Eastlake High School Junior Parent Night

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Eastlake High SchoolJunior Parent Night

• Preparing parents and students for
• senior year and post-secondary planning

Kirsten Keller Counselor
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Agenda

• Junior Parent Night Goals
• Balancing the Senior Year
• Senior Handbook Introduction
• 10 Steps To Good College Planning
• QA Session

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Junior Parent Night Goals

• Identify the challenges seniors face in balancing
  the senior year
• Understand the post-secondary planning process
• Simplify college search and application process
• Assist parents in becoming an informed support
  for your son or daughter in planning for the
  senior year and the year following graduation
• Provide resources for parent questions

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A Well-balanced Senior year
Student responsibilities are split between
planning their futures and working on high school
demands

• Help your student plan for next years
  commitments now
• Understand that social connections are more
  important than ever
• Anticipate conflicting emotions with upcoming
  change
• Reassure students that parents, advisors,
  counselors, and teachers are there to help
  provide support

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Senior Handbook
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10 Steps To Good College Planning
The following 10 steps will help your student

• Begin the college search process with parent
  support
• Learn how to make the resources in the senior
  handbook work for you
• Plan for deadlines in the post-secondary planning
  process
• Survive and thrive throughout the senior year

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1. Match aptitudes and career goals with schools
and programs

• Visit the EHS Career Center Andrea
  Wehner, EHS Career Specialist
• Explore college search websites
• Write a resume
• Look for schools with a good range of programs in
  an area of interest

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2. Register for a rigorous and balanced senior
course schedule

• Core academic courses
• Coursework beyond minimum college entrance
  requirements
• Advanced classes/course studies
• Elective classes in areas of interest

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Washington Four-year College Entrance Requirements

• English 4 years
• Mathematics 3 years
• Social Science 3 years
• Science 2 years
• Foreign Language 2 years
• Fine Arts 1 year (or in any of the above)

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3. Sign up for College Entrance Exams

• SAT Reasoning Test
• ACT with optional writing test
• Both are tests of college readiness
• Recommended Spring of Junior year
• Last testing opportunity Fall of Senior year

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College Entrance Exams

• ACT
• 25 English
• 25 Mathematics
• 25 Reading
• 25 Science
• Optional Writing Test
• Subtests range from 1-36
• Composite of 4 test scores
• (1-36)
• No penalty for guessing

• SAT
• 33 Critical Reading
• 33 Mathematics
• 33 Writing
• Subtest range from 300-800
• Sum of 3 test scores
• (600-2400)
• Score adjusted for wrong answers

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Test Score Comparison
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4. Build a list of schools/programs to research
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5. Plan school visits

• Walk around campus
• Attend a class
• Interview admissions officers
• Spend a night in the dorm
• Talk with other university students
• Use campus checklist as a guide

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6. Build a list of schools for application

• Discuss the college comparison data and get
  feedback from others
• Students should talk with parents, counselors,
  advisors, teachers, and friends
• Help your son or daughter examine their goals,
  thoughts and feelings so that they may choose
  schools for application
• Build a well-considered, reasonable list of
  schools for application

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7. Submit applications
Application elements

• Demographic Information/Essays
• Academic record
• Test scores (SAT or ACT)
• School/counselor report
• Teacher recommendation

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Letters of recommendation
To receive letters that add depth and excitement
to an application students should

• Ask someone who knows them well
• Choose teachers of classes where they were most
  engaged intellectually, showed creativity, or
  completed a special project or independent work
• Tell the writer how their experience in the
  classroom or learning style relates to the
  college of application
• Talk to the writer about their dreams for college
  and a career
• Remember to write thank you notes to letter
  writers including exciting news of acceptance

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College admission factors
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College admission decisions

• Match between college needs and student
  characteristics
• Colleges provide admissions statistics range of
  GPA and test scores
• Holistic review process
• Academic Index less frequently used as a sole
  determinant in admissions decisions

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Community and Technical Colleges

• Opportunity for lower tuition costs while
  exploring academic interests
• Small setting to solidify academic record or
  learn a trade
• Admissions consist primarily of biographical
  information and proof of high school equivalency

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8. Financial aid and scholarship

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  and CSS profile
• Factors that determine a families financial
  strength
• Schools determine distribution of funds as
  financial aid packages
• Research independent sources of scholarship
  funding
• Athletes should register with the NCAA
• EHS Financial Aid Night in December

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Financial aid and scholarship references
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9. Plan senior year
Use a calendar to plan for

• SAT/ACT
• Fall National College Fair
• Application deadlines
• EHS finals, AP tests, senior project
• Sports, activities, community service, social
  events
• Graduation preparation

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10. Fall Senior Seminar for students

• Covers Senior Handbook in detail
• Review college search process
• Reminder of Fall National College Fair
• Answer student questions

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NACAC tips for parents Dos and donts for
college admissions

• Do learn about the college admission process
• Do discuss restrictions up front
• Dont limit choices based on fees
• Do remind your child of deadlines
• Do listen and offer advice when asked
• Dont make decisions for your son or daughter
• Do encourage and celebrate

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Books and Resources

• The College Guide For Parents by C.
  Shield (Published by the College Board)
• Letting Go A Parents Guide to Understanding
  the College Years by K. Coburn and M. Treeger
• When Your Kid Goes To College by C. Barkin
• Almost Grown Launching Your Child From High
  School to College by P. Pasick

References provided by The National Association
for College Admission Counseling
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Q ASession