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?