Junior Parent Junior Parent NightNight

2/12/20142/12/2014

Brett Levine, Director of GuidanceBrett Levine, Director of Guidance

Tonight’s ProgramTonight’s Program

60-75 minutes60-75 minutes PPT on Web sitePPT on Web site Information rather than adviceInformation rather than advice Financial Aid not coveredFinancial Aid not covered Scholarships Covered at Sr. Parent Scholarships Covered at Sr. Parent

nightnight Informal Q/A up front at the end.Informal Q/A up front at the end.

Milestone DatesMilestone Dates

Winter of Jr Year-Jr. 11Winter of Jr Year-Jr. 11thth Grade Parent Night Grade Parent Night Winter of Jr Year-Jr Conference-Individual Winter of Jr Year-Jr Conference-Individual

College planning conferenceCollege planning conference Spring Jr. Year: Junior Group Guidance: Teacher Spring Jr. Year: Junior Group Guidance: Teacher

RecsRecs Summer bet 11-12 grade- Mailing from Guidance Summer bet 11-12 grade- Mailing from Guidance

(nuts and bolts), Register on Commonapp.org(nuts and bolts), Register on Commonapp.org Fall of Sr. Year-Sr. Parent-Application Processing Fall of Sr. Year-Sr. Parent-Application Processing

infoinfo Fall of Sr. Year-Sr. Group GuidanceFall of Sr. Year-Sr. Group Guidance Fall of Sr. Year-Sr.Conference-Individual Fall of Sr. Year-Sr.Conference-Individual

ConferenceConference

Non-College OptionsNon-College Options

Handled individuallyHandled individually Year off resourcesYear off resources Ranges from military to gap year Ranges from military to gap year Advise to apply then deferAdvise to apply then defer (GPA Binder)(GPA Binder)

Most popular schools Most popular schools (class of 2014 applications) (class of 2014 applications) James Madison & Penn State (20)James Madison & Penn State (20) U of Rhode Island (24)U of Rhode Island (24) Northeastern (25)Northeastern (25) Montclair State (26)Montclair State (26) U of Delaware (27)U of Delaware (27) U of Scranton (29)U of Scranton (29) Rutgers (30)Rutgers (30) Fairfield (32)Fairfield (32)

Where students Where students matriculated last year: matriculated last year: class of 2013class of 2013 3 @ Elon, Loyola, Towson3 @ Elon, Loyola, Towson 4 @ FDU, Fairfield, Rowan, Kean, 4 @ FDU, Fairfield, Rowan, Kean,

Montclair State, NortheasternMontclair State, Northeastern 12 @ Rutgers12 @ Rutgers 13 @ CCM13 @ CCM

But there is more…But there is more… Selective: Dartmouth (2) , Cornell, YaleSelective: Dartmouth (2) , Cornell, Yale Liberal Arts: Smith, Drew, Amherst, Liberal Arts: Smith, Drew, Amherst,

Muhlenberg, Wellesley Muhlenberg, Wellesley Public (outside NJ): U of Alabama, SUNY Public (outside NJ): U of Alabama, SUNY

Cortland, Towson UCortland, Towson U Technical: Georgia Tech, RITTechnical: Georgia Tech, RIT Who Would of thought? Cal State: San Luis Who Would of thought? Cal State: San Luis

Obispo; Sewanee U of the SouthObispo; Sewanee U of the South Hate the cold: USC, U of TampaHate the cold: USC, U of Tampa Love the cold: Syracuse, U of VermontLove the cold: Syracuse, U of Vermont City Slickers: NYU, Drexel, Carnegie MellonCity Slickers: NYU, Drexel, Carnegie Mellon Across the pond: Durham UniversityAcross the pond: Durham University

Source: NACAC

The State of College The State of College Admissions: (Admissions: (From the 2013 State of College From the 2013 State of College

AdmissionsAdmissions) ) Colleges accept nearly 2/3 of applicants. Colleges accept nearly 2/3 of applicants. At colleges with early decisions policies the At colleges with early decisions policies the

gap in acceptance rates edges up.gap in acceptance rates edges up. Grades, HS curriculum, and test scores top Grades, HS curriculum, and test scores top

factors. factors. Average yield rate is 36.9%Average yield rate is 36.9% Private colleges (and smaller colleges) Private colleges (and smaller colleges)

assigned greater importance to subjective assigned greater importance to subjective factors.factors.

More selective more emphasis on SAT More selective more emphasis on SAT subject scores.subject scores.

How we stay informedHow we stay informed

Counselors attend conferences, Counselors attend conferences, college tours and local college tours and local receptions to stay current and to receptions to stay current and to network with college network with college representatives. representatives.

Upcoming Events : Spring 2014Upcoming Events : Spring 2014DateDate EventEvent Time, LocationTime, Location

TBATBA Practice SATPractice SAT 7:45, Cafeteria 7:45, Cafeteria

Thursday, March Thursday, March 2020

Understanding Understanding MOOCSMOOCS

5pm, Media Center5pm, Media Center

Wednesday April Wednesday April 2323thth,,

Thursday, April 24Thursday, April 24thth

NACAC College FairNACAC College Fair Meadowlands Expo Meadowlands Expo CenterCenter

Sunday, April 6Sunday, April 6 NACAC College FairNACAC College Fair 11-4, Javits Center 11-4, Javits Center (NYC)(NYC)

Thursday , May 8Thursday , May 8 College Application College Application Process; First Process; First TimersTimers

5pm: Media Center5pm: Media Center

Wednesday, April 2Wednesday, April 2 College College Information Night Information Night for Students with for Students with DisabilitiesDisabilities

Media Center Media Center

Scheduling update for Scheduling update for next yearnext year Done at the Jr ConferenceDone at the Jr Conference Course rec day on Wed, Feb 12thCourse rec day on Wed, Feb 12th 5 core classes5 core classes Don’t forget 4Don’t forget 4thth year of science is possible (Ecology, year of science is possible (Ecology,

Astronomy, Forensics, Env Science)Astronomy, Forensics, Env Science) New math titlesNew math titles

Enr Alg 3 changes to Adv Alg & TrigEnr Alg 3 changes to Adv Alg & Trig Alg 2 changes to Intermediate AlgAlg 2 changes to Intermediate Alg

Zero Period PE for scheduling purposesZero Period PE for scheduling purposes New tech elective: Engineering Design (Not official)New tech elective: Engineering Design (Not official) Financial Literacy Requirement (summer school?) Financial Literacy Requirement (summer school?) Humanities and (PS or CW or SF)Humanities and (PS or CW or SF) Curriculum guide on web siteCurriculum guide on web site Resolve changes before end of the year. (IMPORTANT)Resolve changes before end of the year. (IMPORTANT) Summer assignments Summer assignments

HSPAHSPA

March 4,5,6March 4,5,6 11stst day Math, then 2 days LA day Math, then 2 days LA Be promptBe prompt Bring calculators, and pencilsBring calculators, and pencils Electronic devices OFF. Electronic devices OFF. Graduation examGraduation exam Alternative assessments for those Alternative assessments for those

who do not pass..(I think who do not pass..(I think ))

ProcessProcess

A series of actions or steps taken in A series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end…..order to achieve a particular end…..

8-9 month PROCESS of getting it 8-9 month PROCESS of getting it done.done.

Preparing for the Jr. Preparing for the Jr. ConferenceConference Parent and student surveyParent and student survey Remind your childRemind your child Discuss courses ahead of time Discuss courses ahead of time Discuss the big questions ahead Discuss the big questions ahead

of timeof time

The college search: Where The college search: Where do I start?do I start? Start by asking yourself, “What are the most Start by asking yourself, “What are the most

important criteria?”important criteria?” Variety of resources: Variety of resources: Family Connections-Family Connections-

web based service designed specifically for web based service designed specifically for students and parents to help make decisions students and parents to help make decisions about colleges and careers, college books like about colleges and careers, college books like Fiske Guide to College, school’s websites, Fiske Guide to College, school’s websites, MHS alum(huge resource available to us), etc.MHS alum(huge resource available to us), etc.

Attend College Fairs: April 23Attend College Fairs: April 23rdrd and 24th and 24th Open HousesOpen Houses Use spring break to visit. Set up apt online. Use spring break to visit. Set up apt online. Start narrowing things down for the FallStart narrowing things down for the Fall

7 Components of the 7 Components of the College Application College Application ProcessProcess ApplicationApplication Test scoresTest scores EssayEssay TranscriptTranscript RecommendationsRecommendations HS Profile HS Profile Supplemental InformationSupplemental Information

The ApplicationThe Application

On-line preferred by collegesOn-line preferred by colleges Common app, school based app Common app, school based app

(Bucknell vs. Rutgers)(Bucknell vs. Rutgers) Create an account on common app Create an account on common app

over the summer (after August 1, over the summer (after August 1, 2014)2014)

You send the applicationYou send the application

TranscriptTranscript

Final GradesFinal Grades Reporting rank is optionalReporting rank is optional The most important piece of the The most important piece of the

packagepackage Answers the most important questionsAnswers the most important questions Will have sr year schedule(currently Will have sr year schedule(currently

enrolled classes)enrolled classes) We send mid-year transcriptWe send mid-year transcript We send (electronically)We send (electronically)

Standardized TestingStandardized Testing

SAT v ACTSAT v ACT When to take themWhen to take them SAT subject examsSAT subject exams Score choiceScore choice Register on your own (collegeboard.com Register on your own (collegeboard.com

or act.org)or act.org) 33rdrd greatest factor in admissions decisions. greatest factor in admissions decisions. Test optional Test optional You sendYou send

The EssayThe Essay

Common app has generic essays for example Common app has generic essays for example Recount an incident or time when you Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?what lessons did you learn?

Its value depends on the college: Montclair Its value depends on the college: Montclair State (non C/A school): State (non C/A school): Develop the perfect Develop the perfect college essay question…then answer it!college essay question…then answer it!

Common sense editing, languageCommon sense editing, language Our English teachers are great with editingOur English teachers are great with editing 55thth greatest factor in admission decisions. greatest factor in admission decisions. You send along with application, standardized You send along with application, standardized

test and supplemental informationtest and supplemental information

High School ProfileHigh School Profile

4-page standard high school document4-page standard high school document Tells about Madison HS and about Tells about Madison HS and about

MadisonMadison Gives colleges a snap shot of test scores, Gives colleges a snap shot of test scores,

course offerings and college course offerings and college matriculations. Helps them compare matriculations. Helps them compare apples to applesapples to apples

Take a look on-line (Guidance, Profile on Take a look on-line (Guidance, Profile on Left)Left)

We send (electronically)We send (electronically)

Counselor Counselor RecommendationRecommendation Counselor letter of recommendation.Counselor letter of recommendation. Answers the question, “Why you want this Answers the question, “Why you want this

person as a member of the campus person as a member of the campus community?”community?”

Can explain gaps in performance (sickness, Can explain gaps in performance (sickness, injury, etc.)injury, etc.)

Content should be discussed during the Content should be discussed during the Jr./Sr. ConferenceJr./Sr. Conference

Sent in with secondary school report formSent in with secondary school report form We send (electronically)We send (electronically)

Teacher Teacher RecommendationRecommendation Answers the question, “What has this student Answers the question, “What has this student contributed in my class?”contributed in my class?”

Some colleges want 1 or 2 or sometimes NONESome colleges want 1 or 2 or sometimes NONE Ask teachers, follow up w/ e-mail (nuts and Ask teachers, follow up w/ e-mail (nuts and

bolts outlined in summer letter and sr. bolts outlined in summer letter and sr. conference)conference)

Ask 2 teachers maximum. Ask 2 teachers maximum. Student should give teachers a short Student should give teachers a short

bio/resumebio/resume We send (electronically)*We send (electronically)*

**In most casesIn most cases

Supplemental InfoSupplemental Info

Portfolio (Art Students and Portfolio (Art Students and Performing Arts Audition)Performing Arts Audition)

Additional letters of recommendations Additional letters of recommendations (Church group, work experience, (Church group, work experience, volunteerism)volunteerism)

Eligibility Center (NCAA.ORG) Eligibility Center (NCAA.ORG) contact Mr. Levine for more infocontact Mr. Levine for more info

Student is responsible for sending all Student is responsible for sending all of the above.of the above.

Counselor Role Counselor Role

Encourage students to find the right Encourage students to find the right post-secondary matchpost-secondary match

Provide emotional AND practical support Provide emotional AND practical support during the college process (keeping in during the college process (keeping in mind the academic component)mind the academic component)

Keep you informed & maintain open Keep you informed & maintain open communication communication (parents/teachers/students/college (parents/teachers/students/college admission representatives)admission representatives)

IT TAKES A VILLAGEIT TAKES A VILLAGE

Parent RoleParent Role

Fill out Parent Brag Sheet and try to attend Fill out Parent Brag Sheet and try to attend Jr ConferenceJr Conference

TAKE YOUR CHILD ON COLLEGE VISITS TAKE YOUR CHILD ON COLLEGE VISITS AND OPEN HOUSE TOURSAND OPEN HOUSE TOURS

Have an open and honest dialogue with Have an open and honest dialogue with your child about college (finances, location, your child about college (finances, location, public vs. private, etc.)public vs. private, etc.)

Assist your child throughout the processAssist your child throughout the process Fill out appropriate financial aid formsFill out appropriate financial aid forms Keep in contact with us about issues of Keep in contact with us about issues of

concernconcern ““WATCH THEM FLY!”WATCH THEM FLY!”

THE PROCESS COMES THE PROCESS COMES TOGETHERTOGETHER

When we are young the words are When we are young the words are scattered all around us. As they are scattered all around us. As they are assembled by experience, so also are assembled by experience, so also are we, sentence by sentence, until the we, sentence by sentence, until the story takes shapestory takes shape. Louise Erdrich. Louise Erdrich

What we need in order to do What we need in order to do our part:our part: 12 School days12 School days Record release formRecord release form FERPA Release on FCFERPA Release on FC Transcript request form. (EDOCS or Transcript request form. (EDOCS or

Envelopes)Envelopes) Stamped envelopes if colleges don’t Stamped envelopes if colleges don’t

accept things electronically accept things electronically Reviewed in detail at Sr. Parent NightReviewed in detail at Sr. Parent Night

Family ConnectionsFamily Connections

Family Connections is our web Family Connections is our web based college application program. based college application program. Students have been trained. Students have been trained. Demonstrated at 10Demonstrated at 10thth grade parent grade parent night. Will be presented to parents night. Will be presented to parents at 12at 12thth grade parent night and grade parent night and upcoming CWC.upcoming CWC.

Public Service Public Service AnnouncementAnnouncement

All male students, when they reach the All male students, when they reach the age of 18, must register for the United age of 18, must register for the United States Selective Service. Information States Selective Service. Information about this can be obtained by speaking about this can be obtained by speaking to Mr. Levine or by visiting to Mr. Levine or by visiting https://www.sss.gov

Girl’s Career/ Girl’s State/ Boys StateGirl’s Career/ Girl’s State/ Boys State Fill out surveys (Math and others TBA Fill out surveys (Math and others TBA

on Homepage)on Homepage) Sign up for emailSign up for email

““A journey of a thousand miles begins A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” ~Lao Tzuwith a single step” ~Lao Tzu