June 22, 2021
The Rocky River City School District will host a six-part College Planning Session with Estrela Consulting as part of the Recovery Bridge: Extended Learning Summer 2021. Designed for students and parents/guardians of all grades, the sessions will be led by a member of the Estrela College Planning Team and may include guest speakers from the college admission side.
All sessions will take place from 7:00-8:00pm on Zoom and registration is available here. A complete list of each session can be found below.
Session #1: Oh! The Places You Will Go: Building Lists and Exploring College Options
Date: Thursday, June 24
Time: 7:00-8:00pm
Content: We will discuss how to search for colleges and what factors should be considered when identifying options. Information on search tools and how to explore majors will be shared.
Session #2: Taking Off! Getting Started on the Application Process
Date: Thursday, July 1
Time: 7:00-8:00pm
Content: We will discuss the various application platforms and deadlines, the types of testing required by colleges and the role of the college essay in the admission process. We’ll also cover how applications are reviewed by admission officers and what weight each piece carries.
Session #3: Here or There? Tips for Campus Visit Planning
Date: Thursday, July 8
Time: 7:00-8:00pm
Content: This session will include information on the “when” and “how” of campus visits, both in-person and online. Resources for planning trips, as well as options for virtual visits will be shared.
Session #4: To Join or Not to Join? The Role of Extracurriculars in the Admission Process
Date: Thursday, July 15
Time: 7:00-8:00pm
Content: We will discuss how colleges evaluate an applicant’s extracurricular involvement and how a student can best present this information in the application. We’ll also discuss building a resume and creating a LinkedIn profile.
Session #5: Writing Ready: Strategies and Tips for Tackling College Essays
Date: Thursday, July 22
Time: 7:00-8:00pm
Content: We’ll discuss the purpose of various types of college application essays and share what admissions representatives would like to see. We will also highlight aspects of successful essays and share tips for drafting an impactful piece of writing. Resources will be shared that will help students get started on the writing process.
Session #6: Show Me the Money! Exploring Financial Aid and Scholarships
Date: Thursday, July 29
Time: 7:00-8:00pm
Content: We will discuss the various types of colleges that exist and how to determine affordability based on your financial situation. Resources will be provided for researching scholarship opportunities, and a step-by-step guide will be shared for navigating the financial aid application process with the FAFSA and CSS Profile.