REACH FOR THE STARS
WHAT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICERS ARE LOOKING FOR?
HOW TO GET INTO TOP-TIER COLLEGES & IVY LEAGUE SCHOOLS
WHAT IS REACH FOR THE STARS?
• It is a program that started in 2009 to help identify our
top performing students and help them navigate
through the college admissions process.
• To participate you must complete an application, join
the REMIND texting group and EDMODO
• Monthly visits will be made to the schools
• Goal: to help students with college admissions &
increase the numbers of students going to top tier
colleges
TOP TIER COLLEGES
• U.S. News & World Report:
2015 Best Colleges Preview Top 25 National Universities:
Princeton University
Harvard University
Yale University
Columbia University
Stanford University
University of Chicago
MIT
Duke University
University of Pennsylvania
CIT
Dartmouth University
Johns Hopkins University
Northwestern University
Source:
Washington University in St. Louis
Cornell University
Brown University
University of Notre Dame
Vanderbilt University
Rice University
University of California - Berkeley
Emory University
Georgetown University
UCLA
University of Virginia
Carnegie Mellon University
University of Southern California
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/data
WHAT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICERS
LOOK FOR
• Quality of Courses – quality and rigor of courses
• Grades – key factor in the admissions decision
• SAT / ACT scores – used to compare you to other applicants.
• Extracurricular activities – Most schools look for go-getters, and
leadership type qualities. How involved are you in school
clubs, sports, organizations?
• Essays – this is the opportunity to shine. Show them who you
are aside from what your college application & transcript says.
• Recommendation letters
TOPICS DISCUSSED
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Creating a resume
Majors & Career Exploration (US DOE … mynextmoves.com, mymajors.com)
What College Admissions Officers look for?
Searching for Colleges
Understanding “Match”, “Reach” and “Safety” schools
Understanding what’s a good “fit”
Understanding College Terms
Understanding the SAT and ACT, when to register, SAT II exams, Test Prep
College Visits & Questions to ask
Writing Essays
Recommendation Letters
Completing College Applications & Understanding Deadlines
Understanding the Financial Aid Process
How to look for Scholarships
Preparing for a College Interview
Handling Rejection, Deferred Admission, or being Waitlisted
YOU ARE A JUNIOR …. NOW WHAT?
• Start developing your resume – a record of your accomplishments,
activities, and work experiences. This will be an important part of
your application process (& Creating a professional email address)
• If you haven’t participated in many activities outside of class, now is
the time to sign up. Consider clubs at schools, team sports, leadership
roles, or involvement in your religious or civic community group.
• Take the PSAT. Taking this as a junior will qualify you for some
scholarship consideration and identify you to colleges as a potential
applicant. When you receive results (usually in December) review
them to learn more about your strengths and weaknesses.
• Begin preparing for the ACT or SAT. Talk to your HS Career Specialist
about FREE test prep & waivers - if you qualify
SPRING TIMELINE FOR JUNIORS
January / February
• When filling out your course form for your senior year,
make sure to pick classes that are the most challenging.
• Register for a spring offering of the SAT and/ or ACT
• Register for the SAT subject test as well, if the colleges
you are interested in require subject area testing.
(double check with the college’s freshman admission
requirements and your high school counselor / career
specialist)
SPRING TIMELINE …. CONT’D
March / April
• Begin taking a more serious look into colleges and universities.
• Make a file for each college that you are interested in.
Gather information. Go online to their website, go to college
fairs and open houses and learn as much as you can.
• Plan college visits. Spring Break is a good time to visit. Include
to visit a small, medium and large college campus to see
what would be a better fit.
• Write, call or email to request a school brochure.
• Think about getting a summer job or internship.
JUNIOR SPRING TIMELINE
May
• Take a look at some applications.
• Take a look at the essays. Start writing drafts.
• List all the different pieces of information you will want to
compile.
• Think of who you will ask to write recommendation letters
for you. Let them know in advance. You should consider
asking a teacher, counselor, employers, volunteer
coordinators, etc.
IN THE SUMMER
• Some college’s applications go live in July/August.
Double check the website.
• The common application usually goes live August
1st.
• Work on the college essay. Try and have them
complete before starting school – at least the 1st
draft.
APPLYING TO COLLEGES
• Which College Admission process Best Suits You?
- Regular Decision – Submitting the college app by a certain date
and receiving a decision in a clearly stated period of time.
- Rolling Admission – apps reviewed as they are received
- Early Action – Applying early and receiving a decision well before
the regular response date.
- Early Decision – This is a commitment to a 1st choice college.
Application / decision deadline occur very early
- Restrictive Early Action - This is a commitment to a 1st choice
college. App / decision deadline occur very early, There
may be restrictions. If offered enrollment they have until
May 1st.
THE COLLEGE APPLICATION
• Applications include:
• Personal information
• Transcripts (Grades)
• Test Scores (SAT or ACT) – SAT subject area
tests, check school websites
• Personal Essays
• Letters of Recommendation
• Portfolio, Audition or Interview
• Proof of residency
KNOW YOUR DEADLINES
• Very Important
• Stay Organized (Application Tracker sheet)
• Before you hit submit, review the application make
sure there are no grammatical errors (print out a
copy)
SAT / ACT
• SAT
- Subject Area Tests – Check with the colleges you
are interested in if SAT II tests are required
• ACT
- Make sure you do the writing section as most
colleges look for these results.
• Fee Waivers
TEST PREP
• Check with your HS Career Specialists for more info:
• Free test prep offered with Edmentum / PLATO
SAT partnered up with Kahn Academy & offers free
online test prep: https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
ACT & ASVAB offers free practice tests online via:
www.march2success.com
PERT study guide can also be found online using the
Valencia College website: www.valenciacollege.edu
ESSAYS
• Do research for the schools you are interested in.
Sometimes essays are available early.
• Work on these in the Summer
• Talk about something unique about you that is not
in your college application. Make it interesting.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread!!!
RECOMMENDATION LETTERS
• Think of who you will ask to write recommendation letters
for you.
• Let them know in advance.
• You should consider asking a teacher, counselor,
employers, volunteer coordinators, etc.
• Complete the Senior BRAGG sheet or provide a copy of
your updated resume
• Make sure to say “Thank you”!
PORTFOLIOS / AUDITIONS /
INTERVIEWS
• Check requirements for portfolio or auditions.
• Meet deadlines
• Interviews – find out what kind of questions they will
ask and be prepared.
• Be on time for interview
• Dress appropriately
THE STUDENT ATHLETE
• Check with your HS Counselor to make sure you are
registered with the NCAA eligibility center.
• Ask and make sure that transcripts are sent.
• ACT or SAT - use code “9999” to have official scores sent
to NCAA eligibility center
• Make sure you are on track to graduate
• Ask to have your final transcript submitted with proof of
graduation
SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID
• Scholarships require research
- District Website, College Board,
- Fastweb, scholarships.com, cappex, zinch
- Education Foundation
Financial Aid:
- Brightfutures (Dec 1st – Senior Year)
- FAFSA (January 1st – Senior Year)
PARENTS
• How can you help?
Remind them they still have to get good grades
and study in their Senior year. No senior-itis
Keep communication open
Listen to what they want – about college
Listen for uncertainty, lack of confidence etc.
Help them to be realistic and boost confidence
Take them to visit colleges (if unsure)
Remind them about tests and deadlines – help them
keep a calendar and keep a college folder
Be prompt with any pieces you have to complete.
PARENTS
• How can you help NOW?
-
Now – help students register for the ACT & SAT
& help them send their scores to the colleges
-
Now – help them create / update their resume
-
Now – help student by reading college essays
-
Now – help get all information together for
application process
HOW DO YOU JOIN RFTS?
Complete the RFTS application and turn it into your
HS Career Specialist.
Edmodo using www.edmodo.com
- group code to join is: xhu6r3
Remind: text the code: @top10 to 81010
QUESTIONS?
Gladys Justiniano
Direct phone #:
Email:
District College Specialist
(407) 870-4810
justinig@osceola.k12.fl.us