Transcript Early College Planning - Riverdale High School

Early College
Planning
Michelle Cundiff, MA, PSC
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Objectives
Relieve anxiety about the college process—
information about searching, testing, and
paying for college
Encourage thinking and planning—many
options exist
Learn what you can do to help your child get
ready
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Basics of College Planning
Searching
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- Browse web resources
RHS Guidance website links
RHS Guidance resources
OCIS* http://ohcis.intocareers.org, (username –
riverdale & password – ohiocis03)
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Individual college websites
College fair
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More Sources
Collegeresults.org
 Collegeboard.org
 Collegeprowler.org
 Cappex.com
 Collegedata.com
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Basics of College Planning
Testing
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Timeline
Both tests?
Test preparation
 Do something – free online practice tests, review
PSAT, SAT & ACT question of the day
 LearningExpressLibrary.com – free practice tests.
 Classes and tutors for hire - time consuming &
expensive
 There are test optional schools – www.fairtest.org
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Basics of College Planning
Visiting campuses
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Questions to ask
Make notes www.WelcomeToCollege.com
Notice student reactions
Don’t overdo it
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Basics of College Planning
Applying
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Between August and February of 12th gr.
Application fees ($0-$90)
Electronic applications
Other parts of the applications
In process of trying to organize a RHS
College Application Workshop in August
of senior year
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Basics of College Planning
Paying
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Apply for admission first
Financial aid form (FAFSA) – Jan./Feb. of 12th gr.
“Need” defined - “EFC” defined
Estimate your need now? www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
Distribution of aid: gift aid and self-help aid
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H.S. Course Preparation
Minimum
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4 English
4 math
3 science
3 social studies
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1 fine arts
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Selective
-- 4 English
-- 4 math
-- 4 science
-- 4 social studies
-- 3-4 foreign lang.
-- 1 fine arts
-- STRONGEST
CURRICULUM
POSSIBLE
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Admission Criteria in order of importance
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Grades in college prep courses
ACT/SAT scores
Grades in all courses
Class rank
Essay
Counselor Recommendation
Teacher Recommendation
Interview/documented interest
Extracurricular commitments
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Academic Expectations
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Personal responsibility for learning & managing
time
Less class time but more school-related work
40-50 hours/week on academics outside of class
Course material covered at a rapid pace
Faculty expect students to come to class
prepared and ready to participate
Very few grades to average
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What do colleges want?
Colleges ask themselves these questions:
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2.
3.
CAN the student succeed?
WILL the student succeed?
What will the student bring to the college
community?
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Top ten things “I wish I’d have
known”
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Keep a list of books you read
Choose one major community service
project and stick with it. Log hours.
Quality, not quantity. Choose 2-3 clubs and
get very involved.
Use college fairs wisely, not randomly
After campus visits, take notes and rate your
visit (www.WelcomeToCollege.com)
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Top ten things “I wish I’d have
known” – cont’d
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Beware of false lures related to scholarships
and for-profit schools
Get a summer job or lead a service project
Get essay tips
Talk face-to-face with college admission
reps
Focus on your passion instead of the
superficial
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What students fear about
college
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Am I smart enough?
Will my roommate be weird?
Where’s my new best friend?
Will I be ok without my folks, my dog, my
car?
Peer pressure for drugs, alcohol, and sex.
Will there be enough money?
Will it be safe?
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Future Trends
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Tuition
Enrollment
Selectivity
Choices
“The Net Generation”
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How good is the investment?
$80,000
$70,000
$60,000
$50,000
$40,000
Annual Earning
Power
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
$0
HS
2
4
6
+
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About college selectivity...
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Over 2,000 four-year colleges in USA
8 Ivy League schools
50 colleges offer admission to LESS than half of their
applicants
On average, four-year institutions nationwide accepted
about 2/3 of all students who applied for admission.
Common Application has been a factor in the increase in
applications submitted.
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Practice Tests
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PSAT -- Practice SAT and merit scholarship
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$14 cost to students
Taken in mid Oct of 11th grade
PLAN—Practice ACT
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$14 cost to students
Taken in Feb of 10th grade
Testing
www.actstudent.org
www.collegeboard.org
ACT dates and registration deadlines left for this school year (6 dates
a year):
February 9 with a deadline of January 11
April 13 with a deadline of March 8
June 8 with a deadline of May 3
SAT dates and registration deadlines left for this school year (7 dates
a year):
January 26-deadline of December 28
March 9 -deadline of 2/8 (no subject tests)
May 4 – deadline of April 5
June 1 – deadline of May 2
RHS code 363-525 –-- needed to register
What can a 10th grade student
do NOW?
Learn academic course content
thoroughly
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Get the best grades possible
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Follow a 4-year curriculum plan
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Take the most challenging
courses possible
Record activities and honors for
a future resume
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Plan a job shadowing
experience
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Plan summer enrichment
experiences
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Polish
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study skills
Learn to THINK in school
Volunteer—do community
service
THINK about your wishes for
your future
Enjoy high school!
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What can a PARENT do now?
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Discuss career assessment and test results with your
child
Help arrange a job shadowing experience
Help facilitate volunteer experiences
Visit campuses leisurely and record impressions
Save $$$ for college
Discuss college parameters that you choose to set
(financial, distance from home, etc.)
Create a storage file for school records, test scores,
and awards
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Text Updates
Receive Guidance Updates by texting the
words:
Follow RHS_Guidance1 to #40404
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ACT dates, scholarships, deadline reminders
Questions?
Comments?
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