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COLLEGE PLANNING FOR JUNIORS
BMHS Academic and College Counseling TeamADMISSIONS/9TH GRADE COUNSELINGCasey DunnDirector of Admissions/9th grade Academic Counselor310-540-2021 [email protected]
ACADEMIC & COLLEGE COUNSELING OFFICEDoug MitchellHead Academic & College Counselor / 10th-12th Last Names A-F310-540-2021 x [email protected]
Angelica Diaz-PerezAcademic & College Counselor / 10th-12th Last Names G - O310-540-2021 [email protected]
Celeste AdamsAcademic & College Counselor / 10th-12th Last Names P - Z310-540-2021 [email protected]
Jennifer SabolAcademic & College Counselor for International Students & Learning Specialist310-540-2021 [email protected]
The Academic Counseling Office
Meetings with grade levels as well as individual students
Open for meetings with parents and students
College representative visits in the Fall and Spring semesters
College Guidebooks and catalogs to review in office We are available for individual meetings with students and
parents: Build college lists Make a testing schedule Find colleges that suit your wants and needs Address any specific issues you’d like assistance with
Counseling Corner Webpagewww.bmhs-la.org
Family Connection/Naviance
If your student hasn’t registered or has forgotten their password, please have them stop by and see their counselor!
Counselors send student’s transcripts and recommendations electronically!
View college visit list
Conduct college research
Career and personality interest inventory- explore majors and career options
Links to useful websites-colleges, testing, scholarships, etc.
Family Connection/Naviance
Family Connection/Naviance
Quick Junior/Senior TimelineGrade 11 PSAT – complete in October Research Colleges – visits, Naviance, internet, books Take ACT/SAT – winter/spring at least once Build Your College LIST! Brainstorm essays and personal insight questions Visit Colleges and Universities
Grade 12 Finish your College List - Fall Finish Testing - Fall Ask for letters of Recommendation Apply! - Fall Apply for Scholarships/Financial Aid – October 1 (open) Receive your acceptance letters – by April 1
DECIDE! May 1st
Common Mistake #1
I wish I had met with mycounselor earlier and more often.
A Few Guiding Principles
It’s about the “FIT” or “MATCH” – a school’sname is little solace if you are not happy there! FIT=GRADUATION
Think about “going” to college at least as much asyou worry about “getting in”
Spend quality time now investigating schools. Youwill likely spend 4 years here!
Find schools where you will thrive! A voyage of Self-Discovery
The Student Academic Resume
The Academic Resume is who you are. It is much more thanjust your grades and test scores.
Includes: Grades GPA Curriculum ACT/SAT results Activities, involvements, community service, etc. Awards
Your Student Profile
EssaysLetters of RecommendationYour ResumeYour InterestsYour Community ServiceLeadershipYour AccomplishmentsYour TalentsLegacyDiversity/BackgroundSpecial SkillsAthletics
WHO ARE YOU “BEYOND THE NUMBERS”?
You Can Improve Your Profile!
Develop Your Activities:
Leadership Your Activities – extra-curricular, community service, internships,
etc. Seek Opportunities: internships, entrepreneurial opportunities, etc! Your Talents – the arts, sports, specific subjects Is there anything unusual about you that might stand out? Hobbies? What activities will you list?
You can work to improve your profile this year!
Your Transcript
One Page “Snapshot” of High SchoolTRANSCRIPTS WILL BE SENT ELECTRONICALLY
(to colleges that accept them) Cumulative GPA based upon year end grades
Curriculum – listing of courses, Honors, AP (rigor) YOUR GRADES MATTER! (Apply with grades up & through junior) Senior Year courses are listed in the fall; Senior year fall semester grades
are added after final exams. Senior year grades keep you accepted to the schools you get into!!!
Common Mistake #2
I wish I took myACT/SAT’s sooner.
College Testing: ACT/SAT/SAT 2
Why Test?
Common Denominator – a standard measure for students from all over the world
Class placement tool $cholarship$ Some schools are “Test Score Optional”
Testing – The BasicsWHICH TEST is best for me- ACT or SAT? Generally Both Take advantage of the Free Kaplan practice tests offered on campus each sem. Take them both to see which test is stronger and in your wheelhouse, then focuson
that test Essay on both tests is REQUIRED.
WHEN ? Junior Year – Late Fall/Winter first time Junior Year – Spring second time for your test of preference NEVER wait until senior year for your first test! Make a testing plan now! If necessary take last test fall of senior year
SAT Subject Tests (SAT 2) Optional
Subject Tests assess proficiency in specific subjects:
Focus on areas where your excel- Honors and AP
3 Tests in one sitting – one hour per subject Few schools require or recommend, BUT these are generally more
selective schools Check your schools carefully! If in doubt, take them This spring – May or June – are ideal test dates for SAT Subject
Tests (SAT 2’s)
SAT Test Dates
ACT Test Dates
Common Mistake #3
I wish we had set realistic parameters
early in the process of selecting colleges for:
Cost,Distance,Expectations,etc.
The College Match
What kind of experience do you want fromcollege? What are your factors?
Figure out your interests and see what campuses match these interests
How do you feel when you visit campus? “Gut” feeling vs. Objective data There will be many colleges which will “fit” you!! Fit or Match = GRADUATION!
The College Selection Puzzle
Size ReputationDistractions
$ COST $Social Life
ProgramsStudy Abroad
Selectivity
Who Teaches Dorms
MajorDiversity
Grad Rate %
Residential?
Greek?
Big Fish/Small Fish
Geography
Size of Student Body
Small/Medium/Large/Extra Large How much personal contact would you like (or need) at college? Are you assertive? Are you OK with being a bit anonymous? Can you be a small fish in a big sea? Can you be a big fish in a small pond? Would you like to know your professors well? Would you like a lot of activity? Do you value small, personal learning experiences?
THIS
OR THIS?
Location How far away is too far? Are you OK not being home for Thanksgiving? How close is too close? Particular region of the country? Regional Differences? Are you adventurous? Are you mature? Are you flexible? Can you go it alone? Are you Independent? City? College Town? Rural?
“College Life”
Dorm life Roommates Fraternity/Sorority life Distractions/Parties Residential/Commuter Activities School spirit 24 hours a day, not 8 hours
Common Mistake #4
I wish I hadn’t focused so much on my college major.
Major
The major is important, but NOT the only important factor! Do they offer my major(s)? 67% of students change their major at least once The most popular major is undecided NAVIANCE – Career Search! What are my strengths and interests? Majors in high demand such as engineering, nursing,
biology, psychology, kinesiology, criminal justice, etc. Does the college offer several of the majors I am considering?
Common Mistake #5
I wish we had known the difference between
Need-based and Merit-Aid
Merit vs. Need-Based Aid
Merit Aid Merit Aid or Scholarships are NOT dependent on a family’s financial need and are given to a student based on academic, athletic, or artistic ability or by affiliation to an organization or community group. Scholarship amounts can range from $500 to full tuition and vary by school.
Need-Based AidNeed-Based Aid is based solely on the assets and income of the prospective student and his or her family. The Department of Education and the colleges and universities determine your need by subtracting your expected family contribution (EFC) from the cost of attendance (COA) at each college or university.
Cost: $$$$
What are your financial parameters? Discuss as a family – THISYEAR!
Do you have college choices that are safe financial options? College Costs can range from 4K-70+K per year Financial Aid vs. Scholarships As a “General Rule of Thumb” the more selective the college, the less
scholarship money is available, but more FA is available “Sticker Price” is not necessarily your cost Loans are not necessarily bad (if they are reasonable!) Investment
Cost: $$$$
Will you qualify for Financial Aid?Net Price Calculator on college sites will show an estimate of cost The higher the cost, the more financial aid you may receive If yes, do not rule out private or more expensive schools!
Even if you won’t qualify for Financial AidYou are most likely to receive scholarship money from your $$ safety
schools $$ - particularly private collegesSome out-of-state, State schools are as affordable as in-state, State
schools!Consider State schools if you are looking for a cost effective college
option. CA has many different, excellent options.Look at the long term cost, not immediate “sticker price”Make a financial plan now to afford college
Have You Considered?
Canadian Colleges International Colleges Historically Black Colleges Religiously-based Colleges Specialty Schools – Art Colleges, Performance Arts Colleges,
Technical Institutes, etc. Co-op colleges Colleges with unusual calendars – J-terms (St. Mary’s CA), one
class at a time (Colorado College), etc.
Common Mistake #6
I wish we had visited colleges earlier!
How Can I Learn about Colleges?
RESEARCH IS CRITICAL!!!!
Visit Campuses during any and all vacations!! College Rep Visits – Fall and Spring Family Connection/Naviance College Fairs Email college admission representatives
The College Visit
Call or schedule ahead of the date (2 weeks) Ask to meet with a special department, coach, or service if
you are interested Schedule an Interview if afforded the opportunity! ASK QUESTIONS! Record your impressions immediately Send a thank you note. Get the card of the Admission Rep. and stay in touch Follow schools on social media to get more info
Building The College ListSafety School 85-100% chance of admission Spend quality time looking for them Only schools you want to attend Apply to at least 2Match School 50-75% chance of admission Middle of Your List Should be the bulk of your listReach School 0-25% chance of admission Early Decision? Realistic? Generally apply to at least 2
A Good College List
Every Choice is a 1st Choice!
Allows YOU to be in control! You will have many schools which are great matches Love your list Selectivity does not = quality Covers your varying needs Allows you to Compare Options
To Determine Your Admission Chances
Use Naviance to gauge your admission chances If you are in the green then this is a match school If you are well above the green then this is a reach school
Ultra-Selective Schools and “Hooks”
Ultra-Selective schools and Most Selective schools typicallyadmit less than 30% of their applicants.
“Hooks” are admission boosters which help students get in at these schools:
Legacy Athletics ED! National Level Talent Minority Status The Unusual – donor, actors, fascinating backgrounds, influential citizen’s children “Authentic” Students – love for learning HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE COLLEGE?
Ultra-Selective SchoolsAt the 30-50 or so Ultra-Selective Schools
admission is so competitive that perfect grades and test scores are no longer guarantees of admission.
The GOOD NEWS is: there are more than 3,000 colleges The quality of education is not
necessarily tied to selectivity There are many schools which will
“fit” you
Acceptance Rates 2016Stanford 5.05%Harvard 5.3%Columbia 6.1%Yale 6.5%Princeton 6.9%MIT 7.7%U Chicago 7.8%Brown 8.5%Penn 9.9%Claremont-McKenna 9.9%Duke 10%Dartmouth 10.3%Vanderbilt 11%Swarthmore 12%Johns Hopkins 12.8%Northwestern 13%Amherst 13.7%Rice 14%Cornell 14.9%Bowdoin 14.9%Georgetown U 16.7%Middlebury 17%Wash U – St. Louis 17.1%
Early Decision (ED)
You apply early to ultra or most selective schools in the common app and if accepted, you are contractually bound to attend their college. It is BINDING!
3 QUESTIONS: Have I visited the school? Is this college my top choice? Can I afford this school? (use Net Cost Calculator)
***IF you really want to attend a selective school and feel that it is affordablefor your family – you will want to at least discuss/consider ED***
Early Action(EA)/Rolling Admissions
EARLY ACTION (EA)- Common App SchoolsSimilar to Early Decision, but NOT BINDING.
Apply early/hear back early At large state schools usually a big advantage! Some schools now have Single Choice Early Action where you can only apply to only
one EA school (Stanford/Yale/etc.)
ROLLING ADMISSIONSWhen you apply, your application is reviewed and acted upon.
Admission decisions usually take 3-8 weeks Apply Early!! October/November Your Chances improve early in the admission cycle
What is “Demonstrated Interest"?
How can I Demonstrate Interest?
Visit! Discover what interests you about the school and articulate it to
admissions Meet the Admission Counselor and develop a relationship Stay in contact with the Admission Counselor – email, fairs, etc. Interview if given the opportunity Do not hesitate to tell a school it is one of your top choices (if it is!) Consider applying Early Decision
Parents and StudentsBe Realistic About Your Profile GPA Test results Curricular choices Your special talents and needs Build a GREAT List!“Lay all your cards on the table” about: College Cost vs. Family Income Family Parameters – cost, how far, etc. Student Achievement and progress at college Expected student financial contributions Final Choices – a family decision
Students
Be “Personally Knowledgeable” about the colleges onyour list. You should know their:
Admission requirements – Safety/Match/Reach Facilities Curricular options “Personality” of the school Quality and reputation Majors available Higher degrees? And many, many more things
Are You a College-Bound Athlete?
Be Realistic – see your coaches! Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse this
winter IF you plan to participate in athletics at a D-1 or D-2 school (register and login in at https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/loginfor $70)
Take your ACT/SAT early and often if needed Do as well in school as you can, great students have many
options! Market yourself! Send emails to coaches. College Athletics are very different. Do you really want to
participate? Ask your counselor and coaches for help!
HOMEWORK!
Make Your College Testing Schedule Discuss Your Parameters Begin to make plans to Visit and Research colleges
