The Class of 2014Looks

Beyond BarringtonCollege Counselors: Elizabeth Hannon and Kate MoodyCounselors: Jill Argall, Monica Barreiro, Joan Bell, Marla Engleman, Michelle Fitzgerald, Tim Martin, Ray Piagentini, Bryan Tucker

Director: Jill Fearday

2013-2014Barrington High School

College and Career Planning Guide

BHS Celebrates Diversity of College Destinations

# Students Per State

2008-2012

1 – 9 10 – 20 21 – 50 51 – 100101 – 501501 – 10001001+None

“MAP” Book

Almost any fundamental question is covered in this College & Career Planning Guide

You might even want to note the following pages: Timeline p. 2, Application Procedures p. 15, Websites pp.16 & 17, FAQ’s p. 26, Visit Questions p. 13, Resume p. 27, Parent Letter p. 28, Transcript Request p. 37

TWO PORTIONS TO OUR PRESENTATION

The first part:HOW YOU CHOOSE A COLLEGE

The second part:HOW A COLLEGE CHOOSES YOU

FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS

There is a college for everyone. This is a process. It is all about finding the fit.

With that in mind, this will be part practical and part philosophical!

THE PROCESS

NAVIGATING THE PROCESS Communicate as a family. Do your homework. Visit. Be realistic. Find the fit. Fit is about finding the right school not

simply about finding the best school.

MAKE THIS A RESEARCH PROJECT WHICH INVOLVES: Clear goals Deadlines Lots of note-taking Use the 5 P’s—Person, Place, People,

Price, Program

And please remember--this isn’t brain surgery. It is entirely reversible.

A bit of advice from some BHS alums: “Be proactive. The right college won’t

find you.”

“Don’t waste time. Jump right into it.

“Manage time well.”

The Five “P’s”

Person Place People Price Program

PERSON

The person is YOU. Why do I want to go to college? How do I learn? Do I have special talents? Do I have special needs? FIND YOUR PASSION!

Perhaps consider a “Gap Year” A gap year is a year for students to

explore other interests between high school and college.

“Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation” – a very informative article

Gap Year Fair – New Trier, Saturday, Jan 26, 1:00 – 3:30 pm

Lyndsay Janura, Transition Facilitator

On

Directions

is dedicated to assisting families as

they begin their investigation into the many post-secondary

opportunities available to their son/daughter with

special needs.

October 2, 2012 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Forest View Educational Center 2121 South Goebbert Road • Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Representatives from colleges and post-secondary institutions will be available

to distribute literature and discuss their programs

Welcome and Overview Theater: 6:00-6:20

Career Training Programs Breakout D100/101: 6:30-7:00

4-year Colleges/Universities Breakout Theater: 7:00-7:30

Life Skills Training Programs Breakout D100/101: 7:30-8:00

Community College Options Breakout Theater: 8:00-8:30

College & Career Fair Fieldhouse: 6:30-8:30

100% of this project was funded through the

FY13 Federal Carl D. Perkins, Title IV - Secondary Grant

For further information or special accommodations please contact: Lyndsay Janura - (847)842-3498

Ljanura@barrington220.org http://www.d214.org/directions/

In fo r m a t io n T e c h n o lo g y S o lu t io n s

“This journey called life starts with a first step.” -Unknown Directions is dedicated to assisting families as they begin their investigation into the many post-secondary opportunities available to their son/daughter with special needs.

PLACE

Distance High school [40 hrs/wk] vs College [15

hrs/wk] Size: Small [1200-2500] vs Large

[15,000+] Types of schools: Music, Technical,

HBCU’s, Religious, Single Gender YOU MUST VISIT—TOGETHER. Prestige

PEOPLE

Liberal? Conservative? Another area of the country? Faith based?

One thing is certain—it won’t be like high school!

PRICE

Have the talk about cost. Don’t get confused by sticker shock.

Go thru the financial aid process. IWU Admission Dean, “Let me show you

that you can afford our school.”

“Scholar”- ships

PROGRAM

You usually don’t have to choose your major until the end of sophomore year of college!

If you don’t know what you want to do, know what you don’t want to do.

Utilize your BHS resources: Career Cruising, Career Treks, Naviance “Do What you Are”, Community Service

SEARCH AND SELECTION TIMELINE

Nov – JanMeet with your counselor in groups.Do your research.Schedule a college counseling appt.

Feb – JuneComplete a college counseling appt [Feb 1 – end of school].Create your list [5 – 8 schools tops].Visit.

Summer Finish Resume, Brainstorm Essays. Aug- Return to school ready to apply.

HOW TO DO YOUR RESEARCH

Create a list of schools [using a search engine like Naviance- “It’s a great website and it gives you a realistic perspective on college admissions”].

Use the GRC and the individual college websites. Attend all of our programs next semester

(Financial Aid Night, Ask the Experts, College Night).

Make the most of College Night. READ the “Map Book”

HOW WE CAN HELP

Counselors – know your students, know academic advisement, can answer questions about college, write letters of recommendation, and process applications

College Counselors – can help refine your list of schools, can answer questions about specific colleges and their particular admission processes

If I could do one thing over, I would…

“Look more openly at places and at a broad range of schools.”

“Talk to my college counselor earlier. I had no idea how helpful, encouraging and comforting they really are.”

“Worry less.” “Meet with college counselors! They

know what they are doing and can guide you to schools that will likely fit your personality and needs.”

FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT HOW TO CHOOSE A

COLLEGE Parents – Your child will remember how you supported him or her.

Students – Realize that this is emotionally difficult for your parents.

Both – Remember that it isn’t the college but the student that has the magic!

How A College Chooses You

What Does the Admission Committee Review? High School Transcript ACT/SAT Scores Essays/Writing Samples Counselor and/or Teacher

Recommendations Demonstrated Interest Extra-curriculars/Work Race, Legacy, State or County of

Residence

High School Transcript

Most colleges admit on 6 semesters GPA Has student taken a college prep

curriculum? 4 Eng, 3-4 math,3 sci,3 ss, 2 wl and/or fine

and applied arts, + electives Grades in college prep classes most

important Grade trends Senior classes

A Tale of Two TranscriptsStudent A Student BE,m,sci,ss,wl,pe +el

E,m,sci,ss,wl,pe +el3.400 wtd (f) 4.000 wtd (f)

3.654 wtd (s) 3.885 wtd (s)

3.909 wtd (j) 3.417 wtd (j)Cumulative GPA

3.662 wtd 3.770 wtd

A Word About Senioritis

YIKES!!!!!

ACT/SAT Scores (Map Book pages 18-20)

Colleges will accept ACTs or SATs If multiple test scores are given,

colleges will look at the best score(s). SAT subject tests req/rec by highly

selective colleges (www.compassprep.com)

PSAE ACT may be used for college admission and NCAA

Essays and/or Writing Samples

(Map Book page 35) Submit student’s own work Answer the question!!! Correctly identify the college in the

body of work Additional personal statement can

always be included Save a graded paper- sometimes a

college will ask for one

Teacher Recommendations(Map Book pages 29-30)

Ask teachers for a letter of rec only if required by college.

Complete the “College Recommendation Questionnaire”

Allow 3 weeks for completion Can send one letter of rec to multiple

schools

Counselor Recommendations Get to know your counselor Many applications have a counselor form

that must be completed Speak to your counselor about what

additional information they may need Ask counselor for a letter of rec only if

required by college. Allow 3 weeks for completion

Can send one letter of rec to multiple school

Demonstrated Interest(Map Book pages 4, 13)

Schedule a formal campus visit through the college admissions office

Thank you note or email is important Visit college reps in GRC Visit reps when they are in Chicagoland

Interviews (Map Book page 36)

Some schools require an interview Interviews can take place on or off

campus Can be done by alumni Dress appropriately Send thank you note/email

Extra-curriculars/Work (Map Book page 27)

Colleges want involved students Choose quality over quantity Submit a resume with every application Resume should include activities from

Grades 9 – 12 only

Factors You Cannot Control Race Legacy State or County of Residence

Upcoming Programs

Focus on Financial Aid – 1/24/13

Ask the Experts – 3/14/13

BHS ICE College Night – 4/8/13

PSAE Exam – 4/23/13 + 4/24/13

Your To Do List

It’s all “mapped out” for you on pages 2 – 5 in the Map Book!

Thank you for joining us this evening!