avon high school junior planning night november 20, 2014
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Tonight’s Agenda Welcome College Research Standardized Testing Junior Timeline Naviance Tour Sharon Brennan, guest speakerTRANSCRIPT
Avon High SchoolJunior Planning NightNovember 20, 2014
WelcomeYour School Counseling TeamCounselors
Ms. Cara Boland Mr. Andrew Ellrod Ms. Lissa Irvine Ms. Diane Lieberfarb Ms. Laura Sullivan Ms. Heather ToyenMs. Deborah Schwager,
Director of School Counseling
Administrative AssistantsMs. Pamela ShandMs. Barbara Barone
[email protected]@[email protected]
[email protected]@avon.k12.ct.us
[email protected]@avon.k12.ct.us
[email protected]@avon.k12.ct.us
Tonight’s Agenda Welcome College Research Standardized Testing Junior Timeline Naviance Tour Sharon Brennan,
guest speaker
Roles and Responsibilities/Who’s Who in College Planning
Student Takes ownership of the process, “does” the tasks.
Parents Provide support and guidance
Time, patience, gas, and your credit card. Counselor
Advises and facilitates Provides for planned individual and group
support for the process
Getting Started:Begin with Self-Assessment
Important factors to consider: Why do I want to go to college?
Do I know what I want to study? How do I learn best? What environments will set me up for success?
Beginning the College SearchLearn about schools Public colleges: funded by local/state governments. Usually
offer lower tuition rates. Two or four year. UCONN, Tunxis Community College, University of
Massachusetts Private colleges: rely mainly on tuition, fees and private
funding. Two or four year. Fairfield University, University of Hartford, Goodwin
College For-profit colleges: career focused; lead to certifications.
Credits may not be transferable. Varying program lengths. Porter and Chester, Lincoln Technical Institute
Where Do Avon Students Go?Class of 2014
85% attend a four year school 7.5% of students attend a two year school 7.5% chose a gap year, the military, or the workforce Of the 92% attending college:
42% chose publicly funded (“state”) schools: 12%: UCONN Storrs or West Hartford 6%: Other CT public universities 19%: Out-of-state public schools 5%: In- or out-of-state public community colleges
Students make their final college choice based on a variety of factors. Return on investment has become more important.
A few words about UCONN AdmissionClass of 2014
Of Avon students who applied to UCONN:55% were admitted to the Storrs campus.
3.87: Average weighted GPA 1327: Average SAT score (Critical Reading + Math)
1130: Minimum SAT score (Critical Reading + Math)45% were admitted to the West Hartford Campus.
3.12: Average weighted GPA 1135: Average SAT score (Critical Reading + Math)
Data represents Avon students, not the overall UCONN applicant pool
What are Colleges Looking For? Factor Considerable
importance ModerateImportance
LimitedImportance
Noimportance
Grades in college prep courses 84.3% 11.9% 2.3% 1.5%Strength of curriculum 67.7 20.4 5.8 6.2 Admission test scores (SAT, ACT). 59.2 29.6 6.9 4.2 Grades in all courses 51.9 39.2 6.9 1.9 Essay or writing sample 24.9 37.5 17.2 20.3 Student's demonstrated interest 20.5 29.7 24.7 25.1 Counselor recommendation 19.2 39.8 27.2 13.8 Class Rank 18.8 31.0 31.4 18.8 Teacher recommendation 16.5 41.9 26.5 15.0 Subject test scores (AP, IB) 6.9 31.2 31.5 30.4 Portfolio 6.6 12.8 30.2 50.4 Interview 6.2 25.4 25.8 42.7SAT II scores 5.4 9.7 22.6 62.3Extracurricular activities 5.0 43.1 38.1 13.8 State graduation exam 4.2 14.9 23.8 57.1 Work 2.3 17.0 43.2 37.5
Percentage of colleges attributing importance to these admissions factors (2011):
Where Do I Start? Tried and True College Research Resources
Naviance/Family Connection: http://www.naviance.com/ College Board Big Future:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ Collegedata: http://www.collegedata.com/ Fairtest: http://www.fairtest.org/ Petersons: http://www.petersons.com/ Kiplinger:
www.kiplinger.com/fronts/special-report/college-rankings/
Money Magazine: http://time.com/money/collection/moneys-best-colleges/
What if I’m not a “typical” student?Special Interests
Arts: Auditions, Portfolios, Supplements Key partner: your teacher/instructor Resource: www.portfolioday.net/
Athletics: NCAA Eligibility Center Key partner: your coach Resource: www.eligibilitycenter.org
Specialized Services and Instruction Key partner: your case manager/counselor Resource: www.wintergreenorchardhouse.com
What about financial aid?Do your homework now.
Net Price Calculators Fafsa.ed.gov (not “.com”) CSS profile: private colleges www.fastweb.com Cautionary advice Local scholarships
Avon Dollars for Scholars www.avon.dollarsforscholars.org
Other community scholarships
How do I build an initial list of colleges?Fit: First & Foremost
Academic Fit Is this a likely, realistic, or reach school? Do they have my major? What if I change my mind?
Social Fit What do I love to do and want to c c continue?
What do I want to try? Financial Fit
What is realistic for my family?
Rest StopEnjoying the process
Types of Tests SAT, SAT Subject Tests ACT AP Exams TOEFL
Test Preparation Naviance PrepMe: Private classes: individual, small group, classroom.
Virtually all colleges and universities will accept either the ACT or SAT without a preference for one over the other.
Standardized Testing
Standardized TestingGeneral Guidelines (your situation may vary) If you have completed Algebra II:
Think about an early spring test (March SAT, April ACT) If you have not completed Algebra II:
Think about a late spring test (May or June SAT, June ACT)
What if I don’t do well? Test optional/test flexible Concordance charts Fairtest.orgStudents are responsible for sending official test scores to individual
colleges. The School Counseling office does NOT send score reports.
Remember:You’re more than a score!
Suggested Readings About the big business of college rankings
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/02/14/the-order-of-things, Malcolm Gladwell
About moneyThe College Solution, Lynn O’Shaugnessy
Malcolm Lynn
Naviance TourOne Stop Shopping with Family Connection College Research Test Preparation Career and Personality Inventories Resume Builder Junior Questionnaire
Junior Planning Meetings Topics
Individualizing your college search College application components
Deadlines, the Common Application, letters of recommendation, resume, activities, essays, etc. Scheduling
January 5 - March 5 (no appointments 2/9-2/13) 8:00, 9:00, 1:00; M, T, Th, F
Juniors responsible for consulting with parent(s), making the appointment
Meetings scheduled through Mrs. Shand/Mrs. Barone in the School Counseling office.
In SummaryStudent To-Do List: November-February Schedule your Junior Planning meeting. Begin your online research. Make a testing plan, sign up, and begin PrepMe. Create/update your resume. Think about letters of recommendation.
Don’t ask yet. It’s way too soon. Visit two or three schools: think local. Think about an appropriately rigorous senior year curriculum. Complete your Junior Questionnaire in Naviance BEFORE your
Junior Planning Meeting.
In SummaryParent To-Do List: November-February Research alongside your child. Have an honest conversation about college costs
and limitations. Help your student sign up for testing. Help your student make college visit
appointments. Encourage and support a rigorous senior year
curriculum. Attend Junior Planning Meeting. Encourage, support, cajole as needed- but DON’T
do your student’s work.
Guest SpeakerSharon Brennan Higher education and college admissions
Reality versus myth How to have a great campus visit How to support your student through the
college admissions process….without taking over
College Scorecard and College Reality Check Two real life student stories
Thank you for coming.