SENIORS……..HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY????

Welcome to your SENIOR year!

Your work isn’t over yet!

Value of Education

From the 2010 CensusEducational Level Avg. Annual %increase from 2000

9th – 12th grade, no diploma $20,241 +8%

High school graduate $30,627 +9.7%

Some college, no degree $32,295 +9.3%

Associates degree $39,771 +10.6%

Bachelor’s degree $56,665 +10.6%

Master’s degree $73,738 +18%

Doctorate degree $103,054 +16.5%

Professional degree $127,803 +10.9%

Purpose of College Selection

• Find schools that match you

• Find schools you will graduate from

• Increase value, decrease cost

This progress requires time, research, and communication as a family.

The College Match or “Fit”

• There is a college for everyone• That Match = Happiness = Graduation• What is a “Good” college for me?

Personal Attention Facilities

Major/Career Location

City/Small Town Greek Life

Reputation My Needs

Study Abroad Diversity

Professors vs TA’s Selectivity

Student Activities Dorm Life

Selective College Admissions

• More students apply than can be accommodated

• The Admissions offices decide how to admit some students and deny others

• Not all schools have selective admissions

• A few schools are “Ultra-Selective”

What Matters in Admissions?

Rank the Following 1 – 11• Admission Test Scores• Counselor Recommendation• Interview• Grades in College-Prep Courses• Extra-Curricular Activities• Essay• Strength of Curriculum• Demonstrated Interest• Grades in ALL courses• AP Scores• Teacher Recommendation(s)

From NACAC Survey, 2012(National Association of College Admission Counseling)

1. Grades in College-Prep Courses2. Strength of Curriculum3. Admission Test Scores4. Grades in All Courses5. Essay6. Demonstrated Interest7. Counselor Recommendation8. Teacher Recommendation9. AP Scores10. Interview11. Extra-Curricular Activities

Selective AdmissionsRelative Weight of Admission Factors

• Grades, Curriculum 50 – 60%

• College Testing 20 – 40%– ACT, SAT, PSAT, EXPLORE, PLAN, SAT SUBJECT TESTS

• Your Other Strengths 0 – 30%– Activities, Leadership, Talent, Essays, Recommendations

Testing Review

If you have NOT yet completed an ACT or an SAT, please do so ASAP!!!!

To register or to re-register for exams:

SAT: October 6; Deadline to register September 7 also offered November 3 and December 1 www.collegeboard.com

ACT: October 26; Deadline to register September 27; December 14; Deadline to register November 8

ACT with or without Writing?

Submit your test scores directly to the college from the test company.

To Report Your Test Scores

YOU MUST SEND YOUR TEST SCORES DIRECTLY TO THE COLLEGE THIS YEAR!

Send your scores directly from the test company (on-line):

SAT: will send ALL of the scores you select (SCORE CHOICE) for $11 per school

ACT: will send ONE of your test scores for $10.00 per school If you coded in colleges on your original exam they have already been sent by the testing agency.

If you are taking an ACT or SAT this year you will receive 4 free test reports to send to colleges. I would suggest that you use them, unless you have an unusual circumstance.

College Visits

Simply the best way to learn about a college and its potential match.

Tips:

-Schedule visits at least 2 weeks ahead if possible -Do your homework on the college -Arrive early, parking will be difficult -Talk to students -Take notes or keep a journal -Read a student newspaper -Request meetings for any special needs you may have -Send a thank you note -Record your impressions immediately -Do an overnight visit at a couple of schools you are very serious about

Cost and Value

Complete a Financial Need Estimate www.finaid.org or www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

IF you look like you WILL qualify for aid, don’t rule out private schools that may look expensive!

IF you WILL NOT qualify for aid (and want to pay less for college), but want to attend a smaller, private school - apply to safe schools for scholarship money.

Some out-of-state, state schools are as affordable as in-state, state schools!

Consider

Application Process – 2 Parts

Part 1: Application On Line (99%) Essays Short Answers Data completion Activities YOUR portion of the application Submit electronically Can be submitted electronically up to deadline PLEASE doublecheck everything

Part 2: Transcript, etc. Complete a Transcript Release Form Any recommendation letters Any additional enclosures Ms. Merrill will send this information Must be turned in three weeks prior to deadline

The Common Application The Common Application is a single college application good at 493 colleges. Students may complete on-line.

www.commonapp.org

Many schools still need an additional supplement completed as well.

Some schools that accept the Common Application: Ohio State (Columbus campus) this year, Miami U (OH), Denison, Wittenberg, Elon, Harvard, U of Vermont, Northwestern, Lafayette, C of Wooster, Xavier, Michigan, etc.

Application Tips

BE NEAT and BE CORRECT!

Watch out for Deadlines, including and especially scholarship Deadlines

Complete an Inventory of the application START EARLY and make a schedule for completion

List your activities with great care!!

Don’t add too much extra information, but some may be OK.

Be sure the application is 100% accurate.

Send your test scores from ACT/SAT

Graduation May 24th, 2014

THEN WHAT……..