College Information Night

Welcome to Montini Catholic’s

What Factors Do Colleges Consider When Making Admission Decisions?

Rigor of curriculumGrades in college prep coursesAdmission test scores like ACT and SATEssay or writing sample (plan to include if optional)

Teacher and counselor recommendations (plan to include if optional)

Extracurricular activities and leadershipStudent’s demonstrated interestInterview

Keep Up Your Grades

Continue getting strong gradesColleges will request senior year schedules Colleges will request 7th semester grades

The College Application Process

Submit applicationAlways apply electronically if you have that option. Materials will get to the college faster and it avoids items getting lost in the mail

Submit transcripts which are requested from counselor

Submit official test scores from ACT.org

Submit teacher and counselor recommendations as specified by the college

Submit any essays or writing samples

Applications

Applications will ask for personal information, academic performance, extra-curricular activities and any additional information you may want to tell the college

Over 500 colleges use the Common Application: Notre Dame, Northwestern, Dayton

The Common Application requires one main essay, but many schools will ask for supplemental essays

Many school have their own application: Michigan, Wisconsin, University of Illinois

Most of the more selective colleges with their own applications will require one or two essays

Should I apply ED or EA?

Many families are confused about the terms ED and EA.

ED means Early Decision: the student is required to attend that college if they are accepted. All other college applications must be withdrawn.

EA means Early Action: student is applying early and in most cases will receive a response earlier, but you do not have to attend if accepted

Requesting Transcripts

Students must SEE OR EMAIL their counselors to request transcripts and let the counselor know what documents each college needs to complete the application

Please allow 1 week lead time when requesting transcripts to be sent

When the student request transcripts to be send to a college, it is the student’s responsibility to know what supporting documents are required for that particular college.

Does the college require a personal statement? Does the college require letters of recommendation?Does the College have a school specific counselor form that needs to be completed?

Testing

If you need or want to re-take the ACT, please check registration dates and test dates

Next test date is Sept 12, but registration is closedRegistration deadline for the Oct 24 test date is September 18Plan to take AP exams and SAT subject tests as neededDates for all testing can be found on the College Board

website

Requesting Teacher or Counselor Recommendations

Requesting Teacher recommendations- Students MUST complete the personal profile before the teacher will write a

recommendation

- Please allow 4 weeks lead time for teacher to write and send recommendation

Requesting Counselor recommendations- Students MUST complete the personal profile before the counselor will write a recommendation

- Please allow 2-3 weeks lead time for teacher to write and send recommendation

Essays and Writing Samples

Essays for college require brainstorming for ideas and writing multiple drafts

Remember that college essays have to be written in a way that demonstrates why your student will be an asset to the college community. Admission reps tell us that they want to learn something about the student that they could not have learned from reading their application.

Essay ReviewPlease be respectful and allow enough time for person to review essay

Mrs. Daluga will be available with help with essays (also counselors or English teachers)

Interview either on campus, or locally, if recommended by the college

Follow up with the colleges to make sure all the components of the application have been received before deadline date

Continue visiting colleges to determine the best fit. As seniors, Montini gives 2 official days off for college visits to be used by March 1

Set up overnight visits to the colleges you are most interested in

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Investigate scholarships that may be available at the colleges you are most interested in (academic, co-curricular, heritage, religious, etc.)

Many scholarship deadline dates are in November and December, so please check each college’s website

Check Montini’s website for more local scholarships

Investigate your place of employment or your student’s place of employment

Fill out additional forms or write additional essays as needed for scholarships

Fill out required financial assistance forms like FAFSA and/or CSS Profile after January 1 @FAFSA.org

Estimated EFC (expected family contribution) can be calculated on Finaid.org

Each college website is required by law to have a Net Price Calculator

Creating Your List

REACH – schools that are extremely selective or that typically admit students with higher grades and test scores than you have

MATCH – Schools that admit students with grades and scores that are about the same as yours

SAFETY – Schools that typically admit schools with grades and scores that may be lower than yours

All Seniors MUST have 2 College Applications completed and sent

by November 1

Please contact us with any additional questions

Danielle Monroe – Director of Guidance

Joan Zilkow – Guidance Counselor

Joe Di Gregorio – Guidance Counselor

Karen Daluga – College Advisor