COLLEGE 101COLLEGE 101

Woodlawn School Fall 2008

Woodlawn School Fall 2008

OverviewOverview

• College admissions is not about getting into the “right” school--it is about getting into the right school for you

• Admissions does not necessarily look at the entire applicant pool, but at “puddles”

• Need to know who you are and what you are passionate about

• College admissions is a three-legged stool (students, parents, school)--each has a role to play in supporting the process

• College admissions is not about getting into the “right” school--it is about getting into the right school for you

• Admissions does not necessarily look at the entire applicant pool, but at “puddles”

• Need to know who you are and what you are passionate about

• College admissions is a three-legged stool (students, parents, school)--each has a role to play in supporting the process

What Do Colleges Want?What Do Colleges Want?

• Trends change in college admissions--from high test scores to full activities lists to unique talents to service hours (commitment to a cause)

• Colleges want students that are going to be givers, not just takers--they want to see what difference you could make on their campus and what kind of alumni you will be

• Admissions officers are assembling an entire class--not always just viewing each individual applicant

• Trends change in college admissions--from high test scores to full activities lists to unique talents to service hours (commitment to a cause)

• Colleges want students that are going to be givers, not just takers--they want to see what difference you could make on their campus and what kind of alumni you will be

• Admissions officers are assembling an entire class--not always just viewing each individual applicant

Important TermsImportant Terms

• AP: Advanced Placement tests allow students to earn college credits for high school work; classes are audited for meeting AP standards (about 25-30% of students earn a 4 or 5 on history exams)

• FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid• CLEP: College Level Examination Program• ACT: English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning,

optional Writing• SAT: Reading, Mathematics, Writing• CFNC: College Foundation of North Carolina is a

comprehensive college planning website• College Board: Resource for testing and college

planning• CEEB (School Code): 342669

• AP: Advanced Placement tests allow students to earn college credits for high school work; classes are audited for meeting AP standards (about 25-30% of students earn a 4 or 5 on history exams)

• FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid• CLEP: College Level Examination Program• ACT: English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning,

optional Writing• SAT: Reading, Mathematics, Writing• CFNC: College Foundation of North Carolina is a

comprehensive college planning website• College Board: Resource for testing and college

planning• CEEB (School Code): 342669

School Responsibilities

School Responsibilities

• Maintain a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum

• Create a meaningful, accurate, and thorough school profile

• Arrange AP, PSAT testing• Maintain transcripts/Calculate GPA• Write letters of recommendation• Send colleges a promotional brochure• Make a personal contact with admissions officers

from each school applied to• Host college representatives• Nominate students for scholarships, awards, and

prizes• Meet with Juniors and Seniors to plan applications

• Maintain a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum

• Create a meaningful, accurate, and thorough school profile

• Arrange AP, PSAT testing• Maintain transcripts/Calculate GPA• Write letters of recommendation• Send colleges a promotional brochure• Make a personal contact with admissions officers

from each school applied to• Host college representatives• Nominate students for scholarships, awards, and

prizes• Meet with Juniors and Seniors to plan applications

Parent Responsibilities

Parent Responsibilities

• In student’s senior year, prepare taxes early in January to expedite the financial aid process

• Help student find colleges that are a good fit

• Help research scholarships and financial aid as needed

• Help student study and register for major tests (SAT, ACT, etc)

• Help edit applications and essays• Plan logistics for college visits

• In student’s senior year, prepare taxes early in January to expedite the financial aid process

• Help student find colleges that are a good fit

• Help research scholarships and financial aid as needed

• Help student study and register for major tests (SAT, ACT, etc)

• Help edit applications and essays• Plan logistics for college visits

Student ResponsibilitiesStudent Responsibilities

• Master course information and maintain grades

• Become involved with activities you are passionate about

• Organize admissions materials• Request letters of recommendation• Write and revise essays• Prepare for SAT

• Master course information and maintain grades

• Become involved with activities you are passionate about

• Organize admissions materials• Request letters of recommendation• Write and revise essays• Prepare for SAT

9th Grade9th Grade

• Grades are reflected on official transcript• Attend a college planning meeting• Get involved in activities• Continue to save money for expenses• Register at www.collegeboard.com• Get a Social Security number• Plan meaningful summer activities--think about your “puddle”

• Begin a high school resume• Get tested or documented any learning difference that may permit you extra time on examinations

• Grades are reflected on official transcript• Attend a college planning meeting• Get involved in activities• Continue to save money for expenses• Register at www.collegeboard.com• Get a Social Security number• Plan meaningful summer activities--think about your “puddle”

• Begin a high school resume• Get tested or documented any learning difference that may permit you extra time on examinations

10th Grade 10th Grade

• Take the PSAT to practice for 11th grade• Consider taking the AP World History Exam in the

spring• Focus on improving low grades from 9th grade• Plan a meaningful summer--pursue a specific

interest (volunteer, go to college camps in academics or sports, be an intern in a possible career, earn money for school)

• Consider taking a SAT prep course• Update high school resume• Consider visiting some colleges on family

vacations or going to a college fair• Read and watch for new vocabulary!• Keep up with current events

• Take the PSAT to practice for 11th grade• Consider taking the AP World History Exam in the

spring• Focus on improving low grades from 9th grade• Plan a meaningful summer--pursue a specific

interest (volunteer, go to college camps in academics or sports, be an intern in a possible career, earn money for school)

• Consider taking a SAT prep course• Update high school resume• Consider visiting some colleges on family

vacations or going to a college fair• Read and watch for new vocabulary!• Keep up with current events

11th Grade11th Grade

• Take the PSAT to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship program--have major in mind

• Meet with Woodlawn counselor about scores• Attend college fairs and meet with reps at school• Focus on finding leadership opportunities in your

“puddle”• Use collegeboard.com to investigate colleges; begin

to identify 7-10 schools of interest• Use spring break or summer vacation to visit campuses• Prepare for AP tests in May• Take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring (student

athletes send scores to 9999)• See if target schools prefer SAT II Subject Test• Plan a meaningful summer• Research scholarship possibilities

• Take the PSAT to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship program--have major in mind

• Meet with Woodlawn counselor about scores• Attend college fairs and meet with reps at school• Focus on finding leadership opportunities in your

“puddle”• Use collegeboard.com to investigate colleges; begin

to identify 7-10 schools of interest• Use spring break or summer vacation to visit campuses• Prepare for AP tests in May• Take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring (student

athletes send scores to 9999)• See if target schools prefer SAT II Subject Test• Plan a meaningful summer• Research scholarship possibilities

Junior SummerJunior Summer• Plan your application strategies: safety, reasonable, reach schools

• Consider use of common application• Update high school resume• Ask teachers for recommendations and provide them your resume

• Visit campuses• Begin drafting admissions essays• Athletes complete NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse Form

• Get organized-set up a schedule with deadlines for next year

• Take a SAT Prep Course if needed

• Plan your application strategies: safety, reasonable, reach schools

• Consider use of common application• Update high school resume• Ask teachers for recommendations and provide them your resume

• Visit campuses• Begin drafting admissions essays• Athletes complete NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse Form

• Get organized-set up a schedule with deadlines for next year

• Take a SAT Prep Course if needed

Senior FallSenior Fall

• Edit admissions essays--ask for parent and teacher help

• Give addressed stamped envelopes to recommendation writers

• Complete early decision applications• Be sure to thank those who read essays and

write recommendations• Take SAT or ACT• Finalize and send applications-consider online

applications• Apply for a FAFSA pin• Attend visitation events at favorite schools

• Edit admissions essays--ask for parent and teacher help

• Give addressed stamped envelopes to recommendation writers

• Complete early decision applications• Be sure to thank those who read essays and

write recommendations• Take SAT or ACT• Finalize and send applications-consider online

applications• Apply for a FAFSA pin• Attend visitation events at favorite schools

Senior WinterSenior Winter

• Do taxes and fill out FAFSA forms• Respond to early action letters• Complete scholarship applications• Keep grades up--final transcripts have not been sent!

• Begin receiving regular decision letters

• Do taxes and fill out FAFSA forms• Respond to early action letters• Complete scholarship applications• Keep grades up--final transcripts have not been sent!

• Begin receiving regular decision letters

Senior SpringSenior Spring

• Accept a college • Decline other colleges graciously• Send deposit (May 1)• NACAC website lists colleges that are still accepting applications

• Take AP tests for college credit• Keep grades up through the end of your senior year!

• GRADUATE!• Organize notes that you may need again for CLEP tests or upper level college courses

• Accept a college • Decline other colleges graciously• Send deposit (May 1)• NACAC website lists colleges that are still accepting applications

• Take AP tests for college credit• Keep grades up through the end of your senior year!

• GRADUATE!• Organize notes that you may need again for CLEP tests or upper level college courses

GPAs and TranscriptGPAs and Transcript

• Must earn 24 Carnegie Units to graduate (see handbook)

• GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale with A- =3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-=2.7, etc.

• Service learning and life sports are not part of GPA but are recorded

• Elective grades are weighted at 0.5 or 0.25 rather than a full 1.0 credit

• Must earn 24 Carnegie Units to graduate (see handbook)

• GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale with A- =3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-=2.7, etc.

• Service learning and life sports are not part of GPA but are recorded

• Elective grades are weighted at 0.5 or 0.25 rather than a full 1.0 credit

College RepsCollege Reps

• Oftentimes, these are the people who will be reading your application and making recommendations to the admissions committee

• Take advantage of opportunities to make a good first impression--introduce yourself, make good eye contact, speak clearly and confidently

• Come prepared with meaningful questions that go beyond what can be found in a guidebook

• Oftentimes, these are the people who will be reading your application and making recommendations to the admissions committee

• Take advantage of opportunities to make a good first impression--introduce yourself, make good eye contact, speak clearly and confidently

• Come prepared with meaningful questions that go beyond what can be found in a guidebook

College FairsCollege Fairs

• Do your homework ahead of time--seek out schools that you are the most interested in first

• Keep an open mind though--there are a lot of great schools out there

• Find out if the person you are talking with is an alum or the college representative

• Again, remember first impressions--a little enthusiasm goes a long way!

• Students should take the lead in discussions, but parents are welcome to help support

• Do your homework ahead of time--seek out schools that you are the most interested in first

• Keep an open mind though--there are a lot of great schools out there

• Find out if the person you are talking with is an alum or the college representative

• Again, remember first impressions--a little enthusiasm goes a long way!

• Students should take the lead in discussions, but parents are welcome to help support

College VisitsCollege Visits

• These can give you a good “feel” for the school

• Visit all prospective colleges’ admissions office for a tour

• For top schools, see if they have a student visitation weekend when you can stay for a longer visit

• Sit on a bench and ask yourself, “Can I see myself here?”

• These can give you a good “feel” for the school

• Visit all prospective colleges’ admissions office for a tour

• For top schools, see if they have a student visitation weekend when you can stay for a longer visit

• Sit on a bench and ask yourself, “Can I see myself here?”

HOMEWORKHOMEWORK

• In the next week, parents and students should sit down together and fill out the college discussion sheet.

• During the last week of October, a college survey will be emailed to each family to complete.

• In the next week, parents and students should sit down together and fill out the college discussion sheet.

• During the last week of October, a college survey will be emailed to each family to complete.

ResourcesResources

• College Guidance office, Galloway School, Atlanta, GA

• NACAC• College Foundation of North Carolina• What You Don’t Know Can Keep You Out of College

by Don Dunbar• College Admissions for the High School Athlete

by Jack DiSalvo and Theresa Foy DiGeronimo• The College Hook by Pam Proctor• The Road to College by Joyce Suber• www.collegeboard.com

• www.finaid.com, www.fastweb.com

• College Guidance office, Galloway School, Atlanta, GA

• NACAC• College Foundation of North Carolina• What You Don’t Know Can Keep You Out of College

by Don Dunbar• College Admissions for the High School Athlete

by Jack DiSalvo and Theresa Foy DiGeronimo• The College Hook by Pam Proctor• The Road to College by Joyce Suber• www.collegeboard.com

• www.finaid.com, www.fastweb.com