john hanrahan - dean of guidance & college advising (l-z) rick hutchinson - college advisor...
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JOHN HANRAHAN - DEAN OF GUIDANCE & COLLEGE ADVISING (L-Z)
RICK HUTCHINSON - COLLEGE ADVISOR (A-K)DINA DeROSA AND LYNNE CHESBRO -
COUNSELORSKIM BERNIER – GUIDANCE ASSISTANT
Fairfield College Preparatory School
Junior College Planning NightJanuary 10, 2013
Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
Fall of Junior Year:
• Overview of the Junior Year• Standardized Testing– overview and
strategy• Identifying Appropriate Colleges through• Naviance
College search My Game Plan My resume
Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
Spring of Junior Year:
• Standardized Testing review• Key Factors in College Admission• Assembling a Resume• Campus Visits • Junior Interview – schedule with advisor• Senior Course Selection• Summer Strategies• Admission Glossary
Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
Topics for Fall Senior Year:
• Check in 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
College Planning Resources
www.fairfieldprep.org
Naviance and the College Advising Page in the Guidance Section on the Prep website provides information on:
InterviewingFactors in College AdmissionGlossary of College Admission termsResume modelsSAT/ACT testing dates & deadlines
Evaluating a Transcript
Course of Study
5 core subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Science, Foreign Language
Grade Trends
→ Most challenging course load that the student can manage successfully.
→ Limited # of “lighter” electives.
→ Junior year, 1st quarter senior year and 1st semester senior year are key.
Standardized Testing
“students register themselves for all SAT/ACT exams”
SAT (SAT I) www.collegeboard.com • At least once in spring Junior Year (Jan., March, May,
June) with late fee, March, May, June.• At least once in fall of Senior Year (Oct., Nov., Dec.)
SAT Subject Tests (SAT II)• Some colleges may require (see websites)• Can highlight an academic strength
ACT www.act.org • Spring Junior year dates: Feb., April, June• Fall Senior year dates: Sept., Oct., Dec.
“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 and growth.
“Tip” Factors (Continued)
Athletic recruitment Special talents or attributes – how to
highlight?Interview (admission counselor, current
student or alumni)Supplemental letters (use sparingly)Demonstrate Interest Essays from Common App. supplements
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 LocationCampus setting (urban,
suburban, rural) Academic focusAreas of studyFacilities: Library,
Research Labs, etc.Social Atmosphere Campus Life, Sports,
ArtsReligious affiliationSupport services
CostFinancial AidHousing – 4 year
guaranteed?Diversity
(Ethnic,Geographic)Admission CriteriaGraduation +Retention
RatesOutcomes: employment
and graduate schoolsGreek system
Prospective College List: Other Resources
Friends and RelativesGuide booksRankings College AdvisorAlumni Honors and
accreditationsName Prestige
**Consider many different types of institutions. Do not always go with the pack. Break new ground in the search process. **
Search List
Up to 15 – 20
Research (beware increasing selectivity)
Place in 5 Categories (as designated in Naviance): Far Reach, Reach, Possible, Likely and Safety
Use Naviance Scattergrams as a guide – not as an absolute.
Final Application List
Up to 10 (+/-)
Fairfield Prep Average Application: 8
Prioritize the list
Only a “safety” school if you would attend.
Contact (i.e. demonstrated interest) is more important with small/medium sized schools.
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
• Visit website to explore visit options .• 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 – if possible• Always sign in… smaller colleges tend to
track this information (i.e. Demonstrated Interest)
What to look for while on campus
General University/College InformationCampus 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 MeetingResearch: Web -based resources are best Contact institutionsVisit campusesAttend spring open house programs Standardized Testing - first/second roundAttend local/regional college fairs Consider teacher recommendersDevelop an Activities Resume – excellent
document to present at interview.Initial contact with athletic coaches etc.
College Planning: Summer before Senior Year
Campus VisitsRefine listConsider application options: Regular, EA, ED, Rolling Establish Common Application account – after Aug 1st.Determine what application and/or supplement forms
each school requires. (i.e. common application)Start filling out applications Begin first draft of essay(s)Continue to develop an activities resume.
College Planning: Fall of Senior Year
Check in meeting with College AdvisorMeet admission representatives who visit Fairfield
Prep Ask teachers to write recommendationsParent/Family Recommendation for counselorAttend College Fairs and Information Night programsFinalize essays and applications Final campus visits (tours, interviews, overnights, class
visits, open houses)Standardized Testing – final roundCheck merit scholarship requirements and deadlines.Financial Aid Instruments - FAFSA/CSS Profile
Trends in Admission
Test Optional Colleges Fast Track/Priority Applications “Demonstrated Interest” – particularly in schools
deemed “safeties” Interview (smaller colleges) re-emergence “Authenticity” More Writing on Common Application
Supplements Public School interest on the rise Requests for financial aid rising
Useful Web Sites
www.collegeboard.comhttps://connection.naviance.com/
fairfieldprep/www.commonapp.orgwww.fafsa.ed.govwww.act.orgwww.ncaa.org
Miscellaneous Thoughts…
Encourage student to stay in contact with the College Advising Office. Communication is essential.
Allow ample time for essay writing (2 months)
Discern all requirements of your list early (Standardized testing requirements, supplements, essays, deadlines, etc.).
[email protected] 203-254-4200 ext 2238 (L-Z)
[email protected] ext. 2502 (A-K) [email protected] ext. 2437