Building a Competitive

College ProfilePresenter: Karen Stabeno

Department Chair, Counseling, BHSIndependent College Consultant

Certified Educational PlannerLl

Agenda

Understanding What Selective Colleges are Seeking in the Ideal Applicant

The Importance of a College Preparatory Curriculum

Assessing Your Child’s Interests and Strengths as they Relate to Extra Curricular and Leadership Activities

Financing a College Education

What is a Selective College?

Most Selective: Harvard 6%, Stanford 6%, Duke 12% , Northwestern 15%

Very Selective: Carleton 21%, Carnegie Mellon 25%,, Case Western 42%, Boston University, 37%

Somewhat Selective: University of Redlands 67%, Seattle University 73%

Know What Matters

Rank from 1-12 the importance of the following components of a college application.Admission Test Scores Grades in College PrepGrades in all Courses Courses

Students Demonstrated AP/IB Test Scores Interest Extra-Curricular ActivitiesCounselor Recommendation Class RankTeacher Recommendations Strength of Curriculum Grade/Course Rigor Trend Essays

NACAC State of College Admissions Report 2013

Ranked as of “Considerable Importance”: College prep course Grades (AP, IB and Honors) - For

most selective institutions, college prep courses count more than those of regular courses. (82.3%)

Strength of Curriculum - (65. %)

Standardized test scores - These include the results of the SAT Reasoning Test, the ACT test, the SAT Subject Tests, and Advanced Placement (AP) tests. Colleges will let you know which of these tests you will need to submit. The SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT scores are the two most requested. (56.1%)

NACAC State of College Admissions Report 2013 (cont’d)

Overall high school grades - Your transcript will list every class that you have taken in high school and the grade you received in that class. Colleges will be looking to see whether you took challenging courses or whether you opted for the easier route. (49.8%)

The admission essay - Almost every application will ask you to submit an essay or personal statement based on a question the college provides. You usually choose from several questions. Your essay is your opportunity to put a “personality” behind the application. The essay gives you a chance to say why you want to attend that particular college. A good essay can tip a decision in your favor, especially at private colleges. (19.7%)

NACAC State of College Admissions Report 2013 (cont’d)

Demonstrated interest - Whether it’s showing up for a college visit, calling admission officers, or an enthusiastic interview, showing that you really want to attend a college can help your chances - especially at private colleges. (17.8%)

Counselor/Teacher Recommendations - (15.6%)

Class Rank - (13.3%)

Extracurricular commitment - What you do in your spare time says a lot about you. Maybe you’ve pursued a sport, spent years developing a talent, or made a strong commitment to work or volunteering. What counts most to colleges, especially highly selective colleges, is how long you have been involved, how much time you allot each week, and whether or not you have taken a role of leadership in your activity. (6.8%)

The Importance of a Strong College Preparatory Curriculum

Rigor 5+ college preparatory core classes each year AP/IB/Honors/Advanced Curriculum College classes

Grade Trend

Rank in Class

High School Graduation and College Entrance Requirements

Graduation CollegeLanguage Arts 4

Subject Requirements

Social Studies 3

• Language Arts 4

Mathematics 3

• Social Studies 4

Science 3

• Mathematics 4

Fine/Applied Arts &/or • Science 4

World Languages 3

• World Language 4

Health 1

Physical Education 1

Grade Point Average

Career Education .5

Electives 5.5 Admission Test Requirements

Total: 24

Standardized Tests

ACT Tests Explore: 8th & 9th grade Plan: 10th grade ACT Plus Writing: 11th grade

SAT Tests PSAT: October of the 10th & 11th grade SAT Reasoning: Spring of 11th grade, Fall of

12th grade SAT Subject Based: Spring of 10th or 11th

grade, Fall of 12th grade; after completion of AP or IB course

Building Your Resume

School & athletic activities

Volunteer service/community activities

Paid work (after school or summer job)

Summer enrichment programs

Doing Your Research

College Guidebooks

Computer Resources

College Fairs and Open Houses

People Resources

Visits to College Campuses

It is the family’s responsibility to pay for higher education expenses to the extent it is able.

“Financial aid” programs have been designed to make up the difference between the family’s ability to pay for college and the cost of a college education.

Basis of Federal, State, College and University Financial Aid Programs and Calculations

What You Actually Have to Pay

Most financial aid awards are made up of a combination of “gift aid” (scholarships and grants) and “self help aid” (loans and work-study). Gift aid reduces your college cost, dollar for dollar. Self-help aid does not reduce your college cost. You either have to pay back the money or you have to work for it.

Further, many colleges simply don’t have enough financial resources to fully meet the need of every student. So, your true out-of-pocket, or “net cost”, comes from three sources : your EFC, your self-help aid, and your unmet financial need.

Net Price Calculator

6 out of 10 families rule out some colleges because of sticker price, yet many do not know that the “Net Price” is typically far lower.

The “Net Price” of a college is what you pay after grants/scholarships are subtracted.

A Net Price Calculator provides families who take advantage of them, a personalized estimate of what a particular school will cost them.

Selecting Schools Strategically to gain the Best Financial Aid Package

Estimate financial aid need. Use the online expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculators to determine, at a minimum what you will have to pay at any school.

Start using net price calculators. Regardless of your EFC, your job is evaluating schools to see which would be the most generous for your child.

Students should typically aim for colleges where they would be in the top 25% to 33% of the applicants.

EFC Calculators

www.finaid.orgClick on CalculatorsClick on Expected Family Contribution and Financial Aid Calculator

www.FAFSA4caster.ed.gov

www.collegeboard.comUnder “For Students”Click on Pay for CollegeClick on Financial Aid Easy Planner

Don’t Qualify for Need-Based Aid

Remember colleges give 98% of the merit scholarships ranging from $1,000 to full tuition.

36% of private colleges give merit aid.

Two types of merit aid: 1) guaranteed – based on GPA and test scores (grid), 2) competitive aid – involves application, essay, and/or interview.

Many colleges have early scholarship deadlines dates: 11/1, 11/15, 12/1.

Keep sports in mind as merit money. Only 1 % of athletes get a full ride.

Questions?