College Knowledge
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College
Knowledge: Your Guide for Access and Success
Jones College Prep
Name:
Phone:
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Table of Contents
Introduction
3 A Letter from Your Counselors
4 How to Use This Handbook
4 The Main Goal: A College that Fits!
5 Credits and Feedback
Section I: Lessons to Get Us Started
6 Lesson One: Introductions, Syllabus Review, Roles and Responsibilities & Senior Files,
7 Lesson Two: College Knowledge Text Overview and Pre-Test
7 Lesson Three: Senior Transcript Review
7 Lesson Four: Tools of the Trade – Naviance and E-mail
8 Lesson Five: Tools of the Trade- Forms
9 Lesson Six: The Big Picture – Kinds of Colleges, Fit and Match, and Tips for Your Search
13 Lesson Seven: Prospect and Application Colleges, Types of Applications and Common App/Common Black App Overviews
15 Lesson Eight: Essays and Recommendations
18 Lesson Nine: Making Yourself Known –Jones Visits, Campus Visits,
Fly-Ins and Bus-Ins, Fairs, Interviews, and Resumes
22 Lesson Ten: Putting It All Together, Keeping Track of All You Have to Do
24 Lesson Eleven: What Happens Next/Making a Decision &
Getting Ready to Go
29 Lesson Twelve: Standardized Testing: ACT vs. SAT
32 Lesson Thirteen: SAT Subject Test
33 Lesson Fourteen: Game Day
33 Lesson Fifteen: Financial Aid
Section II: Other Info You Need to Know
35 What Are Colleges Looking For?
36 How Do I Get the Real Story Before I Apply?
36 An Important Note Regarding ACT and GPA Averages
36 Information for Immigrant, Undocumented, and/or Spanish Speaking Students
37 The Scholarship Game
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September 2011
Dear Jones Seniors families:
Welcome to the college search and application process. This is an exciting time as you prepare to finish at Jones and make the transition to the next big step in your lives.
As your counselors, we are committed to making the college search and application process as smooth and as fun as possible. It’s a lot of work. But broken into parts, it’s completely manageable. We’ve developed syllabi with weekly assignments to help you stay on track.
As you get started, following are a few ideas to help you manage the tasks ahead.
1. Focus on finding the right college for you, but also let go of the pressure to find that “one perfect school.” With nearly 4,000 colleges in the U.S., you will find a handful of colleges that are a really great fit for you. Then, after you apply and get your acceptances, you’ll have the opportunity to choose among them.
2. Start early and make progress each week. You know this from your classes, school activities, and even what you do outside of Jones. Life is less stressful when you start your projects early and break them down into manageable steps. You’ll also be less likely to make mistakes and to miss important opportunities (like scholarships!). So don’t procrastinate!
3. Come see us early and often. We are on the phone with college admissions reps every day. We get new information all the time. The more you are in front of us, the more likely you’ll be to get information that is helpful to you.
4. Remind your teachers, counselors, and parents that this is your search and your decision. We all have great ideas for you. But this process is yours to drive and this decision is yours to make.
So right here, right now, consider the college research and application process handed off to you. This is your gig.
Good luck! Have fun! Come see us soon!
The Jones Counseling Team
How to Use This Handbook
We know you have a lot to do. Therefore, to make this handbook as helpful as possible, we’ve:
• divided it into many sections so that you can easily find the information that you want;
• kept the sections short; and
• used bulleted lists instead of paragraph text whenever possible.
We begin our work with 15 lessons to get us all onto the same page. From that point forward, our daily class period will be a self-directed lab, and this book will serve as your resource.
The Main Goal: A College That Fits!
You know this intuitively. It’s important that the college you choose is a good fit for you. But how do you measure that fit?
You can start by thinking of fit as a mix of “brain” and “gut.”
Brain
The brain side includes important educational issues like:
• Major
• School size
• Opportunities (like internships and study abroad options)
• Activities and facilities (sports, classrooms, labs, dorms, etc.)
• Campus safety
• Student supports (academic, emotional, and social)
• Diversity profile and programming
• Average class size
• Faculty/student ratio
• Who will teach your classes (faculty or grad students)
• Financial aid and scholarship support.
• Freshman retention rate
• Graduation rates
• Job placement statistics.
This information is usually pretty easy to figure out. You can find it on college websites and then ask admissions reps for additional details.
Gut
On the gut side things are harder to determine. These issues are more about how the campus “feels” to you. These issues include:
• Campus town
• Distance from home
• City/rural/suburban
• Social scene
• Political climate
• Academic culture
• Student/faculty relationships
• Multicultural relations (how students get along)
This information might be described on the college website – but it’s harder to trust. The best way to figure out this information is to visit colleges and talk to students who are there. One of the best measures of “gut” is whether or not students like you are happy at that college.
Credits and Feedback
College Knowledge compiles information gathered from many sources, including:
• Mentorship from Liz Monge, College Counselor, Young Women’s Leadership Charter School
• Araceli Gomez, College Counselor, Cristo Rey High School
• Mentorship from Will Dix, Illinois Network for Charter Schools
• The Academy for College Counseling, College Counseling 101, 201 and 301 (instructors: Melanie Coffman, Deb Donley, Aliza Gilbert and Patty Kovacs; Executive Director: Sue Biemeret)
• Illinois Association of College Admissions Counselors (IACAC) Summer Institute 2007 and 2008
• College Board, College Counseling Sourcebook
• Loren Pope, Colleges That Change Lives.
We’ve also cut-and-pasted information from a variety of sources and give credit when possible.
We welcome and encourage you to share College Knowledge with friends, families, and colleagues. It’s important to us that this be a valuable resource to as many people as possible. When sharing, please give proper credit where credit is due, both to the above sources as well as to your Jones counselors who have worked hard to bring you this information.
As always with College knowledge, your opinions and feedback are encouraged and welcome.
Thank you!
Section I: Fifteen Lessons to Get Us Started
The 1st month or so of the College Knowledge class, plus a few days in November will consist of lessons to get us all started and onto the same page. After that the course is mostly self-directed lab.
Lesson One: Introductions, Syllabus Review, Roles and Responsibilities, and Senior Files
Syllabus Review
We will review the syllabus to ensure that you (1) know what lies ahead and (2) are well-informed regarding what it takes to succeed in this class and, more importantly, in your quest for college access and success.
Roles and Responsibilities
Roles and responsibilities can change a bit application to application. But generally, here’s how it goes.
You are responsible for:
• Doing your research starting with a prospective list
• Whittling down your prospective list to an application list
• Making a list of deadlines for all colleges on your application list
• Requesting letters of recommendation, giving appropriate notice (see Processing Deadlines Sheet)
• Requesting transcripts (see Processing Deadlines Sheet)
• Requesting application fee waivers if you qualify
• Completing the application and seeking feedback
• Writing the essay and seeking feedback
• Re-taking the ACT and other tests
• Making sure the ACT and other test scores are sent to the colleges on your application list
• Preparing and sending additional materials (like portfolios for art students)
• Making sure your application is complete by the date on the Processing Deadlines Sheet
• Asking for help whenever you need or want it.
Your Counselor and the Counseling department are responsible for:
• Writing and submitting your recommendation letters on time
• Sending the transcript on time
• Sending the Jones profile with your applications (this is a document that tells the admissions reps about Jones)
• Sending a copy of your application fee waiver request on time (if requested)
• Mailing your application on time
• Helping you in additional ways, as requested, if possible.
The Teacher is responsible for:
• Writing your recommendation letters on time
• Helping you in additional ways, as requested, if possible.
So, you can see, this really is your project to manage!
Senior Files
We will create two sets of senior files for each of you. The first will stay in your counselor’s office. This is where she will store copies of the forms and recommendations that have been filled out for you, as well as other notes about your search.
The second will stay with Olga. This is where she will store your application “parts,” such as your recommendation letters, fee waiver requests, and other items which you give to her for your apps.
Lesson Two: College Knowledge Pre Test and Text Overview
College Knowledge Pre-Test
On the second day of class, you will take a College Knowledge pre-test. It doesn’t count toward your grade other than the 20 points you get for completing it. The goal is to see where you all have strong college knowledge – and where you need help filling in the gaps. At the end of the month of lessons you will take a post-test so we can assess if gaps have been filled in adequately.
College Knowledge Text Overview
We will review the College Knowledge table of contents to make sure you know where to find the information you need.
Lesson Three: Senior Transcript Review
You can’t go to college if you haven’t successfully completed high school. The goal of the transcript review is to make sure that you are on track for graduation – or to make a plan to get back on track if you are currently off.
For the transcript review, you need three documents:
1. Your transcript;
2. A Senior Transcript Review Form; and
3. A Transcript Error Reporting Form.
The process consists of two steps:
1. Use what is on your transcript (not what you think should be on your transcript) to complete the Senior Transcript Review Form. After completion, hand it in to your College Knowledge instructor.
2. If what is on your transcript and what you think should be on your transcript are not the same, complete a Transcript Error Reporting Form. Your counselor will make sure to give all errors to Ms. Lee for further instruction.
These three documents will be handed out at the beginning of class.
Lesson Four: Tools of the Trade – Naviance and E-mail
Naviance
Naviance () is a software program that is the central organizing and communication tool of the college research and application process at Jones. If you sign up and check your Naviance account often (as in every day), you will benefit most. The Jones account on Naviance will be available to both students and family members, but not to the general public.
Here are a few examples of how Naviance can be helpful for you. You can research, save, change, and share your prospective and application lists. Naviance has general information on all colleges as well as links to college websites – saving you tons of time. Naviance also lists all the application deadlines for every college in the U.S. – saving you lots of work.
Here is one example of how you will use Naviance at Jones. All college visits, college fairs, and campus tours will be listed in the Visit Schedule section of Naviance (and no place else). You will use Naviance to sign up for these and other opportunities.
Here is one last example of how we will use Naviance to help you. When we hear of a scholarship or other opportunity that is specific to a college, we will email that information to everyone on Naviance who has that college on their prospective or application college lists. We will also use it to send out as many electronic documents to complete your application as possible. This can include transcripts, letters of recommendations and fee waivers.
We hope you get the point: if you’re not using Naviance, you’re missing out.
Email
The primary way that you will connect with college admissions reps is via email, so it’s important to have an appropriate email address. Even better, make it useful. Even better yet, have it as your username for Naviance so you really stay connected.
Here’s what we mean. College admissions reps email and talk with dozens of prospective students everyday. To help them keep track of you and separate you out from the masses, you can email them from an account that gives them your name and date of birth (the info that they’ll use for your files).
For example, start a new account with a name like this: Smith-Jane-DOB-01-25-91@. Do this, and you’ll make a great and lasting first impression on college admissions reps. Make it “carmel_babe@...” or “chilldude09@...” , and you’ll do the exact opposite!
It’s also a good idea to use an email provider that will save all of your sent emails. You may need them to prove that you made a deadline or got a deadline extension.
Lesson Five: Tools of the Trade – Forms
Forms
Forms are what we use to keep your college and scholarship applications moving and organized. With over 200 of you going through this process, these forms are necessary to keep you and us from dropping the ball.
You can pick up copies in the Counseling office or download them from the Document Library on Naviance.
Some of them are optional – you can use them if you want to. Others are not optional; for example, if you want a fee waiver, a transcript, feedback on your essay, or your application mailed, you have to use the correct form. You’ll also need to read the instructions carefully and fill out the forms correctly.
Here is a list of the forms that we use:
• College Application Processing Deadlines Sheet
• Application Checklist
• Fee Waiver Request
• Teacher Recommendation Request Form
• Senior Transcript Advance Payment Form
• College Visit Permission Form
Lesson Six: The Big Picture – Kinds of Colleges, Fit and Match, and Tips for Your Search
The Big Picture
The big picture looks something like this: a successful college research and application process results in different application types to different kinds of colleges in a specific order. Depending on how much research you’ve done in advance and how confident you are in your top college picks, your application types and kinds of colleges will look a little different. We’ll talk about kinds of colleges today; types of applications will be covered in the next lesson.
Fit and Match
Fit is about how a school feels to you. “Fit” is a way to bring together the “brain” and the “gut” that we wrote about in the Introduction. Fit is really important. You want to do your best to get it right, so that you won’t have to transfer later.
Fit can be defined using the Five P’s (Purpose, passion, personality, parents & profile
Here’s what each of the five “Ps” mean…
• What is your purpose in going to college? Do you want to broaden your mind with a liberal arts education? Or do you want to prepare for a specific career? Or both? Or something else? How does this college match your purpose?
• What are your passions – both academic and otherwise? Can you pursue them on or near this campus? What is the personality (and what are the politics) of the college? Social or studious? Radical or traditional? Liberal or conservative?
• What do your parents think? What level of scholarships is necessary for your family to be able to afford this college? Do your parents think that the college is a good match for you? Like it or not, especially if they are helping to pay, parents get to have a say!
• Does your profile fit what the college is seeking? Are you within their GPA and ACT ranges? This doesn’t mean you have to be at the top or even in the middle – just that you meet or beat their lowest cut. Do you have the profile that they want?
Match is about whether the college offers the right amount of challenge. More times than not, students choose “down,” meaning that they choose a college less rigorous than what they are capable and qualified to handle. This is not a good thing for two reasons. First, research shows that you are less likely to finish college if the match isn’t right, and especially if you choose “down.” Second, when you choose down, you also limit your post-college job, earning, and graduate school options.
Sometimes your top college will provide both the best fit and match. Other times, they may not go together. Fit is probably more important, but match can’t be discounted. If you have questions or concerns about fit and match, talk to your counselor or your College Knowledge instructor.
Once students have a good idea of their individual needs, they need to become aware of factors that can determine proper fit.
Kinds of Colleges
Public versus Private
A big decision ahead of you is whether to attend a public university or private college. This is your decision. We will encourage you to apply to both.
The bottom line is that private colleges, while more expensive than public universities, can often be more affordable after scholarships and awards are taken into account. This is increasingly true due to three trends:
1. Tuition and fees for public universities are rising sharply.
2. Public universities are cutting back on programs for underrepresented students, as determined by race and ethnicity, as these programs have been ruled illegal in some states.
3. Private universities are seeking to diversify their student bodies according to race, ethnicity, family income, and family education history (“first gen” students), among other indicators – and they often back up this effort with scholarship funds.
We don’t want you to feel “priced out” by any college. We will encourage you strongly to apply to colleges that you like, both public and private, in order to have the best options available to choose from once acceptances and financial aid awards are in.
Big versus Small
Another important decision will be “big or small”? Again, this is your decision.
The research is clear: small learning environments are best, especially for students who don’t have a family history of college education. The reason is more personalized attention, which includes small class sizes, low faculty/student ratios, professors (rather than graduate students) as teachers, a primary focus on teaching (rather than research), and extensive student supports.
A small learning environment could mean a small college. It could also mean a small undergraduate division inside a larger private university. In addition, it could mean a small residential college or a small department inside a large public university.
Broad Education versus Career Prep
What do you want at the end of it all? Are you looking for a job as a graphic designer or engineer? Or are you looking to read a wide array of the classic literature and expand your world view? Do you think that you’ll want to go right on to grad school? Or will a 4-year college degree likely be your end point?
These can be difficult choices to make now. Nonetheless, you may want to think about where you are situated between the poles of liberal education and career prep. It will make a big difference regarding what colleges are a good fit for you.
Close versus Far
How far from home are you willing to go? How far from home to you want to go? How far is your family willing to let you go?
Another way to think about it is…Do you want to experience life in a way that is really new, or just slightly different from how it is now? If you don’t take this chance to go to college someplace else, will you regret it later?
This is a decision that will impact your next 4 years, and years beyond that. For many students, college is the first and only time that they live far from home. In this scenario, students move to a place like California or New York or Texas for college, and then come back to Chicago afterward to begin their professional lives near family and friends.
If you want to go away but don’t feel that your family can afford it, we recommend that you apply to some colleges that are near home and some that aren’t. Until you have your acceptances and financial aid package results, you won’t know if going away is affordable or not. A great scholarship away from home may make a far-away college the most affordable option.
Urban versus Suburban versus Rural
Do you thrive in cities? Or are you ready for a break from the madness? Will applying what you learn to an urban reality be important to you? Or would you prefer to be a bit removed and focus on your studies? Looking at it another way – are you likely to get distracted easily by urban life and then not do well in college? Or can you balance big city fun with college rigor?
Diversity versus “Just Like Me”
Diversity Matters: When in doubt, assume that diversity has a significant impact on a college’s admissions and scholarship decisions, especially if the college is private, has large endowment funds, is small, and/or is able to offer a holistic application review.
Following are common diversity measures:
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Immigration status (whether you were born in the U.S. or not)
• Income or wealth (Free/Reduced Lunch program eligibility is a common indicator)
• Geography (the part of the country you are from, as well as whether you are urban, suburban, or rural)
• Family educational history (if you are in the first generation in your family to go to college; this is commonly called “first gen”).
The list doesn’t stop here. Remember what was written previously about “shaping” the freshman class? Other kinds of diversity – experiences, talents, interests, etc. – can also play a crucial role. A common comment among admissions reps is, “We don’t have a tuba player. We have to find a tuba player!” They’re kidding, of course – but not really.
In addition, an admissions rep at a top college (Swarthmore) told us that all successful applicants will have to demonstrate that they are ready to commit to rigorous work around diversity issues. So even if you don’t feel that you personally will add much diversity to a college’s campus – you can stress in your application that you went to one of the most diverse public high schools in the country. This is an advantage for all Jones students.
How do you know if you’ll add to a college’s diversity profile? Well, you have to know who’s on campus already. Do your research.
You know diversity just by being at Jones. While most of you probably value diversity a lot, how important is it? It’s a fact of life that many colleges are working hard to become more diverse – and as a result, they make scholarships and awards available to students who come from a diverse school like Jones. To what extent are you willing to make this trade-off?
Some of you will want to go to a school with people who are very similar to you racially, ethnically, socio-economically, and geographically. This is fine; you’ll be comfortable there. But you may not get pushed to think outside the box. And you may not get much scholarship support, since your application will not be so unique.
Some of you will want to strike out and try something new and be among a new crowd. This is fine, too. You may not be as comfortable, and you might get homesick. You might also receive significant scholarship support because your application will be unique.
Where do you fit in this spectrum?
Stepping It Up versus Taking a Break
College prep high school can be hard. Have you enjoyed the academic rigor, or has it been too much? Do you want to take on more rigor in college, about the same amount, or less?
It’s dangerous to pick a college where you are not likely to be challenged. Research shows that you are less likely to finish college in such an environment. At the same time, you don’t want to burn yourself out. How will you find the right balance?
In addition, we will talk about 5 other kinds of colleges in terms of how likely you are to get into them. Because you are all different, these colleges will be different for each of you. For example, one student’s safety school might be another student’s reach school.
1. Crapshoot school. A crapshoot school accepts very few (like 5 – 15%) of its applicants. Even the valedictorian of Jones is not guaranteed a spot! In fact, chances will be slim for everyone, including valedictorians. Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, Yale, and Northwestern are all examples of crapshoot schools. Applying to these colleges is a little like playing the lottery.
2. Reach school. A reach school accepts a higher percentage of applicants than a crapshoot school but is still a stretch for you. You’ll be at the low end of this college’s GPA and ACT ranges, and your chances of getting in might be around 25%.
3. Probable school. A probable school is one to which you are likely to be accepted, but it’s not at all guaranteed. You’ll be within this college’s middle 50% GPA and ACT ranges, and your chances of getting in might be around 75%.
4. Safety school. This is a college that you’re very likely to get into. You’ll be near the top of the college’s GPA and ACT ranges, and your chances of getting in might be 90% or better. It’s important that your safety school be one that you are willing to attend (if nothing else works out) and that your family can afford, too.
5. Last-minute safety school. Let’s say you don’t get the financial aid that you need at your other colleges, or that your grandmother gets sick and last minute you need to change plans and stay near home. In these cases, an application to a last-minute safety school is the trick. At this kind of college, you can study for the first year or two, and then transfer to one of your more preferred options. You don’t bother applying to this kind of college early; rather, you do so much later, and only if you need to.
Lesson Seven: Prospective and Application Colleges, Types of Applications and Common App/Common Black App Overviews
Prospective and Application Colleges
Prospective colleges are those that you are interested in researching further. A good range of prospective colleges is 10 - 15. If you have more, you’ll spend the entire year researching.
Application colleges are those to which you plan to apply. An ideal range for your application list is 5 – 7 colleges.
As you do your research, you will move colleges on and off these lists, and between them. The goal is to stick to the numbers above, so that your lists will remain manageable. For example, if you want to add an application college, and you already have 7 on your list, then you have to take one off.
You also want to store these lists in Naviance, so that if we send an email about one of your colleges, you will be sure to get it.
Application Types
We talk about 7 different application types. These are based on when you apply and how the applications are considered. Not every college will offer every application type. In fact, most will offer only 2 or 3 options.
1. Rolling Admissions application. Rolling Admissions has no deadline. Colleges consider applications when they come in and usually give an answer within 2 – 6 weeks, and sometimes as soon as the same day! Applications can often be submitted as early as September 15. Rolling Admissions applications often match up with your safety school and are the first applications that you submit.
2. Early Decision application. Early Decision applications are usually due in October or November and the college will give an answer before January 1. You are only allowed to apply to one college Early Decision, and the colleges do check (so you don’t want to try to fool them!). If you fill out an Early Decision application and get into the college, you are legally bound to attend. Really! Thus, an Early Decision application makes sense only if you have done your research and the college is your absolute #1 with no close competitors for that top spot. You should also be completely done with and happy with your standardized test scores. Early Decision often matches up with your crapshoot and reach schools.
3. Early Action application. Early Action applications are also usually due in October or November with an answer before January 1. The big differences between Early Action and Early Decision are that you can usually make more than one Early Action application and you are not legally bound to enroll if you get in. If you really like a college but are not sure that it’s your #1, or if you feel like you want to keep doing research, Early Action is a better option than Early Decision. Early Action often matches up with your crapshoot and reach schools.
4. Restricted Early Action. Restricted Early Action is half Early Decision, half Early Action. Like Early Decision (and unlike Early Action), you can usually only submit one Restricted Early Action application. But like Early Action (and unlike Early Decision), you are not legally bound to attend if you get in. As with Early Decision and Early Action, you only want to submit a Restricted Early Action application to a school that you feel strongly about. And like the others, this usually matches up with your crapshoot and reach schools.
5. Early Decision II application. Early Decision II is just like Early Decision but it comes a little later. These applications are usually due between January 1 and January 15. So, if you don’t get into your #1 college with Early Decision and you know this before the Early Decision II deadline for your #2 college, you could do an Early Decision II application. And like Early Decision, this usually matches up with your crapshoot and reach schools.
6. Regular Admissions application. Regular Admissions is, well, regular. The deadline will usually fall between January 1 and April 1 (but could be earlier), and you’ll have your answer by April 15 – and often much sooner. Regular Admissions usually matches up with your probable schools.
7. Late Admission/Non-selective application. For some colleges, applications are accepted until the freshman class is full. There is, of course, no exact date when this happens. If your search ends up not going well or your circumstances change last-minute, these colleges can be a good option. A Late Admission/Non-selective application matches up with you last-minute safety school.
Common App Overview
The Common Application, or “Common App,” is just what it sounds like – a common application which is used by multiple colleges. In fact, more than 400 colleges use it now. Some of these colleges will ask for a supplement specific to them; others will not. Each college will have its own fee structure.
Sometimes a college will offer you the option to fill out the Common App or their own application. In these situations, the colleges have agreed to weigh both applications equally. So you don’t get an “edge” with the Common App, or vice versa.
The “ideal” situation is that your first application is to a safety school with Rolling Admissions (remember those terms?) that accepts the Common App. That way, you get an early acceptance to a good college that your family can afford, and you can use the Common Application again later if another college on your application list accepts it.
You can download the Common App and a list of colleges that use it at . You can also apply online at the same site.
Common Black App
Edu, Inc. provides a similar common application service for HBCUs – Historically Black Colleges and Universities. As with the Common App, using the Common Black App is a great way to save time if the schools you are interested in use the Common Black App. And unlike the Common App, you can use the Common Black App to apply to all the member schools for one low fee of $35! (Depending on how much mail you do or don’t want to get, you may not want to do this!)
To see a list of member colleges, visit .
Lesson Eight: Essays and Recommendations
Essays and recommendations are your make-or-break application pieces. They are your chance to tell your story (or have a teacher or counselor tell it) and to make a deep and lasting impression on the college admissions rep who reads your application.
Essays
To write your essays last-minute, or to submit them to colleges without having them reviewed several times beforehand, is possibly the worst application mistake you can make! Start your essays early, and have others review them several times along the way.
You will write (and revise, and revise) one to two essays for College Knowledge. You will send these essays to every college that requires them and maybe even to colleges that don’t. Sometimes colleges will let you choose your own essay topic, and then you just insert the essay as is. Other times you may need to revise it to suit the essay question that is provided. Either way, having a ready-to-go essay gives you a huge head start.
This information comes from a colleague at New Trier, one of Illinois’ top college prep high schools. If the essay questions don’t lend themselves to some of her suggestions, you can cover them either in the “extra information” section of the application or in a cover letter.
You’ll see that much of this information is similar to what we’ve already stressed and what we’ve included in the Essay Review and Rubric Sheet.
First and foremost, answer the question.
Second, stay within the parameters. (Getting creative inside the parameters is likely to impress; straying from them is not.)
Focus on your strengths.
Focus on your passions.
Focus on what makes you unique. (Sound familiar so far?)
Focus on fit. Know enough about the college to be able to explain why you are a good fit and vice versa – not just why the college is good, but why it’s good for you. Be sure to mention what it is about the college that interests you and try not to make it about one small thing that the college may be most known for. For example, don’t focus your essay for Duke University about their men’s basketball team. Instead, look to the college’s mission statement for ideas. If you have friends there or met students during a campus visit, mention what you’ve learned through them.
Make it really about you. If a teacher or friend were to put a post-it note over your name and read your essay, they should know that it’s yours.
Make the essay no more than 1/3 set-up, and at least 2/3 story. For example, if you’re answering a question about a challenging situation that you overcame, spend 1/3 explaining the situation (the set-up) and 2/3 explaining how you overcame it (the story).
Focus on how you’ve changed and grown during high school.
Don’t repeat what is mentioned elsewhere in the application. If you need to refer to something, do so briefly and move on.
Don’t take the essay lightly. Essays are often the first and most read items in your application. They also are often the clincher in a close decision regarding admissions and scholarships.
Make it your work. Admissions reps know that you’ll get feedback and assistance, but they can also tell when the work belongs to someone else. The rest of your application and your standardized test writing scores will give it away.
Start early. Essays take a long time to craft. Begin with the essay questions from the Common Application.
Once you write a great essay for one college, use it or parts of it for another college’s application. Be OK with recycling essays and parts of essays – as long as they fit the essay questions.
When recycling, be careful to change words that need to be changed. For example, don’t tell Michigan State why Grinnell College is such a great fit for you.
Don’t write a laundry list of qualifications, experiences, or activities. The essay is your chance to go deep – not skim over the surface.
Be wary of humor. Jokes don’t always translate well in person. They are much less likely to transfer well on paper.
Have at least 3 readers, and have them be different from one another. A good group would be a teacher or counselor, a friend or sibling, and a parent.
Last but definitely not least, put your full legal name and date of birth at the top of all pages. You can do this easily by using the header.
If you’re having trouble getting started on your essays, following are a few suggestions:
1. Go to your counselor or College Knowledge instructor;
2. Go to the Writing Center or talk with your English teacher;
3. Use the Common App essay questions for practice; and
4. JUST GET STARTED! Your first attempts won’t be your best – so don’t worry about it!
Letter of Special Circumstance
What if you have a learning disability, or were homeless at some point in your time at Jones, or suffered an accident, or experienced the death of someone in your immediate family? Should you include this information in your essay?
This information is not particularly important for your essay. Remember, in your essay you want to focus on your strengths, what makes you likeable, and what makes you unique. If you include information like this in your essay, remember to spend more space writing about how you worked through the situation than about the situation itself.
If the essay questions don’t lend themselves to disclosing this information and you want colleges to know it (perhaps because you had a slump in grades during a time of difficulty), you have another option. It’s called a Letter of Special Circumstance, and it can be written by you, a parent, a teacher, a counselor, or a mentor – anyone who can describe the situation with authority and authenticity. Talk with you counselor if you think a Letter of Special Circumstance would be appropriate for you.
Recommendations
Recommendations are generally not as important as GPA, ACT scores, or essays, but more important than extra-curricular activities. Like essays, when an admissions or scholarship decision is tough, recommendations can be critical.
Admissions reps suggest that teachers and counselors write one very insightful letter, and then use it again and again for each application. They suggest this knowing how busy teachers and counselors are, and because they prefer a copy of one thoughtful letter to a personalized but rushed one.
What does this mean for you? It means that you can and should start requesting your recommendation letters early, far in advance of deadlines. You may not even know the schools to which you wish to apply when you request your letters.
The teacher and counselor letters are also different, and this will make a difference regarding whom you ask to write them.
The teacher letter is “local” – it’s specific to your relationship and focuses on academics. Only if the teacher knows you well outside the classroom should non-academic comments be included.
The counselor letter, on the other hand, is “global.” It skims over the academic and focuses on other topics, like extra-curricular activities, leadership, growth, interests, passions, etc.
These letters, if written well, won’t overlap much. That’s what colleges hope for.
Following are suggestions for managing your recommendations well.
1. Ask your teacher recommender early, like in September. Use the “Teacher Recommendation Request Form.” (You can get a copy in the Counseling office, or in the Document Library on Naviance.) Be open to his or her saying “no,” either because too many students have already asked or because he or she thinks that someone else can write a better letter for you. This might hurt your feelings; but honesty now is a lot better than a mediocre letter later.
2. Your teacher recommender should be someone who knows you very well academically; that is what colleges are looking for most. If your coach loves you but only taught you in the classroom one semester when you were a freshman, that coach is not likely to be your best recommender.
3. Your best recommender is a teacher who saw you struggle academically, then succeed at the end. Colleges want to know how you work through challenging situations. If you have a teacher who saw you grow over several years (maybe you had this teacher as a freshman and again as a junior), this situation is ideal.
4. Make a list of what you would like your teacher recommender to write about. Remember, this should be specific to your relationship with the teacher, and primarily academic. Put these notes on paper, then talk about them together, and ask the teacher to write your letter early – rather than waiting for the rush.
The process for the counselor is similar. While we assume that you will have your assigned counselor write your recommendation letter, this does not have to be the case.
1. Fill out the Self-Assessment so that your counselor has lots of material to work with.
2. After you’ve filled out and handed in the Self-Assessment, meet with your counselor early to discuss it. Make sure you’ve updated it with your summer experiences.
Lesson Nine: Making Yourself Known –Jones Visits, Campus Visits, Fly-Ins and Bus-Ins, Fairs, Interviews, and Resumes
College admissions, scholarships, and even financial aid are relationship-based games, and the name of these games is networking. We do some networking on your behalf. We get to know college admissions and scholarship reps and help them to get excited about Jones and our students. But this is just the pre-lims. What really counts is the networking that you do with the reps. They are the people that will make decisions about your applications. The more they know about you the better they can advocate for you.
It might seem weird, but the college admissions reps who come to visit Jones are typically the same person who reads your application. Making a good impression on them can really help improve your chances for admission. Remember: These contacts count!!!
Jones Visits
When a college of interest to you comes to Jones to visit with students, do whatever you can to be there. If you have to reschedule a test or assignment, ask your teacher if this is possible. If it’s not – let the rep know that you want to visit with him or her but can’t due to a class obligation. This contact will make a difference. Otherwise, the rep will just think that you’ve lost interest.
If you have College Knowledge class or lunch when an admissions rep visits, you are welcome to come without getting permission in advance. You only need to sign up in Naviance so that we know how many of you are coming. If you have a class, though, you need to get permission in advance using a College Visit Permission Form, and then bring this completed form to the visit with you. You can find copies of this form in the Counseling office or in the Document Library on Naviance.
Campus Visits
Making the effort to visit the campus of a college of interest to you is the #1 way you can show that you’re serious about them. When you go, be sure to visit the admissions office, sign in, and otherwise let them know that you are there.
How to get the most out of your campus visit
• Talk to an admissions counselor
• Take a tour of the campus
• Attend classes
• Visit the department that interests you and talk to people in that department
• Eat a meal in the dining hall
• Talk to a coach or club advisor
• Stay overnight in a campus living unit if you have time and if possible
• Walk the campus
• Visit the library
• Visit a dorm
• Prepare a list of questions
Making the campus visit affordable
1. Only visit your top 4 schools instead of trying to see every college you have thought about attending. Make a short list of 3-4 schools that match up well with your interest, goals, and preferences.
2. If a friend is interested in the same school, attend the visit with them. You can help each other by sharing rides and splitting the cost of gas when checking out colleges.
3. Make visiting a campus a vacation. Many great schools are in large cities or in other high-interest areas.
4. Call your recruiter. If you are being actively recruited by a school and money is a factor, call the admission office. Often they’re willing to pay for a plane ticket if it means enticing you to attend their school.
Other ideas for your visit include:
1. Before you go, check the college website for special events you might want to attend.
2. Also before you go, make a list of questions you want answered. This is important for your research and also because having a prepared list will make a positive impression on those you meet.
3. Visit on a day when you can attend classes. Stay for a weekend so you can experience the social life.
4. Make an appointment to meet with a financial aid rep to get the inside scoop on scholarships, awards, deadlines, etc.
5. Make an appointment to visit with a professor in your probable major.
6. Visit program offices that might be of importance to you, such as the Office of Minority Student Affairs, the LGBT office, etc.
7. Visit other offices and facilities to get a more complete picture of the campus environment. These might include the athletic facilities, auditorium, campus safety office, etc.
8. Take notes. After a while, the visits can bluuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr together.
9. Try to find students who are like you or share your interests, and then find out from them whether they are happy at that college or not.
10. Have fun!!!
If you can’t afford to visit a college of interest to you, see the next section.
Fly-Ins, Bus-Ins, and Other Inexpensive Options
Colleges are interested in being more diverse socio-economically. That means that they want to help students from low-income families to attend their colleges. To help low-income students visit their campuses, these reps sometimes set up weekend programs and fly or bus you in. Other times they will reimburse you for some or all of your costs. Some colleges do this only for admitted students; others will do this earlier in the cycle to help get you interested in applying. You can ask college admissions reps if they can help you get to their campuses. Don’t be shy; this is part of their jobs. Asking for help shows that you take their college very seriously and are willing to go the extra mile to check it out.
In addition to these programs, Amtrak and Greyhound sometimes run specials to help families visit colleges. Check out their websites for more information.
Fairs
Fairs are a great way to start getting to know colleges. They are usually very crowded, though. As a result, fairs do not usually provide a good opportunity for an extended conversation. However, sometimes a fair is the only chance you’ll get to meet an admissions rep. If this is the case, do your best to arrive early, right when the doors open, to beat the crowd and make an excellent first impression.
Fairs can also be a good opportunity for a “drive by.” If you’ve met an admissions rep who is in Chicago attending a fair, it’s a good idea to attend and stop by, shake his or her hand, and let it be known that you’re still interested and will stay in touch.
Interviews
If you’re given the choice to interview or not with the admissions rep, this can be a tough call.
If you say, “No, thanks” – it might look like you’re hiding something, or like you’re not really interested in the college. But if you’re not a good interviewer and you say, “OK” – it may not help (and might even hurt) your application.
Following are a few pointers for making the decision:
1. Find out if the interview is mandatory.
2. Find out if the interview is evaluative (meaning it will be part of your application review) or just informational (meaning that it will not be part of your application review).
3. Ask the advice of several people whom you trust. They’ll let you know if they think it’s a good idea – or not.
If you decide to interview, here are a few more pointers:
1. Practice! Your counselor and College Knowledge instructor can help with sample questions and a role play or two.
2. Ask good questions and take notes. An interview is always two-way. Interview the rep (with questions about the college) while he or she is interviewing you. You’ll impress with your maturity and preparation.
3. Don’t say anything negative! Really, not one thing! In the interview, you want to talk about the things that you liked at Jones, the things you liked in your activities outside of Jones, and the things you like about the college with which you are interviewing.
4. Have fun! Shake off the stress and enjoy the process. Remember the importance of like-ability! This isn’t a job interview so be yourself!
What to expect
• On average, a personal interview lasts about 45 minutes.
• It allows you to find out more about the college and admissions staff to evaluate your skills and strengths in person.
• You will meet with a member of the admissions staff who will assess your personal qualities, high school preparation, and your capacity to contribute to campus life.
When to go
• Generally, students choose to visit campuses in the summer or fall of their senior year.
• A summer visit, when the campus is not in session, generally allows for a less hectic visit and interview.
• A fall visit provides the opportunity to see what campus life is like in full swing.
Resumes
A resume can be a good tool to sell yourself to a college or scholarship organization. You can bring copies with you to pass out at a college or scholarship fair. You can also forward them with an email when you are introducing yourself to the college admissions rep at a school of interest to you.
At application time, you are often asked to provide resume-type information on the application. In this case, it’s better to write in the information, rather than to write “See resume.” Keep in mind that college admissions reps are reading dozens of applications every day; you want to give them the information they request in the format that they request.
Lesson Ten: Putting It All Together, Keeping Track of All You Have to Do
Putting It All Together
How you put this all together depends on your situation and where you are in the research process. If you’ve already done a lot of research and know your top 3 colleges in order, your process will look very different than if you are just getting started with your research.
The following scenarios give you an idea how to map this out.
Scenario #1: You are very confident about your #1 and #2 colleges
By October 1: Rolling Admissions application to your safety school
By November 1: Early Decision application to your #1 college (usually a crapshoot or reach school, or sometimes a probable school)
By December 31: Early Decision II application to your #2 college (only if you didn’t get into your #1 college)
By January 15: Regular Admissions applications to up to 3 colleges (usually probable schools; only if you didn’t get into your #1 or #2 colleges)
TOTAL # of APPLICATIONS: 5 – 7
Scenario #2: You are very confident in your top 3 colleges but can’t decide #1, #2, or #3
By October 1: Rolling Admissions application to your safety school
By November 1: Early Action applications to your top 3 colleges (crapshoot, reach, or probable)
By January 1: Regular Admissions applications for up to 3 probable colleges (usually probable schools; only if you didn’t get into any of your top 3)
TOTAL # of APPLICATIONS: 5 - 7
Scenario #3: You are not confident about your top colleges and are still doing research
By October 15: Rolling Admissions application to your safety school
By January 1: Regular application to at least 3 colleges (crapshoot, reach, or probable)
TOTAL # of APPLICATIONS: 4 – 7
A Note about Safety Schools
All three scenarios began with an application to a safety school. Safety school applications come first for a few reasons. First, they are good practice for the applications that come later – and mean more to you. Second, they are very likely to result in your acceptance to a good college (though probably not one of your top 3) that has your major and is affordable to your family; this will be extremely important if your top choices don’t work out. And third, you then get to have more confidence as you work through the process, as you’ll already have one acceptance behind you.
A Note about Total Number of Applications
The total number of applications in each scenario is between 4 (or 5) and 7. These are the magic numbers. If you do less than 4, you’re taking a big chance on not reaching an outcome that is acceptable to you. (Can you imagine doing all this work and then not having a good option???) And, on the other end, if you do more than 7, you are spending more time on college research and applications than you need to (and taking away from other senior year activities).
It’s a good idea to make your list of application colleges (up to 7) early. If you want to stick to 7, then you only add a new college to the list if you’re willing to take another college off.
A Note about Overlap
College applications are a bit of a waiting game. Often you have to prepare for the later stage while you wait for an answer to the earlier stage. For example, if you apply Early Decision or Early Action, it’s smart to work on your Regular Admissions applications while you wait. That way, if you don’t get into your Early Action or Early Decision colleges, or if you don’t get the financial aid packages that you need, you’re well-prepared to submit your Regular Admissions applications.
Consider what will happen if you don’t work “the overlap.” Let’s say you get your Early Decision or Early Action decisions on December 23. You don’t get the answers that you hoped for. Applications for your probable schools are all due January 1, and you haven’t started them yet. Now your vacation is ruined. Worse, Jones is closed, and your counselor is away visiting family, so you cannot get your transcripts and the other information and help that you need to complete these applications!
So, hope for the best, but plan for the worst!
Keeping Track of All You Have to Do
Bringing your search together with a master calendar for each application is helpful in 2 ways. First, at the beginning, it gives you an idea of all that lies ahead. Second, as you work, it will help you to keep track of your deadlines.
Both are crucial, because you need to know how much time to set aside, and you also need to know when things are due. This process is very deadline oriented, and more times than not deadlines are FIRM.
Consider this. Common deadlines include:
• Application deadlines for funded college visits (fly-in and bus-in programs)
• Application deadlines for college admissions
• Interview deadlines
• Audition deadlines
• Scholarship application deadlines
• Financial Aid deadlines
• Housing deadlines
• Registration deadlines
• Enrollment deadlines.
Imagine that you’ll complete 5 college applications. This could easily result in 40 or more deadlines that you will have to monitor and meet in the next few months – in addition to all the deadlines and other dates that you have to keep track of for Jones.
Lesson Eleven: What Happens to Your Application Once It Gets There and How To Make A Decision
What Happens to Your Application Once It Gets There?
Different colleges have different application processes, of course. But generally, a few things are true across the board.
First, most admissions reps are just a few years out of college. They are not much older than you and therefore not very far removed from their own experience applying to colleges. They have a good idea what you are going through.
We’ve been told by admissions reps that the first time they read an essay (and the rest of the application), they are looking for reasons to like you and ways that you stand out from other applicants.
Next, reps tell us that they are always judging your writing ability.
Finally, we’ve been told that meeting deadlines and the completeness of your application are crucial.
Applications will usually be divided into three piles – accept right away, deny right away, and defer a decision. The number of people who read your application varies from university to university, but most application decisions are made by a committee of people, not just one person.
Using the “defer” applications, admissions reps will look to “shape the freshman class.” This means that they will try to make the class as diverse as possible. This includes race and ethnicity, income, immigration status, and your family’s educational history as starters. It also includes hobbies, talents, strengths, and interesting experiences, too. So your essay ends up being the application item that might really make a difference in a close admissions or scholarship decision.
What Do I Do If I End Up on the Wait List?
If you are in the “defer” group, you may be put on a wait list. This can mean very different things at different colleges and in different years. If you get wait listed, it’s a good idea to let your counselor know. Your counselor might know (or may be able to find out) how the college intends to use their wait list this year.
But honestly, the wait list is just that – a wait list. The colleges are waiting to see which of the students they admitted actually choose to enroll. Sometimes they get more students than they can handle; in this scenario, no one gets off the wait list. Other times they get fewer students than expected; in this scenario, the wait list moves quickly.
Usually, it’s somewhere in between. For example, at one top university last year, they had under-enrollment in their engineering school. As a result 40 engineering applicants got off the waiting list. But of course, no one could have told you this in advance. You just have to wait.
In any case, seldom do more than a few dozen students make it in off the wait list. So one question you can ask an admissions rep is where you are on the wait list. If you’re not near the top, your chances will be slim.
Some colleges have a Wait List form they’d like you to complete and submit, specifying if you’d like to be left on the list or taken off. Please make sure to complete that form immediately!
Making a Decision and Getting Ready to Go
You’ve Accepted – Now What?
This is when it gets good. You’ve got your acceptances. You’ve got your financial aid packages. How do you decide?
Remember, this is your decision. And if you’re lucky, it might be obvious. Your #1 college might have offered the best financial aid package (or at least a decent one). If that’s the case, you’re all set.
It’s more likely, though, that a tough decision lies ahead. Perhaps your #3 college offered the best financial aid package. Now what??? At this point, go back to the beginning of this book and review the work that you already did, and go back to the people who have helped you all along.
• What do family, friends and mentors think now that your acceptances and aid awards are in?
• Has anything shifted on your colleges “fit scores” according to the 5 Ps in a way that might make the decision easier?
• What does your “brain” say?
• What about your “gut”?
Again, this is your decision. Before you make it, there is only one must – get one or more adults to review your acceptances and financial aid packages with you. Your counselor is a good person to start with.
This is so important. The acceptance letters are sometimes misleading, and the financial aid documents are often confusing. You don’t want to make a mistake at this point and accept a school that you can’t afford when a better option is available.
Some other things to consider when making a decision
Student Supports
College is fun, for sure. And it can be very challenging. If you significantly add to a college’s diversity (and thus aren’t surrounded by lots of people similar to you), the stress can grow.
So, when considering colleges, think about what supports are in place for students like you. You can think of these supports in four categories, plus campus safety (covered in the next section).
Multi-cultural Supports
These are supports that connect you with people like you. These might include The Office of Minority Student Affairs, an LGBT student organization, meetings for first generation students, a video game club, and intramural sports leagues.
Multi-cultural “Cross-Programming”
Because multi-cultural supports often separate people along gender, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, or other lines, it’s important that a college have multi-cultural “cross-programming” that brings people together, too. For example, see if the gender studies department works with the race center, or if the minority student organizations program events with the LGBT group.
Academic Counseling and Support
Every college should have an extensive academic counseling program that includes academic advisors, tutors, a tutoring center, and even study nights or other programming to help students stay on track. Remember, you can only have fun at college as long as you are passing your classes. It’s not an “either/or.” It’s a “both/and.”
Emotional Counseling and Support
Every college should also have an easily accessible, free counseling center for students. Even if you don’t think that you’ll want to use it, you’ll want it to be there for others. If everyone around you is stressed, it will only make your life more stressful.
Look for creative ways that colleges counter stress, too. College-sponsored study breaks during finals are a good example. So are long library hours and fast internet connections. During your campus visits, ask colleges how they help students keep their stress levels in check.
Campus safety
The shootings at Virginia Tech and NIU sure put campus safety in the news.
Keep in mind that these were both freak incidents. The probability of something like that happening at college is very, very rare. Of 4,000 colleges in the U.S., only a handful has had incidents like this.
Nonetheless, campus safety is important. Following are some key questions you can ask, and why.
Do you have a campus police or security force separate from the city police force?
This is important. Campus security and police have your safety first and foremost in mind. City police may not.
Do you have at least some armed security on campus? Are security and police employees of the college or of an outside company?
These are also important points. First, having armed security is helpful if a really dangerous situation erupts, like at Virginia Tech or NIU. Second, you want campus security to be hired by the college and trained by the college. If campus security is hired by an outside company, the college doesn’t have much control over who is providing security and how. Not good!
What does the campus security office look like?
Check it out with your own eyes. If the security office is a dump or a closet, it gives you an idea how important security is – or is not – on the campus. Also, imagine that something happens to you on campus and you have to go to the security office at 2:00 a.m. Will you be comfortable there? Is the office open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week?
Does the University have the capacity to issue safety alerts 24 hours a day?
If safety alerts are issued by an office that is open only during business hours, you will not be able to get emergency information for more than half the day! This was a problem at Virginia Tech. Universities should know better now. It’s also important to know how this information is disseminated.
What are crime statistics on campus?
Statistics are just numbers and they can always be tweaked. Still, it’s good to know the recent safety history on campus. It’s also good to know how readily the college shares these statistics; do they want students and staff to be well-informed?
Does the campus have an extensive emergency phone system and a late-night transportation service?
These are no-brainers. A campus without an emergency phone system and a late-night transportation service just isn’t paying attention and does not deserve your attendance or your tuition dollars!
To wrap up:
Once you’ve made your decision and said, “Yes” to the admissions and the financial aid package, the real work begins. You have housing to sign up for, a roommate to meet, an orientation weekend to attend, classes to register for, and additional scholarships to pursue. Plus, you may have more tests to take that might get you college credit and/or advanced placement. (Similar to AP exams, these are often called “CLEP tests” and are administered by the colleges themselves.)
This is not the time to slack, as these items will all have a major impact on your happiness freshman year. Imagine the difference between getting a spot in the top-rated freshman dorm and the lowest-rated one. Other students will be on the ball; don’t miss your chance!
The National College Response Date
May 1st is the National College Response Date, sometimes called the Universal Candidate Reply Date. By either name, this is the date by which you must let a college know that you have accepted their offer of admission or you must ask for an extension. If you don’t, they may assume that you are not coming and offer your space to another applicant. Or, if they have overenrolled, they will use your non-response as a reason to put you on the waiting list or revoke your acceptance.
Again, yes, this really happens!!! Many JCP students have had the acceptance to their top school revoked because they overenrolled and they did not respond by May 1 – despite multiple prompts from their counselor to do so. If you care about attending your #1 school, you need to let them know on
or before May 1 that you plan to enroll. You also should let your other acceptances know that you are NOT enrolling, that way they can offer your spot to someone else, perhaps someone on the Wait List.
Double Depositing
Making enrollment deposits at two colleges is highly frowned upon by admissions reps. When you double deposit, you are taking two spots, and possibly denying someone on a wait list entrance to his or her top college. When May 1 rolls around, it’s time to make a decision. If you need extra time, talk to your counselor. Double depositing is not the way to go; how would you feel if someone’s double deposit kept you out of your top school?
Packing the Van
Beyond expectations, you also need to focus on the tangibles. Use Google or and type in phrases like “college packing list.” There’s a lot of info out there! Also, be sure to check your college’s website and/or freshman orientation materials for a packing list specific to your school.
A Few Things to Remember:
1. You'll Buy Stuff When You Get There
You don't have to pre-plan for your entire academic year when packing, especially if you're on a really tight budget. You can buy pens, extra binders, and lots of other things as the year goes on. Additionally, if you aren't sure if you need to bring a small desk lamp or if the school will already provide one for you, for example, just research it in advance. See if the school's website says anything. Check out facebook and ask other students. Call the residence life office and ask what's already in the room.
Keep in mind, too, that you are building a new life of sorts for yourself. Don't try to duplicate your room at home so much as find things that will represent your time at school.
Lastly, this list doesn't include all of the things that should go without explaining, like clothes, binders, notebooks, and a backpack. This list is meant more to let you know of things that you might forget to pack and that, if you bring them, just might make your college life a little easier.
2.The Don't-Forget-'Em Essentials
• Quarters - possibly one of the highest-demand items on a college campus. Grab a roll or two before you go. (Tip: if you run out, ask a fellow student who works as a waiter/waitress.)
• Detergent and fabric softener - if you buy a big box because it's cheaper in bulk, make sure you have a way to carry down a little bit at a time. There's no need to carry 25 pounds of detergent down three flights of stairs every time you need to wash your clothes.
• Laundry basket, hamper, or bag - Given that space is usually at a premium for college students, this should double as a way to carry your clothes from your room to the washing machines.
• Febreze - Speaking of that dirty laundry . . .
• Shower caddy - You'll most likely need to carry your shower items (soap, shampoo, conditioner, razor, etc.) from your room and back.
• Shower shoes - The showers at school may not be as clean as the ones you're used to. Make sure you have something to prevent catching (or stepping in) anything nasty.
• Robe - Not everyone wants to walk from the shower to their room in only a towel.
• First aid kit - Something simple will do to help cover up and heal little injuries here and there.
• Sewing kit - This may seem like a lifesaver when you're on your last pair of clean socks . . . and your toe pokes through them.
• Small toolkit - These can be a little hard to find, but are worth the effort. A basic toolkit with a small hammer, screwdriver (with different kinds of tips), wrench, tape measure, and a few other essentials will come in very handy during your time at school.
• Hangers - It's no fun to arrive at school with tons of clothes that have to live on your bed or closet floor for the first few days.
• Cup, bowl, plate, fork, knife, and spoon - One set should work for grabbing pizza late at night, sharing the 2-liter soda your RA bought during midterms week, and eating healthy snacks while studying between meals.
• Can opener - There's just no way to get that can of soup open without one, especially when it's really late and you're really hungry.
• Small items for clean-up - Depending on what you prefer, this could be Clorox wipes, paper towels, a rag or two, or a few sponges. But that cup of soda is inevitably going to spill.
• Keychain - While you can wait to get this until you arrive, make sure it's on your list. Most students have a keychain that holds their keys and student ID; get a sturdy one that will be hard to lose.
• Extra-long sheets - Check with your school before buying sheets. Most college residence halls have extra-long twin beds, which are a different size than standard twin beds. You'll need a specific size of sheets to fit them.
• Flash/jump/thumb drive - Perfect for printing at the library, saving your work when working with a group on someone else's computer, and bringing to class for presentations.
• Laptop lock - Make sure your laptop is as protected as possible, no matter how safe you feel.
• Power strip with surge protection - Residence hall rooms are notorious for not having enough plugs. Make sure you can safely plug in what you bring.
• Extension cords - With rooms being small enough already, the last thing you need is to have to move things around just to reach an outlet.
• Printer paper - You just finished writing your essay, you're tired, and you want to go to bed. Who wants to spend twenty minutes searching for printer paper?
• Small fan - Most residence halls don't have air conditioning and can get pretty hot during the summer. A tiny fan will do wonders for your room.
• Umbrella - If you're packing during a sunny day, this may totally slip your mind. But you'll be grateful for it the first time it rains on campus.
• Fridge and microwave - Essentials for most college students. Make sure, though, that you coordinate with your roommate before bringing either of these. Additionally, make sure that whatever you bring doesn't exceed the limitations on what's allowed in your hall. (You can find out more about size and electricity limits by contacting your campus residence life office.)
3.The Don't-Bring-'Em List
• Candles - These are rarely allowed in residence halls, and even on-campus apartments, because of the fire hazard. Even if you aren't going to light them, they still may not be allowed.
• A fridge or microwave that exceeds the size and electricity limits for your room or apartment
• Hot plate - These are also usually not permitted in on-campus housing.
• Expensive equipment - You may think that bringing very high-quality stereo equipment may make you a popular student on your floor. That may be true, but doing so may also make you a target for theft.
Lesson Twelve: Standardized Testing, ACT vs. SAT
Standardized Testing – ACT & SAT
If you’re one of the few who take standardized tests well, that is so great for you! Take them. Take a lot of them. Show colleges how ready you are to do college work!
If you’re one of the many who don’t do well on standardized tests, don’t worry. Really! You are not alone. In your case, you might want to take just one or a few tests, and take them more than once if you can, especially the ACT.
Standardized testing is not a Counseling function at Jones. You can still ask your counselor and your College Knowledge instructor for information. At times, though, you will be directed to Ms. Lee.
Following is information about standardized testing to help you understand what to do and who to go to for help.
ACT (PSAE)
We encourage each and every one of you to take the ACT a second time, as test scores go up on average 1 point with each retake. However, we do not sign you up automatically for this. You need to sign yourselves up. You will find out about this during College Knowledge for Seniors class.
ACT w/out writing test is $34 and plus writing is $49.50. A fee waiver form is available for those of you who are eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program. If you want to take the ACT again, you can do this for free with a waiver. You can take it three times using waivers. Come to the Counseling office to get a waiver number and sign up for the test on-line.
SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
Is a measure of the critical thinking skills students need for academic success in college. Also assesses how well students analyze and solve problems.
Administered: 7 times a year
Registration: Go to and/or paper form.
Fee: $49 dollars (low income student can receive a fee waiver)
• Each SAT waiver covers the registration fees for a single test date, either for the SAT or for up to three SAT Subject Tests.
• A total of four additional flexible score reports can be ordered any time after you register, even after you've seen your scores
Score for each sections is 200-800 for a maximum total of 2400.
Test Time: 3hours and 45 minutes
Critical Reading-measures a student’s ability to assess reading skills as identifying main and supporting ideas. Covers reading comprehension, sentence completion and short reading passages. 70 minutes.
Math-measures a student’s mastery of mathematics section measures a student’s mastery of mathematical concepts and reasoning skills. Covers basic arithmetic, algebra I, II and geometry. 70 minutes
Writing-measures a student’s mastery of developing and expressing ideas effectively. Covers grammar and persuasive essay. 60 minutes
• Essay is always the first question on the SAT
• Measures a student’s skill in developing and expressing a point of view on an issue.
We do not administer the SAT at Jones. Those interested in taking the SAT will need to sign up on their own. If you qualify for a fee waiver as you do for the ACT, see your counselor.
ACT vs. SAT
The ACT is now accepted at every college in the U.S. Therefore, you do not need to take the SAT. Occasionally, some highly selective colleges require two SAT subject tests (which are similar to AP tests), but they do not require the SAT itself.
In general, the ACT is more about what you’ve learned in school and the SAT is more about your aptitude (ability). The ACT covers five areas (English, math, reading, science reasoning, and now writing) while the SAT covers just three (writing, verbal, and math).
Some students are inclined to do better on the ACT, while others are inclined to do better on the SAT. It’s hard to tell without taking the tests and then doing a score comparison. Because the Jones curriculum is increasingly aligned with the ACT, however, for most of you the ACT will be your better test.
There are just a few of you for whom we strongly suggest that you take the SAT, and those are the ones who are National Merit commended based on your PSAT score. Because the PSAT and the SAT are aligned, if you’ve done very well on the PSAT, you are likely to do very well on the SAT. The National Merit Corporation lets us know which juniors are commended each spring; it’s usually just 4 or 5 students. If you are commended, you will hear from us!
SAT vs. ACT is a hot debate.
1. Despite what many seem to believe, the vast majority of colleges will take either test.
2. Research shows that the most effective preparation for standardized tests is achieved through school attendance, academic rigor, and getting good grades.
3. Short-term test prep (as in a test prep course) has a moderate positive effect. It works mostly by helping students become familiar with the test formats. So it’s worthwhile, but it can’t make up for years of poor academic preparation.
4. It’s more beneficial to choose one of the tests, focus on it, prepare for it, and take it more than once, than to split your time between the SAT and ACT.
5. The ACT is tied more closely to college prep curricula than the SAT, which is tied more closely to general aptitude.
6. Jones’s reputation is tied more closely to the ACT because of its ties to college prep work. Colleges expect to see ACT scores from Jones students.
7. The tests cover slightly different material which may play differently to your strengths and weaknesses. The ACT English test is grammar heavy, while the SAT focuses more on reading comprehension and sentence completions. The SAT Math section covers geometry and algebra II, while the ACT covers these plus a small amount of trigonometry. Finally, the ACT has a science section and the SAT does not. Generally, it’s best to take the test that will emphasize your strengths and not your weaknesses.
8. Guessing is not penalized on the ACT. Guessing is penalized on the SAT.
9. The ACT has 4 sections and last 175 minutes (more if you do the writing section, which you should). The SAT has 3 sections and lasts 225 minutes (again, more with writing), plus an additional experimental section that lasts another 25 minutes.
10. Taking the ACT is already part of Jones’ standardized testing program per state law. The SAT is not.
11. If you take the test multiple times, the ACT lets you choose which scores you report. The SAT reports them all.
12. Some elite colleges will ask that you take SAT Subject Tests. If a college that you’re interested in has this requirement, let your counselor know as soon as possible. (Generally, you want to take these tests soon after you finish a course in the test’s subject area.)
13. The SAT has “trick questions.” The ACT does not.
14. As with the rest of the college research and application process, decisions regarding testing belong to you, the student.
Testing Accommodations
Those of you with an IEP or a 504 Plan may be able to get accommodations to help with standardized testing. Accommodations are not automatic – you must apply for them in advance and be approved by the testing agency. This process can take several weeks or longer. Therefore, it’s important to think ahead and connect with your IES provider about standardized testing. Seniors, do this right away in September of your senior year.
More Information
For more information, including test dates and on-line registration forms, check out the following sites.
AP:
ACT: SAT:
Lesson Thirteen: SAT Subject Test
SAT Subject Test
• Series of 1-hour exams designed to measure specific knowledge in particular academic area like biology or world history.
• Primarily multiple-choice
• Can take up to three SAT Subject Test at one time BUT you cannot take the SAT Reasoning Test and Subject Test on the same day.
• Should take Subject Test as soon as possible to the completion of their class.
• Competitive colleges tend to request this test.
• 20 Different test covering 16 subjects
• $21 dollars per test
Here’s a complete list of all the Subject Tests:
MATH
Level 1: Algebra, geometry, basic trigonometry, Algebraic functions, elementary statistics, logic, elementary number theory, and arithmetic and geometric sequences.
Level 2: Algebra, three-dimensional and coordinate geometry, Trigonometry, functions, probability, permutations, combinations, logic, proofs, elementary number theory, sequences, and limits
SCIENCE
Biology: The Biology Subject Test assesses your understanding of general biology at the college preparatory level, your recall and comprehension of the major concepts of biology, and your ability to apply the principles learned to solve specific problems in biology.
Chemistry: Chemistry Subject Test measures your ability to organize and interpret results obtained by observation and experimentation. The test also assesses your aptitude for drawing conclusions and/or making inferences using experimental data, including data presented in graphic and/or tabular form.
Physics: The Physics Subject Test measures your ability to solve specific problems with the application of physical principles. The test also assesses your understanding of simple algebraic, trigonometric, and graphical relationships, the concepts of ratio and proportion, and how to apply these concepts to physics problems.
HISTORY
U.S. History: The United States History Subject Test assesses your familiarity with historical concepts, cause-and-effect relationships, geography, and other data necessary for interpreting and understanding major historical developments in U.S. History.
World History: The World History Subject Test measures your understanding of key developments in global history, your use of basic historical techniques and terminology, and your aptitude for the critical analysis and interpretation of documented events.
LANGUAGE
Chinese with Listening, French, French w/Listening, German, German w/Listening, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese w/Listening, Korean w/Listening, Latin, Spanish, Spanish w/Listening
Assess a student's reading ability in a specific language. "Language with Listening" tests examine reading and listening skills.
ENGLISH
Literature: Tests how well you can read and interpret literature. Questions focus on issues of theme, argument, tone, etc
Lesson Fourteen: Game Day Review
Lesson Fifteen: Financial Aid
Overview
Paying for college is a big challenge for most students and families. Yes, most. While colleges and federal and state governments expect you and your families to contribute toward the costs of a college education, they also provide financial aid to help close the gap between what you can pay and what college costs.
Need versus Merit
There are generally two kinds of financial aid. Need-based aid is given according to you and your family’s financial need. Government assistance is usually need-based. Merit-based need is given according to your abilities – academic, athletic, or otherwise. Private assistance is often merit-based, or a mix of the two.
Free Money versus Money You Have to Pay Back
Whether as need-based or merit-based, financial aid comes in several forms.
• Grants, awards, and scholarships are free money that does not have to be paid back.
• Loans are funds that you and your families borrow that must be repaid with interest.
• Work study programs are funded by the federal government or college. They allow you to earn money in a job on or off campus that helps pay for your education. Sometimes what you earn goes automatically to tuition; other times it’s up to you to decide how to spend it.
Federal and State Government Aid
Aid from federal and state government sources comes in all of the above forms.
Grants have many names. The common federal ones are the Pell Grants and the SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants). The most common Illinois ones are the MAP grants.
Loans typically come in one of three ways.
1. Subsidized loans to students are the first. These are loans directly to you (not to your parents) that have to be paid back, but the government pays the interest on them until you graduate or cease studies. The interest rates are low. These loans are a very good deal. You will hear them referred to as “subsidized Stafford loans.”
2. Unsubsidized loans are the second. These loans are made directly to you and have to be paid back, also. But for these, while you are in school, the interest accrues to the total amount to be paid back. These interest rates are also low. Thus, these loans are also a good deal, but not as good of a deal as subsidized loans. You will hear them referred to as “unsubsidized Stafford loans.”
3. PLUS loans are given to parents, not to you. The interest rates are higher than for subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and the repayment schedule often begins within 2 – 3 months of when the loan is signed. These are not a good deal. They should be avoided if possible. You will hear them referred to as “PLUS loans.”
Section II: Additional Information and Tips
Following are a myriad of information and tips to help fill in some of the gaps!
What Are Colleges Looking For?
Every college is looking for something a little bit (or a lot) different. This is why fit is so important – in both directions. All colleges are not the same.
When researching colleges, it’s important to learn what they are looking for. This includes ACT scores and GPAs, for sure, but also what “kind” of students they seek – studious, creative, independent, radical, traditional, liberal, conservative, etc. Colleges – especially small private ones – write their materials to be very explicit about what kinds of students do well on their campuses. When reading your application, they will try to figure out whether you’re a good fit for them – or not.
Overall, research shows that colleges overwhelmingly consider GPA and ACT (or other standardized test) scores as the top two factors when making admissions decisions. In one research study, of six possible factors impacting their admissions decisions, colleges listed GPA and ACT scores as the top two factors and extra-curricular activities as the last. The rigor of the student’s high school curriculum, essays, and recommendation letters were the 3 factors in between.
What does this mean for you?
First, take your grades seriously this year. Whether your GPA is high or low, this is your last chance to show colleges that you are ready for college-level work. And if your GPA is low, don’t be discouraged. Improvement during your senior year can make a huge and positive impression, especially at a small private college where an admissions rep can take the time to look at your entire transcript closely.
Second, retake your ACT in October (and maybe again in November) and spend time preparing for it. Work hard to get your best score.
Third, take at least one or two difficult classes during your senior year – but don’t go crazy. As and Bs in one or two AP classes will make a better impression than Cs and Ds in 4 or 5 AP classes. You want to signal to colleges that you are getting ready to take on college-level work. You don’t need to show them the extent to which you’re ready to do a full load of college-level courses right now.
Lastly, don’t make the mistake of telling an admissions rep (either in person or in your essay) that your grades are low because you are involved in so many extra-curricular activities. This only tells them that you will continue to be an involved student with low grades in college. That’s not what they’re looking for. If your GPA is low and your extra-curricular involvement high, work with your counselor to craft a convincing message regarding how you will be a better student in college and still be involved in extra-curricular activities.
How Do I Get the Real Story Before I Apply?
You and the admissions rep are on the same side of things. You’re teammates, not competitors. The more concrete information you give to a rep, the better the information he or she can give you in return.
It’s perfectly acceptable to tell reps what your GPA, ACT score, activities, and interests are – and then ask how they see the fit between you and their colleges. A good rep might ask you a few more questions, then give you some information, and possibly a suggestion whether or not to apply. This can be a good time saver for you, and for the rep. After all, a rep wants to read as many applications as possible from students who have a solid chance of gaining admission. A rep has little incentive to get you to apply just to apply.
An Important Note Regarding ACT and GPA Averages
When considering colleges, remember that the average ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students are just that – the average scores. They are not “meet or beat” scores. When you see an average GPA or ACT score, remember that just as many successful applicants fell below that score as above it. You’d be surprised how large the range can be sometimes. If a college’s average ACT is 27, it’s quite possible that students with a 19 or 20 are being accepted, too.
So, rather than get psyched out, ask an admissions rep for more information. Or talk to your counselor. It’s possible that we’ve already had this conversation with a rep at the campus you’re considering.
Information for Immigrant, Undocumented, and/or Spanish Speaking Students
If you are without legal documentation to be in the U.S., regardless of your race or ethnicity, you can qualify for in-state tuition rates in Illinois per House Bill 60 (HB60) if you meet the following 4 criteria:
• You lived with parents or legal guardians during high school;
• You graduated from a high school in Illinois;
• You attended one or more Illinois high schools for a minimum of 3 years; and
• You provide an affidavit (a legal document) to a college stating that you will apply for permanent resident status as the earliest opportunity made available to you.
This can save you thousands of dollars every year of college.
In addition to your counselor, the following organizations can provide advice and assistance with immigrant and documentation issues:
• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, , 312/332-7360.
• Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund, , 312/782-1422.
• The Resurrection Project, , 312/226-0151.
• The National Council de la Raza, , 202/776-1735.
The following scholarships do not require documentation of citizenship. This is not a complete list – just a short list to get you started!
• Latino Initiatives for the Next Century (LINC), linc-
• Chicago Scholar,
• Riceland Rice Scholarship Program
• Professionals for Latino Recruitment in Higher Education (PLARHE),
• FUERZA!,
• Jesus Guadalupe Foundation, 630/858-5876
• Fiesta Del Sol Scholarship, f_scholar/
• Tylenol Scholarship,
• HACER/Ronald McDonald Scholarship, hacer2
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund, .
In addition, several college admissions reps have made it clear that they have resources to help students who don’t have documentation; see your counselor or College Knowledge instructor to learn more about these colleges. Community colleges can help, too, and they are usually very inexpensive.
Lastly, a Spanish language glossary of more than 2,000 college-related terms is available in PDF and database form. Access is free. The PDF is downloadable from pdf/Spanish_glossary.pdf. The database can be accessed at .
The Scholarship Game
Applying for scholarships can be every bit as intense as applying for college admission. Sometimes it is even more intense and requires a lot of work.
With the scholarship game, it’s important to play smart. Here are a few tips.
1. Focus on the colleges that you want to attend. You are most likely to receive scholarship support from a college that wants you to be there. They have money set aside to help make your attendance affordable. Some of this support will come with your financial aid award letter from the college. Other support you will have to seek out; for example, many times individual college departments have their own scholarship funds. Ask your college admissions rep and financial aid officers to help you locate additional funds.
2. If you are a top student, aim for the big scholarships, meaning the full-rides. Top independent scholarships include the Gates Millennium Scholarships, the QuestBridge Scholarships, and the Posse Scholarships. The first two are for high-achieving low-income students. The third is for top student leaders who must also be solid academic achievers, but they do not have to be the very top academic students or be low-income. Posse applications are due in the spring of your junior year. QuestBridge applications are due in September of your senior year, with Gates applications due in January or early February.
Your colleges may have full-ride scholarships for top applicants, also. Be sure to ask your admissions reps and financial aid officers about these awards and how you can apply for them.
3. Don’t wait until your applications are finished to think about scholarships. By then, you will be too late. You need to be doing both at the same time.
4. Work with the Scholarship Coordinator at Jones. There is always one intern who focuses solely on this, and they will know about literally hundreds of scholarships throughout your junior and senior years. The better they know you, the better they can help you find scholarship opportunities that you are likely to receive. Introduce yourself to them early, and visit them often.
5. If you’re going to play the lottery, don’t put all your energy there. By the lottery, we mean the scholarship websites. When you sign up for these (, , etc.), keep in mind that the scholarship amounts are usually small and the number of students applying are usually large. This means your chances are slim. If you are going to spend time on these websites, make sure that you don’t get sucked in and miss other opportunities with better chances of success.
6. Beware of scams. Any person or organization who wants money from you in order to help you find scholarships is ripping you off. If this happens, tell your counselor, so we can call the scholarship police!
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