College 101

Jill Brown, Counselor PTSA Meeting 10/11/11

Discussion Points

• College Process/Timeline/Organize• College Selection• Area Admission Facts• Rankings, Lists and More!• Family Role• Student’s role

College Process and Timeline

• Freshman Year/Sophomore Year• Encourage students to take rigorous

courses• Encourage student to get involved in

sports, clubs, and activities• Start talking to your student about

post-secondary goals• Get to know your Counselor/Teachers!

College Process and Timeline

Junior -- Fall• Encourage students to take rigorous

courses (AP/Honors Courses)• Encourage student to take leadership

roles in sports, clubs, and activities• Take PSAT - Fall• Attend College Fairs and College Rep

visits in Career Center • Start Touring Campuses and talking to

Alumni

College Process and Timeline

Junior -- Spring• Take SAT/ACT• Meet with Counselor to discuss college options• Find out if schools require SAT II (Subject Tests)• Attend “Junior Weekends”• Register for a rigorous Senior Schedule• Have your “list” of colleges picked out and

schedule visits• Work on a personal statement - over summer• Download Common Application

(www.commonapp.org)

College Process and Timeline

Senior Year• Take SAT again or for the first time• Fall - Application Deadlines

UW - December 1st deadline is new

• FAFSA Form - January 1st • Wait, Wait, Wait (rolling/batched)• May 1st - universal decision day

Picking the “right” college

• Majors & Educational Programs• Location and Size• Costs & Financial Aid (WUE)• College Religious Affiliation• Campus Activities/Student Life• Support Services• Admissions Policy, Retention,

Graduation Rates

The Final List(open to modification!)

• College List5 colleges1 “dream” school2-3 “mid-range” schools1 “safety” school

Introspection helps to find the “fit”

• Who you are and what characteristics are you looking for?

• Do you like being an observer or a participant?

• Are you religious? • Do you want to stay close to home or go

somewhere new? • Do you see yourself at a liberal arts

college, or do you prefer the comparative anonymity of a major research university?

Introspection means finding the “fit”

• Do student-teacher ratios matter?• Do you plan to join a fraternity or

sorority? • Diversity?• Apply to schools with budget in

mind, but don’t let it shut the door.

• Urban, rural, do you need a car?

Private vs. Public

Washington Public SchoolsUW, CWU, EW, WSU, WWU, TESC

Washington Private SchoolsSU, SPU, UPS, PLU, GU,

Whitman . . .

Public vs. Private

Differences• Cost(Private schools may offer more financial aid)

• Class size/Campus size• Range of majors/degrees• Student services, activities and sports• Application procedures• Professors vs. Grad Students

Washington State Colleges

Fall 2011College Average

GPAAverageSAT

Average ACT

AdmitRate

UW - Seattle 3.65-3.93 1750-2030 26-31 59%

WSU 3.14-3.75 980-1190 21-27 83.3%

WWU 3.33-3.80 1560-1850 23-28 78%

SU 3.3-3.9 1570-1900 24-29 71%

UPS 3.29-3.80 1730-1990 26-30 51.8%

Good News

• There are 2,272 Four Year Schools• College acceptance rate is above 70%• More selective institutions don’t

guarantee a more satisfying college experience

• Students gain more through a solid student/teacher relationship and involvement in activities

Western Undergraduate

Exchange• 150 percent of the host institution’s

regular resident tuition. Certain majors only

• Applies to State College only– States that participate

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

How can you support your student?• Encourage them to take rigorous courses• Supportive environment• Listen to fears, hopes, goals• Discuss openly the family

goals/expectations regarding college• Encourage college visits or College Fairs• Occasional reality checks ($$, gpa)• Timelines, organization and “scheduled”

meetings

Be informed and realistic

• Major/minor offered• In ball park on GPA , SAT/ACT

scores• Location• Size of student body• Activities/clubs/sports offered• Cost for four years

Rankings, Lists, and more

• Rankings - USNWR, NCCE(on-time grad rate, endowment, retention)

• Comparing with others - “your kid is going where?”

• Stress, money and awaiting aid• You are the consumer -make the choice

that is best for you and your family

What students should be doing?

• Discuss college plans with SC counselor• Attend college fairs/attend college

representative meetings/tour campuses - VISIT!

• Ask questions• Get a standardized testing plan• Study hard - take challenging courses• Get involved at school or community• Participate in summer enrichment

activities, leadership camps, volunteer!

Upcoming EventsCollege Scholarship work sessions will be the first and third Thursdays of the month at lunch, starting Oct. 6th – Career Center Wednesday, October 26 – College Essay Feedback Session #1 – 3:00 – 5:00 pm (Pre-registration required) Tuesday, November 2 – College Application Work Session #1 – 3:30-5:00 pm Tuesday, November 9 – College Application Work Session #2 – 3:30-5:00 pm Tuesday, November 29 – College Essay Feedback Session #2 – 3:00 – 5:00 pm (Pre-registration required) Wednesday, November 30 – Financial Aid Night – 6:00 – 7:30 pm Sunday, Ja nuary 22 – College Goal Sunday – 2:00 – 4:00 pm Wednesday, February 1 – FAFSA Deadline for ALL COLLEGES (regardless of application deadline)

Helpful Websites

www.collegeboard.comwww.act.org www.wois.org (eca312)http://wiche.edu/wuewww.fafsa.ed.govwww.ncaa.orghttp://nsse.iub.edu/faq/pfaq.cfm

Questions?