that parents can afford

…if, financial package is weak at all other schools…if, family financial situation changes: economy, unemployment

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DECIDING: HOW MANY APPLICATIONS?

It depends! Finding a “reasonable” number is much

harder these days If you are happy with the schools where you

stand the strongest chances of admission, then the final list can be a lower number

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HIGHER EDUCATION STATISTICS

Approximately 1800 4-Year Colleges and Universities

• The majority have less than 3,000 students (typically small, liberal arts and sciences colleges)

• Mid size schools are hard to find (~40 have between 7-12,000 students)

• Very large schools are even harder to find (~30 have more than 22,000 students).

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HIGHER EDUCATION STATISTICS

Over 3,000 2-Year Schools and Technical Colleges

• Includes both for profit and non-profit• Almost 75% are community colleges (CLC)• Some offer housing options• Includes a small number of private colleges

(Lincoln College)• Less expensive, allows students to hone

academic skills • Associate’s Degree or a Certificate

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SENIOR YEAR COURSE REGISTRATION

Junior class registration meeting with counselors on Monday January 30, 2012 – Period TBD (likely 2nd or 3rd)

Individual appointments during lunch hours Monday, January 30 THROUGH Friday, February 3

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4-3-3-3-2 COURSE PATTERN

4 yrs English 3 yrs Math (4 is recommended) 3 yrs Science 3 yrs Social Science 2 yrs of SAME Foreign Language Some universities also require 1 yr of a visual

or performing art

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FAVORITE QUESTION ASKED BY JUNIORS!

Is it better to take a course that is challenging and receive a B or C or is it better to take an easier course and receive an A?

Success in classes is just as important as the class itself.

Balance is crucial!!!!!

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COLLEGE FAIRS

Gap Year Fair – January 28, 2012 12:00-4:00 p.m., Cafeteria at New Trier High School, Winnetka Campus

College of Lake County - March 13, 2012 6:00-8:00 pm, Grayslake

District 214 – April 3, 2012 6:00-8:30 p.m., Harper College, Palatine

Niles North/West H.S. – April 11, 2012 6:30-8:30 pm Niles West H.S., Skokie

Glenbrook North/South H.S. – April 12, 2012

6:30-8:45 p.m. - Allstate Plaza, Northbrook

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COLLEGE PLANNING CALENDAR

WINTER/SPRING Create a new email account just for the

college process Take ACT/SAT Determine criteria Meet with College Counselor Develop a list of colleges to research (10-15) Research and request information Attend area college programs and receptions Attend college fairs Visit

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COLLEGE PLANNING CALENDARSUMMER

Determine final list of colleges (5-9) Begin developing essay/personal statement If finished testing, submit ACT scores to colleges, Visit Colleges expect you to do something productive

with your summer. Options include: summer programs, work, summer school, volunteer, internships, travel

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COLLEGE PLANNING CALENDAR

FALL

Retake ACT/SAT/Subject Tests Make applications (5-9) Meet with counselor about recommendation Confirm teacher recommendations Write essay/personal statement Request transcript Visit KEEP GRADES STRONG

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RESOURCESCOLLEGE PLANNING HANDBOOK

Should be read by students and parents Includes information and worksheets on the

following topics: Self- assessment and Criteria for College Selection Campus Visits College Entrance Tests and SAT/ACT Conversion Charts Applications Essays Letters of Recommendation Interviews Financial Aid Glossary of Terms Sample letters/emails Suggested Websites

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COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATION

Recommendations are not required by all colleges.

Student must meet with counselor to discuss content before recommendation will be written.

Student and Parent Questionnaire forms should be turned in before or at the meeting.

Forms are available through Naviance under About Me.

It is the student’s responsibility to inform the counselor of things he/she would like highlighted in the recommendation

Appointment must be scheduled a minimum of 15 school days prior to the first application deadline.

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RESOURCESCRC

Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt is available daily from 7:30 a.m. to 3:04 p.m. to assist with college searches, completing applications and scholarship information

Subjective and objective college guides books Guide books on special topics such as planning

visits, writing essays and creating resumes Computers available for researching colleges

on the internet and completing applications College files grouped by type (large, highly

selective university, art schools liberal arts college, etc.)

Career information

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RESOURCESCOUNSELORS AND COLLEGE COUNSELOR Appointments with College Counselors begin

February 13 and can be scheduled with Mrs. Gomez beginning on February 2nd (if the student has attended CP 101).

Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend appointments.

Prior to the meeting develop a list of criteria Can meet with your counselor now to get

things rolling.

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RESOURCESNAVIANCE/FAMILY CONNECTION

Every junior must have an active account with Family Connection. This is CRUCIAL!!!!

User name is the email student used to register

Update email if account is no longer active or the email is a parent email

Email can be school email address (this is new!)

Students who forgot passwords can request a new one at log-in

Parents should create a separate account. Students/Parents who have never registered

should see Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt for help with registering

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AVOID EXTERNAL INFLUENCES

Media Friends Neighbors Relatives

“To thine own self be true” - Polonius

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Q AND A

Please fill out the evaluation before you leave tonight.

Thank you for coming!

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