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Welcome to Northside’s College Planning Night

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Introduction

Patrick TassoniCounselor

Junior Advisories100 Devine101 Flores

102 Tylinski

Working For You Behind the Scenes

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with colleges, universities, and scholarship foundations– College visits/tours – Host college reps. at Northside– Showcase Northside– Members of national and regional college counseling

associations (ACA, IACAC, CB) – Present at CPS College Counseling PD– Examine and refine our practices

You Are In the College Pipeline• Selective Enrollment/Peers• College Prep Curriculum• Essay Writing in Classes• Curriculum addresses standardized testing• Technology/Process• Testing• Colloquium• Valuable extracurricular opportunities• Supported outside learning experiences• Magnum-Opus “Great Work”, Mr. Divine• Teachers, Admin, Counselors, Parents• Alumni

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Where Should Juniors Be In Their Planning?

A. Getting to Know Yourself ( p. 2 of the CHB)This process is about you going to college. Reflecting on yourself and who you are is the most important first step in this process. Talking with parents, friends, and siblings about colleges and their characteristics is valuable, but remember that you are the one going to college. Find the right fit for you!

1. Interests- Reflect on your interests. How you spend your time. What classes interest you? Check out “What’s Next Illinois” for interest inventories www.whatsnextillinois.org

2. Strengths- Reflect on your classes. Review your standardized test scores 3. Personality- Reflect on your background, values, beliefs, and personal

characteristics. Attempt to find a campus environment that reflects who you are.

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Junior Planning

A. Getting to Know Yourself4. Extracurricular Activities- What activities are you involved in at NSCP? What

do you want to continue in college? Look for schools that offer extracurricular activities of interest to you. (i.e. clubs, hobbies, sports, leadership roles.)

5. Self-Assessment and Parent Recommendation Form – The SA and PR are found on Naviance (p. 46-52 of the CHB) Both are due before the individual college counseling meeting. http://connection.naviance.com/northsideprep or go to the link on the Northside website.

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Junior Planning B. College Fit/College Characteristics

Ask yourself what it is you want in college? What do you need and want for the next four years of your life? Consider the following:

1. Place a. Size of school- (60,000 vs. 2,000). Is NCPHS size comfortable? Confining? Does your personality fit with small or larger schools?b. Location of the school- What part of the country? Distance from home? Travel time and cost? Vacations spent where? Homesickness? Parents can visit?c. Area of the school- Do you want city, rural, suburban? Consider your personality. Do you like the city? Fashion design vs. wildlife management?

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Junior PlanningCollege Fit and Characteristics:

“They teach anything in universities today. You can major in mud pies” - Orson Wells• Photojournalism at Colgate• Peace and Conflict Studies at UC Berkeley• Plant Science at Cornell• Business Institutions Program at Northwestern University in the Arts and Sciences

College 2. Program

a. Majors- What is offered? Do they fit with your interests?b. Internships/graduate programsc. Exposure to faculty/opportunities to research with facultyd. Class sizee. Support servicesf. Special deadlines for certain programs- Pre Med, Pre-Vet, Theatre/Music auditions,

Art Portfoliosg. Liberal arts vs. specific career focused college

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Junior Planning 3. People

a. Friends- Who do you hang out with? Why? What do you share in common? Do you want similar friends in college?

b. BYU vs. U.C. Berkeley4. Price

Consider price, but do not let it be the deciding factor yet. Remain open to all colleges now. The financial aid packages you receive in spring of senior year will assist you in making a final decision about affordability . Right now, consider the following:a. Cost of applications- Application fees range from $0-$60 each. Look for fee waivers from the colleges, if you qualify. b. Total cost- (tuition, board, fees, book, travel, misc.)c. Consider family affordability, but also that schools try to meet difference through loans, work study, grants.d. Consider total amount of loans student will have at graduation.

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Junior PlanningC. Be Determined to do Your Best!

Colleges review your transcript very carefully. They are interested in students who are challenging themselves. They consider if students are taking appropriately challenging classes, if students are exploring all areas of the curriculum, and working hard to achieve their best work. Reflect on the following with regard to your achievements:

Grades- These matter most!– Are you challenging yourself to do your best?– Are you getting help from teachers and communicating with them about

how you are doing?– Are you getting tutoring for a difficult class?– Are you taking advantage of everything our curriculum offers?

(AP courses, advanced course electives)– Have your grades been consistent?– Colleges look at 6, 7, 8th semester grades for ongoing performance

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Junior Planning 2. Testing- Colleges consider your test scores as well.

a. Prairie State Exam- All juniors will take on April 28th and 29th (more explained in a later slide).

b. ACT Exam. (turn to p.41 CHB)c. SAT Exam (turn to p.42 CHB)Consider taking both ACT and SAT. Some students perform better on one test than the other. Colleges consider your highest ACT composite score and your highest combined SAT score. Consider taking advantage of free score reports when you register. It saves you money, time, and colleges also are interested in your highest scores, not your lower ones.d. SAT II’s/Subject Tests (p.42 CHB)

-Take if required by college or if you want to show strengths-Take at the end of junior year if possible.-Some colleges use for placement and not for entrance-There are 20 subject areas.-Further information can be found on www.collegeboard.org.

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ACT

• Website: www.act.org • 2010-2011 Test Dates

-found on the web site -dates are also listed in the

handbook (p.41)

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PSAE (Prairie State Achievement Examination): 2 components

• 1st Component: Day One: Wednesday, April 28th , 2010 ACT with writing

• 2nd Component: Day Two: Thursday, April 29th, 2010 work keys- includes practical work applications of math, reading and writing

• All juniors at NCPHS are automatically registered for this exam and will take the exam during the school day.

• Most universities, colleges and the NCAA Clearinghouse accept the ACT of the PSAE as an official ACT score.

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SAT Test Dates

• Web site: www.collegeboard.com • Test Dates: Test and registration deadlines are found on this website

and in your handbook (p.42)• SAT subject tests, formerly known as the SAT II’s, are one hour in

length for each subject.• One, two or three subject tests can be taken in one day.• A complete list of subject tests can be found at

www.collegeboard.com • Subject tests cannot be taken on the same day as the SAT Reasoning

Test, formerly known as the SAT I. • Registration for the SAT and the SAT subject tests can be done on-line

at www.collegeboard.com.

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Junior PlanningD. Begin Researching

1. Utilize resources available in the guidance department.2. Joint College Fair: Walter Payton High School April 19, 2010 from 6pm-

8pm3. Organize college material you receive in the mail by your college selection

criteria.4. Visit colleges in the area to get an idea of different campus environment.

(Lake Forest College, Northwestern University , Loyola University, University of Chicago, Art Institute)

5. Go to the colleges’ websites. Some offer virtual tours.6. Attend college open houses. Arrange for an overnight visit. 7. Meet with visiting representatives at school (see listing on NCPHS’ website

under counseling/college information).8. List and compare your college interests by what you want in a college.

THIS IS WHERE JUNIORS SHOULD BE!

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Things to Anticipate!

1. Teacher recommendations - Think of who you want to ask. Consider asking teachers at the end of junior year if they will write you a recommendation.

2. Know your college application deadlines- A. Early Decision- (binding), Early Action (non-binding) Early Action Single

Choice- November deadlines.B. Regular- January 1st

C. Rolling- Applications accepted on a rolling basis until all spots taken.D. Priority- Not an early program like ED/EA. It is in your best interest to meet a

priority deadline. Less spots are available if you miss the priority deadline. (i.e. U of I –November)

E. Contact- Make continued contact with colleges. Meet with college representatives as much as possible. E-mail professors in your areas of interest. Send a letter of interest to the Admissions Office.

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Application/Scholarship Deadlines

• COLLEGE / SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESSING DEADLINES FOR NCPHS (See p. 53CHB)

• 2010-2011: There will be five different deadlines this year for the Jan. 1st deadline based on Advisory #’s- please see handbook.

Turning in Applications

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Application Deadlines• Students may not hand in applications:• THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING BREAK* - (November 22-26, 2010)• THE WEEK PRIOR TO THE WINTER BREAK* (December 13-24, 2010)• AFTER SCHOOL ON TUESDAYS (You can submit applications during

your lunch on Tuesdays.)• *These days are used to process applications prior to the breaks.• Other Notes:• The Counseling Department is closed during all holiday breaks.• Applications are processed on a deadline basis.

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Things to Anticipate

1. Re-take ACT/SAT- September and October of senior year. (see pages 42-43 of handbook) http://www.collegeboard.com

2. NCAA- applications are found on-line at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net for Division I and II college bound student athletes

3. Obtain applicationsA. Online- Some schools may have applications available on-line as early

as this summer.B. College website (http://www.lawrence.edu)C. Guidance departmentD. College mailingE. Common application http://www.commonapp.org.

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Things to Anticipate4. Review applications and essays- Have several people, such as your counselor,

parents, and writing center folks read your essays.

5. Begin Searching for Scholarships- Slowly research throughout the year. Utilize websites, review the guidance department’s monthly bulletin, and contact the financial aid office at the colleges you are interested in.

6. Apply for Financial Aid- As soon as possible after January 1st of senior year fill out the FAFSA form. Obtain a pin number and complete the FAFSA online. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Some colleges require the CSS Profile (College Scholarship Services)

7. Attend NSCP College EventsA. Joint Spring College Fair- April 19th at Walter Payton HS.B. Financial Aid Night – December of senior year at Northside.

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Essays • Essays are used to assess:

– Your use of English language– Your writing skills– Your ability to follow directions

• Essays Reflect:– Your attitudes– Your values– Your interests

• Essay topics:– Extracurricular activities– Books– Summer travel– Influential people– Personal history– Memorable experiences

Yourself As a Brand/Essays• Differentiate yourself among applicants.• What do you want them to like about you?• What do you want to convey?• How do you want to persuade them to accept you?• What is your clear story of why you should be accepted?• What will you contribute as a lifelong member of the

community?• What are you passionate about?• What are most significant contributions to date?• Did you take a risk and fail—and what did you learn?

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Recommendations• Ask teachers who know you well in the following areas:

– Leadership– Intellectual– Academic– Personal (qualities)

• Letters of recommendation from teachers often include:– Length of time of acquaintance– Type of classes taken with teacher– Personal work and style– Anecdotes about your work– Description of personality– Overall assessment of your ability

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Recommendations

• Letters of Recommendation from Counselors:– Comments about your academic program and achievement– Explanation of any unusual circumstances– Comments about course level and rigor– Comments on your abilities, habits, attributes, character, and

personality– Evaluates your contribution to the school’s community– Overall assessment of your ability to succeed in college

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The Application Process

• Teachers and counselors need at least four weeks notice to write a recommendation and process applications. See counseling department web site.

• Your counselor will not write a recommendation without a completed self-assessment form. The parent assessment form is also very helpful.

• Sign the Waiver of Confidentiality form on the Common Application

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High School Transcript

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Naviance

• Naviance (see p. 13 in the CPH)• www.northsideprep.org • College search software, self and parent assessment, ordering

transcripts, track recommendations, Secondary school reports.• Students must order transcripts from Naviance on-line (your

passwords are attached to your handbook).• In addition, students must fill out a transcript request in paper form

in the counseling center.

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What Colleges Look For

1. Rigorous high school curriculum2. Grades that represent a strong effort3. Solid scores on ACT and SAT4. Passionate involvement in a few activities5. Letters of rec. that indicate integrity, special skills, positive

character traits and an interest in learning6. Special talents or experiences that will contribute to an interesting

and well-rounded student body7. Well-written essay that provides insight into student’s unique

personality8. Demonstrated enthusiasm, often exhibited by campus visits and

an interview9. Work and community service10. Demonstrated intellectual curiosity (reading, school and leisure

pursuits

Students Anticipating ED Acceptance to U of C

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Closing

Starting Feb. 11th, call your counselor to set up a Family College Conference.773-534-3954 x43975 (Tassoni)We wish you well in your decision process, and we’re always here to assist you.