Fairfield College Preparatory School Junior College Planning Night January 12, 2012

JOHN HANRAHAN - DEAN OF GUIDANCE & COLLEGE ADVISING (L -Z) RICK HUTCHINSON - COLLEGE ADVISOR (A-K) KIM BERNIER – GUIDANCE ASSISTANT

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings

• • • • Fall of Junior Year: Overview of the Junior Year Standardized Testing– overview and strategy Identifying Appropriate Colleges Naviance  Identifying Colleges  My Game Plan  My resume

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings

• • • • • • • • Spring of Junior Year: Standardized Testing Key Factors in Admission Resume Campus Visits /Fairfield Regional College Fair, Date/Location: TBD **Junior Interview – with advisor** Senior Course Selection Summer Strategies Admission Glossary

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings

Topics for Fall Senior Year: • • • Check-In Meeting with College Advisor Finalizing Application Strategy Coordination of Application process: application forms, essay (s), recommendations, sending testing to colleges

NAVIANCE

Research and develop prospective college lists: https://connection.naviance.com/fairfieldprep • • Students: Username/email : students’ Prep email address Password: student created • Parents: Accounts established for all parents

College Planning Resources

www.fairfieldprep.org  Naviance and the College Advising Page in the Guidance Section on the Prep website provides information on: Interviewing   Factors in College Admission Glossary of College Admission Terms   Resume models SAT/ACT testing dates & deadlines

Evaluating a Transcript

 Course of Study  5 core subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Science, Foreign Language  Grade Trends

→ Most challenging course load that the student can manage.

→ Limited # of “lighter” electives.

→ Junior year, 1 and 1 st year are key.

st quarter senior year semester senior

Standardized Testing

*Students register themselves for all SAT and/or ACT exams.*

SAT (SAT I) www.collegeboard.com

• • At least once in spring Junior Year (Jan., March, May, June) At least once in fall Senior Year (Oct., Nov., Dec.) SAT Subject Tests (SAT II) • • Some colleges may require (see websites) Can highlight an academic strength

ACT www.act.org

• • Spring Junior year dates: Feb., April, June Fall Senior year dates: Sept., Oct., Dec.

“Tip” Factors

 Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: Highlight individual academic strengths and personal qualities  • • Essay(s): Reveals self “Show, Don’t Tell”  • Significant activity(ies): Will show depth and commitment to personal interests and growth.

“Tip” Factors

(Continued)

      Athletic recruitment Special talents or attributes – how to highlight?

Interview (admission counselor, current student or alumni) Supplemental letters (use sparingly) Demonstrated Interest Essays (From Common App. Supplements)

Application options and strategies

 Regular Decision  Early Action  Early Decision  Rolling Decision (w/ priority dates)

Finding a College “Fit”

Prospective College List: Personal Preferences

         

Size (# undergraduates) Geographic Location Campus setting (urban, suburban, rural) Academic focus Areas of study

Facilities: Library, Research Labs, etc.

Social Atmosphere Campus Life, Sports, Arts Religious affiliation Support services         Cost Financial Aid Housing – 4 year guaranteed?

Diversity (Ethnic,Geographic) Admission Criteria Graduation +Retention Rates Outcomes: employment and graduate schools Greek system

Prospective College List:

Other Resources

       Friends and Relatives Guide books Rankings College Advisor Alumni Honors and accreditations Name Prestige

**Consider many different types of institutions. Do not always go with the pack. Break new ground in the search process. **

Search List

 Up to 15-20  Research (beware increasing selectivity)  Place in 5 Categories (as designated in Naviance): Far Reach, Reach, Possible, Likely and Safety  Use Naviance Scattergrams as a guide, but not as an absolute.

Final Application List

 Up to 10 (+/-)  Fairfield Prep Average: 8  Prioritize the list  Only a “safety” school if you would attend.

 Contact (i.e. demonstrated interest) is more important with small/medium schools.

The Campus Visit

Campus Visit Options

• • • • • • • • Campus Tour Information session Open House/Special Event Sit in on a class Interview Athletic visit Overnight Shadow student

Why is the Campus Visit Important?

 Demonstrates YOUR interest  Experiencing the campus to help decide if you want to apply.

 Find the institutions that are the right “Fit”.

Preparing for the Campus Visit

• • • • • • Visit college website to explore visit options.

Do your homework before the visit Make reservations/appointments for campus tours, interviews, open houses and meetings with faculty or coaches. Stick to the Office of Admission schedule Avoid the Drive-Thru visit, if possible Always sign in…Smaller colleges tend to track this information (i.e. Demonstrated Interest)

What to look for while on campus

General University/College Information *Read a Campus Newspaper* Campus Life • Residence halls, cafeteria, parking, student center, chapel Student Life/Athletics • Clubs & organizations, social life, recreation facilities, visual/performing arts, varsity athletics Academic Life • Classrooms, professors, course offerings, internships, research opportunities

College Planning Checklists

College Planning: Spring of Junior Year

          Initial Student/Advisor College Planning Meeting Research: Web -based resources are best Contact institutions Visit Campuses Attend spring open house programs Standardized Testing - first/second round Attend local/regional college fairs Consider teacher recommenders Develop an Activities Resume (excellent document to present at an interview) Initial contact with athletic coaches etc.

College Planning: Summer before Senior Year

        Campus Visits Refine list Consider application options: Regular, EA, ED, Rolling Establish Common Application Account after August 1 st . Determine what application and/or supplement forms each school requires. (i.e. common application) Start filling out applications Begin first draft of essay(s). Continue to develop an activities resume .

College Planning: Fall of Senior Year

          Check-In Meeting with College Advisor Meet admission representatives who visit Fairfield Prep Ask teachers to write recommendations.

Parent/Family Recommendation to Counselor Attend College Fairs and Information Night programs Finalize essays and applications Final campus visits (tours, interviews, overnights, class visits, open houses) Standardized Testing – final round Check merit scholarship requirements and deadlines.

FAFSA/CSS Profile – Financial Aid instruments

Trends in Admission

        Test Optional Colleges Fast Track/Priority Applications Demonstrated Interest – particularly in schools deemed “safeties” Interview (smaller colleges) re-emergence “Authenticity” More Writing on Common Application Supplements Public School interest on the rise Requests for Financial Aid rising

Useful Web Sites

   www.collegeboard.com

https://connection.naviance.com/fairfieldprep/ www.commonapp.org

   www.fafsa.ed.gov

www.act.org

www.ncaa.org

Miscellaneous Thoughts…

 Encourage student to stay in contact with the College Advising Office. Communication is essential.

 Allow ample time (2 + months) for essay writing.

 Discern all requirements of your list early (Standardized testing

requirements, supplements, essays, deadlines, etc.).

   jhanrahan@fairfieldprep.

org 203-254-4200 ext 2238 (L-Z) [email protected]

ext. 2502 (A-K) [email protected]

ext. 2437