Beth Arey bareystritahs.com

1
ABCs of College Admission
Counseling

• 
  
• Beth Arey barey_at_stritahs.com
• Guidance Counselor, St. Rita High School
• Brad Kain bkain_at_hfhighschool.org
• Guidance Counselor, Homewood Flossmoor High
  School
• J. Tracy Mehr tracymehr_at_finishlinesports.com

2
Using Data

• EPAS System
• Name Explore Test Plan Test ACT Test
• Target 8th 9th grade 10th grade 11th grade
• Scoring 0 25 0 32 0 36
• Subscores English English English
• Math Math Math
• Science Science Science
• Reading Reading Reading
• Other Careers Careers Careers

3
The College SearchThe process is as important as
the product.

• Looking for Fit
• Academics
• Location
• Size
• Activities/Athletics
• Environment
• Social Life
• Financing

4
The List

• Solids/Targets
• Reaches/Stretches
• Safeties/Slam-dunks
• The range of schools with respect to admission
  and cost is more important than the number of
  schools to which you apply.

5
Campus Visits

• Official tours and demonstrated interest
• Appropriate dress
• Make the most of your time-
• Ask a lot of questions
• Ask a variety of students
• Eat on campus
• Take pictures make notes
• Thank you notes

6
Print Resources

• College Admissions Data Handbook
  Wintergreen/Orchard House Publishing
• 425 Spring Lake Dr. Itasca, IL 60143 (800)
  323-9540
• College Handbook The College Board
• 45 Columbus Ave. New York NY 10023 (212)
  713-8000
• Fiske Guide to Colleges Sourcebooks Publishing,
  Inc.
• P.O. Box 4410. Naperville, IL 60567 (800)
  432-7444
• How to Write Powerful Letters of Recommendation
  Susan Whalley, M.Ed. Educational Media
  Corporation, P.O. Box 21311, Minneapolis, MN
  55421 (763)7810088
• Index of Majors Graduate Degrees The College
  Board
• 45 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10023 (212)
  713-8000
• K W Guide to Colleges for Learning Disabilities
  Princeton Review
• 2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024 (212)
  874-8600
• Ruggss Recommendation on the Colleges Ruggs
  Publishing
• P.O. Box 417, Fallbrook, CA 92088 [phone]

7
Online Resources

• College and Career Planning Advice, Search,
  Testing, Finance - (slide 1)
• Associations and General Important Web Sites
  Advice
• www.iacac.org IACAC - advice, membership
  services, fairs, job, professional development
  (listserve)
• www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/ForStudents/OnlineRe
  sources/ NACAC Web Resources (listserve)
• www.highereducationstation.org IACAC site for
  families and students - lots of advice
• www.ncaa.org For students to register with the
  NCAA Clearinghouse Eligibility Requirements for
  athletes
• Testing
• www.collegeboard.com College Board - search,
  planning, testing (PSAT, SAT, AP)
• www.actstudent.org testing (ACT), planning
  advice
• www.ets.org TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign
  Language)
• www.fairtest.org Fairtest advocates for fair and
  accurate testing
• Financial Aid and Scholarship
• www.fafsa.ed.gov Free Application for Federal
  Student Aid
• www.collegezone.com Illinois Student Assistance
  Commission - finance, planning, search

8
Online Resources, contd.

• College Majors and Career Planning
• www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors/ Majors and
  ensuing careers
• www.thinkcollege.org all things college, books,
  on-line, planning, supported learning
• www.bls.gov.oco U.S. Department of Labor
  Occupational Outlook Handbook
• http//mappingyourfuture.org career, planning,
  finance
• www.college.gov Financing, career interest
  assessments, job descriptions
• Policy, Research, Current Events and Politics
• www.ed.gov Funding, policy, news, research
• www.chronicle.com The Chronicle of Higher
  Education web site, all things post secondary
  education. Fee for subscription
• Miscellaneous Sites
• www.college-scholarships.com/learning_disabilities
  .htm for learning disabled students
• http//www.ldonline.org/indepth/college for
  learning disabled students
• www.youuniversitytv.com or www.theu.com on-line
  college tours
• www.blackhighereducation.com Historically Black
  Colleges and Universities
• www.aamc.org/students/considering/timeline.htm
  Association of American Medical Schools

9
Online Resources contd.
Planning, assessment, data management tools

• www.naviance.com - Data Management/Communication
• cost to purchase this program ability to send
  transcripts electronically
• www.bridges.com - Education/Career Planning,
  Assessments, Test Prep
• cost to purchase this program
• www.prephq.com - Data Management/Communication
• this is a free program

10
The Recommendation Letter

• Counselor
• Information not covered by other components of
  the application (let the transcript do its own
  talking)
• Gather data student interview, faculty,
  parent/guardian, data biography sheet, grades,
  input from faculty and staff
• Traits that you can support with specific
  examples or anecdotes / tell a story about the
  student
• Observable behavior and not only judgments. Have
  faith built on a foundation of facts and
  relationship.
• Depth not length 1-1/4 pages unless
  circumstances warrant otherwise
• Write it well, get editing help

11
The Recommendation Letter

• Teacher
• Describe your course
• Emphasis on the students performance in that
  context
• Describe, specific information
• Anecdotes
• Depth not length 1-1/4 pages unless something
  special needs to be mentioned
• Watch out for boiler plate (different kids, same
  school)
• Write it well, get editing help

12
The Admission Essay / Personal Statement
Respond to the Prompt - Answer the question

• Introduction (1-2 paragraphs)
• Personal background
• Body (2-3 paragraphs)
• Extra-curricular activities
• Work experience
• Conclusion (1 paragraph)
• Discuss benefits of attending the particular
  institution.
• Future plans

13
The Admission Essay / Personal Statement contd

• Develop an essay during summer after junior year
  and save it.
• Have at least 2 professionals read the essay
  for proofing.
• One chance to be in the spotlight, if only for 10
  minutes. Be convincing.
• Attention to detail. Dont forget to change the
  name of the school/scholarship if using the same
  essay over and over again.
• Should be no more than 2 pages (unless requested
  by the school/scholarship). Follow word counts
  rules.

14
Essay Writing Resources

• www.essayedge.com
• www.collegeboard.com
• http//students.berkeley.edu/apa/personalstatement
  /index.htm
• Elements of Style, Strunk and White
• The College Application Essay, revised edition by
  Sarah Myers McGinty - College Board Publication
• English teacher, counselor

15

• Questions?