RICK HUTCHINSON - COLLEGE ADVISOR (A-F) SUZANNE GORAB – COLLEGE ADVISOR (F-M)JOHN HANRAHAN - DEAN OF GUIDANCE &

COLLEGE ADVISING (M-Z)

Fairfield College Preparatory School

Junior College Planning NightJanuary 9, 2014

One Exciting Year

Year of definition – personal and academic

Ultimate decisions – one after another

Defining challengesUnique opportunities to represent self

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings

Fall of Junior Year:

• Overview of the Junior Year

• Importance of Academic Record

• Standardized Testing– overview and strategy

• Identifying Appropriate Colleges

• Naviance

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings

Spring of Junior Year:• Junior Interview – schedule with

advisor• Standardized Testing Review• Key Factors in College Admission• Activities Resume• Campus Visits • Senior Course Selection• Admission Glossary• Summer Strategies

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings

Topics for Fall Senior Year:• Check in meeting with College Advisor• Finalize Application Strategy• Coordination of Application process:

application forms, essay (s), recommendations, sending SAT/ACT scores to colleges

• Continue to demonstrate interest – visiting 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

Naviance – Document Library

https://connection.naviance.com/fairfieldprep

The “Document Library” link on the Main Page of Naviance Family Connection provides information on a variety of college planning topics:

InterviewingFactors in College AdmissionGlossary of College Admission termsResume models

Evaluating Academic Records

Course of Study

5 core subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Science, Foreign Language

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Grade Trends

→ An appropriately challenging course load that the student can manage successfully.

→ Limited # of “lighter” electives.

→ Junior year, 1st quarter senior year and 1st semester senior year

Standardized Testing

Students register themselves for all SAT/ACT exams

SAT www.collegeboard.com • 1 to 2 tests taken in spring Junior Year (January 25,

March 8, May 3, June 7) • At least once in fall of Senior Year (October 11,

November 8, December 6)

ACT www.act.org • Spring Junior year dates: February 8, April 12, June 14• Fall Senior year dates: September 13, October 25,

December 13**Security procedures require photo upload for SAT and

ACT.

Standardized Testing

SAT Subject Tests

Some colleges may require (see websites)• 1 Hour Long Multiple Choice Tests. • Take up to 3 on one test date.• Offered in Core Subject Areas• Literature, US History, Math I and/or Math II are

taken most often by Prep Students• Can highlight an academic strength

“Super-Scoring”

“Tip” Factors

Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: Highlight individual academic strengths and personal qualities

Essay(s):• Reveals self – authenticity is essential• “Show, Don’t Tell”

Most Significant activity(ies): • Will show depth and commitment to personal

interests and growth.

“Tip” Factors (Continued)

Early Decision (E.D.)Demonstrated Interest Athletic recruitment Special talents or attributes Interview (admission counselor,

current student or alumni)Supplemental letters (use sparingly)

Application options and strategies

Regular Decision

Early Action (E.A.)

Restricted Early Action

Early Decision (E.D.)

Early Decision II (E.D.II)

Rolling Decision(w/ priority dates)

Finding a College “Fit”

Construct a Prospective College List

Size (# undergraduates)

Geographic LocationCampus setting (urban,

suburban, rural) Academic focusAreas of studyFacilities: Library,

Research Labs, etc.Social Atmosphere Campus Life, Sports,

ArtsReligious affiliationSupport services

CostFinancial AidHousing – 4 year

guaranteed?Diversity

(Ethnic,Geographic)Admission CriteriaGraduation + Retention

RatesOutcomes: employment

and graduate schoolsGreek system

Prospective College List

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

Place in 5 Categories (as designated in Naviance): Far Reach, Reach, Possible, Likely and Safety

Use Naviance Scattergrams as a guide – not as an absolute.

Final Application List

Up to 10 (+/-)

Fairfield Prep Average Application: 8

Prioritize the list

Only a “safety” school if you would attend.

Contact (i.e. demonstrated interest) is more important with small/medium sized 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 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. Campus Visit is a

What to look for while on campus

General University/College InformationCampus Life

• Residence halls, dining options, 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 MeetingResearch: Web -based resources are best Contact institutionsVisit campusesAttend spring open house programs SAT/ACT/Subject Tests- first/second roundAttend local/regional college fairs Consider teacher recommendersDevelop an Activities Resume – excellent

document to present at interview.Initial contact with athletic coaches etc.

College Planning: Summer before Senior Year

Campus VisitsRefine listConsider application options: Regular, EA, ED,

Rolling Establish Common Application account.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 AdvisorMeet admission representatives who visit Fairfield

Prep Ask teachers to write recommendationsParent/Family Recommendation for counselorAttend College Fairs and Information Night programsFinalize essays and applications Final campus visits (tours, interviews, overnights, class

visits, open houses)Standardized Testing – final roundCheck merit scholarship requirements and deadlines.Financial Aid Instruments - FAFSA/CSS Profile

Trends in Admission

Early Decision (E.D.) Increase in ACT “Super-Scoring” Fast Track/Priority Applications Interview (smaller colleges) re-emergence “Authenticity” Increase in writing requirements Test Optional Colleges Public School interest on the rise Requests for financial aid rising

Useful Web Sites

www.collegeboard.comhttps://connection.naviance.com/

fairfieldprep/www.commonapp.orgwww.fafsa.ed.govwww.act.orgwww.ncaa.org

Miscellaneous Thoughts…

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

Allow ample time for essay writing (2 months)

Discern all requirements of your list early (Standardized testing requirements, supplements, essays, deadlines, etc.).

rhutchinson@fairfieldprep.org 203-254-4200 ext. 2502 (A-F)

sgorab@fairfieldprep.org 203-254-4200 ext. 2133 (F-M)

jhanrahan@fairfieldprep.org 203-254-4200 ext 2238 (M-Z)