2. What are your ?
Personal
Social
Academic
Extracurricular
3. Thinking about
College
How do academic, extracurriculars and other
factors fit into the college admissions process?
GPA Sorting Game
Mock Admissions Committee Decisions
What factors did you consider?
4. State of College Admissions Report 2010
Factors in Admission Decisions
Grades in college prep courses (86.5)
Strength of curriculum (70.7)
Admission test scores (57.8)
Recommendations, essays, class rank,
extracurriculars, grades in other courses,
demonstrated interest
5. Isyour ultimate goal college Academics
admission? What else do you
want to achieve in high
school?
“It isn’t about getting in—it’s
about getting out with a
degree, about being able to
read, write, think, lead and
follow(and know when to do
those things). It’s about
making the most of your
talents and skills in and out of
the classroom.”
6. Extracurriculars
Can have a significant impact, personally,
socially and even academically
Try new things until you find good fits
Do what you love to do! Not what you think
colleges want to see.
7. Extracurriculars con’t
Summers count. Use them to grow and
learn. Camp, academic programs, skill
development
Startkeeping a list of service activities
both in and out of school. Same for
extracurriculars, sports, awards, honors.
Jobs and volunteer work are great!
Commitment, leadership and success
8. Growing Great
Test Takers
Depending on year, may need to think about taking SATIIs
along with APs
Students can practice by PSAT and PLAN: rational prep
rather than overkill
SAT/ACT typically spring of junior year and fall of senior
year
Testing too early can cause more anxiety and lower
scores, “score choice” confusion
800+ colleges that are test-optional: Bowdoin,
Connecticut College, Denison, Furman, George Mason,
NYU, Wake Forest
Reading is the best test prep: comprehension, speed and
vocabulary
9. Freshman and sophomore years are the time
to explore: subjects, careers, clubs
Ifit will help, visit a couple of colleges to get a
feel for what is coming, what you can look
forward to. Shadow a professional. Volunteer
in an area in which you are interested
Explore
10. How to use the School and
College Counselor
If you are unsure of your academic goals, I can help
with some focused exploration of subjects, majors,
careers as well as finding your individual path through
Woodlawn
If you are struggling with personal, social or academic
issues, I can help find ways through the difficulties
Parents: I can help you to understand the changes
and growth that your child is going through.
Through December, I am on campus all day Mondays
and Wednesdays, other times by appointment. Email is
the best way to schedule an appointment.