The Road to College

Sponsored by

© 2010 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

 Agenda

ƒ Who Is Your Child?

ƒ What Can Your Child Do Now?

ƒ What Are Your Child’s Goals?

ƒ How Do Colleges Read Applications?

ƒ To Do List

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 Who Is Your Child?

ƒ What are her strengths?

ƒ What are his weaknesses?

ƒ How will she contribute?

ƒ In what ways is he unique?

ƒ Why does this matter?

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 Who Is Your Child?
YOUR CHILD Controls
ƒ How She PERFORMS
Š Admissions officers LOVE to see improvement,
strong grades, and solid standardized test scores
ƒ What He DOES
Š Get involved and stay involved
ƒ Who She ASKS
Š Get to know teachers!
ƒ What and How He WRITES
Š Write and rewrite
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 Agenda

ƒ Who Is Your Child?

ƒ What Can Your Child Do Now?

ƒ What Are Your Child’s Goals?

ƒ How Do Colleges Read Applications?

ƒ To Do List

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 What Can Your Child Do Now?
Achieving Academic Success
ƒ #1 MOST IMPORTANT ADMISSIONS
FACTOR
ƒ All Years Count
ƒ Consistency Is Key
ƒ All Subjects Matter

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 What Can Your Child Do Now?
What Classes Should He Take?

ƒ English 4 years
ƒ Math 4 years
ƒ Social Studies 3 years
ƒ Foreign Language 3 years
ƒ Lab Science 3 years
ƒ Electives Explore interests

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 What Can Your Child Do Now?
What Classes Should She Take?
ƒ Challenge your child
ƒ Allow your child to succeed
ƒ Manage the transcript

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 What Can Your Child Do Now?
Standardized Tests Are Not Just for Seniors
ƒ PSAT
Š Fall of sophomore year (optional) and junior year

ƒ SAT Subject Tests

Š Near end of year when course is complete

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 What Can Your Child Do Now?
Developing Extracurricular Involvement
ƒ Why?
Š Shows commitment
Š Predicts campus impact
Š Displays skills and passions

ƒ Commit Deeply to a Few Things

ƒ Follow Your Passions!

ƒ What about a Part Time Job?

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 Hundreds of Possibilities
Basketball, Drama, Band, Art Club, Student Government,
Literary Magazine, Yearbook, Football, Babysitting, Model U.N.,
Math Team, Softball, Latin Club, Language Club, NHS,
Newspaper, Japanese Club, Mock Trial, Junior Achievement,
Volunteer, Dance Team, Cheerleader, Volleyball, SADD, Youth
Group, Scouts, Geography Club, Quiz Bowl, Soccer, Proctor,
German Honor Society, Academic Decathlon, Chess Team,
Fencing, Swimming, Frisbee, Stamp Collectors, Crew Team,
Game Club, Anime Club, Garage Band, Youth Choir, Orchestra,
Camp Counseling, Equestrian Team, Tennis, Farm Hand, Track
and Field, Skiing, Synchronized Swimming, Water Polo,
Comedy Troupe, Library Page, Teacher’s Aide, Tutor, Spanish
Honors Society, Fashion Club, Ecology Club, J.E.T.S., Future
Teachers, Key Club, Beta Club, Advisory Council, Peer Leader,
Big Brother/Big Sister, Mentor, French Honors Society, Diving,
Little League Coach, Glass Blowing, Juggling, Traveling……just
to name a few!

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 What Can Your Child Do Now?
Acquiring Recommendations
ƒ Are These Important?
Š Added information about your child as a student and person
ƒ Guidance Counselor Recommendation
Š Usually MANDATORY
ƒ Teacher Recommendations
Š May be OPTIONAL
Š No more than two will be required
Š Ask in spring of 11th grade
Š Choose teachers who know and like your child
ƒ Extra Recommendations
Š Why?
12 Š Who?
 What Can Your Child Do Now?
Tips on Effective Essay Writing
ƒ Why are essays important?
Š Bring the applicant to life
Š Demonstrate writing ability
ƒ Answer the Question!
ƒ Okay to Seek Advice
ƒ Frequently Asked Questions:
Š “Evaluate an experience, achievement, risk you have taken,
or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.”
Š “What is your favorite extracurricular activity and why?”
Š “Why this college?”

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 Agenda

ƒ Who Is Your Child?

ƒ What Can Your Child Do Now?

ƒ What Are Your Child’s Goals?

ƒ How Do Colleges Read Applications?

ƒ To Do List

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 What Are Your Child’s Goals?
Choosing the Right Schools
ƒ KEY FACTORS to Consider:
♦ Level of Selectivity
♦ Campus Location, Size, Setting
♦ Majors Offered
♦ Campus Culture
♦ Public vs. Private
♦ Scholarship Availability

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 What Are Your Child’s Goals?
Creating the College List

2 Dream The average accepted applicant

is stronger than your child
3 Just Right Your child is on par with the
average accepted applicant
2 No Problem Your child is stronger than the
average accepted applicant

7 Total

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 What Are Your Child’s Goals?
The Best Advice When Choosing Schools

ƒ Listen to Your Gut!

ƒ Keep Your Options Open!

ƒ Visit, Visit, Visit!

ƒ There is a School for Every Student!

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 Agenda

ƒ Who Is Your Child?

ƒ What Can Your Child Do Now?

ƒ What Are Your Child’s Goals?

ƒ How Do Colleges Read Applications?

ƒ To Do List

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 How Do Colleges Read Applications?
MOST SELECTIVE VERY SELECTIVE
Š Most unpredictable Š Somewhat
Š Admits < 25% of unpredictable
applicants Š Admits 25-50% of
Š Most stringent applicants
requirements Š Stringent requirements

SELECTIVE LESS SELECTIVE

Š Fairly predictable Š Most predictable
Š Admits 50-75% of Š Admits > 75% of
applicants applicants
Š Less stringent Š Least stringent
requirements requirements

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 How Do Colleges Read Applications?
What Are Colleges Looking For?

Common Admission Factors

Academics Tests The Rest

ƒƒ SAT
SAT or
or ACT
ACT ƒƒ Extracurriculars
Extracurriculars
ƒƒ Grades/GPA
Grades/GPA
ƒƒ SAT
SAT Subject
Subject ƒƒ Recommendations
Recommendations
ƒƒ Courses
Courses Tests
Tests ƒƒ Essays
Essays
ƒƒ Level
Level of
of ƒƒ Interview
Interview
Difficulty
Difficulty
ƒƒ A
A Good
Good Match
Match
ƒƒ Class
Class Rank
Rank

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 How Do Colleges Read Applications?
Make A Strong Impression
ƒ KEY FACTORS Schools Consider:
♦ Convincing Academic and Personal Match
♦ Strong “Why This College?” Essay
♦ Interview

♦ Demonstrated Interest
♦ Consistent Application

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 How Do Colleges Read Applications?
About Those Tests…
ƒ Why Are They Important?
Š Common measure applied to all
applicants

Š When combined with GPA, fairly accurate

predictor of college success

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 How Do Colleges Read Applications?
Understanding the Options
SAT
ƒ Critical reading, writing,
and math
ƒ 2,400-point scale
ƒ Tests logic and reasoning
ƒ Prep = outside reading
and test-taking strategies
ƒ www.collegeboard.com
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ACT
ƒ English, math, reading,
science, and writing
ƒ 36-point scale
ƒ Tests subject knowledge
ƒ Prep = strong academic
track record
ƒ www.actstudent.org
 How Do Colleges Read Applications?
Developing a Testing Strategy

ƒ Research testing requirements and policies

Š Optional at some schools
Š Score Choice
ƒ Determine best tests for your child’s abilities
ƒ Create testing plan
ƒ Prep
ƒ Take and retake tests
ƒ Submit official scores

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 Agenda

ƒ Who Is Your Child?

ƒ What Can Your Child Do Now?

ƒ What Are Your Child’s Goals?

ƒ How Do Colleges Read Applications?

ƒ To Do List

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 To Do List
9 Study!
9 Get Involved
9 Choose Your Schools
9 Select Recommendations Writers
9 Make a Plan For Standardized Tests
9 Visit Campuses & Interview
9 Draft and Rewrite Essays
9 Have Fun!

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 The College Coach Benefit
Training Workshop: The Road to College
Virtual Learning Center: Access can be obtained by visiting:
https://vlc.getintocollege.com/vlc/login
Your company passcode is:
deutschebank
Personal Advising: One 45-minute individual
session with a College Coach
counselor (by appointment)
Help Desk: Answers to quick follow-up
questions through phone and e-mail:

Contact College Coach

Call: 866-326-2240
E-mail: db@getintocollege.com
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 Thank You

Sponsored by

© 2010 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

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