the road to college admissions
TRANSCRIPT
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 / [email protected] / 408-398-5238
Questions?