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Join us at Northside's College Planning Night to learn about the college planning process for juniors. Discover how to choose the right college, assess yourself, and understand college fit and costs. Don't miss this valuable opportunity!
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Introduction Patrick Tassoni LCPC Counselor/College Coordinator Junior Advisories 406 Searcy 407 Solin 408 McCormick
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, High School Profile • Members of national and regional college counseling associations (ACA, IACAC, CB) • Present at various PD opportunities • 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 (Opportunities to shine) • Valuable extracurricular opportunities • Supported outside learning experiences • Global Initiatives • Teachers, Admin, Counselors, Parents • Alumni
Where Should Juniors Be In Their Planning? Getting to Know Yourself (p. 4 Steps to College Planning) 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! • 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 • Strengths-Reflect on your classes. Review your standardized test scores • Personality- Reflect on your background, values, beliefs, and personal characteristics. Attempt to find a campus environment that reflects who you are. • Extracurricular Activities-What activities are you involved in at NCP? 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.)
Junior Planning Getting to Know Yourself 5. Self-Assessment and Parent Recommendation Form – The SA and PR are found on Naviance (p. 48-52 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. a. letter of recommendation b. helps formulate ideas for essays c. The college conference
Junior Planning 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 NCP size comfortable? Confining? Does your personality fit with smaller 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?
Junior Planning College Fit and Characteristics: Curricular and co-curricular should be a whole experience. “ If you want to learn content, take an online course”-Donna Shalala, President (University of Miami) Program • Majors • Internships/graduate programs • Exposure to faculty/opportunities to research with faculty • Class size • Support services • Special deadlines for certain programs- Pre Med, Pre-Vet, Theatre/Music auditions, Art Portfolios • Liberal arts vs. specific career focused college People • Student body • BYU vs. U.C. Berkeley
Junior Planning College Costs Old Approach to Considering College Costs: Consider cost, 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. New Approach to Considering College Costs:a. Net Price Calculator- is an online estimation tool allowing prospective students, families, and consumers to estimate the individual net price of an institution of higher education for a student.
Junior Planning Be Determined to do Your Best! • Colleges review your transcript closely • Rigor • Balance • Upward grade trends • Quality vs. quantity of AP 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 • Be proactive rather than reactive
Junior Planning Testing- Colleges consider your test scores as well. a. Prairie State Exam- All juniors will take on April 23th and 24th (more explained in a later slide) b. ACT Exam. (turn to p.44 CHB) c. SAT Exam(turn to p.44 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. Colleges are interested in your highest scores, not your lower ones. d. SAT II’s/Subject Tests (p.44 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.
ACT • Website: www.act.org • 2013-2014 Test Dates -found on the web site -dates are also listed in the handbook (p.44)
PSAE (Prairie State Achievement Examination): 2 components • 1st Component: Day One: Wednesday, April 23th , 2013 ACT with writing (No writing portion this year) • 2nd Component: Day Two: Thursday, April 24th, 2013 work keys- includes practical work applications of math, reading and writing • All juniors at NCP 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.
SAT Test Dates • Web site: www.collegeboard.org • Test Dates: Test and registration deadlines are found on this website and in your handbook (p.44) • 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.org • 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.org • .
Begin Researching and Demonstrating Interest • Utilize resources available in the guidance department. • Joint College Fair: Walter Payton High School, March 14, 2013 from 6:30pm-8:30pm • Visit colleges in the area to get an idea of different campus environments. (Lake Forest College, Northwestern University , Loyola University, University of Chicago, Art Institute) • Go to the colleges’ websites. Some offer virtual tours. • Attend college open houses. Arrange for an overnight visit or fly-out programs • Meet with visiting representatives at school (see listing on NCP website under counseling/college information). This could be a reason to admit. • List and compare your college interests by what you want in a college, (See p. 9 in the CPH). • Demonstrating interest, (See p. 39 in the CPH). THIS IS WHERE JUNIORS SHOULD BE!
Things to Anticipate! 1. Teacher recommendations - By the end of junior year, begin asking teachers if they will write you a recommendation. 2. Know your college application deadlines- • Early Decision- (binding), Early Action (non-binding) Early Action Single Choice- November deadlines. Usually more scholarships available. • Regular- January 1st • Rolling- Applications accepted on a rolling basis until all spots taken. • 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 as well as the Admissions Office.
Application/Scholarship Deadlines • COLLEGE / SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESSING DEADLINES FOR NCP (See p. 53 CHB) • There is a specific schedule for turning in applications by Advisory. • The student portion of the application does not have to be completed in order to turn in your transcript requests and recommendation requests.
Application Deadlines Students may not hand in applications: • THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING BREAK* - (November 18-22, 2013) • THE WEEK PRIOR TO THE WINTER BREAK*- (December 11-24, 2013) • 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.
Things to Anticipate 1. Re-take ACT/SAT-September and October of senior year. (see pages 41-42 of handbook) http://www.collegeboard.com 2. NCAA- registration is found on-line at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net for Division I and II college bound student athletes. This needs to be done second semester of the junior year. NOW. 3. Obtain applications • College website (http://www.lawrence.edu • Common application http://www.commonapp.org. • Common Black College Application http://www.eduinconline.com
Things to Anticipate • Review applications and essays- Get it done over the summer. Have several people, such as your counselor, parents, and the writing center folks read your essays. 5. Begin Searching for Scholarships- research throughout the year. Utilize reputable websites, review the counseling department’s monthly bulletin, as well as financial aid websites of colleges of interest. • 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). Use the Net Price Calculators. 7. Attend NSCP College Events • Joint Spring College Fair at Walter Payton, March 14th. • Financial Aid Night – December of senior year at Northside.
Essays(p.30 of CHB) • 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? • 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 your most significant contributions to date? • Did you take a risk and fail—and what did you learn?
Teacher 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
Counselor 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 • Colleges are looking for evidence of motivation, maturity, integrity, independence, initiative, leadership, originality, and capacity for growth • Evaluates your contribution to the school’s community • Overall assessment of your ability to succeed in college • See page 48-50of CHB, Self-Assessment
The Application Process • Teachers and counselors need at least four weeks notice to write a recommendation and process applications. See counseling department website or handbook. • Your counselor will not write a recommendation without a completed self-assessment form. The parent assessment form is also very helpful. • Sign the on-line Waiver of Confidentiality form on the Common Application
Naviance • Naviance (see p. 13 in the CPH) • www.northsideprep.org • College search and information 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. • Utilize “Colleges I’m Thinking About” to receive special announcements
What Colleges Look For • Rigorous high school curriculum • Grades that represent a strong effort • Solid scores on ACT and SAT • Passionate involvement in a few activities • Letters of rec. that indicate integrity, special skills, positive character traits and an interest in learning • Special talents or experiences that will contribute to an interesting and well-rounded student body • Well-written essay that provides insight into student’s unique personality • Demonstrated enthusiasm, often exhibited by meeting with reps. at Northside, campus visits and interviews • Work and community service • Demonstrated intellectual curiosity (reading, school and leisure pursuits, activities)
Expectations • Take ownership of yourself and this process • Communicate with your counselor • Check your CPS email and your NAVIANCE on a REGULAR BASIS • Anticipate your deadlines • Read and use the College Handbook throughout the application process
Closing Starting Feb. 11th, and once the student has completed their Self-Assessment, call your counselor to set up a Family College Conference. Mr. Tassoni 773-534-3975 We wish you well in your decision process, and we’re always here to assist you.
