College Counseling at New Hampton School

1. College Counseling at New Hampton School A Presentation for Juniors and their Parents September 25, 2010

2. Meet the Office • Marty Elkins, Director • Keith Hrasky, Associate Director • Britney Cullinan, Administrative Assistant

3. Our Mission • The College Counseling Office at New Hampton School fosters an individualized, student-centered approach to the college process that allows for self-actualization, empowerment and opportunity for each student.

4. A Connected Effort…

5. Student Responsibility • Students should be responsible for themselves and their own college process. • They must… • research college choices • complete applications…write own essays, fill out the forms • ask teachers for recommendations • meet all deadlines

6. Parent Responsibility • Ask questions • Listen to the child • Try to reserve judgment—make it based on known facts • Work in partnership with the college counselors to assist the student in the process • Communicate to the College Office any issues or concerns you may have regarding your child.

7. Counselor Responsibility • Guide students through the steps and decisions • Listen to each student • Provide information • Advocate for students • We do not do the process for the student • We do not “get a student in” to a college • We communicate primarily through the student and expect them to pass on our conversations to their parent(s).

8. Students: Take Control! • Be responsible • Care about the future • Be organized-calendars, folders or notebooks • Check Email daily • Listen for Announcements • Read Newsletters, Push Pages

9. What does the College Office Do? • Provide tools and resources • Guide Self-Assessment and Process Steps • Review Academic credentials • Assist with “Special Interests” • Prepare School Materials

10. Naviance • The web based college process system • Can save all personal information-NHS cumulative GPA, test scores, resume • Can search for colleges, compare NHS-specific data and national data • Will manage entire application processing system • Quick access to resources

11. The College Process

12. Academic Credentials… • Know that New Hampton’s academic average matters most to colleges • The best way to have a solid academic average is to have a solid academic approach. • A solid academic approach emerges from a sustained and balanced approach to the totality of life.

14. A Transcript… • Demonstrates course rigor • Indicates growth and progress over time • Indicates strengths…and weaknesses • Helps tell the story of the student academic experience

15. Discipline • “Have you (the student) ever been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at any educational institution you have attended from 9th grade forward, whether related to academic misconduct or behavioral misconduct, that resulted in your probation, suspension, removal, dismissal, or expulsion from the institution?” • “Have you (the student) ever been convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or other crime?”

16. NHS Policy-Self Reporting • In cases where a student must reply “Yes” to either of these two questions, the College Office informs the appropriate colleges of that fact afterfirst giving the student involved two weeks to inform the college(s).

17. NHS Policy—Report “Significant Change” • Furthermore, the College Office will report any significant change in a student’s academic status or qualification, including personal conduct record, between the time of recommendation and graduation. This would include any changes following acceptance to college, or a significant drop in academic average in the spring of the senior year.

18. NHS Policy—Application Integrity • In addition, students are expected to complete all college applications with complete honesty and without too much extra help from others. We hold students to the same high standards of integrity in the production of college applications as they are held to in their academic work.

19. Impact of Disciplinary Issues? • Personal Integrity and Personal Responsibility • Learn from a mistake—an educational response

20. Special Interests… • Artistic—visual arts • Drawing, painting, photography • Artistic—performing arts • Music--vocal or instrumental • Theatre • Dance

21. Special Interests… • Athletic • By sport • By division—based on realistic assessment of skill, physical attributes, and potential • NCAA registration for D1 or D2 • Coach contact

22. Fall 2010…To Do List • Take the PSAT in October • Start conversations about opportunity, the future, and what might lie beyond New Hampton • Listen…think…reflect, and ask: • Where might I go? Who will I become? How can I get there?

23. Winter 2011…To Do List • Begin the process… • Meet with the college counselor • Take an SAT or an ACT • Complete surveys and begin to focus on the steps in your college process • Research colleges

24. A word about RESEARCHING colleges… • Web resources • College Admission Requirements • NCAA • Art Portfolio or Musical Recordings

25. Spring 2011…To Do List • Visit a few colleges in March • Maintain a balanced approach to life • Study, be healthy, pursue passions • Organize special interests-portfolios, coaches, recordings, etc. • As you get to know colleges, make note of their requirements—testing, essays or graded papers, language requirement, etc. • In May, ask Teachers for recommendations

26. A word about VISITING colleges… • March, Summer, Fall Long Weekend • Variety--urban, rural, large, small, private, public, college, university • Tours • Seminars/Information Sessions • Special interests—coaches, academic programs, etc.

27. Teacher Recommendations • Requested by student in May of Junior year • Personal conversation between student and teacher • Choosing a teacher…do’s and don’ts • Never assume… • Confidential

28. Summer 2011…To Do List • Visit Colleges • Refine “The List” • Draft applications • Draft essays • Revise Facebookpage

29. Who does the application? • THE STUDENT • Begin during the summer • Authentic voice and honest presentation • Student address, email, phone numbers

30. Fall 2011…To Do List • Refine The List and plan application “strategy” • Complete the Common Application (and any college-specific applications • Know all deadlines • Take the final Standardized Tests

31. The Common Application • Generic application used by nearly 400 member colleges • Ability to simplify process and send electronically • Important to pay attention to detail and follow all instructions! • http://www.commonapp.org

32. Application Components-The Student • Name, Address and personal information • Demographic and family information • Academic Information, Courses, Test scores • Activities • Essays and personal statements • Supplements, arts/athletics

33. International Students • Spelling of your name • Ji Woong Han versus Jiwoong Han versus Ji-Woong Han • Separate application sometimes required • TOEFL Scores • Confidential Statement of Finances • Bank Statement • Guardian letter of financial support

34. Application Essays • 1 major essay-see CA 6 topics • “Favorite Activity & Why” • “Optional” essay • Supplements—college specific essays—”Why are you interested in attending College X?” • Pay Attention to word count & detailed instructions!

35. Deadlines • ED-Early Decision • EA-Early Action • Priority • Rolling • “V.I.P” or “Snap App”

36. Application Components-What the School prepares… • Secondary School Report / Mid year Report • School Statement • Teacher Recommendations • Transcript

37. What happens to an application? • Electronic process • Paper Process • Office Review • 2 reads, “grading the applicant” • “Institutional Priorities” • Committee Discussion

38. Applications from New Hampton School… • Are read closely • Admission Officers understand New Hampton School and its Programs • IB, AP, ASP • Experiential Programs • Community Demands

39. Results…and Choices • Admit, Defer, Wait List, Deny • Managing emotions and working through choices • Managing adult and peer responses • Re-Visit programs • May 1st National Reply Date

40. Questions? • Resources on our web page • Contacting us in the College Counseling Office