Fairfield College Preparatory School
Junior College Planning Night
January 10, 2013
J O H N H A N R A H A N - D E A N O F G U I DA N C E &
C O L L E G E A DV I S I N G ( L - Z )
R I C K H U TC H I N S O N - C O L L E G E A DV I S O R ( A - K )
D I NA D e RO S A A N D LY N N E C H E S B RO COUNSELORS
K I M B E R N I E R – G U I DA N C E A S S I S TA N T
Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
Fall of Junior Year:
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Overview of the Junior Year
Standardized Testing– overview and strategy
Identifying Appropriate Colleges through
Naviance
 College
search
 My Game Plan
 My resume
Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
Spring of Junior Year:
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Standardized Testing review
Key Factors in College Admission
Assembling a Resume
Campus Visits
Junior Interview – schedule with
advisor
Senior Course Selection
Summer Strategies
Admission Glossary
Guidance Groups and Individual Meetings
Topics for Fall Senior Year:
• Check in meeting with College Advisor
• Finalizing Application Strategy
• Coordination of Application process:
application forms, essay (s),
recommendations, sending testing to
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
College Planning Resources
www.fairfieldprep.org
Naviance and the College Advising Page in
the Guidance Section on the Prep website
provides information on:
 Interviewing
 Factors in College Admission
 Glossary of College Admission terms
 Resume models
 SAT/ACT testing dates & deadlines
Evaluating a Transcript
 Course of Study
 5 core subjects: English,
Math, Science, Social
Science, Foreign
Language
 Grade Trends
→ Most challenging
course load that the
student can manage
successfully.
→ Limited # of “lighter”
electives.
→ Junior year, 1st
quarter senior year
and 1st semester senior
year are key.
Standardized Testing
“students register themselves for all SAT/ACT exams”
SAT (SAT I) www.collegeboard.com
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At least once in spring Junior Year (Jan., March, May, June)
with late fee, March, May, June.
At least once in fall of 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
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www.act.org
Spring Junior year dates: Feb., April, June
Fall Senior year dates: Sept., Oct., Dec.
“Tip” Factors
 Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: Highlight
individual academic strengths and personal qualities
 Essay(s):
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Reveals self
“Show, Don’t Tell”
 Significant activity(ies):
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Will show depth and commitment to personal
interests and growth.
“Tip” Factors (Continued)
 Athletic recruitment
 Special talents or attributes – how to
highlight?
 Interview (admission counselor, current
student or alumni)
 Supplemental letters (use sparingly)
 Demonstrate Interest
 Essays from Common App. supplements
Application options and strategies
 Regular Decision
 Early Action
 Early Decision
 Rolling Decision
(w/ priority dates)
Finding a College “Fit”
Prospective College List: Personal Preferences
 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: Other Resources
 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.
**
Search List
 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 – 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 (i.e. Demonstrated Interest)
What to look for while on campus
General University/College Information
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
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
Standardized Testing - 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 – after Aug 1st.
 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
 Test Optional Colleges
 Fast Track/Priority Applications
 “Demonstrated Interest” – particularly in schools
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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
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.).
 jhanrahan@fairfieldprep.org 203-254-4200 ext 2238 (L-Z)
 rhutchinson@fairfieldprep.org ext. 2502 (A-K)
 kbernier@fairfieldprep.org ext. 2437