College Night for Parents of the Class of 2016 1

College Nightfor Parents of the

Class of 2016

1

Tonight’s Agenda•overview of college application

process

•introduction to Naviance Family Connection

•what to expect for spring/summer/fall

•time for questions

Elements of a College Application

•Application (almost always done online)

•Teacher recommendations (two)

•Personal Statement/Essay

•Counselor recommendation

•SAT/ACT scores

Standardized Testing

•SAT www.collegeboard.org

•ACT www.actstudent.org

•SAT/ACT Prep Course at USCB August 3-6 www.saeu.sc.edu/testing

•Sign up for ACT w/WRITING

Upcoming Test Dates:

SAT: Jan 24, Mar 14, May 2, June 6

ACT: Feb 7, April 18, June 13

Upcoming Test Dates:

SAT: Jan 24, Mar 14, May 2, June 6

ACT: Feb 7, April 18, June 13

SAT II’s (a.k.a. SAT Subject Tests)

•most colleges do not require

•some colleges DO require (usually 2)

•take in June or fall of senior year

•one hour tests given on regular SAT test dates

Very important note about SAT’s/ACT’s

•Official standardized test scores MUST be sent to the colleges directly from the testing agency

•This is the responsibility of the applicant

Teacher Recommendations• Provide a snapshot of student’s

performance in the classroom; use anecdotes and specific details

• Should be written by a teacher--not a coach, pastor, family friend

• Every student will need two

• Letters are confidential

• Students must request letters from teachers and keep teachers informed of deadlines

The College Essay

•the hardest part of the application

•students will attend college essay workshop prior to summer vacation

•all students will submit a draft of college essay on first day of 12th grade

•revisions will take place throughout the fall

Recommendation:

Conquering the College Admissions Essay in Ten Easy Steps by Alan Gelb

Only $10 on Amazon!

Recommendation:

Conquering the College Admissions Essay in Ten Easy Steps by Alan Gelb

Only $10 on Amazon!

NACAC Admissions Factors

Naviance Family Connection

•online college planning tool

•used for college research, college lists, student resume, tracking applications

•can be accessed online anywhere

www.connections.naviance/beaufort

First time users,

remember to log in here

using your temporary

password.

First time users,

remember to log in here

using your temporary

password.

Building the college list using Naviance

•student, parent, counselor can add colleges to the list

•lists are not set in stone--colleges can be added or subtracted

•the goal: to start the summer with a list of at least 6 colleges representing a range of selectivity

Text

Using Naviance to research colleges

•College Match

•College Search

•College Info Pages

•Scattergrams

Text

Naviance Feature: College Match

Naviance Feature: College Search

Resources for College Research

• College websites: requirements, deadlines, application info, admissions counselor contacts, majors, Net Price Calculator

• Networking: ask friends, family, colleagues

• Naviance: college pages, scattergrams

• Online blogs: College Confidential, YouTube

•VISIT!

Naviance College Info Page

WARNING: Use caution when analyzing scattergrams

• Naviance Scattergrams include only the past three years of admissions data from BA

• Scattergrams plot student GPA and SAT/ACT scores

• Current student SAT/ACT scores are uploaded to Naviance throughout the year; GPA’s are uploaded at end of year

• Scattergrams are NOT a guarantee

Univ of SC Scattergram

Paying for College

• Financial Aid meeting for parents will be held in November 2015

• Plan to fill out the FAFSA in January 2016

• Scholarships: search online, use Naviance, plan to visit College Advising office for up to date scholarship news next year

• Use Net Price Calculator to estimate cost of attendance and EFC (Estimated Family Contribution)

National Scholarship Search in Naviance

Useful Online Resources

Bookmarkthesesites!

Bookmarkthesesites!

www.bacollegeadvising.wikispaces.com

•College Advising wikispace

•links to: college-related articles, planning calendars, scholarship and financial aid info, news

•sign up for SAT

•Big Future: research colleges, scholarship search

www.collegeboard.org

College Board’s Big Future

Online Resources for Financial Aid

•www.finaid.org

•www.fastweb.com

•www.studentaid.ed.gov

Role of the College Advisor

• Get to know each student in order to offer relevant advice regarding colleges, including specific schools or programs

• Suggest college matches to individual students based on a range of criteria

• Assist students in refining their college list to reflect a range of selectivity

• Guide students throughout the process

• Write college recommendation for each senior

• Forward admissions documentation (not including standardized testing) to colleges including transcripts and recommendations

Role of the Student• Maximize opportunities at BA both inside and out of

classroom

• Engage in the process of self-assessment and reflection with an open mind---strengths, weaknesses, goals, expectations

• Meet College Advising deadlines including required Naviance updates and the college essay

• Register for standardized tests / send official scores to colleges

• Communicate with College Advisor; respond to emails; attend scheduled meetings

• Request letters of recommendation from teachers

• Submit required admission applications and related forms before deadlines

Role of the Parent

• Be realistic in matching your expectations with those of your student. Ideally each student will craft a college list spread evenly among the selectivity categories.

• Take a balanced approach. Support your student while giving them the freedom and responsibility to manage the college process directly. Remember: colleges want to hear from and get to know your student, not you.

• Help student organize and plan college visits.

• Stay informed throughout the process. Read emails from the CA office. Check wikispace.

• Engage early in the financial aid process. Use Net Price Calculators to estimate cost of attendance.

College Planning Items for Spring/Summer 2015

•student resume

•college list---at least 6 schools

•college visits

•college essay workshop (May)

•SAT or ACT testing and prep

•parent questionnaire

Looking ahead to 2015-16• First application deadlines in October

• If your student has a clear first choice by next fall, explore early decision/early deadline options. See College Advisor to discuss.

• Additional SAT or ACT testing

• Individual and group college advising meetings will continue throughout the year

• Parent meetings, emails, phone calls are always welcome

Questions?