Building a College List

College Websites

College websites (usually using the common format of www.collegename.edu) are an easy way to start a basic search. They are full of information and will answer most initial questions about a college.

The following are suggestions to guide your search: • General information: How large is the college and where is it located? Is the school part of a consortium? What is the retention rate for freshmen? • Entrance requirements: How many years of foreign language are required? What are the testing requirements? Do you need to take SAT Subject Tests? Does the school use the Common Application? Are there supplemental essays required? Is this a test optional school? • Degree requirements: Most college websites have online catalogs, allowing you to explore the course offerings and major requirements for different programs. What percentage of required credits is mandated as part of a core curriculum and what percentage are electives? Or, does the college have an open curriculum? • Department websites: Do the required courses appeal to you? Are the courses offered each year or every other year? How many full professors are in the department? How many of the faculty are part-time, adjunct professors? What is the studentfaculty ratio? • Study abroad: What are the school-sponsored programs? When can you go? • Cost and Financial Aid: Is in-state tuition a consideration? What merit scholarships and need-based financial aid are available? • Career Development: How many students engage in internships? What percentage of graduates have jobs or have been admitted to graduate school? What career services does the college offer to students? • Videos, virtual tours and photo galleries of the campus.

Naviance/Student

Naviance/Student is the name given to the Naviance portal for a student and her family. Naviance/Student affords our students and families the opportunity to gather information, view statistical data relative to prior Sacred Heart applicants, research college information and create customized searches to support their individual process. A wealth of information is at one’s disposal via this user-friendly, intuitive platform. Naviance is a national leader on the college application submission and informational tracking landscape. Through Naviance, counselors can see where each student is applying, her standardized test scores and GPA, send documents to colleges electronically, and keep track of decisions (acceptances,

deferrals, denials, and waitlists). Counselors can access scattergrams for additional historical acceptance data points of Sacred Heart students.

In freshman year, each student is given a username and password that must be changed when you access Naviance/Student for the first time. Naviance also provides for a specific log-in for parents who will be able to view and contribute to their daughter’s college search process so that they can then work together throughout the college process. Parent accounts are activated following the Junior College Information Night in November of junior year. As the selection and application process evolves, students will create, modify and finalize college lists and monitor application materials throughout their senior year. Naviance/Student is accessible at http://student.naviance.com/cshgreenwich.

Naviance Instructions: • Setting up an account is simple: o All Naviance/Student user accounts are activated by the College Guidance Department. o Upon receipt of an activation email from Naviance/Student, please follow the links and the prompts in the email for the set-up of your initial log-on credentials. • Once you have created a password for your account, Naviance can be accessed via: o The website: http://student.naviance.com/CSHGreenwich; o The Naviance tab located in the Guidance pages of the Sacred Heart website; or o It is highly recommended that Naviance/Student be bookmarked as a favorite site. • Should you experience any difficulties with this process, please contact your daughter’s counselor.

College Representative Visits to Sacred Heart

**For COVID-19 Updates, please refer to page 6.

In the fall, representatives from admissions offices around the country will visit Sacred Heart. These meetings are a very good way to learn more about colleges while allowing the college to learn more about you. These are relaxed forums for students to ask questions and learn more about what a specific college is looking for in applicants. Seniors may attend as many of these sessions as they like during free periods. Seniors may also attend during a scheduled class but in advance of a scheduled session, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain permission from her

teacher to be excused from class. Seniors are urged to limit the number of those they attend during class and are responsible for completing all classwork and assignments missed in any class from which they were excused. Juniors may attend sessions during their free periods and/or lunch. College representative visits are posted on Naviance and emailed to the class.

If a college in which you are genuinely interested visits Sacred Heart, it is to your advantage to make it to the meeting, even if you have already visited the campus. Usually the representative who visits Sacred Heart is the admissions officer who will be the first to read your application. He or she is your advocate on the Admissions Committee. Be prepared to ask questions of the representative about aspects of the college that interest you. Treat these meetings with decorum and a serious attitude. Impressions are made and remembered during these exchanges.

College Visits

**For COVID-19 Updates, please refer to page 6.

DO NOT LEAVE THEM ALL UNTIL SENIOR YEAR!

Nothing can substitute seeing a college campus in person. The college search process comes alive in the college visit. You can discover the true vibe of a school when you are actually experiencing it for yourself. You gain a good sense of the student body by seeing the students as they make their way to and from classes or as they relax in common spaces or eat in the student dining hall. Do they seem happy or stressed? Are they friendly and even stop to brag about their school? Make sure to stop by the library; it is a great place to find out more about both the academic and social tenor of the school. If you can, eat in the dining hall or attend a class to see the campus and classroom dynamic.

Visiting colleges should be fun. Be sure to visit a range of schools – large and small, urban and suburban, etc. In this way, you will have a solid basis of comparison to decide which schools are right for you. You must see the schools yourself and formulate your own opinion. Do not rely on word of mouth or the perspective of others.

When attending a college-affiliated event, either on or off-campus, dress conservatively, and be on time. Be polite, engaging and interested. Approach representatives with poise, shaking hands

and looking them in the eye. Do not use your phone to text or check messages. However, it is appropriate to use your phone to take pictures of the campus so that you can use the photos to help you remember different aspects of each college. Please see the Appendix for a College Summary Sheet where you can record your impressions of your visits.

TIMING COLLEGE VISITS Start college visits early, possibly even the summer before your junior year or during school vacations in your junior year. You may not be able to initially visit every college in which you are interested. Try to see enough different schools to make an informed decision about the type of school you like. Often students figure out what they do like by figuring out what they don’t like.

While it is certainly ideal to visit campuses when they are “alive” with students, it is probably impossible to explore all of your possible choices within the confines of the academic year without missing too much school at Sacred Heart. Make every effort to coordinate your college visits with our school holidays and vacations. You should also use the summer to schedule visits. Many colleges have summer programs so you can still get a general sense of their campus “in action”.

GROUP INFORMATION SESSIONS AND CAMPUS TOURS College admissions offices are great resources for organizing your visit and arranging for accommodations and transportation. Most colleges will require that you register for any visits ahead of time. Group information sessions are usually about an hour long and are generally given by a member of the admissions staff. Campus tours, typically given by a current student, will give you a feel for the campus and are an opportunity to find out more about day-to-day campus life. If possible, you also should visit freshman classes, explore the bookstore, tour the dorms, read the college newspaper (one published by students) and eat the food. ASK QUESTIONS. Allow enough time to really get a feel for the school.

It is important to have registered contact with colleges since many colleges will track your level of “demonstrated interest”. Make sure to request the name of the Admissions Representative whose territory includes Sacred Heart and within a week, write a follow-up thank you to anyone with whom you spent time – an admissions rep, a tour guide, etc.

Things to look for and ask your tour guide during a visit: • Get a sense of the student body. Does it seem like a community of people with whom you would have similar interests? • What are the attitudes of the student body? Competitive? Cooperative? Are students serious about studies?

Ask your tour guide where else she/he applied and why she/he chose the school that she/he now attends. Ask your guide what she/he would change about the school? What are its greatest shortcomings? What do students complain about? What are the most popular majors on campus? Who teaches most of your courses – graduate assistants or full professors? When do you have to declare your major? Is there an Honors Program? Is there a separate application for the Honors Program? Is there a career center available to students? Do they only work with seniors? Do they help students find internships? What support services are available to students? Learning Disability Services? General counseling? Post-Graduation planning? Tutoring, if needed? Help finding off-campus employment during the school year and during the summer? What percent of students participate in a study abroad program? What research opportunities are available to undergraduates? Are club or intramural sports an option for students of varying athletic abilities? What percentage of the student body engages in some kind of athletics? Are the sports facilities restricted for varsity athletes? Is there construction on campus? When will it be completed? What kinds of living accommodations are available? Dorms? Foreign Language houses? Private apartments? What do students do for fun? What are the weekends like? Do most students remain on campus? Are there alternatives to the typical party scene? Do fraternities/sororities play a big role on campus? What percentage pledge/participate? When is rush? Are there alternatives to Greek life? What types of activities are available for freshmen involvement on campus? What kinds of cultural, sports, and literary events are offered on campus? Are there community service opportunities? How many students generally engage in community service? Is on-campus housing required? Is housing guaranteed for 4 years? Are first year students required to live on campus? What type of transportation is necessary/available on campus? Is there parking on campus? Can you have a car? Do you need a car? What is the city/town/surrounding area like? What is provided by the school in terms of safety protocol and security systems and are there any safety issues on the campus? What types of meal plans are available? What do students do after they graduate? Do they go on to postgraduate studies? What percentage is employed upon graduation?

Try not to ask questions about things that are easily found on the college’s website. Remember that your decision should not rest on the quality of the tour guide; one person does not represent the entire campus.

INTERVIEWS

**For COVID-19 Updates, please refer to page 6.

“Nothing can replace a good conversation - it’s the best way for us to really get to know you. We can understand that you are much more than test scores and grades. A personal interview is your opportunity to show us what you’re made of and to ask us the questions that matter to you. It’s a dialogue that can make a difference.” (Siena College)

Many colleges will offer the opportunity to interview to rising seniors and College Guidance encourages students to take advantage of any of these interview opportunities. Students will often schedule an interview when visiting a college in addition to an information session or campus tour. It is important that students familiarize themselves with the various interview policies at colleges in which she is interested. College websites are a great place to start or students may contact college admissions offices directly to inquire as to whether a college offers interviews. Schedule interviews in a timely fashion when applicable.

Interview tips • Make an interview appointment as far ahead as possible, either online or by phone. • Dress comfortably, but appropriately. • Be prompt. If you are going to be late, call and let them know. • Turn off your cell phone or leave it behind. • Have a firm handshake. If your parents are with you, introduce them to the interviewer. • Many alumni-conducted interviews are transcript-blind. It is fair to ask your interviewer if he/she has seen your application and/or transcript. If you are being interviewed by an alumnus, have a copy of your resume to give to them. • Be prepared. Familiarize yourself with recent accomplishments, activities and developments at the college. Study the social media pages of the college, read recent press releases and blogs, read the most recent messages from the school’s president. Read the mission statement. If possible, tour the school before interviewing. Don’t ask basic questions for which the answers can be easily found. • Be ready to answer questions about your academic, extracurricular, work-related, and social experiences. Be ready to discuss your interests, strengths and weaknesses. • Be able to discuss books which you have read and enjoyed and know the authors. • Be up-to-date on current events.

Remember this is a conversation, not a speech. Be yourself, relax and breathe. As you converse with the interviewer, be appropriate, confident, and authentic. Think before you answer. Take your time and respond thoughtfully. Elaborate on answers to yes or no questions. Minimize excessive hand gestures, “ums”, “likes”, and “yeah’s”. Don’t be negative about yourself, others, or other schools. Don’t tell the interviewer that this is your safety school. Be prepared to discuss why you have chosen the college with specific details. If there is something unique about your educational or personal life that you think you should share, especially if it has impacted your grades, do so in a meaningful way. Don’t convey it as an excuse, but rather as something from which you are moving forward. Prepare some questions for the interviewer. It’s almost a guarantee that you will be asked if you have any questions about the school. The interview is a two-way street for them to learn about you but also for them to try to persuade you that their college is the one for you. Asking questions shows interest and that you’ve done your homework about the school. Make sure that you get the interviewer’s complete name, work address and phone number. You’ll need it for future reference when you send a thank you note.

Questions you may be asked during an interview • Tell me a bit about yourself. • What three adjectives best describe you? • What do you think of your school? Of an all-girls, Catholic school? • What is the best thing about your high school? What would you change? • What was the best book you have read and why did you like it? • What is one of your greatest frustrations? • What are your interests? Why do you find them interesting? • What are your academic and personal strengths and weaknesses? • What has been the most difficult course you’ve taken during high school? • Is there a specific teacher or course that has really captured your interest? • What has been your most rewarding academic experience so far? • Which of your activities has given you the most satisfaction? • What has been your most significant accomplishment? • What has been the most significant personal challenge you have ever faced? • How have you spent your summers? • If you could do high school over, would you do anything differently? • If you could choose only one person to write the ideal recommendation on your behalf, who would you choose, why would you choose that person, and what do you think that person would say about you? • Is there something I didn’t ask you that you wish I had? • What do you see as the most critical issue in our society today? • Why are you interested in us and how do we fit into what you are looking for in a college? • How do you see yourself contributing to our campus community? • What other schools are you considering?

How do you hope college will be different from high school? What experiences or people have had the greatest impact on your life and why? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

Questions to consider asking during an interview • What percentage of tenured faculty teaches first year courses? • How often do undergraduates meet with their advisors? • Are internship placements coordinated by the college? • Where have students interned recently? • What did you (interviewer) study when you attended? • If you (interviewer) could change anything about your time at the college, what would it be? • What percentage of freshmen transfer out of the school? • How accessible is transportation to the airport? Train station? • What are some of the current big issues on campus? • What are some misconceptions about this school? • What is the size of the largest class? • What percentage of students stay on campus on weekends? • What athletic opportunities are available to non-varsity athletes? • Can non-music or non-theater majors still participate in plays/orchestra? • Does your college have their own programs abroad? • Is housing available for all 4 years? • How are freshmen advisors assigned to help with choosing courses? • What types of career services are provided to undergraduates? • How many students on campus are generally involved in Varsity, Club, or Intramural sports? • What are some of the campus traditions? • If you’re speaking with a current student, ask them why he or she chose this college. What was his or her favorite part of their undergraduate experience

INDIVIDUAL EXPEDITIONS Many students may choose to visit campuses with a friend or to stay with someone they know who attends a current college of interest to them. Or, they may only be able to visit the campus at a time/date when the college is on break and the Admissions Office is closed. Regardless, it is important for all campus visits that you register your visit with the Admissions Office.

OVERNIGHTS School policies differ on overnights. Some colleges are very willing to have potential applicants spend the night in a dorm and will arrange this if you indicate an interest. Some colleges only have overnights for athletes or for accepted students who are making their final decision in the spring. Make sure to inquire about the policy and call to set up a possible visit well in advance of when you hope to go. BE ON YOUR BEST BEHAVIOR.

ATTENDING CLASSES Visiting classes and lectures is a valuable way to assess the academic rigor of a school and the interest level of its students. When you call to schedule a visit, ask the Admissions Office if you are permitted to attend a class.

FOLLOW-UP AFTER A COLLEGE VISIT • When you return from a college visit, it is of great benefit for you to keep a record on each college in which you are developing an interest. • Organize your thoughts. See summary sheet on the next page as a possible way to reflect on each visit. • If a college impressed you and you feel as though it would be an ideal match, try to plan a more extended visit at another time, including an overnight, sitting in on a few classes, and arranging to spend time in any particular facilities or with any specific personnel connected with programming in which you may have a particular interest. • If you had an interview, write a thank you note immediately to the person with whom you spoke. This will make an important impression on his/her memory. Feel free to ask any questions that may have occurred to you since your visit.