Fairfield College Preparatory School
Junior College Planning Night
January 8, 2015
R I C K H U TC H I N S O N
SUZANNE GORAB –
JOHN HANRAHAN
COLLEGE
- C O L L E G E A DV I S O R ( A - F )
C O L L E G E A DV I S O R ( F - M )
- D E A N O F G U I DA N C E &
A DV I S I N G ( M - Z )
One Exciting Year
 Year of definition – personal and
academic
 Ultimate decisions – one after another
 Defining challenges
 Unique opportunities to represent self
Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
Fall of Junior Year:
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Overview of the Junior Year
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Importance of Academic Record
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Standardized Testing– overview and strategy
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Identifying Appropriate Colleges
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Naviance
Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
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Spring of Junior Year:
Junior Interview – schedule with
advisor
Standardized Testing Review
Key Factors in College Admission
Activities Resume
Campus Visits
Senior Course Selection
Admission Glossary
Summer Strategies
Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
Topics for Fall Senior Year:
• Check in meeting with College Advisor
• Finalize Application Strategy
• Coordination of Application process:
application forms, essay (s),
recommendations, sending SAT/ACT scores
to colleges
• Continue to demonstrate interest – visiting
colleges
NAVIANCE
Research and develop prospective college lists:
https://connection.naviance.com/fairfieldprep
Students:
• Username/email: students’ Prep email address
• Password: student created
Parents:
• Accounts established for all parents
Naviance – Document Library
https://connection.naviance.com/fairfieldprep
The “Document Library” link on the Main Page of
Naviance Family Connection provides information
on a variety of college planning topics:
 Interviewing
 Factors in College Admission
 Glossary of College Admission terms
 Resume models
Evaluating Academic Records
 Course of Study
 5 core subjects: English,
Math, Science, Social
Science, Foreign
Language
 Grade Point Average
(GPA)
 Grade Trends
→ An appropriately
challenging course
load that the student
can manage
successfully.
→ Limited # of “lighter”
electives.
→ Junior year, 1st
quarter senior year
and 1st semester senior
year
Standardized Testing
Students register themselves for all SAT/ACT exams
SAT www.collegeboard.com
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1 to 2 tests taken in spring Junior Year (January 24, March
14, May 2, June 6)
At least once in fall of Senior Year (October 3, November 7,
December 5)
ACT
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www.act.org
Spring Junior year dates: February 7, April 18, June 13
Fall Senior year dates: September 12, October 24, December
12
**Security procedures require photo upload for SAT and ACT.
Standardized Testing
 SAT Subject Tests
Some colleges may require (see websites)
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1 Hour Long Multiple Choice Tests.
Take up to 3 on one test date.
Offered in Core Subject Areas
Literature, US History, Math I and/or Math II are taken most
often by Prep Students
Can highlight an academic strength
 “Super-Scoring”
“Tip” Factors
 Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: Highlight
individual academic strengths and personal qualities
Parent/Guardian “brag” sheet
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 Essay(s):
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Reveals self – authenticity is essential
“Show, Don’t Tell”
 Most Significant activity(ies):
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Will show depth and commitment to personal
interests and growth.
“Tip” Factors (Continued)
 Early Decision (E.D.)
 Demonstrated Interest
 Athletic recruitment
 Special talents or attributes
 Interview (admission counselor, current
student or alumni)
 Supplemental letters (use sparingly)
Application options and strategies
 Regular Decision
 Early Action (E.A.)
 Restricted Early Action
 Early Decision (E.D.)
 Early Decision II
(E.D.II)
 Rolling Decision
(w/ priority dates)
Finding a College “Fit”
Construct a Prospective College List
 Size (# undergraduates)
 Geographic Location
 Campus setting (urban,
 Cost
 Financial Aid
 Housing – 4 year
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suburban, rural)
Academic focus
Areas of study
Facilities: Library, Research
Labs, etc.
Social Atmosphere
Campus Life, Sports, Arts
Religious affiliation
Support services
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guaranteed?
Diversity
(Ethnic,Geographic)
Admission Criteria
Graduation + Retention
Rates
Outcomes: employment
and graduate schools
Greek system
Prospective College List
Consider many different types of
institutions. Do not always go with
the pack. Break new ground in the
search process.
Search List
 Up to 15 – 20
 Research
 Place in 5 Categories (as designated in
Naviance): Far Reach, Reach, Possible, Likely
and Safety
 Use Naviance Scattergrams as a guide – not as
an absolute.
Final Application List
 Up to 10
(+/-)
 Fairfield Prep Average Application: 8
 Prioritize the list
 Only a “safety” school if you would attend.
 Contact (i.e. demonstrated interest) is more important with
small/medium sized schools.
The Campus Visit
Campus Visit Options
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Campus Tour
Information session
Open House/Special Event
Sit in on a class
Interview
Athletic visit
Overnight
Shadow student
Why is the Campus Visit Important?
 Demonstrates YOUR interest
 Experiencing the campus to help decide if you want
to apply.
 Find the institutions that are the right “Fit”.
Preparing for the Campus Visit
• Visit website to explore visit options
• Do your homework before the visit
• Make reservations/appointments for campus
tours, interviews, open houses and meetings
with faculty or coaches.
• Stick to the Office of Admission schedule
• Avoid the Drive-Thru visit – if possible
• Always sign in… smaller colleges tend to track
this information. Campus Visit is an important
indicator of “demonstration of interest”.
What to look for while on campus
General University/College Information
Campus Life
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Residence halls, dining options, parking, student
center, chapel
Student Life/Athletics
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Clubs & organizations, social life, recreation facilities,
visual/performing arts, varsity athletics
Academic Life
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Classrooms, professors, course offerings, internships,
research opportunities
College Planning Checklists
College Planning: Spring of Junior Year
Initial Student/Advisor College Planning Meeting
Research: Web -based resources are best
Contact institutions
Visit campuses
Attend spring open house programs
SAT/ACT/Subject Tests- first/second round
Attend local/regional college fairs
Consider teacher recommenders
Develop an Activities Resume – excellent document to
present at interview.
 Initial contact with athletic coaches etc.
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College Planning: Summer before Senior Year
 Campus Visits
 Refine list
 Consider application options: Regular, EA, ED, Rolling
 Establish Common Application account.
 Determine what application and/or supplement forms each
school requires. (i.e. common application)
 Start filling out applications
 Begin first draft of essay(s)
 Continue to develop an activities resume.
College Planning: Fall of Senior Year
 Check in meeting with College Advisor
 Meet admission representatives who visit Fairfield Prep
 Ask teachers to write recommendations
 Parent/Family Recommendation for counselor
 Attend College Fairs and Information Night programs
 Finalize essays and applications
 Final campus visits (tours, interviews, overnights, class
visits, open houses)
 Standardized Testing – final round
 Check merit scholarship requirements and deadlines.
 Financial Aid Instruments - FAFSA/CSS Profile
Trends in Admission
 Early Decision (E.D.)
 Increase in ACT “Super-Scoring”
 Fast Track/Priority Applications
 Interview (smaller colleges) re-emergence
 “Authenticity”
 Increase in writing requirements
 Test Optional Colleges
 Public School interest on the rise
 Requests for financial aid rising
Useful Web Sites
 www.collegeboard.com
 https://connection.naviance.com/fairfieldprep/
 www.commonapp.org
 www.fafsa.ed.gov
 www.act.org
 www.ncaa.org
Miscellaneous Thoughts…
 Encourage student to stay in contact with the College Advising
Office. Communication is essential.
 Allow ample time for essay writing (2 months)
 Discern all requirements of your list early (Standardized testing
requirements, supplements, essays, deadlines, etc.).
 rhutchinson@fairfieldprep.org 203-254-4200 ext. 2502 (A-F)
 sgorab@fairfieldprep.org 203-254-4200 ext. 2133 (F-M)
 jhanrahan@fairfieldprep.org 203-254-4200 ext 2238 (M-Z)