11th Grade College Information Night

1. 11th Grade College Information Night Fall, 2016

2. October 10, 2017 • One year from now, you will be in the middle of applying to college • Now it the time to research and plan ahead to make next fall stress-free(er) • Focus on self-awareness and beginning to learn about colleges

3. Junior Year is Important • College decisions are based on grades 9-10 and 11, and sometimes 7th semester (1st half of 12th) • Course rigor is paramount • Grade trend is important • Consistent record • Upward trend • Continue meaningful activities • Extra Curricular Activities • Community Service • Start building/creatingyour resume

4. Testing • PSAT October 2016 • ACT December 2016, retest in spring • SAT January 2017, retest in spring • AP exams May 2017 • SAT II’s June 2017 • Many colleges are test optional (Take the tests but don’t get stressed)

5. Testing • Roeper School Code: 230363 • Please use when registering • We need the information but we DO NOT send the scores • Accommodations: Talk to Shelley or Jodi. Need twelve weeks to process to be safe • Fee Waivers **Ask me**

6. Affordability • Fee Waivers • Published guidelines in College Counseling • ACT/SAT • AP • College application fees • NCAA • QuestBridge and Summer Programs • Campus fly-in programs

7. PSAT October 19, 2016 • National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test • Practice for the SAT • High scoring students should take the SAT • PSAT results: Initial student conference • Individual student interview • Go over PSAT results • Prepare for family conference

8. ACT vs. SAT • Colleges will accept either or both • Take the writing at least once • Some colleges require 2 SAT II Subject tests • Students are encouraged to take each once; repeat the better test • Register online (well in advance—Your preferred test site) • Can register now for spring tests

9. ACT • ACT Preparation • Normed for Mid to end of Junior Year • Suggest: December ACT; repeat in April and/or June • Test Information Release (Dec, April, June) • PLAN; ACT prep booklets • Test Prep Courses/Tutors • www.act.org

10. ACT • Cost for ACT + Writing $58.50 • Without writing: $42.50 • includes sending scores to 4 colleges • Sending additional scores $12 • Can send scores for “free” 5 days after testing (noon the following Thursday) • Test Information Release • Additional $20.00

11. ACT Test Dates • December 10* (Register by November 4) • February 11 (Register by January 13) • April 8* (Register by March 3) • June 10* (Register by May 5) • Can register NOW to get your preferred test location • Fall dates: September, October, December (RD) Senior year • Test Center Code: 230363******

12. SAT • SAT Preparation • January, March, May, June • Test Prep Courses/Tutors ?? • www.collegeboard.org https://www.khanacademy.org/login?continue=https%3A//www.khanacademy.org/mission/sat QAS (Question-Answer Service) (January and May tests)

13. SAT • Cost for SAT plus Writing $57.00 • SAT without writing $45.00 • Send up to 4 scores up to 9 days after testing. Additional scores $12 each • QAS (Question-Answer Service) Additional $18.00 • https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/scores/verifying-scores

14. SAT upcoming Test Dates January 21*(Register by December 21) March 11 (Register by February 10) May 6* (Register by April 7) June 3 (Register by May 9) Register NOW to get your preferred location Fall dates Senior/RD: (October, November, December)

15. Send your scores! • Colleges will look at the best ones • Some will require all be sent • Many will “superscore” • SAT/ACT-at least will look • Some like to see “persistence” • U of M will require RECEIPT of scores by November 1 (be safe) • Save $12 (or more) per test per school

16. What about SAT II’s? • Some selective colleges require SAT II’s for all applicants (some just with SAT I) • Usually student choice • May be required (eg. Math 2 and physics or chemistry for engineering • Consider taking in June after finishing the course (or next fall) Check with the college—requirements change! Take on regular SAT Test Dates Not with SAT Up to 3 tests per date

17. College Fairs • October 11 Rochester HS 6:30-8:00 • October 13 Oak Park HS 6:00-7:30 • October 17 Bloomfield Hills HS 6:30-8:00 • www.macrao.org (click on College Day/Nights calendar) • NACAC College Fair March 26 and 27, 2017

18. College Reps • The people who read our applications (“Attorney”) • Make a connection with a college that interests you • Learn about colleges you haven’t considered • Posted in Morning Notes, the College Counseling White Board and outside of College Counseling

19. Research: Campus Visits • Weekday vs. Official Visit Days (RR) • Contact admissions office to schedule or schedule online Info session; campus tour • Be on time!/Dress nicely but comfortably • No texting/cell phones etc. during tour! • Meet prospective students • May be able to schedule interview (Parents do not participate in this) • Parent/student bonding!

20. Research: Campus Visits • Two colleges in one day is do-able • Tour is necessary; Juniors may interview in May or after • Try it on for size!! • “Interview” students on campus • Timing? Most school years are Sept-June—try to visit in Roeper breaks but not college breaks! • Visit a class?

21. “Demonstrated Interest” • Common App fallout • Colleges are all about “yield” • U of M doubled their apps in 10 years • Some colleges track demonstrated interest • Campus visit • College reps visit • Check your email!

22. Research: other resources Junior Conference Report • Internet • www.collegeboard.org ; www.cappex.com • https://colleges.niche.com/?degree=4-year&sort=best • Books • Fiske Guide/Rugg’s Recommendations • College Board/Peterson’s/Barron’s • RANGE: dream-possible-likely/high-medium-low risk (on several dimensions)

23. What about Summer Programs? • Consider for enrichment • Learn about campus life • Do NOT expect this to be helpful in college admissions • Can be expensive • Consider meaningful community service or working part time (Harvard: We love lifeguards and ice cream scoopers)

24. PLAN: Financial Aid • Figure out EFC before beginning the college search. For an estimate of cost, check: • Finaid.org estimator http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml • https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/tools-calculators • Or check each college website’s Net Price Calculator

25. PLAN: Financial Aid • Scholarship searches: • Student strength/talent=$ ? • Register with www.finaid.org, and also • www.fastweb.com. www.meritaid.comor www.scholarships.com for aid and scholarship information • Can be helpful—pay for books, etc. • Financial Aid app in Oct. of the Senior year • Beward of scholarship scams!

26. Who owns the process? • Teenage brains are still developing and IQ’s can actually be raised or lowered • + (Safe) Trial and error learning • +Reading, writing, sleeping • +Skills build upon each other (athlete) • +Practice concentration, avoidance skills (Just say no to peer pressure etc.) • +Meditation • - Sleep deprivation • -Stress • -Substance use • -Distractions (electronics, etc.)

27. Who owns the process? • Parents: Always support and guide, but remember to let your child take ownership of the process • This is a partnership between the student, parent and college counselor • Students come with different needs • Our role includes advocating for the student • Bottom line: It is all about “Fit” • “A match to be made, not a prize to be won!”

28. Summary: Student “5th Semester” Timeline • Make this your best semester so far • Take the PSAT and prep for the ACT, SAT • Begin to visit colleges • Develop your Resume • Consider keeping journal or personal reflections in preparation for essay writng • Counselor Meetings second semester • Individual student • Family Conference

29. Upcoming Events—Mark your Calendars! • Individual PSAT Meetings will start in December or January • Junior/Parent College Kickoff with U of M and MSU Reps • February 6, 2017 (Tentative date) • Metro Detroit National College Fair • March 26 and 27, 2017

30. Remember, We’re a Tag Team!We’re with you every step of the way! Let’s have fun in this process! Patricia Bostwick, MA, LPC Director of College Counseling 248-203-7418 patricia.bostwick@roeper.org Bridghette Parker College Counseling Assistant 248-203-7461 bridghette.parker@roeper.org