Junior College Process

1. JuniorCollege Process Gonzaga Preparatory School January 6, 2016

2. Welcome! • Joe Feryn • A-E (Juniors) • jferyn@gprep.com • Morgan Hatcher • F-K (Juniors) • mhatcher@gprep.com • Dennis Kukuk • L-Q (Juniors) • dkukuk@gprep.com • Beth Mason • R-Z (Juniors) • bmason@gprep.com

3. College Process for Juniors The main topics to be considered at this point in the college process: • Criteria for college admission • Appropriate curriculum • Cumulative g.p.a. and grade trends • Personal profile • College admission tests • Researching colleges • Application process • Financial aid process • Special circumstances

4. Criteria for College Admission* • Rigor of high school curriculum • Cumulative grade point average • College admission tests scores • Personal essays • Extracurricular activities • Recommendations *Basis of an “holistic” approach to college admission

5. Appropriate curriculum • What are “core” courses? • English • History/Social Science • Math • Science • Languages • Secondary vs. Post-secondary requirements • Admission vs. graduation • Required vs. Recommended • “Required” = minimum • “Recommended” = magis, rigor • Relative from college to college and level of selectivity • Rigor strengthens college admission profile

6. Cumulative g.p.a. • Unweighted • Follows 11-point grading scale • All academic courses possess equal value • Preferred by most colleges to which GP students apply • Evaluated with “rigor” of coursework • Evaluated by colleges after 6 semesters • Basis of preliminary offers of admission • 7th semester grades required to confirm admission • Final transcript and grades finalize admission • Evaluated by colleges for grade trends • Maintain positive performance or show improvement • Most colleges are looking for reasons to admit

7. Personal Profile • Product of attitudinal and behavioral choices • Factor in admission • Reflected in a variety of forums • Classroom • Social Media • Activities • Addressed in recommendations • Teachers • Counselors

8. College Admission Tests • Evaluate pre-ACT (Aspire) and pre-SAT (PSAT) results • Determine which test to take • Use pre-tests to prepare for ACT and/or SAT • Use online (Naviance Test Prep for ACT and SAT, Khan Academy for SAT) or Gonzaga Prep’s test prep • Register for at least one test this spring • Send official scores directly to colleges from the testing agency. Colleges must receive scores by the colleges’ application deadlines.

9. College Research • Discern personal values • Religious/secular • Private/public • Location • Urban/rural • Majors/programs • Cost/affordability • Preview college/university websites • Tour colleges whenever possible • Talk with alumni • Begin now; be inclusive; narrow college choices by September

10. Application Process • Apply in the fall • Early Action/Early Decision/Regular • Add to “Colleges I’m Applying To” on Naviance Family Connection • Counselors will meet with students and parents early in September to provide updated application process details.

11. Financial Aid • Recognize that colleges are the first and best sources of financial aid • Request FA and scholarship information when applying for admission • Attend Gonzaga Prep’s FA workshop in the fall • Become familiar with reputable FA websites • Beware of scams; seeking and applying for FA is free

12. Special Circumstances • Any junior intending on playing sports in college must register with the NCAA at eligibilitycenter.org and/or NAIA at http://www.naia.org. • Any junior interested in the U.S. military academies and/or ROTC should appoint with Mr. Kukuk this spring.

13. Family Connection

14. What can you do on Family Connection? • Complete/share surveys and résumé • Share game plan • Take career and personality inventories • Research and compare colleges • Research majors and careers • Track deadlines • View schedule of college visits • Search for scholarships • Prepare for SAT/ACT tests • Receive communications from Gonzaga Prep

15. Expectations • Gonzaga Prep will use Family Connection exclusively to manage the College Application Process. In the fall, students are expected to: • Complete Surveys (Teacher and Counselor Bios)/ Résumés for counselor & teachers • Update Prospective & Active Applications • Request Transcripts • Request Letters of Recommendation • It is the student’s responsibility to have official test scores sent directly to the colleges from the testing agency (SAT/ACT). • Students need to check email regularly and respond.

16. How is Family Connection accessed? • On the Web • Link from www.gprep.com (click on “Students”, then select “Naviance”) • http://connection.naviance.com/gonprep

17. Enter your email address and the password you created. Click here if you forgot your password. Contact your student’s counselor if you need further assistance. Click here if you forgot your password. Contact your counselor if you need further assistance.

18. Welcome Page

19. Test Prep PrepMe is an ACT/SAT preparation program. It is FREE and is accessed through your student’s Family Connection account. Naviance Test Prep is an ACT/SAT preparation program. It is FREE and is accessed through your Family Connection account.

20. College Search Add schools to your list here. Add them to your list here. 2)…then add them to your list. 1) Search for colleges here… Search for colleges here.

21. Track interest level, deadlines, application process, and access contact information for selected colleges.

22. Research Careers Under Careers tab, begin to research careers. Under Careers tab, begin to research careers.

23. About Me…

24. Assigned Tasks for Juniors to Complete • Develop résumé • The information about your various achievements will be used by your counselor and teachers to complete college paperwork. • Complete game plan • The information about goals after high school and college interests will be used by your counselor to assist in the college search. • Research colleges and careers • Identify one teacher from a core academic class who will write a letter of recommendation on your behalf • Begin Naviance Test Prep

25. Tips • Visit both the Gonzaga Prep College Prep and Counseling website and your Naviance Family Connection account often! • Use your Gonzaga Prep email address. • Gonzaga Prep counselors provide full college advising; you need not pay a private party for services.

26. College Counseling Expectations and Responsibilities • In concert with many of the Jesuit prep schools across the nation, we seek to clarify the expectations and responsibilities of students, parents, and counselors. • Review and be familiar with your responsibilities!