2020-2021 The College Counseling Handbook Director of College Counseling Carroll Easterday

College Counselors Lindsay Davis Myra Mariani Beth Newman Liz Otteson Kelly Shank

College Counseling Assistant Bethany Wolfe

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @BJPSCollege TABLE OF CONTENTS

Starting the Process Introduction...... 4 College Counseling Calendar...... 5 Class of 2020 Statistics...... 6 Campuses Visited by the Brebeuf Jesuit College Counselors...... 7 Criteria for College Admissions ...... 10 Timetables ...... 11 Freshman Year...... 11 Sophomore Year...... 11 Junior Year...... 12 Senior Year...... 13 Student Responsibilities...... 15 Naviance Family Connection To-Dos...... 16

Interview and Visiting Colleges College Admission Interview Hints ...... 17 Questions You Could Be Asked during a College Interview...... 18 Campus Visit ...... 20

Student Resume, Standardized Testing, Scholarships and Financial Aid Student Resume ...... 21 College Application Checklist...... 22 Standardized Testing ...... 23 2020-2021 Test Dates...... 24 Financial Aid Definitions ...... 25 Scholarships and Financial Aid Online Resources ...... 26 Federal Student Aid: Find the Information Online...... 27

Resources Online Resources...... 28 General Resources...... 30 Recommended Reading...... 31 Frequently Asked Questions...... 33 Definitions...... 36 Definition of Admissions Options...... 40

Appendix 2020-2021 Common App Essay Prompts...... 41 Test Prep Resources...... 42 INTRODUCTION

Today there are few rites of passage more challenging for students and families than the college search process . There are more than 2,200 four-year colleges and universities in the United States . Narrowing down the list of schools to consider is critical .

Our program at Brebeuf Jesuit seeks to demystify that process and to support and guide students and families in a sequential, structured way during their four years here . One hundred percent of students who apply to college are accepted, most into their first-choice school .

Because each student is unique, the best college is the college that best meets the needs, talents, and interests of the student . We help students assess their gifts, talents, interests, and strengths . Then we guide the search for colleges that match their interests .

We will spend an average of 40-50 hours with each student during the four-year program . Our goal is to provide a personalized process through which we support students and families in finding colleges that are a good fit for the student .

We help students navigate through self-assessment, research, testing, applying, and choosing a college . We focus on ensuring the best college match for every student . Our job is to encourage, guide, question, suggest, and inform . We are honest in our assessment of each student’s chances for admission at chosen colleges .

Please know that we are here to support and guide students and their parents through the college search and admission process . Feel free to contact me with questions at 317 .524 7110. or via email at ceasterday@brebeuf org. .

Carroll Easterday Director of College Counseling

COLLEGE COUNSELING STAFF: Carroll Easterday: ceasterday@brebeuf org,. 317 .524 7110. Lindsay Davis: ldavis@brebeuf org,. 317 .524 7112. Myra Mariani: mmariani@brebeuf org,. 317 .524 7015. Beth Newman: bnewman@brebeuf org,. 317 .524 7135. Liz Otteson: lotteson@brebeuf org,. 317 .524 7111. Kelly Shank: kshank@brebeuf org,. 317 .524 7132. Bethany Wolfe: bwolfe@brebeuf org,. 317 .524 7079.

4 Interview and Resume Building, Starting the Process Resources Appendix/Forms Visiting Colleges Testing, and Financial Aid

Spring Break – Oxford Spring Seminar – Oxford Spring Break April 2021 English classes visit 11th grade Counselors talk about essays to 2021 April 30, Friday, 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Luncheon Decision Day College 10 2021 3 and May of May Weeks Exams Placement Advanced Administer 23, 2021 May Sunday, Memorial Hall Clowes at Commencement June 15, 2021 transcripts all 8th-semester Deadline for graduating for colleges sent to Thursday, January 7, 2021 2021 7, January Thursday, Panel Alumni Coast-to-Coast Colleges Panel Alumni PWI HBCU and 2021 January 21, Thursday, p.m. 6:00-7:30 & with Freshman Evening College Families Sophomore 4, 2021 February Thurs., p.m. 6:30-7:30 Abroad Undergraduate 4, 2021 March Thursday, (tentative) Bus Trip College Sophomore 2021 28, 20-March March 55

(with Strong Interest Inventory Inventory Interest (with Strong Interpretation) December-June December-June Meetings and Individual Meetings Family College Counseling Seminars for Seminars for Counseling College Seminar meets one (each sophomores cycle period per 8-day SAT School Day (Seniors) School Day SAT January-May Juniors) 14, 2020 October October 14, 2020 14, 2020 October and (Sophomores Testing PSAT/NMSQT 6:00-7:00 p.m. 6:00-7:00 Financial Aid Evening College Fair Fair College 2020 30, September Wed., Tuesday, September 22, 2020 September Tuesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m. High School Northside Private Virtual Evening with Junior Families with Evening Thursday, September 17, 2020 17, September Thursday, p.m. 6:00-7:30 September 23, 2020 September Level in Lower (JET) Tour Jesuit Excellence Thursday, September 10, 2020 10, September Thursday, p.m. 6:00-7:30 Families with Senior Evening College COLLEGE COUNSELING CALENDAR COUNSELING COLLEGE CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BREBEUF JESUIT CLASS OF 2020!

Graduates in the Class of 2020 received acceptances to the following colleges and universities (matriculated):

Alabama A & M University Franklin College Ohio State University University of Colorado Boulder Alabama State University George Washington University Ohio University University of Dayton Alderson Broaddus University Oxford College of University of Delaware American University Georgia Institute of Technology Pacific University University of Denver Arizona State University Gonzaga University Pennsylvania State University University of Evansville Auburn University Pepperdine University University of Florida Babson College Hampton University Pratt Institute University of Georgia Ball State University Hanover College University of Hawaii at Manoa Bellarmine University Hawaii Pacific University Providence College University of Indianapolis Belmont University Holy Cross College Purdue University Fort Wayne University of Iowa Bennington College Hope College Purdue University University of Kansas Howard University Quinnipiac University University of Kentucky Bowling Green State University Illinois Institute of Technology Regis University University of Louisville Bradley University Imperial College London, UK Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute University of Massachusetts Boston Indiana Institute of Technology Ringling College of Art and Design University of Miami Butler University Indiana State University Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology University of Michigan California College of the Arts Indiana University - Purdue Universi- Saint Joseph’s University University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ty Indianapolis Saint Leo University University of Missouri Case Western Reserve University Indiana University Saint Louis University University of New Haven Catholic University of America Indiana University-Kokomo Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College University of North Texas Citadel Military College of South Indiana University-Purdue University Saint Mary’s College Carolina Columbus Santa Clara University University of Oregon Clark Atlanta University Jackson State University Sarah Lawrence College University of Pittsburgh Clarkson University John Cabot University Savannah College of Art and Design Clemson University John Carroll University Seattle University Kansas State University St. John’s University University of Saint Francis College of the Holy Cross Kettering University Suffolk University University of San Diego Colorado School of Mines King’s College London (University of Syracuse University University of San Francisco Colorado State University London) Texas A & M University University of South Carolina Columbia College Chicago Lake Erie College Texas Christian University University of Southern California Concordia University-Chicago Louisiana State University Texas Southern University University of Southern Indiana Cooper Union for the Advancement Loyola Marymount University The American University of Paris University of St Andrews of Science and Art Loyola University Chicago The College of Wooster University of Tampa Cornell University Loyola University Maryland The New School University of Vermont Creighton University Loyola University New Orleans The University of Alabama University of Virginia CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Marian University The University of Arizona University of Washington, Seattle Justice Marist College The University of Findlay University of Wisconsin-Madison Dalhousie University Marquette University The University of Melbourne Ursinus College Dartmouth College Maryville University of Saint Louis The University of Tennessee Valparaiso University DePauw University Massachusetts Institute of Technol- The University of Texas at Austin ogy Trine University Duquesne University Miami University-Oxford Tuskegee University Virginia Military Institute Elon University Michigan State University - Schenectady Wabash College Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University University of Aberdeen Washington and Lee University Fairfield University New York University University of California, San Diego Washington University in St Louis FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Norfolk State University University of California-Davis Merchandising North Carolina A & T State University University of California-Los Angeles William and Mary Florida Gulf Coast University North Carolina Central University University of California-Santa Barbara Wittenberg University Florida Southern College North Carolina State University at University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash Wofford College Florida State University Raleigh College Xavier University University of Cincinnati Xavier University of Louisiana

6 Starting the Process

Hartwick College University Harvard Mudd College Harvey College Haverford University High Point College Hiram Smith Colleges Hobart & William University Hofstra Emerson College Emory University Flagler College University Florida Atlantic University Florida Gulf Coast of Technology Florida Institute Florida Southern College College Franklin and Marshall College Franklin Furman University University Georgetown University Washington George of Technology Institute Georgia University State Georgia Goshen College Goucher College College Grace College Guilford College Hampshire College Hanover Connecticut University Cornell College Dartmouth College Davidson University DePaul University DePauw University Drew University Drexel University Duke Duquesne University Earlham College College Eckerd Elon University University Aeronautical Embry-Riddle 7 Columbia College of Wooster College College Colorado Chicago College Columbia College of the Holy Cross of the Holy Cross College Dame of Notre College & Mary of William College Colgate University Colgate of Charleston College Clemson University of Music Institute Cleveland College Colby Centre College Centre College McKenna Claremont Carnegie Mellon University University Reserve Case Western College Crest Cedar Canisius College Canisius College College Carleton Bucknell University Butler University . Joseph of St Calumet College Brown University Bryant University Bryn Mawr Bowdoin University Brandeis Boston College Boston Conservatory Boston University Boston Berry College Bethel College Bellarmine University Belmont University Beloit College Barnard Barry University College Bates Baldwin Wallace University Baldwin Wallace University Ball State Amherst College Austin Babson College Agnes Scott College Scott Agnes University American CAMPUSES VISITED BY THE BREBEUF JESUIT JESUIT BREBEUF THE BY VISITED CAMPUSES COUNSELORS COLLEGE CAMPUSES VISITED BY THE BREBEUF JESUIT COLLEGE COUNSELORS (continued) Holy Cross College Northwood University Hood College Nova Southeastern University Hope College Oakland City University Illinois Institute of Technology & Conservatory Indiana University Occidental College IUPUI Oglethorpe University Jacksonville University Ohio University John Carroll University The Ohio State University Ohio Johnson & Wales University North Miami Olin College Johnson & Wales University Providence Otterbein University Kent State University Peabody Conservatory Penn State University Pepperdine University Lake Forest College Pitzer College Lawrence University Le Moyne College Princeton University Providence College Lesley University Purdue University Lock Haven University of PA Regis University Loyola Marymount University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Loyola University Chicago Rhode Island College Loyola University Maryland Rhode Island School of Design Loyola University New Orleans Rhodes College Lynn University Ripon College Manchester University Rochester Institute of Technology Marian University Roger Williams University Marietta College Rollins College Marquette University Roosevelt University Maryland Institute College of Art Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Saint Joseph’s University McDaniel College Saint Louis University Miami University (OH) St . John’s College (MD) St . Leo University Moravian College St . Mary-of-the-Woods Mount Holyoke College St . Mary’s College of California Mount St . Mary’s University St . Mary’s College Muhlenberg College St . Olaf College New College of Florida Salve Regina University New England Institute of Technology Santa Clara University New York University Scripps College North Carolina State University Seattle University Northeastern University Sewanee: University of the South Northwestern University

8 Starting the Process

Trinity College – Dublin College Trinity Cork College, University Dublin College, University of Limerick University Scotland of Edinburgh University . Andrews of St University Wake Forest University Forest Wake College Washington College and Jefferson Washington . Louis in St University Washington College Wellesley College Westminster College Wheaton University Wittenberg Institute Polytechnic Worcester University Xavier University Yale Canada of Toronto University England of Oxford University Ireland Dublin City University College Mary Immaculate University of San Francisco University . Francis of St University California of Southern University of Southern Indiana University of Tampa University of Tennessee University Austin of Texas, University of Utah University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Washington University Madison of Wisconsin, University University Valparaiso University Villanova College Wabash 9 (continued) University of San Diego University University of Rhode Island University of Richmond University of Rochester University University of the Pacific University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University University of Northwestern Ohio of Northwestern University Dame of Notre University University of Miami University of Michigan University Chapel Hill of NC at University University of Maryland University ., Amherst of Mass University University of Indianapolis of University of Kentucky University of Louisville University University of Denver of University Evansville of University University of Dallas of University Dayton of University Delaware of University of University Boulder Colorado of University Connecticut of University University of California, Berkeley California, of University Angeles Los California, of University United States Naval Academy Naval States United Alabama of University the Arts of University Tulane Union College Trine University Trine College Trinity University Tufts Temple University Temple University Christian Texas University Transylvania Swarthmore University Syracuse Stanford University Stetson University Stevenson University Methodist Southern CAMPUSES VISITED BY THE BREBEUF JESUIT JESUIT BREBEUF THE BY VISITED CAMPUSES COUNSELORS COLLEGE CRITERIA FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION

Rank-order criteria: 1 .  G .P .A ./rigor of student’s curriculum/reputation of student’s secondary school 2 . SAT/ACT test scores (unless the college is one of the 1,000 test-optional colleges out of the 2,200 colleges in the U .S .)* *For the Class of 2021: Almost all colleges and universities have gone test-optional due COVID-19. Students should confirm testing requirements at each school to which they plan to apply. 3 . School letter of recommendation and teacher letters of recommendation

Other important criteria, in approximate rank order: • Extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, retreats, jobs, arts –related endeavors, research) • College application essay (650-word maximum) and supplemental essays • Demonstrated interest (visiting campus and contact with the admission officer assigned to Brebeuf Jesuit) • Community service (any activity that benefits others and for which you are not paid) • Interview (some colleges will have an interview option)

Hooks (factors that can give your application a “boost”) • Legacy (can be especially helpful if a parent or grandparent attended the college) • Diversity (can be a variety of factors, including socio-economic, race, ethnicity, and geography) • Athletics (if you are that good, at that position, in that sport, and they need you) • Gender (this is a time when it is helpful to be male) • Development (if your family has a financial contribution history with a college) • Music and the arts (like athletics, if you are that talented as an artist or that good, on that instrument, and they need you)

10 Starting the Process

TIMETABLE

College may seem a long time away when you first enter Brebeuf Jesuit . At Brebeuf Jesuit, we encourage you to begin the college search process in your freshman year . Start considering your abilities, needs, and interests .

Record your activities . The diligence with which you prepare can determine the ease of your college choice process . The following checklists can assist you in your college planning .

FRESHMAN YEAR

In their freshman year, Brebeuf Jesuit students:

• Become involved in a variety of activities . College applications ask students to list high school activities; depth of involvement and leadership roles are considered . • Plan meaningful summer activities, including research projects and pre-college summer programs at colleges and universities across the U .S . • Attend College Evening with Freshman and Sophomore Families . • Check the website for college-related information, such as scholarship opportunities, summer programs, college contact list, and teacher recommendation form . • Follow the College Counseling Office @BJPSCollege on Twitter and Instagram . • Attend Evening with Colleges event .

SOPHOMORE YEAR

In their sophomore year, Brebeuf Jesuit students:

• Take the PSAT (practice) in October . • Participate in the College Counseling Seminar in the second semester to learn the mechanics of the college search and application process . • Take SAT Subject tests after the completion of highly rigorous college level content, like APUSH . • Create Student Profile . • Create a list of prospective colleges . • Begin gathering information from colleges . Use the Internet and the resources available in the college counseling office and on our shelves in Information Commons to research colleges of interest . • Explore and gather college information from Naviance . • Attend College Evening with Freshman and Sophomore Families . • Consider attending a summer enrichment program, internship, research project, or employment . • Check SCOIR for college-related information, such as scholarship opportunities, Appendix/Forms summer programs, college contact list, and teacher recommendation form . • Attend Evening with Colleges event . • Sign up for college visits in SCOIR .

11 JUNIOR YEAR

In their junior year, Brebeuf Jesuit students:

• Attend College Evening with Junior Families . • Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October . • Sign up for and attend visits by college admission officers at Brebeuf Jesuit . • Take the SAT during the second semester . • Take the ACT during second semester . • Visit colleges during fall break, Dr . Martin Luther King, Jr . Day, President’s Day break, and Spring Break; have interviews at colleges that offer them . When possible, juniors should attend classes . • Attend individual meeting with their college counselor . • Take SAT Subject Tests • Take Advanced Placement (AP) Exams in May • Establish an account with www .FastWeb com,. www .Raise .me, www CICF. org,. and/or www .Scholarships com. for scholarships . Begin a scholarship search . • Update Student Resume . • Attend the family meeting with parents . • Determine teacher(s) from whom you would like a recommendation . Occasionally, colleges request two recommendations . In asking a teacher to write a recommendation, the student should be sure the teacher knows him or her well and is not someone who just gave a good grade . Students should ask their teacher(s) to write recommendation letters before the end of the junior year so that teacher(s) can compose the letter during the summer break . • Have recommending teacher(s) sign the Teacher Recommendation Request Form and give to your college counselor by May 15 . Fill out questionnaire for teacher(s) if he/she requests it and request in SCOIR . • Write college essays in English Class to minimize the amount of work required during the school year, and finalize the essays in September with help from your college counselor . • Consider attending a summer enrichment program, internship, research project, or employment . • Attend Evening with Colleges Event in September . • Attend Brebeuf Financial Aid Night in October . • Check SCOIR for college-related information, such as scholarship opportunities, summer programs, college contacts, and teacher recommendations .

12 Starting the Process

SENIOR YEAR

In their senior year, Brebeuf Jesuit students should follow this schedule:

First Semester

• Attend the Common Application Workshop and Essay Seminar (held the week prior to returning to school) . • Connect your Common App to your Naviance Account . • Take the ACT/SAT again if necessary and/or SAT Subject Tests . • Attend scheduled meetings with college counselor . • Update your Naviance account with the final list of colleges to which you are applying by the first day of school . • Complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile (if required) form as soon as possible if the family is seeking financial aid . These should be available October 1 . • Attend College Evening with Senior Families . • Request and complete applications by October 31 . It is the student’s responsibility to request, complete, and send college applications and test scores . • College Counseling Office will write the school recommendation by October 31 . • Send the highest test score(s) to colleges to arrive by college deadline . • Attend visits by college admission officers at Brebeuf Jesuit . • Attend Evening with Colleges Event in September . • Colleges begin notifying students of decisions in December for Early Decision (ED), Early Action (EA) and Restrictive Early Action (REA) applications . • Attend Brebeuf Financial Aid Night in October . • Check AMDG email account regularly .

Brebeuf Jesuit will submit the following to colleges on your behalf: • School Report • The Brebeuf Jesuit School Profile • Student’s transcript • School letter of recommendation • Teacher letter(s) of recommendation • Mid-Year Report following first semester grades Appendix/Forms

13 Second Semester

• College Counseling Office will submit all Mid-Year Report to colleges . Many colleges require a Mid-Year Report at the completion of the first semester . This is a crucial and required part of your application file and often colleges will not review a student’s application until they receive the Mid-Year Report . • Continue to do well in your senior courses to avoid jeopardizing any college acceptances . • Check SCOIR for college-related information, such as scholarship opportunities, summer programs, college contact list, and teacher recommendation form . • Prepare and schedule interviews with colleges (if applicable) . • Monitor applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time and that the applications are complete . Stay on top of things and do not procrastinate; you can ruin your chances for admission by missing a deadline . • Colleges begin notifying students of decisions in March for Regular Decision applications . Attend college spring programs to assist the student in choosing a college . • Participate in scholarship competitions . • Meet with college counselor prior to May 1 for SCOIR exit interview . • The national reply date is May 1 . Notify all colleges of a final college decision by May 1 . Send in your tuition deposit to the college you will attend . Notify the other colleges that accepted you that you’ll be attending another college . • Ensure the College Counseling Office knows your final college choice so that a final transcript is sent to the college you will attend . • Take Advanced Placement (AP) exams in May . • Final Report and final transcript submitted by college counselor in June . • Submit merit money award letters to your college counselor .

14 Starting the Process

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Update your Student Profile each year, and complete before senior year . • Attend all scheduled meetings with your college counselor . • Attend visits by college admission officers . • Register and take standardized tests . Brebeuf Jesuit recommends taking both the SAT and ACT by the end of September of your senior year . • In SCOIR, prepare preliminary college list in sophomore year; update the list in the junior year, and provide the finalized list by the start of the senior year . • Determine teachers who will write a letter of recommendation, and get their agreement to write the letter by the end of the junior year . • Obtain permission in advance from Brebeuf Jesuit to miss a school day to visit college campuses . • Write your college admission essays . • Adhere to College Counseling Department deadlines . • Submit all applications, scholarship applications, and other materials by October 30 . • Provide teachers writing your recommendation letter with appropriate admission deadlines in writing or via email . The teacher will submit the recommendation via Naviance . • Have the test agencies send colleges an official copy of your ACT and/or SAT score reports by October 30 . Counselors cannot submit test scores . You may designate institutions to receive your test scores on the College Board and ACT websites . • Notify your college counselor about upcoming interviews . • Keep the College Counseling Department informed (via Naviance) about any action taken on college applications (application withdrawn, denied, accepted, or wait-listed) . • Check for scholarship opportunities in weekly emails, Naviance, College Counseling Department, Twitter, and online (www .raise .me, www fastweb. com,. www CICF. org). . • Notify the College Counseling Department about all scholarship offers, even if you do not plan to accept the offer . Update this in Naviance, when applicable . • Inform admissions offices to which you are accepted of your final decision by May 1 . • Keep all records, test score reports, and copies of applications for admission and financial aid . Do not throw anything away until at least the end of the freshman year in college . Having detailed records will save time and effort should anything be lost or should you decide to apply in the future to other colleges and scholarship programs . • STUDENTS SEND TEST SCORES TO SCHOOLS.

Appendix/Forms

15 NAVIANCE STUDENT TO-DOs

Optimizing Naviance for students and families

10th Grade: • Conduct a College Search to find colleges that you may be a good fit for based on your specific criteria . Add the schools you like most to your list of Colleges I’m Thinking About. • Take it a step further and try the SuperMatch College Search, which allows you to input your academic profile, and shows how compatible you are with each college it recommends . Take note of the colleges you like so you can add them to your list of Colleges I’m Thinking About . • Once you have a good list of prospective colleges on Colleges I’m Thinking About, use the College Match feature to view similar colleges to those on your Colleges I’m Thinking About list, and/or colleges that are likely to accept a student with your academic profile . • On the home screen, access the Document Library where you will find the Summer Program Database, College Contact Database, etc .

11th Grade: • Update your Colleges I’m Thinking About . • View Scattergrams to see our school’s application history at a particular college, and how you compare for admission . • Select multiple colleges with College Compare and review the average scores and GPAs of students from our school who have been accepted, and how you compare for admission . You can also see the total number/percent of accepted applicants . • As you prepare to visit colleges, use the College Maps feature to locate colleges’ surrounding towns and cities . • You may find a neighboring institution to visit while you are in the area! • Be sure to keep notes of your visit in your Journal . • Parents should complete the Parent Brag Sheet in the spring . • Students should complete the Student Self-Evaluation in the spring . • Have recommending teacher(s) sign the Teacher Recommendation Request Form and give to your college counselor by May 15 .Fill out questionnaire for teacher(s) if he/she requests it and request in Naviance by May 15 .

12th Grade: • From your Colleges I’m Thinking About list, add the appropriate colleges to your list of Colleges I’m Applying To . • This is important; for each college you are applying to specify: • Have you already submitted your application? • If you are Applying via the Common Application (only select YES or NO) • The type of application (Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, Restrictive Early Action, or Rolling) . Naviance should automatically populate the deadline field for you . • Check and double-check your list of Colleges I’m Applying To . • Continue to use Naviance, as you have Sophomore and Junior year, to research colleges to which you are visiting, applying to and may enroll . Keep track of your thoughts in your Journal . • Update admissions decisions and indicate where you will be attending, prior to the College Decision Day Luncheon.

16 COLLEGE ADMISSION INTERVIEW TIPS DO . . .

• Research the college before you visit . • Contact the admission representative before your visit . Be on time and make a good first impression . • Prepare a list of questions . • Take a copy of your high school transcript, the school profile, and standardized test results . Practice the interview with a faculty member, family member, college counselor or friend . Visiting Colleges Interview and • Relax and be yourself . • Be enthusiastic and confident . Dress appropriately . • Ask questions . Remember that during an admission interview, you are there to interview the college as well as have them interview you . Asking questions shows that you are interested in the college .

• Elaborate on your answers to questions when appropriate . Avoid providing “yes” or “no” answers . • Pause and think before answering a question . If you do not know the answer to a question, say so . Do not pretend to be an expert . • Be honest . • Mention important achievements or background information to the admissions representative . Explain personal circumstances that affected your studies . • Write down your impressions of the college on the same day as your visit while your thoughts are fresh . Compare notes with your parents after the visit . • Send a thank you note or email to everyone with whom you had an appointment .

DO NOT. . .

• Decline an interview . • Be late. • Chew gum. • Use slang. • Tell the school it is your safety school . • Ask questions about topics you can find in the college brochures and website . • Take your parent into the interview .

Appendix/Forms

17 QUESTIONS YOU COULD BE ASKED DURING A COLLEGE INTERVIEW

How did you hear about us?

Why do you want to attend this college?

What other colleges are you considering?

What will you contribute to the community if you come here?

What courses have you enjoyed the most?

Do you have a specific major in mind?

Tell me about Brebeuf Jesuit .

Are your grades an accurate reflection of your potential?

How do you spend your time outside the classroom?

If I visited your high school, what would I discover is your role in the school community?

What would your teachers say were your greatest strengths as a student? Weaknesses?

What is the most significant contribution you made to your high school?

Where do you see yourself in five years?

What engages you intellectually?

What is your reason for participating in athletics or drama, art, music, student government, etc .?

Which one of your activities is most rewarding and why?

What are some examples of your leadership?

Are you satisfied with your accomplishments? Why or why not?

What is your biggest achievement?

What events or people have been most influential in your life?

Describe yourself .

What sets you apart?

If you did not go to college right after graduation, what would you do?

How did you spend last summer?

18 Compare your home environment with the home environment of your best friend .

Who is your hero?

What books made a lasting impression on your way of thinking?

What newspapers and magazines do you read? How often?

What books (not required by your courses) have you read recently?

What television shows do you watch? Visiting Colleges Interview and How do you spend your weekends?

Describe your favorite vacation .

If you could talk to any one living person, who would it be and why?

If you could talk to a deceased person, who would it be and why?

What would you change about your high school and why?

What societal pressures operate on you the most?

Describe how you “go your own way ”.

If we reversed roles, what would you like to know about me so that you could make an intelligent and fair decision on my application for admission?

What is the most difficult situation you faced? How did you deal with it?

What is your opinion on . . . current event?

Tell me about your family .

Appendix/Forms

19 CAMPUS VISIT

COVID NOTE: Most schools are not offering in-person visits this year. Students should seek out virtual visit opportunities.

The campus visit will likely have the greatest impact on college choice . Look for the learning environment that you think will challenge you and fit your style . After determining which colleges to visit, call or email the admissions representative at the college at least two weeks in advance to set up a visit . Try to visit a campus when school is in session . If possible, take advantage of all the options available: • Attend classes • Take a campus tour • Meet with a professor in your intended major • Talk to a coach • Go to an information session • Interview with an admissions counselor • Eat a meal in the dining hall • Talk to students • Spend a night on campus

Before your visit, read the brochures and website of the college and follow on social media to prepare a list of questions . See the college visit worksheet for suggestions of things to ask during your visit . Some of the questions may not matter to you while others may suggest additional areas of inquiry . College Counseling does not recommend that you get answers to all the questions, just those that are important to you .

Some schools will not offer personal interviews and only give group information sessions and campus tours .

Find out the schedule for the information sessions and campus tours and make a reservation if needed with our Indiana admission representative . Ask our Indiana admission rep if you can drop by and say hello .

Most colleges do not require an admissions interview, however, an interview allows you to be your own advocate by showing your personality and talking about your interests and passions . When you take the time and effort to be present for the interview, you demonstrate a sincere interest in the college . It is the opportunity to make a good impression beyond the transcript and test scores required during the application process . Doing an on campus interview gives the admission representative knowledge about you they can use should they need to advocate for you in the decision process . There are no “right” answers, and the interview rarely has a negative effect on your admission .

Ask current students for their opinions . Ask each student what his or her experiences have been . No one knows the environment better from a student’s perspective than a current student does! Ask your college counselor if they know of any Brebeuf alumni that currently attend the college you are visiting, or if your college counselor has visited the college .

20 STUDENT RESUME

The Student Profile is the student’s high school resume . It addresses students’ activities in and out of Brebeuf Jesuit, academic highlights, and personal accomplishments .

The Student Profile supplies the school with information that helps the college counseling staff advocate for the student . College counselors use the information contained in the Student Profile when writing the school’s letter of recommendation . The school sends this letter of recommendation to every college to which a student applies . Visiting Colleges

Besides the college preparatory curriculum, students should not overlook activities Interview and outside the classroom . Participation in clubs, student government organizations, sports, fine and performing arts, community service and employment give college admissions representatives a picture of how you might contribute to their community . Please note any leadership position held or any achievements accomplished .

Appendix/Forms

21 COLLEGE APPLICATION CHECKLIST

College or University:______

Application deadline date:______

Date application submitted:______

Visit college campus, preferably with an overnight stay on campus .

m Connect Naviance account to Common App m Begin application m Interview with an admissions representative m Send updated Student Profile to the College Counseling Department by your family college meeting m Have College Board SEND SAT SCORES, SAT SUBJECT TEST SCORES and AP SCORES (if applicable) TO COLLEGES (unless changes allow self-reporting) m Have ACT organization SEND ACT SCORES TO COLLEGES (unless changes allow self-reporting) m Compose required application essay(s) m Complete application by October 31 m Send FAFSA and CSS PROFILE to colleges as soon as possible . m Apply for scholarships – institutional, www fastweb. com,. www .raise .me, www CICF. org. m Notify all colleges of a final college decision by May 1st . Send in your tuition and housing deposit to the college you will attend . Notify the other colleges that accepted you that you’ll be attending another college . m Ensure the College Counseling Department knows your final college choice on May 1st so that a final transcript is sent to the college you will attend .

Supporting materials .

Brebeuf Jesuit will send: • School Report • Brebeuf Jesuit School Profile • Student’s transcript • School letter of recommendation written by your college counselor • Teacher letter of recommendation • Mid-Year Report following first semester grades (if required) • Final Report at the end of the year • Final transcript in June

22 Interview and ResumeProfile, Building,Testing, Starting the Process Resources Appendix/Forms Visiting Colleges Testing,and andFinancial Financial Aid Aid

-

.

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. All standardized testing should testing . All standardized . It also determines National Merit National . It also determines Subject Tests • SAT 23 23 . . • SAT A score of three or above or above of three subject . A score of the mastery measures test . The Student is responsible for sending test scores to colleges by college deadlines. college by colleges to scores sending test for is responsible Student . Stu courses college required from in exemption and can result credit earns college often AP a given credits many how determine department to each college dents should contact courses . 24 AP offers will earn . Brebeuf score AP (Advanced Placement) AP (Advanced the Advanced Jesuit will take Brebeuf at classes Placement in Advanced enrolled Students in May exam Placement science reasoning, English, reading, and a composite score and a composite English, reading, reasoning, science of senior year September by be completed students take their first ACT in the second semester of their junior year of their junior semester ACT in the second their first take students a measures test in school . This has learned a student measuring what test, achievement student’s in specific subject matter reasoning ability and knowledge . readiness and career of college used as an indicator ACT Jesuit Brebeuf that recommends Counseling . College exam entrance a college is ACT The The PreACT simulates the ACT testing experience by providing students early exposure early exposure students providing by experience testing the ACT simulates PreACT The scale 1-35 on the familiar ranges score and predictive questions test-quality ACT to and can be on the ACT performance student predicts year, sophomore administered PreACT, even before when completing an honor or AP level course an honor or AP level when completing before even PreACT Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Chinese with Listening, Japanese with Listening, and Korean with with and Korean Japanese with Listening, Chinese with Listening, Italian, Latin, Hebrew, by highly recommended or strongly sometimes required are Subject tests . SAT Listening or of junior year taking in the spring recommends Counseling . College colleges selective Subject tests are offered in the following subject areas: Literature, U Literature, subject areas: following in the offered are . Subject tests area subject French French, Physics, Chemistry, 2, Biology/EM, Level 1, Math Level Math History, World Modern with Listening, Spanish, Spanish German, German with Listening, with Listening, SAT Subject Tests SAT in a specific knowledge a student’s measures that test is a one-hour subject test Each SAT students take their first SAT in the second semester of their junior year of their junior semester in the second SAT their first take students should be testing abilities .) All standardized and verbal math, reasoning, measures that of senior year September by completed . Merit standings National SAT Jesuit Brebeuf that recommend . We exam entrance is a widely used college SAT The The PSAT/NMSQT is a practice test for the SAT for test is a practice PSAT/NMSQT The . years and junior during their sophomore this test take Jesuit students . Brebeuf semifinalists determine the only ones used to are during the junior year taken of the test results The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Merit Scholarship Test/National Assessment Scholastic (Preliminary PSAT/NMSQT Qualifying Test) • AP • ACT • PreACT are: tests Common • PSAT • Some selective schools schools try again . Some selective test, the take you time first obtain the you the scores or ACT of the SAT the writing portion or require recommend Although test scores are not the deciding factor in admissions decisions, they are an aspect an aspect are they decisions, admissions in factor not the deciding are scores test Although . Most is common tests . Retaking applicants differentiate to committees admission used by with not happy are if you so, tests obtained on the score only the highest consider colleges STANDARDIZED TESTING STANDARDIZED nationally all students by shared item common the only are scores test Standardized 2020-2021 TEST DATES

Which Test Date Deadline Late Deadline Test?

SAT August 29, 2020 July 31, 2020 August 18, 2020

ACT September 12, 2020 August 28, 2020 N/A

ACT September 13, 2020 August 28, 2020 N/A

ACT September 19, 2020 August 28, 2020 N/A

SAT September 26, 2020 August 26, 2020 September 15, 2020

SAT October 3, 2020 September 4, 2020 September 22, 2020

ACT October 10, 2020 September 17, 2020 September 25, 2020

ACT October 17, 2020 September 17, 2020 September 25, 2020

ACT October 24, 2020 September 17, 2020 September 25, 2020

ACT October 25, 2020 September 17, 2020 September 25, 2020

SAT November 7, 2020 October 7, 2020 October 27, 2020

SAT December 5, 2020 November 5, 2020 November 24, 2020

ACT December 12, 2020 November 6, 2020 November 20, 2020

ACT February 6, 2021 January 8, 2021 January 15, 2021

SAT March 13, 2021 February 12, 2021 March 2, 2021

ACT April 17, 2021 March 12, 2021 March 26, 2021

SAT May 8, 2021 April 8, 2021 April 27, 2021

SAT June 5, 2021 May 6, 2021 May 26, 2021

ACT June 12, 2021 May 7, 2021 May 21, 2021

ACT July 17, 2021 June 18, 2021 June 25, 2021

To register for the SAT and ACT, please visit the links below: SAT online registration: http://sat org/register. ACT online registration: http://www .actstudent org/register. Direct links also on Naviance homepage.

The CEEB (College Entrance Examination Board) code for Brebeuf Jesuit is 151653 . This code is required on each standardized test and every college application . Students are responsible for sending their test scores to colleges in time to arrive before the college deadline . 24 Interview and ResumeProfile, Building,Testing, Starting the Process Resources Appendix/Forms Visiting Colleges Testing,and andFinancial Financial Aid Aid .

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The loan is . The . . fafsa . jsp . Within a month after a month after . Within . com/index . . collegeboard . The student does not have to repay the repay to does not have student . The 2525 The loan is made with government funds, and the college contributes a share contributes funds, and the college loan is made with government . The You can complete, submit, and track your application at www at application your submit, and track complete, can . You You must reapply for the Stafford loan every year every loan the Stafford for reapply must . You Grants may be awarded based on be awarded may funds . Grants depending on the amount of appropriated year to . merit only or a combination need only, Grants . Both the federal the grant from received the money does not repay recipient A grant year from can vary amount of a grant . The grants offer colleges and individual government loan while in school and has ten years to repay it following graduation or withdrawal from from or withdrawal graduation it following repay to years loan while in school and has ten college The federal Stafford loan is a low-interest loan made to students by a lender students to loan made loan is a low-interest Stafford federal The college attends student while the interest-free Students repay the college for the loan . for the college repay Students Loan Stafford Subsidized Federal Federal Perkins Loan Perkins Federal college need . The with financial students loan for low-interest is a Loan Perkins A Federal is the lender family contribution; the cost of attendance; the student’s enrollment status; and whether status; enrollment the student’s of attendance; cost the contribution; family . or less a full academic year for attends the student . education postsecondary to access promote to students post-baccalaureate and certain 5,400 participating one of approximately any at use their grants may Students expected dependent on: the student’s are amounts . Grant institutions postsecondary Federal Pell Grant Program Grant Pell Federal undergraduate low-income to need-based grants provides Program Grant Pell Federal The State and federal agencies and and federal . State on the FAFSA listed you colleges as the as well agency . aid award your of the size determine to will use the EFC colleges On the SAR is the . On the SAR or SAR Aid Report, the Student will receive you submitting the FAFSA, of the amount estimate is a preliminary EFC . The or EFC Contribution, Family Expected scholarship state Indiana’s is sent to EFC . The costs college to can contribute family your work-study it is transmitted before is checked data and your the form complete to way is the easiest an error of making chance is less so there center, the processing to The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the form used to determine eligibility for eligibility for determine used to Aid is the form Student Federal for Application Free The loans, and includes grants, assistance . Federal programs assistance and state federal and his/her family are expected to contribute toward the cost of college of cost the toward contribute to expected are and his/her family FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Contribution Family Expected student amount the forms, this is the on financial aid provided Based on the information Colleges and scholarship programs use the information use the information programs and scholarship . Colleges programs financial aid student aid funds . student nonfederal eligibility for determine on the PROFILE® to collected http://profileonline online at the form Complete The College Scholarship Service (CSS) Financial Aid PROFILE® is the financial aid is the financial Aid PROFILE® Financial (CSS) Service Scholarship College The of administration with the assists service . The Board of the College service application FINANCIAL AID DEFINITIONS FINANCIAL PROFILE® CSS Loans Federal and state loans enable students to borrow funds to meet educational costs . The loans are low-interest and repayment occurs after graduation . Some colleges also offer loans with similar terms .

Merit Scholarship Many colleges offer scholarships based on the talents of the student . Academic ability and special talents are often the basis for merit scholarships . Merit scholarships are limited to only those students who distinguish themselves from the majority of applicants .

Need-based Assistance Need-based financial aid is money awarded to students who demonstrate financial need . For need-based aid, you must submit the FAFSA . Many schools also require the CSS PROFILE® . The financial aid package is usually a combination of grants, loans, and work-study .

PLUS Loan The PLUS loan is for families that do not demonstrate financial need (based on FAFSA calculations) . The Federal Parent PLUS Loan for Undergraduate Students enables parents and family members with good credit histories to borrow the education expenses of dependent undergraduate students enrolled at least half time in college . Families can borrow up to the total cost of undergraduate education including tuition, room and board, supplies, lab expenses, and travel . Families do not have to demonstrate need, only credit worthiness so anyone can apply . The interest rate is low and capped to never exceed 9% .

Scholarships Scholarships are money that does not have to be paid back and are usually offered to students who demonstrate high academic achievement or have a special talent .

Student Aid Report (SAR) A form that is part of the financial aid process, the SAR confirms figures listed on the FAFSA . It provides the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) .

Unsubsidized Stafford loans These loans are for students who do not demonstrate financial need as calculated by the FAFSA . The terms are similar to the federal Stafford loan but interest begins accumulating while the student attends college and repayment begins upon graduation or withdrawal from college .

Work-study Work-study is a way to assist with college expenses . The college employs the student and provides an opportunity for the student to earn money to offset the costs of the school .

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID ONLINE RESOURCES

CSS Profile On-Line (https://profileonline collegeboard. com/org). The CSS Profile is the form many private colleges and universities require, in addition to the FAFSA, for those applying for financial aid .

26 Interview and ResumeProfile, Building,Testing, Starting the Process Resources Appendix/Forms Visiting Colleges Testing,and andFinancial Financial Aid Aid

com/FederalStudentAid com/FederalStudentAid . gov/fafsa/filling-out/dependency gov/scholarships YouTube . . .Facebook org) . gov/eligibility gov/publicservice cicf . 2727 gov/teach-forgive gov/interest gov/forgiveness gov/ibr gov/scams gov com/FAFSA gov/types gov/how-calculated . me, www .me, . fafsa . gov/fafsa gov/repay gov/PayAsYouEarn .Raise Twitter . gov/articles/0082-scholarship-and-financial-aid-scams) gov/articles/0082-scholarship-and-financial-aid-scams) . ftc . gov/) com, www com, ed . com) . consumer . . fafsa org) org) . fastweb finaid . .scholarships . . . Brebeuf Jesuit College Counseling Twitter feed – @BJPSCollege feed Twitter Counseling Jesuit College Brebeuf @FAFSA Twitter feed – www feed Twitter @FAFSA channel – http://www Aid YouTube Student Federal page – http://www Aid Facebook Student Federal . – StudentAid Teachers for Forgiveness Loan SOCIAL MEDIA . Earn – StudentAid As You Pay . – StudentAid Forgiveness Loan Public Service . – StudentAid in General Forgiveness Loan . – StudentAid Repayment Loan . – StudentAid Repayment Income-Based . Financial Scams – StudentAid Avoiding LOANS REPAYING Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used – StudentAid/gov/pell-limit Lifetime Pell . Scholarships – StudentAid Finding and Applying for . – StudentAid and Fees Rates Interest Loan TYPES OF AID/GETTING AID TYPES OF AID/GETTING . – StudentAid of Financial Aid Types . Aid – StudentAid Student Can Get Federal Who . – StudentAid is Calculated Aid How Fill out the FAFSA – http://www Fill out the FAFSA . – StudentAid Info Basic FAFSA . Purposes – StudentAid FAFSA for Status Dependency FEDERAL STUDENT AID: FIND THE INFORMATION ONLINE FIND THE INFORMATION AID: FEDERAL STUDENT FAFSA . swindles about scholarship info Commission Trade Federal Scholarship Scam Page Scholarship Scam Page (https://www (www . to personal information colleges matches that resource financial aid and scholarship search Free A guide to financial aid . financial A guide to Foundation Community Indiana Central Rasie.me, Scholarships.com, Finaid (www (www scholarships . with available interests a student’s matches engine that scholarship search A free considering a student for financial aid . financial for student a considering Fastweb FAFSA FAFSA (http://www before this form require colleges most Aid: Student Federal for Application Free ONLINE RESOURCES

Common Application (www commonapp. org). The Common Application is an acceptable application form for admission to the undergraduate programs of many colleges and universities . Many use the form exclusively . Students complete one Common Application form and send the form to any of the participating colleges .

The College Board (www collegeboard. com). Register for the SAT, search for colleges and scholarships, and obtain a variety of information about the college search and application process .

ACT (www .act org). Register for the ACT, download a college comparison worksheet, use the financial aid estimator, and prepare for the test .

CSS Profile On-Line(https://profileonline collegeboard. com/org). The CSS Profile is the form many private colleges and universities require, in addition to the FAFSA, for those applying for financial aid .

FAFSA (www fafsa. edu. gov). Free Application for Federal Student Aid: most colleges require this form before considering a student for financial aid .

Finaid (www finaid. org). A guide to financial aid .

National Association for College Admission Counseling (www .nacacnet org). Extensive list of online resources . This is a premier site for college resources .

NCAA Online (www .ncaa org). (www eligibilitycenter. org). Information about playing sports at the NCAA Division I, II or III college level .

The Princeton Review (www .review com). Search based on name, region, state, size, and cost .

Scholarships.com (www .scholarships com). Free scholarship search and financial aid resource that matches colleges to personal information .

Scholarship Scam Page (http://www ftc. gov/bcp/conline/edcams/scholarship/index. .html) Federal Trade Commission info about scholarship swindles .

My Majors (http://www .mymajors com). A free online tool where you can complete an assessment and explore college majors that match your interest .

Fair Test (https://www fairtest. org/).

Raise.me Central Indiana Community Foundation (https://www cicf. org/).

28 The College Essay Guy (http://www collegeessayguy. com/). Ethan Sawyer is a nationally recognized college essay expert and sought-after speaker . Each year he helps thousands of students and counselors through his online courses, workshops, articles, products, and books, and works privately with a small number of students .

Youscience (https://www youscience. com).

GENERAL RESOURCES

Sites with information about the college search & admission process

Adventures in Education – www .adventuresineducation org. CampusTours – www campustours. com. Career Exploration – www .mymajors com. College Bound Network – www collegebound. net. College Essay Guy - collegeessayguy com. College Express – www collegexpress. com. CollegeNET – www collegenet. com. College Quest – www collegequest. com. College Solutions – www collegesolutions. com. College View – www collegeview. com. College Week Live – www collegeweeklive. com. Education Unlimited – www educationunlimited. com. Embark com. – www embark. com. Fair Test - fairtest org. FishNet: The College Guide – www .mycollegeguide org. Kaplan Educational Centers – www .kaplan com. Mapping Your Future – www .mappingyourfuture org. National Collegiate Athletic Association – Eligibility Center – www eligibilitycenter. org. National College Fairs – www .nacacnet org. Naviance Family Connection – www connection. .naviance com/brebeuf. Performing & Visual Arts College Fairs – www .nacacnet org.

Peterson’s – www .petersons com. Resources Princeton Review – www .review com. Study Abroad – www .studyabroad com. Where There Be Dragons: Summer Learning – www wheretherebedragons. com.

29 RECOMMENDED READING

The Office of College Counseling contains a library of resources helpful in the college search process . College guidebooks include College Handbook by the College Board, Complete Book of Colleges by The Princeton Review, The Fiske Guide to Colleges, The Insider’s Guide to the Colleges by the Yale Daily News, America’s Best Colleges by U .S . News & World Report, and How to Get into College by Newsweek .

Other publications worth investigating are:

100 Successful College Application Essays, (Ed .) Staff of the Harvard Independent This book has 100 examples of successful college-application essays with experts’ comments on them . Advice on the college essay from admission officers at prestigious colleges is included .

Admission Confidential: An Insider’s Account of the Elite College Selection Process, Rachel Toor, Most Bright, Well-Rounded Kinds (BWRKs) will not get into their first-choice college . The author, a former Duke University admissions officer, explains why . There are a variety of factors, including where students choose to apply and, how those colleges handle applications .

The Chosen: The Hidden History of Admission and Exclusion at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, Jerome Karabel The book chronicles the history of admissions from 1900 to today and the forces behind admission decisions at these exclusive schools .

College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step, by Robin Mamlet and Christine Vandevelde This is an overview of the college search and application process and is the text used in the College Counseling Seminar in second semester sophomore year .

Colleges that Change Lives, Loren Pope Lists colleges identified for their proven ability to develop potential in a wide range of students .

The College Admissions Mystique, Bill Mayher Provides advice about the college search and application process .

The College Application Essay, Sarah Myers McGinty The essay can be the deciding factor in many college applications . McGinty explains the three basic essay topics about which colleges and universities ask students to write: tell us about yourself, why did you choose this school, and creative subjects . She gives advice on how to write each kind of essay and provides examples of essays written by students .

Don’t Tell Me What to Do, Just Send Money: The Essential Parenting Guide to the College Years, Helen C . Johnson, Christine Schelhas-Miller When children leave for college, many parents feel uncertain about their shifting role . This book emphasizes the importance of being a mentor . It contains issues faced by college-aged children including preparing for college, social adjustments, the search for identity, handling crises, and postgraduate choices .

30 Resources

Loren Pope Pope Loren Jacques Steinberg Jacques . Light Richard J Richard Howard Greene, Matthew Green Green Matthew Greene, Howard Hammond . Hammond G Bruce B . Fiske, Edward Bernstein, Yadin Kaufmann Contains Contains Kaufmann Yadin . Bernstein, Howard Green, Matthew Greene Matthew Green, Howard . 31 Daniel Golden .) Mark W (Eds Frank Bruni Frank The book contains practical information to will help to information practical book contains . The Bruni gives parents a new perspective on this flawed competition of college admissions and admissions college competition of on this flawed perspective a new parents Bruni gives . it provokes out of the anxiety that a path provides . colleges competitive for Be, You’ll Who Go is Not You Where Chuck Hughes a by book, written . This admission for than superior grades more require colleges Leading process the application is a guide through from Harvard, officer senior admissions former . higher education elite to access more receive families richest in which America’s Colleges, and Other Highly Selective League the Ivy Get Into to It Really Takes What The Price of Admission: How America’s Ruling Class Buys Its Way into Elite Colleges— Elite into Its Way Buys Ruling Class America’s How of Admission: Price The Outside the Gates, Gets Left and Who an aristocracy is becoming America, the so-called land of opportunity, that book argues This colleges and universities at which students can receive an education at a at education League an Ivy can receive which students at and universities colleges of the price fraction The Public Ivies: America’s Flagship Public Universities, Public Flagship Universities, PublicThe Ivies: America’s — public and Princeton Yale, to Harvard, alternatives 30 affordable book presents This Based on surveys and interviews with students as well as college presidents, deans of faculty, deans of faculty, presidents, as college as well with students and interviews Based on surveys merit . of exceptional thirty leading institutions the book presents and other administrators, The Hidden Ivies: Thirty Colleges of Excellence, Colleges Hidden Ivies: Thirty The . the Ivies to comparable are that and universities arts colleges liberal book discusses This students make the most of college, while others struggle and look back on years of missed of missed and look back on years while others struggle of college, the most make students and on wise choices and advice anecdotes opportunities . He offers deadlines and missed . students college by the challenges faced navigating Making the Most of College: Students Speak Their Minds, Speak Their Students of College: Making the Most some why determine to years ten over of students hundreds author interviewed The Reaffirming the value of the small liberal arts college, Pope shows parents and students and parents Pope shows college, arts small liberal value of the the Reaffirming choose the schools to and other well-known League Ivy look beyond to why and how their needs . suits best that college . students with college interviews from gathered and stories advice You, Right for That’s Finding the College League: the Ivy Beyond Looking students determine which school fits them . which school determine students Year, Freshman Your Survive to How college and emphasizes this simple fact: What you will be measured by in life is your talent talent is your in life by measured will be you What this simple fact: and emphasizes college name college’s not your and energy, Harvard Schmarvard: Getting Beyond the Ivy League to the College That Is Best for You, You, for Is Best That the College to League the Ivy Getting Beyond Schmarvard: Harvard Mathews Jay to when it comes image is everything the belief that refutes graduate, a Harvard Mathews, phase of the selection process and explores the importance of grades, standardized tests, tests, standardized of grades, the importance explores and process the selection phase of essay college activities, and the extracurricular The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admission Process of a Premier College, College, Premier of a Process Admission Inside the Gatekeepers: The in places for compete as they students of prospective group a diverse follows book This during every department an admissions inside you . It takes colleges elite most the nation’s The Fiske Guide to Getting into the Right College, College, the Right into Getting to Guide Fiske The . process application college the at look step-by-step scenes, the A behind FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When and how many standardized tests should a student take? We recommend that students take both the ACT and SAT and then a second of the stronger test . We recommend that all standardized testing conclude no later than Sept . of their senior year . We recommend that students take at least one exam with writing . *For the Class of 2021: Almost all colleges and universities have gone test-optional due COVID-19. Students should confirm testing requirements at each school to which they plan to apply.

How are standardized tests scored? Students will receive two scores from the SAT: Evidence Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math . The range of scores for each section is 200-800 .

Students receive a composite score for the ACT . The maximum score is 36 . The ACT provides sub-scores in Math, English, Reading, and Science .

How do I send my SAT and ACT scores to colleges? STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING THEIR SCORES. Each time a student registers for the SAT or ACT, he or she can select four colleges to which scores will be sent . Students can choose additional colleges at that time for an additional cost . Students can send scores to colleges at any time, or later, for an additional fee . To send additional SAT score reports, contact the College Board at 800 .SAT .SCORE or online at collegereadiness collegeboard. org/sat/scores/sending-scores. . To send additional ACT score reports, contact ACT, Inc . at 319 .337 1313. or online at http://www .actstudent org/scores/send/. . Our recommendation is for students not to send their scores until you have received and reviewed them.

Do you recommend taking a test preparation class? This is a personal decision . We do not endorse any particular program . We can provide information about some of the options available locally . Please contact the college counseling office for more details .

Please see the included list of prep courses listed in the Test Prep Resources portion of the handbook .

32 Resources -

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.IECAonline ” Activities should ” Activities . . . 33 .S .) . /rigor of student’s curriculum/reputation of student’s secondary school secondary student’s of curriculum/reputation of student’s .A ./rigor G .P School letter of recommendation and teacher letter of recommendation letter and teacher recommendation of School letter SAT/ACT test scores (unless the college is one of the 1400+ test-optional colleges colleges the 1400+ test-optional is one of the college (unless scores test SAT/ACT out of the 2,200 colleges in the U colleges out of the 2,200 Gender (this is a time when it is helpful to be male) is helpful to Gender (this is a time when it college) with a history contribution has a financial family (if your Development need you) and they instrument, good, on that that are if you athletics, Music (like Legacy (can be especially helpful if a parent, grandparent, or sibling attended or sibling attended grandparent, be especially helpful if a parent, (can Legacy race, socio-economic, including of factors, be a variety (can Diversity need you) and they position, sport, in that good, in that that are (if you Athletics Demonstrated interest (visiting campus and contact with the admission with the admission and contact (visiting campus interest Demonstrated not paid) you are for which benefits others and activity that (any service Community ethnicity, geography) ethnicity, the college) officer assigned to Brebeuf) to assigned officer •  •  •  Hooks (factors that can give your application a “boost”) application your can give that Hooks (factors •  •  •  •  •  option) an interview will have colleges (some • Interview 3 .  order: rank in approximate criteria, Other important clubs) (sports, activities • Extracurricular maximum) (650-word essay application • College Rank-order criteria: Rank-order 1 .  2 .  Passionate involvement in a few activities, demonstrating leadership and initiative activities, demonstrating in a few involvement Passionate not breadth, of experience is most important . is most of experience not breadth, Academically successful students students successful . Academically challenges the student A high school curriculum that . classes Placement Honors and Advanced should include several Work or out-of-school experiences (including summer activities) that illustrate illustrate that (including summer activities) or out-of-school experiences Work Work or other . Work of interest of areas and development dedication, responsibility, maturity time can demonstrate meaningful use of free Letters of recommendation from teachers and college counselors that give evidence evidence give that counselors and college teachers from of recommendation Letters Students should request should request . Students traits character special skill, and positive of integrity, in an academic discipline their work respect who teachers from recommendations These should be consistent with high school school high with consistent be should These . ACT) (SAT, tests standardized on scores Solid performance Community service showing evidence of being a “contributor evidence showing service Community demonstrate concern for other people and a global view for concern demonstrate Grades should show an should show . Grades trend and an upward effort strong represent that Grades . challenging coursework in less all A’s to preferred are However, slightly lower grades in a rigorous program program in a rigorous grades slightly lower . However, the years over trend upward A well-written essay that provides insight into the student’s unique personality, values, and values, unique personality, the student’s insight into provides that essay A well-written The application essay should be thoughtful and highly personal . It should demon essay application goals . The writing . and well-constructed careful strate .  8 .  7 5 .  6 .  4 .  3 . 2 .  According to the Independent Educational Consultants Association (www Association Consultants the Independent Educational to According look for: colleges 1 .  What do colleges want to see in an applicant? to want do colleges What

. each criterion evaluate What do colleges consider when making admissions decisions? admissions making when consider do colleges What to applicants which determining when below the items of combination use a will Colleges which they in way the and to each item attached weight in the differs . Each college accept 9 . Supplementary recommendations by adults who have had significant direct contact with the student . Letters from coaches or supervisors in long-term work or volunteer activities are valuable; however, recommendations from casual acquaintances or family friends, even if they are well known, rarely receive much weight . 10 . Anything special that makes the student stand out from the rest of the applicants! Include honors, awards, evidence of unusual talent or experience, or anything else that makes the student unique . Overall, colleges are seeking students who will be active contributing members of the student body .

How and when should students visit colleges? The best time to visit is during a Brebeuf break when colleges are in session (which would typically be fall break, possibly the beginning of winter break, President’s Day, spring break and Faculty Work Days .) This gives students the chance to visit without missing school and to attend information sessions, tour the campus, possibly sit in on classes, observe campus activities, and meet students at the college . To set up the visit, students should go to the college website’s admissions page and click the link to visit . A student can also contact the admission officer listed in Naviance . When possible, visits should include a personal interview with an admissions officer, a campus tour, observation of at least one class in your academic area of interest, an interview with a professor in the area in which you intend to major, an information session, and an overnight stay with an existing student . COVID NOTE: Most schools are not offering in-person visits this year . Students should seek out virtual visit opportunities .

How many colleges should be on the final list? We recommend that a student apply to five to seven colleges with a mix of safety (1-2 colleges), good-fit (2-4 colleges) and reach schools (1-2 colleges) . A maximum of seven college applications is ideal . If you cannot imagine attending a particular school, it should not be on the list .

34 Resources .

. jsp . Students can . Students . com/index . collegeboard . 35 You can complete, submit, and track your application at at application your submit, and track can complete, . You This is the easiest way to complete the form and your data is checked is checked data and your the form complete to way is the easiest . This ® gov ed . . fafsa . Merit scholarships are limited to to limited merit scholarships . Merit scholarships are the basis for often special talents are the majority of applicants . from themselves distinguish who only those students Merit Scholarship ability and student . Academic scholarships based on the talents of the offer colleges Many The EFC is sent to to is sent EFC . The costs college to can contribute family of the amount your estimate . State on the FAFSA listed you as the colleges as well scholarship agency state Indiana’s . aid award of your the size determine to will use the EFC agencies and colleges and federal Within a month after submitting the FAFSA, you will receive the Student Aid Report, or Aid Report, the Student will receive you submitting the FAFSA, a month after Within is a preliminary EFC . The or EFC Contribution, Family is the Expected . On the SAR SAR grants, loans, and work-study grants, www of making an error chance is less so there center, the processing to it is transmitted before FAFSA – Opens Oct. 1 FAFSA determine used to is the form Aid (FAFSA) Student Federal for Application Free The includes assistance . Federal programs assistance and state federal eligibility for Based on the information provided on financial aid forms, this is the amount the student forms, this is the amount the on financial aid provided Based on the information of college the cost toward contribute to expected are and his/her family . all other applications withdraw must (EFC) Contribution Family Expected apply to only one college under Early Decision but can apply to other colleges under Early other colleges Early Decision but can apply to under only one college apply to under Early Decision, students . If accepted Admission Rolling Decision, or Regular Action, students who are certain of the school they would like to attend should apply Early attend to like would they of the school certain who are students college, that to accepted and are a college, who apply Early Decision to Decision . Students financial aid package an adequate offers if the college attend to agree Early decision allows students to apply early (deadlines for Early Decision applications are are Early Decision applications for apply early (deadlines to students Early decision allows in advance well the college decision from and get an admission usually in early November) binding; only are January 1) . Early Decision applications (by date of the usual notification . deadlines admission under regular submitted Early Decision (ED) Early Action is similar to Early Decision but it is non-binding and the student may apply to apply to may and the student Decision but it is non-binding Early to is similar Early Action comes earlier than those applications of acceptance . Notification if accepted other colleges your application with the regular-decision applicants . with the regular-decision application your (EA) Early Action Deferral decision and will review its admissions is postponing college means the Getting deferred Colleges and scholarship programs use the information use the information programs and scholarship . Colleges programs financial aid student aid funds . student non-federal eligibility for determine on the PROFILE® to collected http://profileonline online at the form Complete The College Scholarship Service (CSS) Financial Aid PROFILE® is the financial aid is the financial Aid PROFILE® Financial (CSS) Service Scholarship College The of administration with the assists service . The Board of the College service application DEFINITIONS PROFILE CSS National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) Students take the test, also known as the PSAT, in the autumn of the junior year . Results are evaluated and given an index score (Verbal + Math + Writing) . Students whose selection index score is in the 99th percentile often will qualify as National Merit Semifinalists and become eligible to continue in the National Merit Scholarship competition .

NCAA Eligibility Center A branch of the National Collegiate Athletic Association established to monitor the eligibility of student-athletes interested in participating in intercollegiate athletics at the Division I and Division II levels . A student considering this level of athletic participation must register with the eligibility center at the beginning of their junior year . Upon completion of junior year, students must establish eligibility and send a transcript and standardized test scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center .

Regular Decision (RD) Colleges that have specific application deadlines offer a Regular Decision option . The deadline is the date when the application form, fee, secondary school report, transcript, and letter of recommendation must be mailed . Most Regular Decision deadlines are between December 15 and February 15 . It is important to know whether the deadline is a postmark by date or received by date . Some institutions want to have all materials in their hands by the deadline date; others want the materials mailed by the deadline .

Restrictive Early Action (REA) Students apply to an institution of preference and receive a decision early . They may be restricted from applying ED or EA or REA to other institutions . If offered enrollment, they have until May 1 to confirm .

Rolling Admission (RA) Colleges with Rolling Admission process applications as soon as a student’s file is complete . Notification occurs immediately after the college processes the application once it is complete, usually within three to four weeks .

School Code National testing agencies assign a six-digit number to each high school for identification purposes . The CEEB (College Entrance Examination Board) code for Brebeuf Jesuit is 151653. This code is required on each standardized test and every college application .

School Profile Brebeuf Jesuit has a profile that contains pertinent information on the school . It includes information on the size of Brebeuf Jesuit, the mission, grade scale, list of class offerings, accreditation, and more . The school submits a School Profile with each application processed through the college counseling office .

School recommendation The school recommendation accompanies the Secondary School Report . Written by the college counselor, it looks beyond the grades a student obtains and refers to who the student is as a person . We send a school recommendation to every college to which a student applies . We ask that students obtain teacher recommendations for each college also .

36 Resources

Note any any . Note 37 Students maintain their Student Profile throughout throughout Profile Student maintain their . Students If a student wishes to remain on the waiting list, the student should write to to should write the student list, on the waiting remain wishes to . If a student Work-study and the student employs college . The expenses with college assist to is a way Work-study . of the school costs offset the to money earn to the student an opportunity for provides Meanwhile, submit a deposit to another college another college submit a deposit to . Meanwhile, process during the application covered . wait list off the do not come in case you the summer may that information updated . Include any interest notifying it of continued the college as academic and non-academic activities not such committee the admission interest . admitted will be a college by listed wait whether students predict to It is impossible throughout the list others will retain mid-May; by list will act on a wait Some colleges . recommendation of letter school’s when writing the Profile in the Student contained list Wait and performing arts, community service and employment give college admissions admissions college give and employment service arts, community and performing their community to might contribute a student of how a picture representatives the information uses staff . The accomplished achievements held or any leadership position The Student Profile supplies the school with information information supplies the school with Profile Student Jesuit . The Brebeuf at their career and personal academic highlights, in and out of Brebeuf, activities about the student’s sports, fine organizations, government student in clubs, . Participation accomplishments Student Profile Student resume high school is the student’s This the student’s transcript, the Brebeuf Jesuit School Profile, and the school and teacher teacher school and and the Profile, Jesuit School the Brebeuf transcript, the student’s . of recommendation letters Secondary School Report School Secondary the applicant consider to colleges most by required a form is Report School Secondary The with the college it to and submits form the completes counselor college . The admission for 38 Resources 39 40 2020-2021 COMMON APP ESSAY PROMPTS

Instructions: The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice . What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response . Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal . Use the full range if you need it, but don’t feel obligated to do so . (The application won’t accept a response shorter than 250 words .)

1 . Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it . If this sounds like you, then please share your story .

2 . The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success . Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure . How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3 . Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea . What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4 . Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve . It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale . Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution .

5 . Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others .

6 . Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time . Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7 . Share an essay on any topic of your choice . It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design .

Common Application website – www commonapp. org. Appendix

41 TEST PREP RESOURCES

Steve Moxey Princeton Review (available to meet at Brebeuf during the ACT, PSAT, SAT Prep day by appointment) 8435 Keystone Crossing #120 ACT, PSAT, & SAT Test Prep Indianapolis, IN 46240 812 .219 .9140 888 .345 7287. moxeytestprep@gmail com. www .princetonreview com. www facebook. com/moxeytestprep.

Sylvan Learning Center Barbara Bender and Joan Rocap ACT/SAT Test Prep, Tutoring ACT/SAT Prep, Tutoring 8450 Westfield Boulevard 941 E 86th Street, Suite 111 317 .257 .6703 Indianapolis, IN 46260 www tutoring. .sylvanlearning com. 317 .205 .9215 www .bender-rocap com. Huntington Learning Center 2440 E . 146th St . College Board Carmel, IN 46033 FREE Online SAT Prep 317 .571 .8700 (Khan Academy) www .satpractice org. SilverSmith SAT Prep Silversmithsatprep@gmail com. Peterson’s 317 727. .8667 FREE ACT, PSAT, & SAT Practice Tests www .petersons com. Jantzi Test Prep/Strategies for Success www .4SATprep com. Number 2 800 .881 .4SAT FREE Online Prep www .number2 com. PSAT & SAT Prep Courses Taught at Brebeuf by Brebeuf faculty) Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions Ms . LeAnn Parson (English) ACT, PSAT, SAT, SAT Subjects Prep lparson@brebeuf org. 9102 N Meridian Street, Suite 440 Mr . Eric Graham (Math) Indianapolis, IN 46260 egraham@brebeuf org. 317 .571 1009. www .kaplan com. College Tutors of Indianapolis/Carmel Dave Snider ACT ACADEMY 317 .559 1777. www .actstudent org. dsnider@collegetutors com.

Izzy Detherage ‘16 Tutoring in Math, Science, Test Prep isabel detherage@yale. edu.

42 Appendix