Class of 2020 The College Process Seniors What Holds Them Back - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Class of 2020 The College Process

Seniors What Holds Them Back

• Nervous - I don’t know what to do.
• Expectations - My mom wants me to go to Whitman

and my dad wants me to go to the U of W.

• Big Decision -What if I make the wrong decision

and I don’t like my college choice?

• The Future is scary - I have no idea what I want to

do and everyone else does.

College Process

2 Year Degree vs. 4 Year Degree

• Student Myths Around College Choices
• Benefit of 2 year
• Benefit of 4 year

College Process

Selecting a Major

• Is selecting a major important?
• Explore Strength/Weakness/Interests
• School
• Outside
• School Size and College Majors
• Visits to College Departments

College Process

Parent Help!

TO DO:

• Update Resume https://www.sjisd.wednet.edu/Page/118
• College Search
• Private vs. Public
• 2 year vs. 4 year
• Pick 3-6 schools
• Organize
• Applications
• Essay
• Resume
• Deadlines
• Financial Aid
• Transcript
• Recommendations

College Process

Parent Help!

Organization

College Cost Application deadline Financial Aid Deadline Essay

Transcript

Teacher Rec Counselor Rec Other

U of W

27,638

11/15/19 1/15/20 Yes No No No SAT/ FAFSA/ WASFA UPS

68,000 11/15 or 1/15

11/15/19 1/15/20

Yes Yes Yes Yes SAT/ FAFSA/ WASFA

College Process

Friday Harbor High School Guidance and Counseling: College Process http://www.sjisd.wednet.edu/Page/118

College Search

• Use: www.collegeboard.org
• http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
• https://www.unigo.com/colleges - Student Reviews
• Meet with Gordy to define search
• Four Year or Two Year
• Public or Private
• Location
• Campus Setting
• Rural, Suburban, or Urban
• Size
• Major
• Campus Visits (Before/After Application?)
• SAT/ACT Test (one more time?)
• Interviews

College Process

Parent Help! Parent Help!

Ranking Your Choices

• Know your Deadlines (Application and Financial

Aid)

• Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision
• Your GPA Compared to:
• The schools average GPA
• Your SAT / ACT scores Compared to:
• The schools average SAT and ACT
• College Setting
• Academic Major
• Co curricular Activities

College Process

Deadlines

• Early Action vs. Early Decision vs. Regular Decision (What is right for you?)
• Regular Decision (RD)
• Most common form of applying
• Can apply to multiple schools
• Early Action (EA)
• Non-Binding
• OK to apply to many schools EA
• Strong Competition to Select Schools
• Early Decision (ED)
• Binding (you have to go if accepted)
• Can only apply to one school ED
• Possibility of Poor Financial Aid
• Might get a closer look
• Contract must be signed by parent and guidance counselor
• Discussion with university advised

Parent Help!

The Admissions Process

• Academic Profile
• Transcripts
• SAT and ACT
• Class Rank
• Courses
• Grades (GPA)

College Process

Personal Profile

• Essays
• Resume
• Extracurricular Activities
• Honors and Awards
• Travel
• Work Experience
• Community Service
• Hobbies
• Site Visit
• Interview (Is it mandatory?)

College Process

Parent Help!

Personal Essay – First Person Narrative

• 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe

their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

• 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a

time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

• 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted

your thinking? What was the outcome?

• 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual

challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

• 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a

new understanding of yourself or others.

• 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time.

Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

• 7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that

responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Supporting Documents

• Teacher Recommendations
• Guidance Counselor Recommendation and School Report

– Meet with Gordy

• Supplementary Materials (Department Specific)
• Athletics
• Music
• Writing
• Art
• Drama

College Process

Recommendations

• How to get a recommendation
• Print your Resume
• Politely ask a teacher and/or Gordy if they would be willing to write

you a recommendation for college

• Ask before school, after school or between classes
• Give two or three weeks notice
• Ask if they would like an addressed and stamped envelope or if they

would like to give the recommendation to you

• Be thankful
• Remember – No one is required to write you a recommendation
• Ask in person do not email a request for a recommendation
• Ask for a recommendation - Do not tell a staff member you need a

recommendation

College Process

Financial Aid

• FAFSA – www.fafsa.ed.gov October 1ST 2019
• Net Price Calculators
• CSS Profile (Most Private Colleges)
• College Financial Aid/Scholarship Applications
• Local Scholarships (April)
• FHHS student email
• San Juan Service Scholarship (Dollars for Scholars)
• www.fastweb.com
• www.washboard.com
• http://www.savingforcollege.com/
• http://www.finaid.org/ or other free search

College Process

Parent Help!

Financial Aid

• FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.govOctober 1st 2019
• Most Financial Aid deadlines are between November 15 to

January 15.

• Should be able to use Data Retrieval Tool
• Base on prior – prior year’s tax information
• FAFSA determines your expected family

contribution (EFC)

• Amount family expected to contribute toward

college costs

• Lower EFC more likely to receive gift aid
• Money in students name
• Anyone can qualify for certain types of financial aid

Parent Help!

Financial Aid

• Types of Aid Available
• Gift aid (Federal, State, School)
• Doesn’t have to be paid back
• Work-study (Federal)
• Earn while you learn
• Loans (Federal, Private)
• Must be repaid, including interest
• OK to accept with Financial Aid Package
• Track loan amount
• Know payback terms

Financial Aid

• Gift Aid/Scholarships
• Merit-Based or Need-Based
• Awarded for:
• Academic achievement
• Talent or skill
• Community service
• Leadership/school activities
• Parent affiliation with a club or organization
• Financial need
• College Bound Scholarship

Financial Aid

• Finding Scholarships
• High School Counselor
• Community Scholarships (Spring)
• College you plan to attend
• Public library
• Free online resources
• Fast Web: www.fastweb.com
• College Board: www.collegeboard.com
• Washboard.com; www.washboard.org

Parent Help!

A Few Last Things

• Call the colleges to make sure admissions and financial

aid applications are complete

• Ask financial aid office about the impact on your aid if

you are awarded local scholarships (what will be taken away?)

• The long wait

College Process

Parent Help!

Web Sites

• College Search Sites
• www.collegeboard.org
• http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
• www.petersons.com
• www.mycollegeguide.org
• www.princetonreview.com
• Financial Aid
• The Washboard.org
• www.fastweb.com
• www.finaid.org
• http://wiche.edu/studentExchange
• usscholarshipguide.org/misc/scholarship_tips.html
• studentaid2.ed.gov/getmoney/scholarship/v3browse.asp
• www.collegeboard.org
• www.collegexpress.com
• http://www.collegedata.com/cs/content/content_payarticle_tmpl.jhtml?articleId=10202

College Process