Eastlake High School Junior Parent Night

1. Eastlake High SchoolJunior Parent Night Preparing parents and students for senior year and post-secondary planning Kirsten Keller Counselor

2. Agenda • Junior Parent Night Goals • Balancing the Senior Year • Senior Handbook Introduction • 10 Steps To Good College Planning • Q&A Session

3. Junior Parent Night Goals • Identify the challenges seniors face in balancing the senior year • Understand the post-secondary planning process • Simplify college search and application process • Assist parents in becoming an informed support for your son or daughter in planning for the senior year and the year following graduation • Provide resources for parent questions

4. A Well-balanced Senior year • Help your student plan for next year’s commitments now • Understand that social connections are more important than ever • Anticipate conflicting emotions with upcoming change • Reassure students that parents, advisors, counselors, and teachers are there to help provide support Student responsibilities are split between planning their futures and working on high school demands:

5. Senior Handbook

6. 10 Steps To Good College Planning • Begin the college search process with parent support • Learn how to make the resources in the senior handbook work for you • Plan for deadlines in the post-secondary planning process • Survive and thrive throughout the senior year The following 10 steps will help your student:

7. 1. Match aptitudes and career goals with schools and programs • Visit the EHS Career Center Andrea Wehner, EHS Career Specialist • Explore college search websites • Write a resume • Look for schools with a good range of programs in an area of interest

8. 2. Register for a rigorous and balanced senior course schedule • Core academic courses • Coursework beyond minimum college entrance requirements • Advanced classes/course studies • Elective classes in areas of interest

9. Washington Four-year College Entrance Requirements English 4 years Mathematics 3 years Social Science 3 years Science 2 years Foreign Language 2 years Fine Arts 1 year (or in any of the above)

10. 3. Sign up for College Entrance Exams • SAT Reasoning Test • ACT with optional writing test • Both are tests of college readiness • Recommended Spring of Junior year • Last testing opportunity Fall of Senior year

11. ACT 25% English 25% Mathematics 25% Reading 25% Science Optional Writing Test Subtests range from 1-36 Composite of 4 test scores (1-36) No penalty for guessing SAT 33% Critical Reading 33% Mathematics 33% Writing Subtest range from 300-800 Sum of 3 test scores (600-2400) Score adjusted for wrong answers College Entrance Exams

12. Test Score Comparison

13. 4. Build a list of schools/programs to research

14. 5. Plan school visits • Walk around campus • Attend a class • Interview admissions officers • Spend a night in the dorm • Talk with other university students • Use campus checklist as a guide

15. 6. Build a list of schools for application • Discuss the college comparison data and get feedback from others • Students should talk with parents, counselors, advisors, teachers, and friends • Help your son or daughter examine their goals, thoughts and feelings so that they may choose schools for application • Build a well-considered, reasonable list of schools for application

16. 7. Submit applications • Demographic Information/Essays • Academic record • Test scores (SAT or ACT) • School/counselor report • Teacher recommendation Application elements:

17. Letters of recommendation To receive letters that add depth and excitement to an application students should: • Ask someone who knows them well • Choose teachers of classes where they were most engaged intellectually, showed creativity, or completed a special project or independent work • Tell the writer how their experience in the classroom or learning style relates to the college of application • Talk to the writer about their dreams for college and a career • Remember to write thank you notes to letter writers including exciting news of acceptance

18. College admission factors

19. College admission decisions • Match between college needs and student characteristics • Colleges provide admissions statistics range of GPA and test scores • Holistic review process • Academic Index less frequently used as a sole determinant in admissions decisions

20. Community and Technical Colleges • Opportunity for lower tuition costs while exploring academic interests • Small setting to solidify academic record or learn a trade • Admissions consist primarily of biographical information and proof of high school equivalency

21. 8. Financial aid and scholarship • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS profile • Factors that determine a families financial strength • Schools determine distribution of funds as financial aid packages • Research independent sources of scholarship funding • Athletes should register with the NCAA • EHS Financial Aid Night in December

22. Financial aid and scholarship references

23. 9. Plan senior year • SAT/ACT • Fall National College Fair • Application deadlines • EHS finals, AP tests, senior project • Sports, activities, community service, social events • Graduation preparation Use a calendar to plan for:

24. 10. Fall Senior Seminar for students • Covers Senior Handbook in detail • Review college search process • Reminder of Fall National College Fair • Answer student questions

25. NACAC tips for parents: Dos and don’ts for college admissions • Do learn about the college admission process • Do discuss restrictions up front • Don’t limit choices based on fees • Do remind your child of deadlines • Do listen and offer advice when asked • Don’t make decisions for your son or daughter • Do encourage and celebrate

26. Books and Resources • “The College Guide For Parents”by C. Shield (Published by the College Board) • “Letting Go: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding the College Years”by K. Coburn and M. Treeger • “When Your Kid Goes To College”by C. Barkin • “Almost Grown: Launching Your Child From High School to College”by P. Pasick *References provided by: The National Association for College Admission Counseling

27. Q & ASession