Jill AltshulerReservoir High School Student Services

NAVIGATING THE COLLEGE SEARCH

PROCESS

Goals of the Evening

• Learn about factors to consider when researching colleges

• Explore criteria involved in the admissions decisions of colleges

• Understand factors in creating a list of schools

The Right College

What is the right college?• The college with the best football

team?• The college with the best radio station?• US News & World Report’s #1?• The college I can afford?

THE ANSWER WILL BE DIFFERENT FOR EACH OF YOU.

Making the Match

• It’s not about finding the best college, it’s about finding the right college.

• The right college is where students can be happy and successful.

Successful students are happy and happy students

are successful.

START WITH A SELF-ASSESSMENT

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Self-Assessment: Discovery and Facing Reality

• Who are you?• What do you want to do?• What have you done so far? • How hard have you worked in high school?• How involved are you in the life of the school?• What makes you special?

Use the personality surveys from Naviance, PSAT or SAT scores, GPA’s, feedback from

others to do a self-assessment.

EXPLORING COLLEGES

What Factors Should You Consider?

• 4 year vs. 2 year college

• Size

• Geographic Location

• Campus Setting

• Majors

• Academic Credentials

• Cost

• Extracurricular Activities

• Special Programs

• Student Housing

Other things to consider

• Academic Program– Do you have a career in mind?– Is there depth and diversity within the academic

programs?– Can you change your major if you change you

mind?• What do you want the student body to

be like? – Diverse? Like you? From all states? From this

state?• The Faculty

– Who teaches undergraduates?– Do professors hold regular office hours?– Which is the driving force – teaching or research?– Will your instructors know your name?

Researching Colleges

• College Navigator website

• College Board Book of Majors; Fiske’s Guide; Ruggs

• College visits; college fairs; preview days

• Individual college/university websites

• College admissions blogs. Twitter, Facebook

• College representatives that visit RHS each fall

• Professional organization websites

HIT THE ROAD

• Visit school’s websites– General Information– Admission Requirements– Deadlines– Academic programs

• Attend open houses and tours

• Speak to current students

• Schedule interview (if offered)

CREATING A LIST

• 1-2 Reach schools• A school where you fall below the average GPA and SAT

Scores.

• 3-5 ProbableSchools that you meet the GPA and SAT averages.

• 1-2 LikelySchools where you are above the average GPA and

SAT’s.

Every school on the list should be a school the student would happily attend. There are more than 3300 choices in the US, so there is no reason to apply to a school you don’t

want to attend.

WHAT COLLEGES ARE LOOKING FOR IN

STUDENTS

Admission Criteria

• Transcripta. GPA b. Coursesc. Grades

• Standardized Tests

• Class Rank

• Essay(s)

• Resume

• Extracurricular Activities

• Letters of Recommendation

• Interview

• Unique characteristics

High School Transcript

• Final grades in courses taken in grades 9-11

• Unweighted/Weighted GPA

• Unweighted/Weighted Class Rank– Calculated October 1 of Senior Year

• Senior Courses

• Does NOT include SAT or ACT scores

STANDARDIZED TESTING

• Take at least one SAT and one ACT before senior year– Usually in the spring– Can retake tests fall of senior year

• Send all scores to colleges of interest

• Additional cost to send scores later

• Colleges take the highest scores

• Investigate the need to take SAT II Tests

How Do Colleges Choose Students?

Admissions officers review student files and make selections based on the standards and needs of the college. They look at students who are:

• Varied in terms of demographics and diversity• Outstanding based on pure academics and

scores• Special Admits (legacy, athletes, special

talent, etc.)• Previously underrepresented students

The object is to get out of the last pile…

Decision Plans

• Early Decision: Admit, deny, or defer; apply by Nov.1 or Nov. 15, decision by mid-December (BINDING if admitted)

• Early Action Single Choice: Admit, deny, or defer;apply by Nov. 1 or Nov. 15 to one Early Action Singleschool and no other early action/decision school, decision by mid-December (NON-BINDING)

• Early Action: Admit, deny, or deferapply by Nov.1 or Nov. 15, decision by mid-DecemberNON-BINDING

# Admission can be for the fall or spring.

Decision Plans• Priority Decision #admit, deny, wait

list

• Regular Decision: #admit, deny, wait list, deadlines can be as early as January 1;many colleges and universities don’t use application deadlines at all

• Rolling Admission #admit or denyapplications are evaluated as they are received

WHAT DO I DO NOW?

Next Steps for Juniors• Stay focused on academics• Choose a challenging senior schedule• Meet with your school counselor• Stay involved in school activities• Get a verbal commitment from teacher(s)

for letter of recommendation(s)• Take the ACT/SAT tests• Research and visit colleges• Review college applications and

requirements• Get a head start on the essay• Complete the surveys on Naviance for

teachers and counselors

Next Step for Parents

• Read up on college admissions

• Help your son/daughter get organized

• Take a road trip – visit colleges!

• Know the right questions to ask

• Schedule conference with school counselor

Resources

• Naviance• www.collegeboard.com• www.act.org• http://knowhow2go.acenet.edu/middle-and-high-school-stude

nts/success-stories.html• http://teacherweb.com/MD/ReservoirHighSchool/StudentServi

ces/links3.aspx• www.nacacnet.org • www.fafsa.ed.gov• http://studentaid.ed.gov/

Closing Thoughts

• Find the right balance between a rigorous schedule and being successful – Colleges want to see that you’ve challenged yourself but

maintained success

• Apply to HCC– They have excellent Honors programs AND scholarships– It is important to keep your options open

• There is no such thing as the “perfect college”– There are over 3000 colleges in the U.S.– With effort and guidance you CAN find multiple colleges where

you will be happy and successful

Closing Thoughts, cont.

• Keep the process in perspective

• Work together as a family

• Students must take ownership

• Discuss finances openly

• Start early and meet all deadlines

• Communicate!!!! – Communicate with your son/daughter, admission

counselors, financial aid officers, teachers, and counselors.

FINDING THE RIGHT MATCH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG_v8Mq3Acs