Senior Parent Night: The College Admissions Process
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Transcript Senior Parent Night: The College Admissions Process
SENIOR PARENT NIGHT:
THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
PROCESS
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Lisa van Ravenswaay
Bridgett Marshall
Scott Jefferies
TIME MANAGEMENT
SENIOR PARENT NIGHT
This night is for you. Ask questions as
we go along .
SENIOR PARENT NIGHT
Last year Students researched colleges.
The college selection, application, and financial choice is a
family af fair
If your child is still struggling with this – please advise them to see
me and I can help them with this search.
SENIOR PARENT NIGHT
As Parents you have many roles in the
college admissions process:
Listener
Advocate
Advisor of deadlines
College trip organizer
Researcher
Cheerleader
KEEP INFORMED!
Read the Guidance Newsletter
Read the College and Career Weekly Updates
Upcoming events
Scholarships
College Rep visits
College open house dates
Employment opportunities
College Day – 9/26 in RCHS gym (12-2pm)
KEEP INFORMED!
College visits are important – like test
driving a new car
Help them set up an overnight visit
Take your own notes on visits – compare
your thoughts and views with those of
your child
KEEP COMPOSED.
Students feel a sense of urgency to get into
the school they have chosen – but get
frustrated and stymied with all the work that
is expected.
Listen, be the asker of questions instead of provider
of answers.
This process begins the year of “Letting Go” for both
you and your son or daughter.
KEEPING AFTER.
Have your child take OWNERSHIP of this
process.
Even for the best time managers – this is an
overwhelming endeavor.
This process requires team effort.
Help child stay organized – calendars, checklists, etc.
Post this on fridge, common area
This is the beginning of their independence… they
are the ones going off to college.
KEEP THE FAITH.
There is a place for every student after high
school.
Need to look for “Best Fit” not “Best School” –
a place where your child can be successful
both academically and socially.
Admissions committees have your child’s interests at
heart…
College admissions can be unpredictable – situations
and needs change yearly.
SENIOR PARENT PACKET
School Profile
Parenting the College Applicant
Tips for Parents
The College Application Process
SAT and ACT testing
College Planning Calendar for Seniors
How to Give Your Counselor a College Application
Senior Transcript Mailing Form
17 Point Checklist
Information about Virginia Community College
System
SCHOOL PROFILE
A copy of this will be sent to each school your
child applies to for admission.
Gives general overview of the school so college
admissions counselors have a better idea of what
type of academic environment the student is coming
from.
SOME ADVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT
Open, honest communication between you and
your child is critical to the success of the
process.
Tips on how to help your child through this process.
STEPS TO COLLEGE
The Do’s and Do Not’s of the College
Admissions Process for Parents
For example:
DO – learn about the process
DON’T – limit choices based on fees
SAT/ACT SCHEDULES
We will offer the SAT at RCHS in October,
November, December, January and March.
We will offer the ACT at RCHS in October,
December, February, April and June.
Registration deadlines generally are a month prior to
test date.
Registration is online at collegeboard.org or act.org.
SAT/ACT
These tests are not the determining factor of
admissions – just part of a package.
Do not measure creativity, motivation,
imagination, intellectual curiosity.
Grades in hard classes are better predictors of
success in college than SATs… but together
they improve that prediction.
Online prep tools are available on the SAT and
ACT websites.
NCAA
NCAA Clearinghouse
If your child plans on participating in NCAA athletics
at the Division I (VT, UVA, Radford, VMI, Liberty, etc.)
or Division II (VUU, VSU, UVA – Wise) level – they
must be cleared as eligible by the NCAA.
If your child plans on participating in NCAA athletics
at the Division III (WLU, BC, E&H, RMC, Ferrum, etc.)
level – this is not necessary.
Go to NCAA clearinghouse website and register.
SENIOR YEAR CALENDAR
This was given to each Senior during a
Senior Meeting on the 1 st Friday of the
school year.
If students follow this timeline and accomplish all
goals on the checklist for each month – they will be
in great shape for college admissions.
THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS
Breakdown of what to do and when to do it.
Collection of tips and insight on the lingo of
the application process.
THE COLLEGE APPLICATION
Components of a College Application
Basic information, transcripts (courses and grades),
test scores, extracurricular activities, essays,
recommendations, and possibly interviews
Tips for Undertaking the Application Process
Application Timelines
Different Types of Applications
The Parent’s Role in the College-Choice
Process
T YPES OF APPLICATIONS
Early Decision – binding. If deferred to
regular admissions – you are released from
contract to attend.
Early Action – Not binding – typically have
until May 1 st to decide.
Rolling Admissions – will be informed of
admission status 4-6 weeks after materials
received.
Regular Admissions – wait until April.
PAPERWORK
Colleges prefer students file applications online.
Some applications have a Part I and II. Part I needs
to go in as soon as possible.
Deadlines: BE EARLY! Try to finish process before
winter holiday. If there is a March deadline – finish
over break and turn in early January.
IF – January 1 st DEADLINE – I must have ALL
application materials by DECEMBER 1 st . I will not
work over holidays.
HOW TO GIVE YOUR COUNSELOR A
COLLEGE APPLICATION
Ms. van Ravenswaay needs this information
no less than TWO WEEKS prior to the
application due date.
A student’s procrastination will not lead to a
Guidance Office crisis.
THE BLUE FORM
This is to be filled out with Ms. van
Ravenswaay…
This helps us stay organized and know when
our responsibilities have been completed.
PREPARING THE APPLICATION
Be perfect.
Colleges may ask for essays, teacher
recommendations, transcripts, application fee.
ESSAYS – breathe life into the statistics and
numbers
Lunch Bunch – opportunity.
Recommendations – 3 weeks notification is ideal.
For me the deadline is Sept. 21 st for Early
applications, Sept. 28 th for Regular.
WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR?
THE FIVE P’s:
Program – How challenging is the coursework?
Performance – How well has the student done?
Potential – Indicated by standardized test scores.
Participation – What commitments outside the
classroom? Job? Activities? Community service?
Personality – Essay and teacher/counselor
recommendations. Interviews. Can explain a bad
year.
CHECKLIST
17 things to think about when completing your
application.
COMMUNIT Y COLLEGE
Great resource to use if your child is
considering going to a community college.
What majors, certifications are offered at each
community college in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
COMMUNIT Y COLLEGE
Students go to community college for a
variety of reasons:
Reduced cost for the first two years
Not being able to get into the college of their choice
so they work to transfer to that college after two
years of community college work
The career they want requires only two years of
community college work
Not sure what he or she wants to study
Not ready to leave home
COLLEGE-CAREER WEEKLY UPDATE
These are available each week in the
Guidance Office and are posted on our bulletin
board and Guidance website.
Important Dates
Special Opportunities (College Day – 9/26)
Job opportunities
College Rep visits (sign up in guidance office)
Open Houses for popular schools
Additional Resources
WHAT ARE MY CHANCES?
Good Match Schools – apply to 2-3 of these
Compatibility between student grades and academic quality of the
school’s freshman profile.
Reach Schools – apply to 1-2 of these
If you’re thinking “it won’t hurt to try” then it is more than likely a
reach school.
Safety Schools – apply to 1-2 of these
More than likely will not turn you away. Your child must be happy
and willing to attend this school.
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO
COLLEGES IN VIRGINIA
Great quick resource…
Deadlines
Federal School Codes
General information about each school
VISITING COLLEGES?
Quick Guide to College Open Houses in
Virginia
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The remaining pages are just quick
resources for you to thumb through and
provide additional information about the
college admissions process.
FINANCIAL AID
Financial Aid Meeting in January
Financial Aid is based on MERIT and NEED.
What can you do now?
Get tax information together as soon as possible.
Can use 2011 tax return info – but will need to re-file.
Get FAFSA pin number – apply at www.pin.ed.gov
Look at College Cost Calculators online at each school’s website. This will give
you a rough estimate of what it will cost to attend this school.
QUESTIONS?