Columbus School for Girls

FORM XI COLLEGE NIGHTNOVEMBER 8, 2018

Tonight’s Program

Laying the Foundation• Who We Are• Learning the Lingo• Current College Landscape

Looking Forward• Standardized Testing• The Formal College Counseling Process & Naviance• College Visits• Financial Aid & Scholarship• What’s on the Horizon• Tips

Who We Are

College Counseling Philosophy

Program focuses on FIT for EACH student:• Engage in personal exploration and reflection• Getting beyond the labels to focus on

identifying a set of good college matches• Working in partnership with each family in

regards to particular parameters (financial, geographic, etc.)

Challenge Success Survey Results1. Rankings are problematic: found that many of the metrics

used in these rankings are weighted arbitrarily and are not accurate indicators of a college’s quality or positive outcomes for students

2. College selectivity is not a reliable predictor of student learning, job satisfaction, or well-being

3. Engagement in college is more important than where you attend: colleges that provide ample opportunities for students to deeply engage in learning and campus community may offer the key to positive outcomes

*Challenge Success is a nonprofit affiliated with Stanford University Graduate School of Education

Laying the Foundation

Learning the Lingo

Regular Decision (RD) = apply by a specified date and get a decision in a stated period of time

Example: apply by January 1 and receive a decision by April 1

Rolling Admission = applications are reviewed as they are submitted and decisions are made throughout the admission cycle

Learning the Lingo

Early Action (EA) = early application and decision well in advance of response date

Restrictive Early Action (REA) = non-binding early application with early decision notification, but restrictions on other applications may applyEarly Decision (ED) = an early, binding application where, if admitted, students commit to enroll

NACAC

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), founded in 1937, is an organization of more than 11,000 professionals from around the world dedicated to serving students as

they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education.

http://www.nacacnet.org/

The College Admissions Landscape

NACAC 2017State of College Admissions Report

• Between the Fall 2015 cycle and the Fall 2016 cycle, first-time freshman applications increased 7%

• At CSG the average # of submitted apps per student has been slowly decreasing from 8 in 2013 to 6.5 for the Class of 2018

The College Admissions Landscape

Early Decision & Early Action• Between Fall 2015 and Fall 2016, colleges reported

a 15% increase in the number of ED applicants. They also reported a 6% increase in the number of ED admits.

• From Fall 2015 to Fall 2016, the number of EA applications increased by 15% and the number of EA admits increased by 16%

Enrollment Management Funnel

Inquiries/Prospects

Applicants

Admits

Enrolled Class

The overall goal is enrolling a class that meets the institution’s priorities in any given year.

Yield = # of Admits who enroll

The College Admissions Landscape

Notable Trends• Applications up, acceptance rates down• Yield will continue to be hard to predict• Early admission options more prominent• Continued rise of demonstrated interest• Expansion of test-optional, flexible policies

The College Admissions LandscapeFactors in the Admission Review Process

What you likely are aware of:• Grades, Curriculum, Test Scores• Student essay• Student’s demonstrated interest• Counselor and teacher recommendations• Extracurricular activities

BUT, it can also be about meeting institutional priorities: geographic diversity, athletic slots, race/ethnicity, first-generation status, ability to pay (net tuition revenue), gender, and alumni relations

Knowing What You Can & Can’t Control

What you can’t control:• Your past academic performance/curricular

choices• The number and quality of applications a

school receives• Changes in popularity of a college• How a school evaluates applications

Knowing What You Can & Can’t Control

What you can control (this is important!):• Curricular choices for senior year• Academic performance from this point on• Your preparation for standardized testing• How you approach the process• Being authentic in your application• Your actions and attitude

It’s Worth the Risk“The best predictor of success is a sense of resiliency, grit, capacity to fail and get up. If you're prevented from feeling discomfort of failure, you have no sense of how to handle those things at all.”

- Julie Lythcott-Haims, How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success

Habits of Mind

“The Habits of Mind are an identified set of 16 problem solving, life related skills, necessary to

effectively operate in society; they provide the individual with skills to work through real life

situations that equip that person to respond using awareness, thought, and intentional strategy in

order to gain a positive outcome.”

- Arthur L. Costa and Bena Kallick, Habits of Mind: A Developmental Series, © 2000

Habits of MindPersisting Managing Impulsivity

Listening with Understanding and EmpathyThinking Flexibly Thinking about Thinking

Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and PrecisionStriving for Accuracy Questioning and Posing Problems

Gathering Data Through All SensesCreating, Imagining, Innovating

Responding with Wonderment and Awe

Taking Responsible Risks Finding Humor

Applying Past Knowledge to New SituationsThinking Interdependently Remaining Open to Continuous Learning

Looking Forward: The Year of Standardized Testing

The PSAT

• The PSAT was administered on October 10• It is still a practice version of the SAT – colleges

will not review PSAT scores in the application review process.

• This is the year that scores count toward the National Merit and National Hispanic Scholarship competitions. Status is announced in September of the senior year.

The PSAT

After the test:• Score distribution - students receive an access

code via email to view their online score reports in December

• Gain access to an online reporting portal• Also gain access to free personalized SAT

practice from Khan Academy *(ACT also has free test prep)

Testing Timeline• Recommend students take the SAT and the ACT in

junior year.

• Senior year testing plans are made individually.

• Students may also consider taking SAT Subject Tests (May or June test date is recommended).

• Students seeking any form of accommodation on the SAT or ACT (e.g., extended time) should contact Ms. Lett to learn about the application process.

• Test Prep timing

SAT and ACT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines

SATTest Date: Register by:

December 1 November 2

March 9* February 8

May 4 April 5

June 1 May 3

August test date

ACTTest Date: Register by:

December 8 November 2

February 9* January 11

April 13 March 8

June 8 May 3

July 13 June 14

*CSG recommends these dates as possibilities for initial testing.

SAT• 2 sections (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math) plus an

optional Essay section• Sections graded on a scale of 200-800, making a perfect total score of

1600• 3 hours and 50 minutes (with writing)• Multiple choice exam and student-produced response questions (math)• Calculators approved for 55-min. section, NOT allowed for 25-min. section• For the optional essay, students read and analyze an argument and write

a response. The three essay scores are graded on a scale of 2-8 and are not factored into the total score.

• SAT no longer penalizes for incorrect answers• Some colleges and universities may also require SAT Subject Tests• Score Choice (depending on the college)

ACT• 4 sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science) plus an optional Writing

section

• Writing is a 30-minute section with one prompt designed to measure skills that are necessary for entry-level college composition courses.

• 4 section scores, graded on a scale of 1-36, are averaged to create a composite score of 1-36.

• The Writing score is not factored into the ACT composite score, as it is optional.

• 3 hours and 25 minutes (with writing), multiple choice exam

• Calculators are approved for all math questions.

• ACT does not penalize for guessing.

• Many colleges accept the ACT in lieu of an SAT Subject Test requirement.

• Score Choice (but cannot send essay score separately)

CSG Testing Reminders• Students register for SAT, ACT, and TOEFL tests online.

• Students are responsible for requesting score reports to be sent to colleges or scholarship agencies.

• Set aside 30 minutes for your initial SAT or ACT online registration.

• Upload a current photo – be sure to read guidelines.

• In general, we do not encourage sending scores to colleges until fall of the senior year. However, please note: while waiting may provide some advantage in the process, it will increase costs.

CSG Testing Reminders• Fee waivers are available in the College Counseling Office.

Eligibility requirements can be found at: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/waivers/guidelines

• Sign up for College Board’s SAT registration deadline reminder emails.

• www.compassprep.com - list of college and university policies on SAT Score Choice, SAT and ACT Superscoring, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT and SAT essay section requirements

• www.fairtest.org – schools not requiring standardized tests, or offering “alternate” testing policies

The Formal Counseling Process & Naviance

Formal College Counseling Process• Students complete the Junior Questionnaire and

create a résumé during Winter Break.

• Parents complete a Parent Questionnaire.

• Junior Questionnaire and résumé are due to the College Counseling Office by January 11, 2019.

• Once a student turns in her Questionnaire, she may schedule her initial individual appointment with the College Counseling Office.

Student Responsibilities• Attend College Counseling Class

– 2nd Semester, meets once per rotation– Cover variety of topics designed to complement

individual meetings– Begin the process of writing college application essays

• Complete the Junior Questionnaire• Read your CSG email• Meet with college reps who visit CSG

Student Responsibilities• Be open to suggestions• Meet with your College Counselor

– Student-initiated, 40 minutes, use Google Appointments

– Review Questionnaire, develop a working list of colleges

– Student is responsible for researching and sharing opinions

– Discuss testing plan, senior schedule, and summer plans– Start with students, then family appointments are available

• Be thoughtful about your classmates and their processes

College Counselor Responsibilities• Provide guidance and support to students/families as

they navigate all parts of the college search/app process• Be an advocate for students• Educate CSG community (students, families, teachers,

administrators, etc.) on trends and best practices• Create and maintain relationships with college admission

personnel (territory managers, directors, etc.)

• Promote CSG outside of our walls

Parent Responsibilities• Complete Parent Questionnaire• Communicate with college counselors - family meetings

are encouraged!• Visit college campuses with your student• Discuss parameters with your student (cost, distance, etc.)

• Attend Senior Parent College Night (Fall of Form XII)

• Complete financial aid forms (FAFSA, CSS Profile)

• Offer assistance (when appropriate) and support, but also trust your student and her counselor

NavianceThe “Moodle” for College Counseling

• View CSG’s Application History• Research colleges and access college websites• Organize the application process & send materials• View shared college counseling documents from class • Links to many college search sites• Students have access and will receive additional training

on 12/7

College Visits

Campus Visits• Spring Break—can be an ideal time to visit campuses

• Consider a variety of sizes, settings, and types

• Many schools offer online scheduling and registration for campus visits (this is an appropriate time when parents can offer help)

• Tours, Information Sessions, and Interviews

• Recommend no more than 2 college visits in one day

• What if time or resources prevent a visit?

Paying for College

Financial AidMerit versus Need-based Aid:• Need-based aid is determined by filing financial aid

forms and is awarded based on the determined financial need of the family.

• Merit-based aid is based on academic, athletic, or special talent achievement. – Nearly 95% of all merit scholarship offers come directly

from colleges and universities. – According to NACAC data, only .2% of students get

$25,000 or more in scholarship per year.

Financial AidFamilies can file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as October of the senior year.

For example, the Class of 2019 is using tax data from 2017 and began filing FAFSA in October 2018.

• FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov)

• College Board’s Profile (CSS Profile) (www.profileonline.collegeboard.com)

• Individual college deadlines for the FAFSA and the Profile.

Financial Aid

Things you can do now:

• Use College Financing Resources: o Net Price Calculators!!!!!o FinAid.org - (http://www.finaid.org/calculators/) o Visit www.studentaid.ed.gov/o Check out the CSS Profileo Meet with your financial advisor, if applicable

Upcoming events

CSG College-Related Events

• Meeting with college representatives at CSG

• NACAC National College Fair March 24, 2019, 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Columbus Convention Center http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/springncf/Pages/default.aspx

• College Counseling Application Boot Camp -day before school begins (attendance required)

Tips from the College Counseling Office

• Let your students guide the level of privacy they want with this process

• Let your student drive the process (but you need to be in the car!)

• Outline expectations early• Schedule time to talk about college and keep open

communication within the family and with our office• Help with organization, especially deadlines

Additional Tips• Explore a variety of resource guides

Additional Tips

• National Honor Societies – if you have to pay, it’s probably not as prestigious as they make it sound

• How to manage the volume of college mail and email• Resist the urge to dismiss a college because you

“haven’t heard of it,” or to label a school as a “bad/good college”

• As adults assisting them in this process, we need to listen and support – be a champion, not a critic.

Our Contact Information

Cari SchultzDirector of College Counseling

cschultz@columbusschoolforgirls.org614-252-0781, ext. 117

Trish PriestAssociate Director of Admission & College Counseling

tpriest@columbusschoolforgirls.org614-252-0781, ext. 328

Kate NewlandAdministrative Assistant & Upper School Registrar

knewland@columbusschoolforgirls.org614-252-0781, ext. 402