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Preparing for College

Preparing for College. Upper Merion Area High School Guidance Department April 24, 2013. Agenda. Words of Wisdom The College Search Scholarships and the Reality of College Costs Parent Tips Next Steps Nut and Bolts Other. Words of Wisdom. Relax… You will get in.

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Preparing for College

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  1. Preparing for College Upper Merion Area High School Guidance Department April 24, 2013

  2. Agenda • Words of Wisdom • The College Search • Scholarships and the Reality of College Costs • Parent Tips • Next Steps • Nut and Bolts • Other

  3. Words of Wisdom Relax… You will get in. 70% of colleges accept an average of 70% of their applicants.

  4. Words of Wisdom You don’t need to go far away. 88% of high school students go to college in their home state.

  5. Words of Wisdom If you don’t have a major, it’s OK. More than half of new college students say a very important reason for going to college is “to find my purpose in life.”

  6. Choosing the Right College

  7. Know Yourself • Values • Ambitions • Achievements • Academic Strengths • Interests • Your Standout Talents

  8. Types of Colleges

  9. Types of Colleges

  10. Choosing Your College Priorities What is important to you? • Location • Academics • Size • Campus Appeal • Social Life • Total Cost – Including aid

  11. About College Admission Tests • ACT • Consists of four tests: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing • Writing component is optional • Top composite score is 36 • SAT • Consists of three tests: Verbal, Math, Writing • Each test is scored on a scale of 200-800 • SAT II • Twenty different subject tests • Check individual school to see if any are required for admission

  12. What information do college admission officers review?

  13. Accessing College Information • collegeboard.com– SAT information and college search program • Educationplanner.org – College search program powered by Peterson’s • Cappex.com- College search made simple. Your first stop to kick-start your college and scholarship search • actstudent.org- Information about the ACT test • nacacnet.org- National Association for College Admission Counseling. Offers national college fair information and articles about the college process

  14. Accessing College Information Family Connection by Naviance • https://connection.naviance.com/family-connection/auth/login/?hsid=uppermhs The link for this web-based program can be accessed by going to the main high school website, clicking on the College Planning tab which brings you to the high school guidance website. The first thing you see is information about Naviance Family Connection.

  15. Scholarships

  16. Merit Scholarship Tips Merit scholarships are where the money is. • There is more than $11 billion in merit scholarships available to students from colleges • Not just for “A” students • Many awards emphasize leadership or school involvement • Nearly all colleges offer merit aid scholarships • The average merit scholarship is $5,000 • Many awards can be renewed year after year

  17. Scholarship Resources • Fastweb.com - Private scholarships • fafsa.ed.gov- Free Application for Federal Student Aid • Studentaid.ed.gov - The federal government’s website about paying for college • MeritAid.com- $11 billion in merit scholarships • Cappex.com- Scholarship matching • finaid.org- Free student resource for learning about all types of financial aid

  18. Are You a Helicopter Parent?

  19. 10 Tips for would-be Helicopter Parents • Help your student understand the college search process • Be realistic and non-judgmental • Be in the "back seat" - and not the driver - of the college search process • Be open to dialogue and responsive to questions • Be aware of deadlines and fees due • Know that things have changed since your college days • Don’t overemphasize your own alma maters • Don’t compare your student with others • Don’t dwell on disappointments, like a rejection letter • Celebrate successes!

  20. When you have questions along the way - ASK! Don’t be shy. Upper Merion Area High School Counseling Department Patricia Brower (A-D) pbrower@umasd.org 610-205-3840 Kim Jackson (E-K) kjackson@umasd.org 610-205-3841 Lauryn Roth (L-Ra) lroth@umasd.org 610-205-3870 Deborah Greenstein (Re-Z) dgreenstein@umasd.org 610-205-3873 Erik Enters (College) eenters@umasd.org 610-205-3839 Elaine Berman (Guidance Technician) 610-205-3821 Diane Coxe (Guidance Clerk/HUB) 610-205-3899

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