rick hutchinson - college advisor (a-f) suzanne gorab – college advisor (f-m) john hanrahan - dean...
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RICK HUTCHINSON - COLLEGE ADVISOR (A-F) SUZANNE GORAB – COLLEGE ADVISOR (F-M)JOHN HANRAHAN - DEAN OF GUIDANCE &
COLLEGE ADVISING (M-Z)
Fairfield College Preparatory School
Junior College Planning NightJanuary 9, 2014
One Exciting Year
Year of definition – personal and academic
Ultimate decisions – one after another
Defining challengesUnique opportunities to represent self
Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
Fall of Junior Year:
• Overview of the Junior Year
• Importance of Academic Record
• Standardized Testing– overview and strategy
• Identifying Appropriate Colleges
• Naviance
Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
Spring of Junior Year:• Junior Interview – schedule with
advisor• Standardized Testing Review• Key Factors in College Admission• Activities Resume• Campus Visits • Senior Course Selection• Admission Glossary• Summer Strategies
Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
Topics for Fall Senior Year:• Check in meeting with College Advisor• Finalize Application Strategy• Coordination of Application process:
application forms, essay (s), recommendations, sending SAT/ACT scores to colleges
• Continue to demonstrate interest – visiting colleges
NAVIANCE
Research and develop prospective college lists:
https://connection.naviance.com/fairfieldprep
Students:• Username/email: students’ Prep email
address• Password: student created
Parents: • Accounts established for all parents
Naviance – Document Library
https://connection.naviance.com/fairfieldprep
The “Document Library” link on the Main Page of Naviance Family Connection provides information on a variety of college planning topics:
InterviewingFactors in College AdmissionGlossary of College Admission termsResume models
Evaluating Academic Records
Course of Study
5 core subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Science, Foreign Language
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Grade Trends
→ An appropriately challenging course load that the student can manage successfully.
→ Limited # of “lighter” electives.
→ Junior year, 1st quarter senior year and 1st semester senior year
Standardized Testing
Students register themselves for all SAT/ACT exams
SAT www.collegeboard.com • 1 to 2 tests taken in spring Junior Year (January 25,
March 8, May 3, June 7) • At least once in fall of Senior Year (October 11,
November 8, December 6)
ACT www.act.org • Spring Junior year dates: February 8, April 12, June 14• Fall Senior year dates: September 13, October 25,
December 13**Security procedures require photo upload for SAT and
ACT.
Standardized Testing
SAT Subject Tests
Some colleges may require (see websites)• 1 Hour Long Multiple Choice Tests. • Take up to 3 on one test date.• Offered in Core Subject Areas• Literature, US History, Math I and/or Math II are
taken most often by Prep Students• Can highlight an academic strength
“Super-Scoring”
“Tip” Factors
Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: Highlight individual academic strengths and personal qualities
Essay(s):• Reveals self – authenticity is essential• “Show, Don’t Tell”
Most Significant activity(ies): • Will show depth and commitment to personal
interests and growth.
“Tip” Factors (Continued)
Early Decision (E.D.)Demonstrated Interest Athletic recruitment Special talents or attributes Interview (admission counselor,
current student or alumni)Supplemental letters (use sparingly)
Application options and strategies
Regular Decision
Early Action (E.A.)
Restricted Early Action
Early Decision (E.D.)
Early Decision II (E.D.II)
Rolling Decision(w/ priority dates)
Construct a Prospective College List
Size (# undergraduates)
Geographic LocationCampus setting (urban,
suburban, rural) Academic focusAreas of studyFacilities: Library,
Research Labs, etc.Social Atmosphere Campus Life, Sports,
ArtsReligious affiliationSupport services
CostFinancial AidHousing – 4 year
guaranteed?Diversity
(Ethnic,Geographic)Admission CriteriaGraduation + Retention
RatesOutcomes: employment
and graduate schoolsGreek system
Prospective College List
Consider many different types of institutions. Do not always go with the pack. Break new ground in the search process.
Search List
Up to 15 – 20
Research
Place in 5 Categories (as designated in Naviance): Far Reach, Reach, Possible, Likely and Safety
Use Naviance Scattergrams as a guide – not as an absolute.
Final Application List
Up to 10 (+/-)
Fairfield Prep Average Application: 8
Prioritize the list
Only a “safety” school if you would attend.
Contact (i.e. demonstrated interest) is more important with small/medium sized schools.
Campus Visit Options
• Campus Tour• Information session • Open House/Special Event• Sit in on a class• Interview • Athletic visit• Overnight• Shadow student
Why is the Campus Visit Important?
Demonstrates YOUR interest
Experiencing the campus to help decide if you want to apply.
Find the institutions that are the right “Fit”.
Preparing for the Campus Visit
• Visit website to explore visit options • Do your homework before the visit• Make reservations/appointments for
campus tours, interviews, open houses and meetings with faculty or coaches.
• Stick to the Office of Admission schedule• Avoid the Drive-Thru visit – if possible• Always sign in… smaller colleges tend to
track this information. Campus Visit is a
What to look for while on campus
General University/College InformationCampus Life
• Residence halls, dining options, parking, student center, chapel
Student Life/Athletics• Clubs & organizations, social life, recreation
facilities, visual/performing arts, varsity athletics
Academic Life• Classrooms, professors, course offerings,
internships, research opportunities
College Planning: Spring of Junior Year
Initial Student/Advisor College Planning MeetingResearch: Web -based resources are best Contact institutionsVisit campusesAttend spring open house programs SAT/ACT/Subject Tests- first/second roundAttend local/regional college fairs Consider teacher recommendersDevelop an Activities Resume – excellent
document to present at interview.Initial contact with athletic coaches etc.
College Planning: Summer before Senior Year
Campus VisitsRefine listConsider application options: Regular, EA, ED,
Rolling Establish Common Application account.Determine what application and/or supplement forms
each school requires. (i.e. common application)Start filling out applications Begin first draft of essay(s)Continue to develop an activities resume.
College Planning: Fall of Senior Year
Check in meeting with College AdvisorMeet admission representatives who visit Fairfield
Prep Ask teachers to write recommendationsParent/Family Recommendation for counselorAttend College Fairs and Information Night programsFinalize essays and applications Final campus visits (tours, interviews, overnights, class
visits, open houses)Standardized Testing – final roundCheck merit scholarship requirements and deadlines.Financial Aid Instruments - FAFSA/CSS Profile
Trends in Admission
Early Decision (E.D.) Increase in ACT “Super-Scoring” Fast Track/Priority Applications Interview (smaller colleges) re-emergence “Authenticity” Increase in writing requirements Test Optional Colleges Public School interest on the rise Requests for financial aid rising
Useful Web Sites
www.collegeboard.comhttps://connection.naviance.com/
fairfieldprep/www.commonapp.orgwww.fafsa.ed.govwww.act.orgwww.ncaa.org
Miscellaneous Thoughts…
Encourage student to stay in contact with the College Advising Office. Communication is essential.
Allow ample time for essay writing (2 months)
Discern all requirements of your list early (Standardized testing requirements, supplements, essays, deadlines, etc.).
[email protected] 203-254-4200 ext. 2502 (A-F)
[email protected] 203-254-4200 ext. 2133 (F-M)
[email protected] 203-254-4200 ext 2238 (M-Z)