Senior Parent

College
Presentation
 Counseling Office
• Ms. Foertsch: A-F
• Mr. Creed: G-L
• Mr. Daniels: M-Z (taking over for Ms. Brown)
• Ms. Pearson: College/Career (taking over for Mrs.
Rundh)
• Mrs. Jantz: Administrative Assistant
Note: there are some exceptions to the alpha -
breakdown. If you or your son forgets who his
counselor is, he can find his counselor’s name on his
schedule.
 Congratulations Parents of
Brother Rice Seniors!
First things first:
• Senior Year Grades and Activities Matter - A LOT!
• Schoology Class of 2023 group
• Follow us on Twitter @CrusaderCollege
• This is a student-driven process!
• Seniors should be finalizing their college lists
– Narrow down list based on visits and online research
– Make sure to create a balanced list
– Don’t exclude a college based on price alone
Choosing a College
 Choosing a College
Finding the Right Fit:
• Academic: does it have his intended major?
• Social: setting (urban, suburban, rural) and size
• Financial: who is paying?
Remember:
• He needs a balanced list (3 types of schools)
• What he wants isn’t always what he needs
• Quality over speed and quantity this fall
College List Categories
 The ACT / Admissions Testing
• Many colleges have gone TEST OPTIONAL for the
2022-2023 school year.
– First, it’s your son’s responsibility to know his
colleges’ testing policies.
– Next, if he has the opportunity to test, he should!
• This is for scholarships and to help boost his
application.
 2022-2023 ACT/SAT Testing Dates
ACT (www.actstudent.org) SAT (www.collegeboard.org)

Test Date Register Test Date Register

By By
• Oct. 22 Sept. 16 • Oct. 1 Sept. 2
• Dec. 10 Nov. 4 • Nov. 5 Oct. 7
• Feb. 11 Jan. 6
• Dec. 3 Nov. 3
• April 15 March 10
• June 10 May 5 • March 11 Feb. 10
• July 15 June 16 • May 6 April 7
• June 3 May 4
 Frank Palmasani Presentation
• Frank Palmasani, author of Right College, Right Price,
and financial aid expert of 38 years, has put together a
digital presentation on Financial Aid and the college
process
• This video was sent to parents via email last week. If
you did not receive it, please contact your son’s
counselor (we may not have a correct email address
for you).
– There are several attachments Frank will reference
that are in the description of the YouTube video.
(These were also linked in the email.)
 Evening Programs
• VIRTUAL FINANCIAL PLANNING Q & A
– Wednesday, September 14 at 6:00pm
• FORDHAM RAM Session
– Monday, September 26 at 7:00pm
• COLLEGE FAIR
– Wednesday, September 28 at 6:30pm (BR &
MMc)
 College Fair!
• The Brother Rice-Mother McAuley College Fair will
take place on Wednesday, September 28th from
6:30-8:30pm.
• There will be well over 100 college representatives
at Brother Rice and Mother McAuley that night.
• Lists will be made available online.
• Lists will also be posted throughout both schools
that night.
 Tips for College Fair
• BEFORE YOU GO
– Look at the list of colleges attending the fair and pick
AT LEAST 5 that interest your son
– Think about what kind of college would suit him best
(Cost, Major, Size, Location, Extracurriculars,
Special Services, etc.)
– Have your son write down his most important
questions in advance so he doesn’t forget them
– Bring a pen & paper! Know his GPA & Class Rank!
– We are a Strive Scan fair! (www.strivescan.com)
 STRIVE SCAN!
• Please be sure that your son registers for a
barcode before the fair at
www.StriveFair.com
• He can download Strive Scan on his phone.
• During the fair, he will show his barcode to
colleges, who will scan it to send him more
information about their schools. The day after
the fair, he will receive a report with
information on the colleges with whom he
scanned.
 Tips for College Fair
• AT THE COLLEGE FAIR
– Have your son introduce himself
– Be polite and personable
– Write notes about a college right after visiting their table
– Pick up brochures and information
– Pick up the business cards of any representative with
whom you speak
– Remember that the College Representatives at the fair
will likely be the people who are reading your son’s
applications
 Tips for College Fair
• AFTER THE FAIR (Your son should…)
– Send a thank you e-mail to reps with whom he
speaks
– Be sure to follow up with the reps if he has any
questions
– College reps can be your family’s best friends
during the admissions process
– If your son loves a school and definitely wants to
attend, make sure they know it!
 College Rep Visits
• Throughout the school-year, college
representatives will be visiting Brother Rice
during lunch periods outside the cafeteria
• These visits will be posted on Naviance and
included in the daily announcements
• Remember that these are the people who are
reading your son’s applications and making
admissions decisions
• Encourage your son to be sure to talk to the
reps!
How Does My Son Apply to
College?!
A Step by Step Guide
STEP ONE: APPLY
 College Applications
• Start at the college’s website.
– The school’s website will tell you how to apply: Common
App, Coalition App, through the school, etc
• Important that your son completes HIS OWN application…
parent(s) can help, but students should do all that they can on
their own.
• Your son’s counselor or Ms. Pearson can assist with
applications if he has any questions.
 The Common Application
• www.commonapp.org
• It can be used to apply to multiple colleges.
• Over 900 colleges accept the Common App. – List of
schools is available on their website.
– All University of Illinois schools are included!
• Extensive Application – he can request letters of
recommendation and counselor evaluation reports.
• If applying to 2 or more schools that are on Common
App, use Common App.
• It is long - if he are going to apply through Common App,
he should start it now.
 The Coalition Application
• www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org
• Very similar to the Common App.
• Different schools - 150 schools
• If your son is applying to 3 or more schools on
the Coalition App, he should use it!
• It’s long - he needs to get started sooner
rather than later
 Types of College Admissions
• Regular Decision
– Most common type of application
– Deadline typically around January 1
– He will receive RD admission decisions typically by March

• Rolling Admission
– Accept applications all year long
– He will receive RA admission decision typically 6 weeks after
submitting your application
 Types of College Admissions
• Early Decision
– Can only use this method of application for ONE college
– It must be his absolute first choice dream college
– ED applications are contractually binding
– If accepted, he must attend that college and forfeit all
other apps
– Deadline typically November 1st or November 15th
– He will receive ED admission decision typically by late
December
– No easy way to back out of ED acceptance
– Your son should talk to his counselor IMMEDIATELY if he
wants to consider this
 Types of College Admissions
• Early Action/Priority Admissions
– Gives him the benefit of receiving early admission decision (just
like Early Decision) but it is non-binding
– Deadline typically November 1st or November 15th
– He will receive EA admission decision typically by late December
– We HIGHLY recommend he do this if it is an option.
• Some schools have adjusted due dates or admission decision dates
– Make sure you check their websites!
– Know your dates!

• If you encounter another type of admissions decision (Restrictive

Early Action, Early Action II, etc) and have questions, please contact
your son’s counselor
 Application Fast Facts
• GPA: 4.0 scale
• Graduating Class: 184 Seniors
• Always use weighted cumulative GPA on
applications
 Steps Two through Four are all
done AFTER your son submits his
application
● The order in which he does it doesn’t matter. The INTEGRAL part is that it’s
done after he clicks “submit” on his application.

● Colleges need to have the application on file before accepting supplemental

materials
STEP TWO: TRANSCRIPTS
 Requesting Transcripts
• Counseling Office will send an official transcript after your son has
applied
• Transcript Release Forms are available in the Counseling Office (The
yellow form right under Mrs. Jantz’s window) or online
• One release sheet per student
– Covers applications, scholarships, athletic recruitment, and
military
– Release is valid for the entire school year.
• Parent signature is required if student is under 18
• Parent signature is always required for the military
 Requesting Transcripts
• All school documents (transcripts, letters, etc.) MUST be requested
with the form
• These can be turned in to anyone in the office
• In addition to the form, if your son is applying to a school via the
school specific application (not Common App), he must email his
counselor to let them know which schools require transcripts/forms
to be sent
• We need up to 10 business days to process transcripts
• Students may also request Unofficial Transcripts (TRF not necessary)
– These transcripts are not allowed to be submitted to any college,
university, or scholarship program.
– May be used for applications that require “Self-Reported Grades”
• It is very important that your son accurately reports his
grades - he should not guess!
STEP THREE: TEST SCORES
 A Reminder...
• Yes, many colleges have gone Test Optional
this year.
• Test optional means that your son does not
have to submit test scores as part of his
application.
• If he has test scores and they reflect the type
of student that he is, HE SHOULD SUBMIT
THEM!
• List of Colleges Currently Test Optional
 Sending Test Scores
• Brother Rice does NOT send standardized test
scores - it is your son’s responsibility to do that.
• For ACT, go to www.actstudent.org
– $16 per test score
– ACT now allows you to send SuperScores - also $16
• For SAT, go to www.collegeboard.org
– $12 per test score
• For AP tests, go to www.collegeboard.org
– $15 per test score
– Only the college your son will be attending should
receive these scores (so no need to do anything
now)
STEP FOUR: LETTERS OF
RECOMMENDATION
 Letters of Recommendation
• Check to make sure if the college requires a letter of recommendation
• If they don’t, your son DOES NOT need to submit them.
• If they allow letters, it is recommended that your son get at least
one letter of recommendation.
• It’s best for him to ask a teacher from a recent core course who
knows him well.
• Your son MUST fill out “Information for Recommendation Letters” on
Naviance
• Extensive, but gives us a full view of who your son is in/out of
school
• Your son needs to ask his recommender IN PERSON if they are willing to
write a letter
• This should be followed up with reminders or e-mails
• HE NEEDS TO GIVE HIS RECOMMENDER AT LEAST 4 WEEKS TO GET
HIS LETTER FINISHED
 FERPA
• The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a
federal law that protects the privacy of student
educational records.
• To waive or not to waive
– If he does not waive, he has the right to view the LOR after
being accepted.
– We require waiving this via the Common App because it makes
the letters more credible.
• When it comes to signing
– Only sign it once - it will apply to all schools and
recommendations.
– Can be done after entering the education info on the Common
App
 Review
1. Apply to college
2. Request a transcript
3. Send test scores
4. Get letters of recommendation

ALL OF THE ABOVE MUST BE IN BY YOUR SON’S

COLLEGE’S DEADLINE
 Community College
• Many of our students go to community college for up
to two years after graduating Brother Rice.
• Community college allows your son to earn an
Associates Degree.
• Your son can transfer to a four-year college at any
point during his CC career.
• Community college applications should be filled out in
April.
• To be accepted into CC, your son needs to graduate
high school.
• ACT not required, but will help with class placement
 Trades/Employment
• 5% of the Class of 2022 entered the trades or
went straight to employment.
• Many trades and unions require things like
transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.
• If your son is planning to go into a union or
employment, HE STILL HAS TO DO HIS RESEARCH!
• He should talk to family members that may be in
unions already
• We plan on hosting a Trades Day again in the
spring
 Military
• Every year, a few students decide to join the
military.
• This requires significant thought and
dedication to what he would be deciding.
• Some military branches will require things like
transcripts, grade confirmations, etc.
• Parents should always be involved in this
decision.
 College Application Help Days
• Friday, September 9th from 8am-1pm
• Seniors have eLearning that day due to the Freshman
Retreat.
• Counselors will be available to help students with anything
related to college applications.
• Your son can pop in to receive application assistance such
as essay writing, completing the Common App, and any
other application questions.
• Individualized instruction will be available.
• Students can come to school and work on applications as
well.
• NOTE: This does not excuse him from his elearning
assignments!
 College Application Help Days
• On Wednesday, October 12, BR freshmen, sophs, and
juniors will take part in our fall Testing Day.
• Seniors are off that day.
• They should use this day for college!
• Go visit colleges with this time or work on
applications.
• Counselors will be available from 8am-12pm to help
students with anything related to college applications.
• Students can come to school and work on applications
as well.
• FAFSA Completion help for parents - more on that
later.
 College Visits
• A quick note from the Dean’s/Attendance
Office regarding college visits…
• There is no such thing as an “excused”
absence - a student is present or absent.
• If a student needs to go on a college visit,
they need to be called in absent to the
Attendance Office.
• These absences are not officially counted
against him.
 Student’s Role
• He is ultimately responsible for almost everything!
• He needs to fill out applications, write essays, provide
information for recommendation letters.
• He is responsible for knowing the dates everything is due.
• He is responsible for turning in forms, sending test scores,
following up on recommendation letters.
• He is responsible for asking ANY questions he may have.
• He is responsible for requesting to see his counselor if there
are any additional questions.
Pro-tip: HE can use this spreadsheet to help him stay
organized and keep track of deadlines, etc
 Counselor’s Role
• To present the Application Process (Beginning of Senior Year).
• To meet with parents (Zoom Meetings; phone calls).
• To write letters of recommendation.
• To speak with college representatives to advocate for your
son.
• Anything else that may ease the process on your son.
 Parents’ Role
• Fill out FAFSA.
– October 1st! Everyone should plan on filling this
out no matter the family income.
– Colleges withhold scholarships - even merit
based - if FAFSA is not filled out.
– Money WILL run out, so do it right away.
• Help send test scores.
If you have questions, if you’re unsure, if there’s
anything you don’t understand…don’t hesitate:

CONTACT YOUR SON’S COUNSELOR!

Paying For College
 Paying For College
• Use the “Net Price Calculator” to get an estimate of
how much it will actually cost to attend each college
on your son’s list.
• The Net Price Calculator gives you a “net price” for a
single academic year, after subtracting scholarships,
grants, and loans.
• The best way to find these is to Google: “INSERT
COLLEGE NAME net price calculator”
• Frank Palmasani’s video! Amazing resource
 FAFSA
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• The FAFSA Application opens October 1
• All families should complete FAFSA regardless
of family income
– Many schools will not award merit-based aid
without it
• Families should complete this as early as
possible - money will run out!
 FAFSA Help
• A representative from the Illinois Student
Assistance Commission (ISAC) will be here
during the 2nd Crusader Application Day
(Wednesday, October 12) from 9am-12pm.
• She will help you fill out your FAFSA and
answer any questions you might have.
• We will email you about this when it gets
closer so that you can reserve a time slot.
 Scholarships
• Academic (Merit) scholarships
– These are based on the student’s application
• The University’s website
– Many schools will have major-specific scholarships
– Check often!
• College Scholarship Search Engines
– Students create profiles and are matched with specific
scholarships
– Scholarships.com, Niche.com, Fastweb.com, Cappex.com,
Goingmerry.com
• Brother Rice & Naviance
– We announce and will post any local and national
scholarships that we receive
 Athletic Eligibility
• NCAA – www.eligibilitycenter.org
• NAIA - www.playnaia.org
• Application Required + fee
• Academic and ACT Test Score standards must be
fulfilled. Your son’s counselor can help determine
eligibility.
– NCAA Division 1 minimum GPA to play: 2.3 &
Corresponding Test Score, 16 Core Credit Classes
• Students who register must fill out a transcript release
form and turn into the counseling office.
• Students need to be aware of their test score, Core
GPA, and Core Courses
 THANK YOU
• Who has questions!?
• Please see or email your son’s counselor or
Ms. Pearson with any questions you may
have!
BRHS Counseling Office Contacts
Mr. Patrick Creed '06, Director
Mr. Rich Daniels ‘08
Ms. Clare Foertsch
Mrs. Mary Beth Jantz, Administrative Assistant
Ms. Mary Pat Pearson, College & Career Counselor