Welcome Coffee with the College Counselor

Agenda

Collective role in college planning and

SelectionCollege planning and selection 101Thinking about college - outside the boxFamily Connection

Begin with

The End

in sight

Education is a process, not a product.

Students are learners, not customers.

College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.

Higher education

Over 4500 colleges and universities

In CaliforniaIn the United StatesIn the world

Admissions to four-year universities are determined by eligibility and selectivity.

Factors to consider when choosing where to apply to college

Type of school SizeLocationStudent body AdmissionCost AcademicsCampus life Other factorsDON’T be overly impressed by:  -rankings (different methodologies are used to achieve rankings)-only one person’s opinion-colleges’ advertising and recruiting-and, to some extent, reputation (often not based on student engagement – keep an open mind.)  Two pieces of advice: 1. Apply to a variety of schools, but make sure your list includes at least one school that is likely to admit you and that you would happily attend.

2. Never apply to a college whose offer of admission you would not gladly accept.       

Tests – a necessary piece (maybe)

SAT Reasoning Test (aka SAT I)

ACTTake in spring of junior year – relax for now

SAT Subject Tests (aka SAT II)Take at end of year you take the class that best

prepares you for the subject. Consult with teachers and college counselor!

Get (stay) involved

Find your passion

Depth of involvement is more significant than breadth

Develop leadership

More isn’t always better

The Family Connection

To explore colleges and understand how Saint Mary’s students fare in admissions

www.connection.naviance.com/saintmaryschs

Useful Websites

www.connection.naviance.com/saintmaryschs

www.californiacolleges.edu

www.csumentor.edu

www.universityofcalifornia.edu

www.collegeboard.com

www.actstudent.org

Selected Books

College Unranked, edited by Lloyd Thacker

Colleges That Change Lives, by Loren Pope

Looking Beyond the Ivy League, by Loren Pope

The Fiske Guide to Colleges