JOHN HANRAHAN - DEAN OF GUIDANCE &
COLLEGE ADVISING (L -Z)
RICK HUTCHINSON - COLLEGE ADVISOR (A-K)
KIM BERNIER – GUIDANCE ASSISTANT

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
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Fall of Junior Year:
Overview of the Junior Year
Standardized Testing– overview and strategy
Identifying Appropriate Colleges
Naviance
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Identifying Colleges
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My Game Plan
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My resume

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
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Spring of Junior Year:
Standardized Testing
Key Factors in Admission
Resume
Campus Visits /Fairfield Regional
College Fair, Date/Location: TBD
**Junior Interview – with advisor**
Senior Course Selection
Summer Strategies
Admission Glossary

Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
Topics for Fall Senior Year:
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Check-In Meeting with College Advisor
Finalizing Application Strategy
Coordination of Application process: application forms, essay (s), recommendations, sending testing to colleges

Research and develop prospective college lists: https://connection.naviance.com/fairfieldprep
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Students:
Username/email : students’ Prep email address
Password: student created
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Parents:
Accounts established for all parents

www.fairfieldprep.org
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Naviance and the College Advising Page in the Guidance Section on the Prep website provides information on:
Interviewing
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Factors in College Admission
Glossary of College Admission Terms
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Resume models
SAT/ACT testing dates & deadlines

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Course of Study
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5 core subjects: English,
Math, Science, Social
Science, Foreign
Language
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Grade Trends
→ Most challenging course load that the student can manage.
→ Limited # of “lighter” electives.
→ Junior year, 1 st quarter senior year and 1 st semester senior year are key.

*Students register themselves for all SAT and/or ACT exams.*
SAT (SAT I) www.collegeboard.com
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At least once in spring Junior Year (Jan., March, May, June)
At least once in fall Senior Year (Oct., Nov., Dec.)
SAT Subject Tests (SAT II)
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Some colleges may require (see websites)
Can highlight an academic strength
ACT www.act.org
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Spring Junior year dates: Feb., April, June
Fall Senior year dates: Sept., Oct., Dec.

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Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: Highlight individual academic strengths and personal qualities
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Essay(s):
Reveals self
“Show, Don’t Tell”
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Significant activity(ies):
Will show depth and commitment to personal interests and growth.

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Athletic recruitment
Special talents or attributes – how to highlight?
Interview (admission counselor, current student or alumni)
Supplemental letters (use sparingly)
Demonstrated Interest
Essays (From Common App. Supplements)

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Regular Decision
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Early Action
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Early Decision
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Rolling Decision
(w/ priority dates)

Prospective College List: Personal Preferences
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Size (# undergraduates)
Geographic Location
Campus setting (urban, 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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Cost
Financial Aid
Housing – 4 year guaranteed?
Diversity
(Ethnic,Geographic)
Admission Criteria
Graduation +Retention
Rates
Outcomes: employment and graduate schools
Greek system

Other Resources
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Friends and Relatives
Guide books
Rankings
College Advisor
Alumni
Honors and accreditations
Name Prestige
**Consider many different types of institutions. Do not always go with the pack.
Break new ground in the search process. **

 Up to 15-20
 Research (beware increasing selectivity)
 Place in 5 Categories (as designated in
Naviance): Far Reach, Reach, Possible, Likely and Safety
 Use Naviance Scattergrams as a guide, but not as an absolute.

 Up to 10 (+/-)
 Fairfield Prep Average: 8
 Prioritize the list
 Only a “safety” school if you would attend.
 Contact (i.e. demonstrated interest) is more important with small/medium schools.

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Campus Tour
Information session
Open House/Special Event
Sit in on a class
Interview
Athletic visit
Overnight
Shadow student

 Demonstrates YOUR interest
 Experiencing the campus to help decide if you want to apply.
 Find the institutions that are the right “Fit”.

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Visit college 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
(i.e. Demonstrated Interest)

General University/College Information
*Read a Campus Newspaper*
Campus Life
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Residence halls, cafeteria, 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

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Initial Student/Advisor College Planning Meeting
Research: Web -based resources are best
Contact institutions
Visit Campuses
Attend spring open house programs
Standardized Testing - first/second round
Attend local/regional college fairs
Consider teacher recommenders
Develop an Activities Resume (excellent document to present at an interview)
Initial contact with athletic coaches etc.

College Planning: Summer before Senior Year
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Campus Visits
Refine list
Consider application options: Regular, EA, ED, Rolling
Establish Common Application Account after August 1 st .
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 .

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Check-In Meeting with College Advisor
Meet admission representatives who visit Fairfield Prep
Ask teachers to write recommendations.
Parent/Family Recommendation to 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.
FAFSA/CSS Profile – Financial Aid instruments

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Test Optional Colleges
Fast Track/Priority Applications
Demonstrated Interest – particularly in schools deemed “safeties”
Interview (smaller colleges) re-emergence
“Authenticity”
More Writing on Common Application Supplements
Public School interest on the rise
Requests for Financial Aid rising

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 www.collegeboard.com
https://connection.naviance.com/fairfieldprep/ www.commonapp.org
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 www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.act.org
www.ncaa.org

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Encourage student to stay in contact with the College Advising
Office. Communication is essential.
 Allow ample time (2 + months) for essay writing.
 Discern all requirements of your list early (Standardized testing requirements, supplements, essays, deadlines, etc.).
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 jhanrahan@fairfieldprep.
org 203-254-4200 ext 2238 (L-Z) rhutchinson@fairfieldprep.org
ext. 2502 (A-K) kbernier@fairfieldprep.org
ext. 2437