Counseling for College Admissions

1
Counseling for College Admissions

• Oklahoma State Department of Education
• For Counselors Only Conference
• April 2004

2
The Excellence and Equity Challenge

• Without preparation, opportunity is an empty
  promise.
• Alan Page, former NFL star, current Minnesota
  State Supreme Court Justice
• Austin American Statesman, 10.25.02

3
The Excellence Challenge

• Fewer than half of students who enter a public
  university in Oklahoma graduate with a bachelors
  degree within six years.
• Community Action Network, Education Assessment,
  August 2002

4
AP and College Success
Students who take AP courses and exams are much
more likely than their peers to complete a
bachelors degree in four years or less. Source
Camara, Wayne. (2003). College Persistence,
Graduation, and Remediation. College Board
Research Notes (RN-19). New York, NY College
Board.
5
Top 4 Factors Influencing Admission Decisions -
2003

NACAC Bulletin January/February 2004

• Grades in College Prep Courses (78 )
• Standardized Admission Tests (61)
• Grades in all Courses (54)
• Class Rank (33)

( of college admission officers rating the
factor to be of considerable importance in the
admission decision process)
6
Action Plan for Seniors

• Most admission decisions and financial aid award
  letter arrive in April. Read each carefully, and
  note all reply deadlines.
• Review financial aid packages with your parents
  and counselor.

7
Action Plan for Seniors

• Send the enrollment form and deposit check to the
  college of your choice. Notify the other
  colleges to which you were accepted of your
  decision.
• If you are waitlisted by a college, contact the
  admission director to reiterate your interest in
  the school.

8
Action Plan for Seniors

• If you are not admitted to any of the colleges to
  which you applied, see your counselor
  immediately.
• Study for the May 2004 AP Exams!
• Make sure your AP scores are sent to your
  final-choice college.

9
Action Plan for Seniors

• Send thank-you notes to teachers and others who
  wrote you college recommendations.
• Have your final transcript sent to your college.
• Send thank you notes to scholarship programs that
  have given you aid.

10
Action Plan for Juniors

• Go to college fairs in your area.
• Prepare writing samples, portfolios, audition
  tapes and other material for the fall application
  season.
• Talk to your counselor and teachers about taking
  college entrance exams.

11
Action Plan for Juniors

• Prepare for the May 2004 AP exams.
• Make a resume of your accomplishments,
  activities, and work experiences.
• Start your summer reading list for next years AP
  courses.

12
Action Plan for Juniors

• Find a summer job that relates to your career
  interests.
• If you are considering military academies or ROTC
  scholarships, contact your counselor before
  summer vacation.

13
Action Plan for Juniors

• Manage your college search by requesting
  applications, brochures, and financial aid
  information.
• Visit college campus. Be sure to call ahead for
  tour and open house schedules.
• Narrow your list to 5-8 colleges by the end of
  summer.

14
Action Plan for Sophomores and Freshmen

• Learn about college costs and how financial aid
  works.
• Think about volunteering at an organization that
  is important to you..
• Prepare for and take college entrance exams.
• Plan ahead for your high school courses.

15
Lame Excuses for Not Going to College

• I cant go to college nobody in my family has
  ever gone.
• Ive been in school for 12 years. Thats enough!
  I just want a good job.
• I cant go to college because I cant afford it.
• I cant go because I dont know how to apply or
  where I want to go.

16
Lame Excuses for Not Going to College

• I cant go to college I dont know what I want
  to do with my life.
• I cant go to college, because I just wont fit
  in.
• College is too hard for me.
• I dont think I want to do that much more school
  stuff.

17
The Equity Challenge

• The Advanced Placement Program tests all of
  us, our educational philosophy, our beliefs about
  human potential, and what we mean when we say we
  have high expectations for all kids.
• Michael Riley, Superintendent of Bellevue
  Schools in Bellevue, WA, AP as the Common
  Curriculum, AP Central

18
The Equity Challenge

• AP courses are not for the elite they are for
  the prepared.
• Terry Grier, Superintendent, Guilford County
  Schools

19
The Counselors Role

• Provide parent information sessions that promote
  parental understanding and support for academic
  rigor
• Provide activities that help students develop
  academic habits of mind and coping skills to
  encourage academic perseverance

20
Questions to ask the Counselor

• What are the required and recommended courses for
  graduation and for college prep?
• How should I plan my schedule so I will complete
  these courses?
• Which elective courses do you recommend?
• What AP/IB courses are available?

21
Questions to ask the Counselor

• When is the PSAT?NMSQT going to be given?
• When are the SAT and ACT national test dates?
  How do I register?
• Do you have college handbooks or other guides
  that I can browse or borrow?

22
Questions to ask the Counselor

• What activities can I do at home and over the
  summer to get ready for college?
• What kinds of grades do different colleges
  require?
• Are there any college fairs here or nearby?

23
Questions to ask the Counselor

• Where do other kids from this school attend
  college?
• What are the requirements for honor society?
• Can you put me in touch with recent grads who are
  going to colleges on my wish list?

24
Questions to ask the Counselor

• Do you have any information to help me start
  exploring my interests and related careers?
• If my colleges need a recommendation from you,
  how can I help you know me better, so it can be
  more personal?
• Do you have any forms for financial aid?

25
Questions to ask the Counselor

• Are there any special scholarships or awards that
  I should know about now, so I can work toward
  them?
• Can I see my transcript as it stands now, to see
  if everything is as I think it should be?
• How does our school compare to others in terms of
  test scores and reputation?

26
Choose College Stories of Success

• Free video profiles four low-income,
  first-generation college students and their
  families
• Motivating stories for middle school and high
  school students and their parents
• Available in dual language version
  (English/Spanish)
• Includes booklet with important information about
  college admission

E-mail choosecollege_at_collegeboard.org
27
Reality Check

• The counselor may be the most wonderful and
  accessible person on the planet, or may be
  juggling a thousand students and barely know your
  name.
• Remember that the person who has the biggest
  stake in your academics is you.
• It is up to you to stay on top of opportunities
  and deadlines to take control of your future!

28
Finding Out About AP Credits

• State Department of Educations AP site
• title3.sde.state.ok.us/ap
• Regents for Higher Education Site
• Okhighered.org/student-center/jrhigh-highsch/earnc
  redit.shtml

29
Have a Great Finish to Your Year!

• Kristy K Ehlers, Ph.D.
• State Director, Gifted Talented
  Education/Advanced Placement
• kristy_ehlers_at_sde.state.ok.us
• 405.521.4287