Fairfield College Preparatory School Junior College Planning Night

Fairfield College Preparatory School Junior College Planning Night January 20, 2011 JOHN HANRAHAN - DEAN OF GUIDANCE & COLLEGE ADVISING (L-Z) RICK HUTCHINSON - COLLEGE ADVISOR (A-K) KIM BERNIER – GUIDANCE ASSISTANT

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings Fall of Junior Year: • • Overview of the Junior Year Standardized Testing– overview and strategy Identifying Appropriate Colleges (Naviance) Naviance Identifying Colleges My Game Plan My resume

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings Spring of Junior Year: • • Standardized Testing Key Factors in Admission Resume Campus Visits /Fairfield Regional College Fair @ Warde HS (3/17) Junior Interview – with advisor Senior Course Selection Summer Strategies Key Factors in Admission

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings Topics for Fall Senior Year: • Meeting with College Advisor • Finalizing Application Strategy • Coordination of Application process: application forms, essay (s), recommendations, sending testing to colleges

NAVIANCE Research and develop prospective college lists: https: //connection. naviance. com/fairfieldprep Students: • Username/email : students’ Prep email address • Password: student created Parents: • Accounts established for all parents

Website College Planning Resources www. fairfieldprep. org The College Advising Page located in the Guidance Section on the Fairfield Prep website provides information on: Interviewing Factors in College Admission Glossary of College Admission Resume models SAT/ACT testing dates & deadlines

Evaluating a Transcript Course of Study → Most challenging course load that the student can manage. 5 core subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Science, Foreign Language Grade Trends → Limited # of “lighter” electives. → Junior year, 1 st quarter senior year and 1 st semester senior year are key.

Standardized Testing SAT Reasoning Test (SAT I) www. collegeboard. com • • At least once in spring of Junior Year (March, May, June still available) At least once in fall of Senior Year (October, November, December) SAT Subject Tests (SAT II) • Some colleges may require (see websites) ACT • • www. act. org Spring Junior year dates: February, April, June Fall Senior year dates: September, October, December

“Tip” Factors Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: Highlight individual academic strengths and personal qualities Essay(s): • • Reveals self “Show, Don’t Tell” Significant activity(ies): • Will show depth and commitment to personal interests

“Tip” Factors (Continued) Athletic recruitment Special talents or attributes – how to highlight? Interview (admission counselor, current student or alumni) Supplemental letters (use sparingly) Demonstrated Interest

Application options and strategies Regular Decision Early Action Early Decision Rolling Decision (w/ priority dates)

Finding a College “Fit”

Prospective College List: Personal Preferences Size (# undergraduates) Geographic Location Campus setting (urban, Cost Financial Aid Housing – 4 year suburban, rural) Academic focus Areas of study Facilities: Library, Research Labs, etc. Social Atmosphere Campus Life, Sports, Arts Religious affiliation Support services guaranteed? Diversity (Ethnic, Geographic) Admission Criteria Graduation +Retention Rates Outcomes: employment and graduate schools Greek system

Prospective College List: Other Resources Friends and Relatives Guide books Rankings College Advisor Alumni Honors and accreditations Name Prestige Use these resources as a starting point Many of these factors are subjective. **Consider many different types of institutions. Do not always go with the pack. Break new ground in the search process. **

Search List Up to 20 – 25 Research (beware increasing selectivity) Place in 5 Categories (as designated in Naviance): Far Reach, Possible, Likely and Safety

Final List Up to 10 (+/-) Fairfield Prep Average Application #: 8 Prioritize the list Only a “safety” school if you would attend. Explore in DEPTH

The Campus Visit

Campus Visit Options • • Campus Tour Information session Open House/Special Event Sit in on a class Interview Athletic visit Overnight Shadow student

Why is the Campus Visit Important? Demonstrates YOUR interest Experiencing the campus to help decide if you want to apply. Find the institutions that are the right “Fit”.

Preparing for the Campus Visit • Contact Admission via email or website. • Do your homework before the visit • Make reservations/appointments for campus tours, interviews, open houses and meetings with faculty or coaches. • Stick to the Office of Admission schedule • Avoid the Drive-Thru visit • Always sign in…Colleges track this information (i. e. Demonstrated Interest)

What to look for while on campus General University/College Information Campus Life • Residence halls, cafeteria, parking, student center, chapel Student Life/Athletics • Clubs & organizations, social life, recreation facilities, visual/performing arts, varsity athletics Academic Life • Classrooms, professors, course offerings, internships, research opportunities

College Planning Checklists

College Planning: Spring of Junior Year Initial Student/Advisor College Planning Meeting Research: Web -based resources are best. Contact institutions (online inquiry forms) Initial contact with athletic coaches etc. Attend spring open house programs Standardized Testing - first/second round Attend local/regional college fairs. Consider what teachers recommenders. Develop an Activities Resume

College Planning: Summer before Senior Year Campus Visits Refine list (90 % rule) Read and organize college information Consider application options: Regular, EA, ED, Rolling Determine what application and/or supplement forms each school requires. (i. e. common application) Start filling out applications and begin first draft of essay(s) Continue to develop an activities resume.

College Planning: Fall of Senior Year Meet with College Advisor Meet admission representatives who visit Fairfield Prep Ask teachers to write recommendations. Attend College Fairs and Information Night programs Finalize essays and applications Final campus visits (tours, interviews, overnights, class visits, open houses) Standardized Testing – final round Check merit scholarship requirements and deadlines.

Trends in Admission § Test Optional Colleges § Fast Track/Priority Applications § Graded Writing Samples § Pre-Applications § “Demonstrated Interest” § “Authenticity” § More Writing on Common Application Supplements § Public School interest on the rise

Useful Web Sites www. collegeboard. com https: //connection. naviance. com/fairfieldprep/ www. commonapp. org www. fafsa. ed. gov www. act. org www. ncaa. org

Miscellaneous Thoughts… Encourage student to stay in contact with the College Advising Office. Communication is essential. Have an organized system (file folders, spreadsheets). Allow ample time (2 + months) for essay writing. Discern all requirements of your list early (Standardized testing requirements, supplements, essays, deadlines, etc. ). jhanrahan@fairfieldprep. org 203 -254 -4200 ext 2238 (L-Z) rhutchinson@fairfieldprep. org ext. 2502 (A-K) kbernier@fairfieldprep. org ext. 2437