WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Lisa van Ravenswaay
Bridgett Marshall
Scott Jefferies

TIME MANAGEMENT

SENIOR PARENT NIGHT
 This night is for you. Ask questions as we go along
.

SENIOR PARENT NIGHT
 Last year Students researched colleges.
 The college selection, application, and financial choice is a family affair
 If your child is still struggling with this – please advise them to see me and I can help them with this search.

SENIOR PARENT NIGHT
 As Parents you have many roles in the college admissions process:
 Listener
 Advocate
 Advisor of deadlines
 College trip organizer
 Researcher
 Cheerleader

KEEP INFORMED!
 Read the Guidance Newsletter
 Read the College and Career Weekly Updates
 Upcoming events
 Scholarships
 College Rep visits
 College open house dates
 Employment opportunities
 College Day – 9/26 in RCHS gym (12-2pm)

KEEP INFORMED!
 College visits are important – like test driving a new car
 Help them set up an overnight visit
 Take your own notes on visits – compare your thoughts and views with those of your child

KEEP COMPOSED.
 Students feel a sense of urgency to get into the school they have chosen – but get frustrated and stymied with all the work that is expected.
 Listen, be the asker of questions instead of provider of answers.
 This process begins the year of “Letting Go” for both you and your son or daughter.

KEEPING AFTER.
 Have your child take OWNERSHIP of this process.
 Even for the best time managers – this is an overwhelming endeavor.
 This process requires team effort.
 Help child stay organized – calendars, checklists, etc.
 Post this on fridge, common area
 This is the beginning of their independence… they are the ones going off to college.

KEEP THE FAITH.
 There is a place for every student after high school.
 Need to look for “Best Fit” not “Best School” – a place where your child can be successful both academically and socially.
 Admissions committees have your child’s interests at heart…
 College admissions can be unpredictable – situations and needs change yearly.

SENIOR PARENT PACKET
 School Profile
 Parenting the College Applicant
 Tips for Parents
 The College Application Process
 SAT and ACT testing
 College Planning Calendar for Seniors
 How to Give Your Counselor a College Application
 Senior Transcript Mailing Form
 17 Point Checklist
 Information about Virginia Community College
System

SCHOOL PROFILE
 A copy of this will be sent to each school your child applies to for admission.
 Gives general overview of the school so college admissions counselors have a better idea of what type of academic environment the student is coming from.

SOME ADVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT
 Open, honest communication between you and your child is critical to the success of the process.
 Tips on how to help your child through this process.

STEPS TO COLLEGE
 The Do’s and Do Not’s of the College
Admissions Process for Parents
 For example:
 DO – learn about the process
 DON’T – limit choices based on fees

SAT/ACT SCHEDULES
 We will offer the SAT at RCHS in October,
November, December, January and March.
 We will offer the ACT at RCHS in October,
December, February, April and June.
 Registration deadlines generally are a month prior to test date.
 Registration is online at collegeboard.org or act.org.

SAT/ACT
 These tests are not the determining factor of admissions – just part of a package.
 Do not measure creativity, motivation, imagination, intellectual curiosity.
 Grades in hard classes are better predictors of success in college than SATs… but together they improve that prediction.
 Online prep tools are available on the SAT and
ACT websites.

NCAA
 NCAA Clearinghouse
 If your child plans on participating in NCAA athletics at the Division I (VT, UVA, Radford, VMI, Liberty, etc.) or Division II (VUU, VSU, UVA – Wise) level – they must be cleared as eligible by the NCAA.
 If your child plans on participating in NCAA athletics at the Division III (WLU, BC, E&H, RMC, Ferrum, etc.) level – this is not necessary.
 Go to NCAA clearinghouse website and register.

SENIOR YEAR CALENDAR
 This was given to each Senior during a
Senior Meeting on the 1 st Friday of the school year.
 If students follow this timeline and accomplish all goals on the checklist for each month – they will be in great shape for college admissions.

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS
 Breakdown of what to do and when to do it.
 Collection of tips and insight on the lingo of the application process.

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION
 Components of a College Application
 Basic information, transcripts (courses and grades), test scores, extracurricular activities, essays, recommendations, and possibly interviews
 Tips for Undertaking the Application Process
 Application Timelines
 Different Types of Applications
 The Parent’s Role in the College-Choice
Process

TYPES OF APPLICATIONS
 Early Decision – binding. If deferred to regular admissions – you are released from contract to attend.
 Early Action – Not binding – typically have until May 1 st to decide.
 Rolling Admissions – will be informed of admission status 4-6 weeks after materials received.
 Regular Admissions – wait until April.

PAPERWORK
 Colleges prefer students file applications online.
 Some applications have a Part I and II. Part I needs to go in as soon as possible.
 Deadlines: BE EARLY! Try to finish process before winter holiday. If there is a March deadline – finish over break and turn in early January.
 IF – January 1 st DEADLINE – I must have ALL application materials by DECEMBER 1 st . I will not work over holidays.

HOW TO GIVE YOUR COUNSELOR A
COLLEGE APPLICATION
 Ms. van Ravenswaay needs this information no less than TWO WEEKS prior to the application due date.
 A student’s procrastination will not lead to a
Guidance Office crisis.

THE BLUE FORM
 This is to be filled out with Ms. van
Ravenswaay…
 This helps us stay organized and know when our responsibilities have been completed.

PREPARING THE APPLICATION
 Be perfect.
 Colleges may ask for essays, teacher recommendations, transcripts, application fee.
 ESSAYS – breathe life into the statistics and numbers
 Lunch Bunch – opportunity.
 Recommendations – 3 weeks notification is ideal.
 For me the deadline is Sept. 21 st for Early applications, Sept. 28 th for Regular.

WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR?
THE FIVE P’s:
Program – How challenging is the coursework?
Performance – How well has the student done?
Potential – Indicated by standardized test scores.
Participation – What commitments outside the classroom? Job? Activities? Community service?
Personality – Essay and teacher/counselor recommendations. Interviews. Can explain a bad year.

CHECKLIST
 17 things to think about when completing your application.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
 Great resource to use if your child is considering going to a community college.
 What majors, certifications are offered at each community college in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
 Students go to community college for a variety of reasons:
 Reduced cost for the first two years
 Not being able to get into the college of their choice so they work to transfer to that college after two years of community college work
 The career they want requires only two years of community college work
 Not sure what he or she wants to study
 Not ready to leave home

COLLEGE-CAREER WEEKLY UPDATE
 These are available each week in the
Guidance Office and are posted on our bulletin board and Guidance website.
 Important Dates
 Special Opportunities (College Day – 9/26)
 Job opportunities
 College Rep visits (sign up in guidance office)
 Open Houses for popular schools
 Additional Resources

WHAT ARE MY CHANCES?
 Good Match Schools – apply to 2-3 of these
 Compatibility between student grades and academic quality of the school’s freshman profile.
 Reach Schools – apply to 1-2 of these
 If you’re thinking “it won’t hurt to try” then it is more than likely a reach school.
 Safety Schools – apply to 1-2 of these
 More than likely will not turn you away. Your child must be happy and willing to attend this school.

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO
COLLEGES IN VIRGINIA
 Great quick resource…
 Deadlines
 Federal School Codes
 General information about each school

VISITING COLLEGES?
 Quick Guide to College Open Houses in
Virginia

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 The remaining pages are just quick resources for you to thumb through and provide additional information about the college admissions process.

FINANCIAL AID
 Financial Aid Meeting in January
 Financial Aid is based on MERIT and NEED.
 What can you do now?
 Get tax information together as soon as possible.
 Can use 2011 tax return info – but will need to re-file.
 Get FAFSA pin number – apply at www.pin.ed.gov
 Look at College Cost Calculators online at each school’s website. This will give you a rough estimate of what it will cost to attend this school.

QUESTIONS?