CONVERSATIONS WITH COUNSELORS:

THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS FOR FIRST TIMERS

Sarah Mazak, Guidance Counselor

May 8, 2014

Objectives:

Understanding the time-line associated with the college admissions process

How to find a “good-fit” collegeUnderstanding the college applicationUnderstanding admissions terminology

Objectives Continued…

Understanding standardized testingUnderstanding basics of financial aidHow admissions decisions are madeExpectations (of us and you)Open discussion

Opening Thought

The college admissions process is different for every student and

at every college.

Time line 9th & 10TH grade

Challenging courses Good grades PSAT, Subject tests “Soft” conversations about college, invited to

attend College Rep sessions, college visits

Time line 11th and 12th grade

11th grade – fall/winter – PSAT, strong grades, challenging courses, SAT/ACT Prep class, SAT registration, college fair, start researching colleges

11th Grade – Spring – maintain strong grades, start compiling a list, junior conference, college visits, take SAT/ACT

Summer between 11th & 12th grade – further SAT study (if needed), fine tune college list

Time line – 12th grade

12th Grade – fall – maintain strong grades, senior conference, additional SAT/ACT (if needed), college visits, apply

12th Grade – winter – FAFSA, college responses

12th Grade – spring – DECIDE and DEPOSIT (May 1), inform other colleges, make decisions about “waitlist”

How to find/research colleges:

What are the important factors (price, size, location, academic programs, culture of the school, other factors – athletics)

Discussed at Jr. Conference College database search on Family

Connections. College representatives visit MHS College fairs (CCM, NACAC -employee only-

Edison in spring) College regional receptions

Resources for the College Process

Family Connections Internet – Comprehensive college websites Bulletin board outside of the Guidance

office for college rep. visits Catalogues - Left by college reps Books – Complete section at Barnes and

Noble - Princeton Review, etc. Constant email reminders from Mr. Levine

Campus Visits

Sign up online Open houses – one stop shopping Making the most of college visits (tour

guide, visit cafeteria, go “off track”) Combine schools by region

Understanding the college application (components)

On-line (paper is not recommended) Common application, own application Application fee Teacher recommendation(s) – (done via

Family Connections) Counselor recommendation College essay Supplemental information (portfolio,

supplement, etc.)

Admissions Terminology

Early decision (I and II) Early action Priority Rolling decision Regular decision Accept, decline, defer, waitlist

Admissions Testing

SAT –(changing in March 2016 – affects current freshmen)

SAT – subject exams ACT AP’s SAT optional schools (hundreds of 4-

year schools- www.fairtest.org Test Prep classes

Financial Aid

FAFSA v. CSS Profile Grants Loans Scholarships (merit, athletic, etc) Local & national scholarship list on

FC

Factors in Admissions Decisions

High School grades and strength of curriculum, test scores

Recommendation(s), essay, extracurricular activities

What does this person bring to the community?

Interview Demonstrated interest (ED)

What Should Your Expectations be of Us?

An individual Junior Conference meeting

An open invitation for your child to stop by with questions/concerns

Open Communication – we will usually call/email back within 24 hours

Assistance throughout the process Various Programming

What are our Expectations of You?

That you will have ongoing dialogue with your child about college.

Junior Parent Brag Sheet That you will assist your child

throughout the process (Keep ‘em on track)

That you will be in contact with us about issues of concern for your family.

Open Discussion