COLLEGE 101

1. COLLEGE 101 Woodlawn School Fall 2008

2. Overview • College admissions is not about getting into the “right” school--it is about getting into the right school for you • Admissions does not necessarily look at the entire applicant pool, but at “puddles” • Need to know who you are and what you are passionate about • College admissions is a three-legged stool (students, parents, school)--each has a role to play in supporting the process

3. What Do Colleges Want? • Trends change in college admissions--from high test scores to full activities lists to unique talents to service hours (commitment to a cause) • Colleges want students that are going to be givers, not just takers--they want to see what difference you could make on their campus and what kind of alumni you will be • Admissions officers are assembling an entire class--not always just viewing each individual applicant

4. Important Terms • AP: Advanced Placement tests allow students to earn college credits for high school work; classes are audited for meeting AP standards (about 25-30% of students earn a 4 or 5 on history exams) • FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid • CLEP: College Level Examination Program • ACT: English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning, optional Writing • SAT: Reading, Mathematics, Writing • CFNC: College Foundation of North Carolina is a comprehensive college planning website • College Board: Resource for testing and college planning • CEEB (School Code): 342669

5. School Responsibilities • Maintain a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum • Create a meaningful, accurate, and thorough school profile • Arrange AP, PSAT testing • Maintain transcripts/Calculate GPA • Write letters of recommendation • Send colleges a promotional brochure • Make a personal contact with admissions officers from each school applied to • Host college representatives • Nominate students for scholarships, awards, and prizes • Meet with Juniors and Seniors to plan applications

6. Parent Responsibilities • In student’s senior year, prepare taxes early in January to expedite the financial aid process • Help student find colleges that are a good fit • Help research scholarships and financial aid as needed • Help student study and register for major tests (SAT, ACT, etc) • Help edit applications and essays • Plan logistics for college visits

7. Student Responsibilities • Master course information and maintain grades • Become involved with activities you are passionate about • Organize admissions materials • Request letters of recommendation • Write and revise essays • Prepare for SAT

8. 9th Grade • Grades are reflected on official transcript • Attend a college planning meeting • Get involved in activities • Continue to save money for expenses • Register at www.collegeboard.com • Get a Social Security number • Plan meaningful summer activities--think about your “puddle” • Begin a high school resume • Get tested or documented any learning difference that may permit you extra time on examinations

9. 10th Grade • Take the PSAT to practice for 11th grade • Consider taking the AP World History Exam in the spring • Focus on improving low grades from 9th grade • Plan a meaningful summer--pursue a specific interest (volunteer, go to college camps in academics or sports, be an intern in a possible career, earn money for school) • Consider taking a SAT prep course • Update high school resume • Consider visiting some colleges on family vacations or going to a college fair • Read and watch for new vocabulary! • Keep up with current events

10. 11th Grade • Take the PSAT to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship program--have major in mind • Meet with Woodlawn counselor about scores • Attend college fairs and meet with reps at school • Focus on finding leadership opportunities in your “puddle” • Use collegeboard.com to investigate colleges; begin to identify 7-10 schools of interest • Use spring break or summer vacation to visit campuses • Prepare for AP tests in May • Take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring (student athletes send scores to 9999) • See if target schools prefer SAT II Subject Test • Plan a meaningful summer • Research scholarship possibilities

11. Junior Summer • Plan your application strategies: safety, reasonable, reach schools • Consider use of common application • Update high school resume • Ask teachers for recommendations and provide them your resume • Visit campuses • Begin drafting admissions essays • Athletes complete NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse Form • Get organized-set up a schedule with deadlines for next year • Take a SAT Prep Course if needed

12. Senior Fall • Edit admissions essays--ask for parent and teacher help • Give addressed stamped envelopes to recommendation writers • Complete early decision applications • Be sure to thank those who read essays and write recommendations • Take SAT or ACT • Finalize and send applications-consider online applications • Apply for a FAFSA pin • Attend visitation events at favorite schools

13. Senior Winter • Do taxes and fill out FAFSA forms • Respond to early action letters • Complete scholarship applications • Keep grades up--final transcripts have not been sent! • Begin receiving regular decision letters

14. Senior Spring • Accept a college • Decline other colleges graciously • Send deposit (May 1) • NACAC website lists colleges that are still accepting applications • Take AP tests for college credit • Keep grades up through the end of your senior year! • GRADUATE! • Organize notes that you may need again for CLEP tests or upper level college courses

15. GPAs and Transcript • Must earn 24 Carnegie Units to graduate (see handbook) • GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale with A- =3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-=2.7, etc. • Service learning and life sports are not part of GPA but are recorded • Elective grades are weighted at 0.5 or 0.25 rather than a full 1.0 credit

16. College Reps • Oftentimes, these are the people who will be reading your application and making recommendations to the admissions committee • Take advantage of opportunities to make a good first impression--introduce yourself, make good eye contact, speak clearly and confidently • Come prepared with meaningful questions that go beyond what can be found in a guidebook

17. College Fairs • Do your homework ahead of time--seek out schools that you are the most interested in first • Keep an open mind though--there are a lot of great schools out there • Find out if the person you are talking with is an alum or the college representative • Again, remember first impressions--a little enthusiasm goes a long way! • Students should take the lead in discussions, but parents are welcome to help support

18. College Visits • These can give you a good “feel” for the school • Visit all prospective colleges’ admissions office for a tour • For top schools, see if they have a student visitation weekend when you can stay for a longer visit • Sit on a bench and ask yourself, “Can I see myself here?”

19. HOMEWORK • In the next week, parents and students should sit down together and fill out the college discussion sheet. • During the last week of October, a college survey will be emailed to each family to complete.

20. Resources • College Guidance office, Galloway School, Atlanta, GA • NACAC • College Foundation of North Carolina • What You Don’t Know Can Keep You Out of College by Don Dunbar • College Admissions for the High School Athlete by Jack DiSalvo and Theresa Foy DiGeronimo • The College Hook by Pam Proctor • The Road to College by Joyce Suber • www.collegeboard.com • www.finaid.com, www.fastweb.com