The Class of 2017Looks Beyond

Barrington

2016-2017Barrington High School

College and Career Planning Guide

2016-2017Barrington High School

College and Career Planning Guide

College and Career Planning Guide(Junior “MAP” Book)

College and Career Planning Guide(Junior “MAP” Book)

• Almost any fundamental question is covered• Highlights include:

– College Planning Calendar – Application Procedures – College Visit Questions – Resume – Parent Letter – Financial aid/Scholarships– Transcript Request– FAQ’s / Web Resources

TWO PORTIONS TO OUR PRESENTATION

TWO PORTIONS TO OUR PRESENTATION

• HOW YOU CHOOSE A COLLEGE

• HOW A COLLEGE CHOOSES YOU

FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFSFUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS

• This is a process.

• It is all about finding the fit.

• There is a college for everyone.

NAVIGATING THE PROCESSNAVIGATING THE PROCESS

• Communicate as a family. • Do your homework.• Visit.• Be realistic.• Find the fit.• Fit is about finding the right

school not simply about finding the best school.

MAKE THIS A RESEARCH PROJECT WHICH INVOLVES:

MAKE THIS A RESEARCH PROJECT WHICH INVOLVES:• Clear goals

• Deadlines

• Lots of note-taking

• Use the 5 P’s—Person, Place, People, Price, Program

A bit of advice from some BHS alums:

A bit of advice from some BHS alums:

• “Be proactive. The right college won’t find you.”

• “Don’t waste time. Jump right into it.”

• “Manage time well.”

The Five “P’s”The Five “P’s”

• Person

• Place

• People

• Price

• Program

PERSONPERSON

• The person is YOU.

• Why do I want to go to college?

• How do I learn?

• How independent am I?

• What do I want to be involved in?

• Do I have special talents?

• Do I have special needs?

Lyndsay Palach, Transition Coordinator

Lyndsay Palach, Transition Coordinator

Perhaps consider a “Gap Year”

Perhaps consider a “Gap Year”

• A gap year is a year for students to explore other interests between high school and college.

• A very informative article: “Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation” by William Fitzsimmons, Dean from Harvard College. – www.college.harvard.edu/admissions/preparing-college/sho

uld-i-take-time

• Gap Year Fair – New Trier, Saturday, Jan 30, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

PLACEPLACE• Distance – consider logistics of coming

home• Setting: Rural, Urban, Suburban• Size: Small (<1,000) vs Large

(15,000+)• Types of schools: Music Conservatory,

Technical, Single Gender, Public, Private• YOU MUST VISIT—TOGETHER.• Prestige

PEOPLEPEOPLE• What type of diversity is

important to you?

• Faith based?

• Another area of the country?

• One thing is certain—it won’t be like high school!

PRICEPRICE• Have “the talk” about cost.

• Don’t get confused by sticker shock. Go thru the financial aid process.

• IWU Admission Dean, “Let me show you that you can afford our school.”

• Net Price Calculators

• “Scholar”- ships

PROGRAMPROGRAM• Consider internships, co-ops, study abroad

opportunities, direct admit programs, and other hands on experiences.

• In many instances, you do not need to choose your major until the end of sophomore year of college!

• If you don’t know what you want to do, know what you don’t want to do.

• Utilize your BHS resources: Naviance Assessments, Career Cruising, and Career Treks.

SEARCH AND SELECTION TIMELINESEARCH AND SELECTION TIMELINE• October- Early December

– Meet with your counselor in groups.– Do your research.

• December-Mid April– Complete a college counseling appointment

• December-June– Create your list (5-8 schools)

• Summer– Finish Resume, Brainstorm Essays

• August– Return to school ready to apply

• May be deficient in some admission requirements

• ACT Composite / SAT/ GPA falls below mid 50%

• May be a financial reach

• Please note: Ivy-league or highly selective schools for all students

• Meet all admission requirements

• ACT Composite / SAT/ GPA falls within the mid 50%

• Financially attainable

• Meet /exceed all admission requirements

• ACT Composite / SAT/ GPA falls above the mid 50%

• Financially reasonable

Reach

Schools

Target

Schools

Reach, Target, and Safety SchoolsReach, Target, and Safety SchoolsA school that is a reach for some, may be a target for others.

Safety Schools

HOW TO DO YOUR RESEARCH

HOW TO DO YOUR RESEARCH

• READ the “Map Book.”

• Create a list of schools (Naviance).

• Use the GRC and the individual college websites.

• Attend all of our programs next semester (Financial Aid Night, Ask the Experts, College Night).

• Make the most of College Night, it is one stop shopping.

• Attend spring rep visits and during the fall of your senior year.

• Visit college campuses.

HOW WE CAN HELPHOW WE CAN HELP• Counselors – know your students, know

academic advisement, can answer questions about college, write letters of recommendation, and process applications

• College Counselors – can help refine your list of schools, can answer questions about specific colleges, and their particular admission processes

If I could do one thing over, I would…

If I could do one thing over, I would…

• “Look more openly at places and at a broad range of schools.”

• “Worry less.”

• “Visit more, and earlier.”

FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE

FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE

• Parents – Your child will remember how you supported him or her.

• Students – Realize that this is emotionally difficult for your parents.

• Both – Remember that it isn’t the college but the student that has the magic!

How A College Chooses YouHow A College Chooses You

Let’s Talk DataLet’s Talk DataIllinois State University

13,363 applications

78 % acceptance rate (10,658 admits)

3,632 enrolled

U of Illinois - UC

34,000 apps

65% acceptance rate (22,000 admits)

7,000 enrolled

U of Michigan

51,797 apps

26% acceptance rate (13,611 admits)

6,071 enrolled

Stanford

42,497 applications

5% acceptance rate (2,142 admits)

1,732 enrolled

What Does the Admission Committee Review?

What Does the Admission Committee Review?

• High School Transcript

• ACT/SAT Scores

• Essays/Writing Samples

• Counselor and/or Teacher Recommendations

• Demonstrated Interest

• Choice of Major

• Extra-curriculars/Work

• Race, Legacy, State or County of Residence

High School TranscriptHigh School Transcript• Most colleges admit on 6 semesters

• GPA

• Has student taken a college prep curriculum?

– English: 4 years Math: 3-4 years

– Science: 3-4 years Social Studies: 3-4 years

– World Language: 2+ years Fine Arts: 1 year (for some)

• Grades in college prep classes most important

• Grade trends

• Senior classes

Transcript ComparisonTranscript Comparison

A Tale of Two TranscriptsA Tale of Two Transcripts

Student A Student B3.54 wtd (f) 3.00 wtd (f)

3.50 wtd (s) 3.125 wtd (s)

3.083 wtd (j) 3.571 wtd (j)

Cumulative GPA3.378 wtd 3.257 wtd

ACT/SAT ScoresACT/SAT Scores• Colleges will accept ACTs or SATs

• If multiple test scores are given, colleges will look at the best score(s)

• Superscore

• “not an extracurricular activity”

• SAT subject tests req/rec by highly selective colleges (www.compassprep.com)

• NCAA - 9999

Essays and/or Writing Samples(Map Book)

Essays and/or Writing Samples(Map Book)

• Submit student’s own work

• Be sure to answer the question

• Correctly identify the college in the body of work

• Additional personal statement can always be included

• Save a graded paper- sometimes a college will ask for one

Teacher Recommendations(Map Book)

Teacher Recommendations(Map Book)

• Ask teachers for a letter of rec only if required by college.

• Complete the “College Recommendation Questionnaire.”

• Allow a minimum of 15 schools days for completion by the deadline.

• Can send one letter of rec to multiple schools.

Counselor RecommendationsCounselor Recommendations

• Get to know your counselor.

• Some applications have a counselor form.

• Ask counselor for a letter of rec only if required by college. Allow a minimum of 15 schools days for completion.

• Speak to your counselor about what additional information they may need (i.e. Parent Letter and their own form).

• Can send one letter of rec to multiple schools.

• Be sure to communicate deadlines, and if you add a newer deadline, let them know.

Demonstrated InterestDemonstrated Interest• Schedule a formal campus visit through the

admissions office

• Visit college reps in GRC

• Visit reps when they are in the Chicagoland area

• Email/call reps with questions

• Remember, this is “student’s” demonstrated interest

• Include thoughts impressions about college, from your visit, in your essays/personal statements

• Answer emails…may be as simply as “yes, I am still interested.”

Interviews (Map Book)Interviews (Map Book)

• Some schools offer an interview

• Interviews can take place on or off campus

• Can be done by alumni

• Dress appropriately

• Have a few questions for them

• Send thank you note/email

Extra-Curriculars/Work (Map Book)

Extra-Curriculars/Work (Map Book)

• Colleges want involved students

• Choose quality over quantity

• Resume should include activities from Grades 9 – 12 only

Other Admission FactorsOther Admission Factors

• Athletics/Talent

• Legacy

• Selectivity of Program

• Diversity (in all areas)

Common Application Common Application • One application that can be sent to multiple

schools (many schools may have supplemental parts)

• Over 500 schools use the Common App (U Michigan, DePaul, Marquette, Harvard, Northwestern, UIC)

• Schools may use the Common App only or give you the option of using their own school specific application (e.g. Marquette)

• Teachers and counselors will send their recommendations and your transcript through the Common App

New Option for Class of 2017:Coalition Application

New Option for Class of 2017:Coalition Application

Over 80 schools plan to use the Coalition Application (e.g. Indiana U, U of I, Miami U of Ohio, ISU, Michigan State, U Michigan, Ivy League, Northwestern)

– Many of the schools also use the Common App Two Parts:1) Locker: a private place to store sample work, resume,

practice essays etc. (scheduled to available to all students April 2016)– The locker IS NOT part of your application.

2) Application (scheduled to be available to rising seniors summer of 2016)

– Since this application hasn’t been debuted yet, not much is known

– Stay tuned for more information as we learn more from the Coalition

Also New for the Class of 2017Also New for the Class of 2017

• FAFSA is moving to Oct. 1!– Using Prior – Prior Tax information (2015 tax

year).– Will make process quicker and cleaner.

• Redesigned SAT – Starting March 2016– These scores will not be released until June

2016.

Upcoming EventsUpcoming Events• PTO – College Panel – 1/12/16 at 5:30

p.m.

• Focus on Financial Aid – 1/12/16 at 7p.m.

• Ask the Experts – 3/10/16

• BHS Illinois Regional College Fair “College Night” – 4/4/16

Your To Do ListYour To Do List

It’s all “mapped out” for you in the Map Book!

Let us show you how to “navigate” to it!Barrington High School Home Page

Thank you for joining us this evening!