College Counseling
Newsletter
November 14, 2023

Dear Upper School Families,

Welcome to the second quarter! As the first College Counseling Newsletter of the 2023-2024 school year there is a lot of information included, much of which is geared towards junior and senior students, but also helpful for younger students as you look to the years ahead.

Looking back on first quarter:
For those of you who were unable to attend the College Counseling Parent night on September 12, please click here to view the video if you would like to learn more about the College Counseling process at Oakcrest.

Senior Applications
The fall is an exciting, albeit busy, time for our seniors. We have just hit the first major college application deadline, and the girls have submitted their first round of applications! These next few months will be a blur of waiting for decisions and/or preparing for the next round of applications.

College Visits
Each fall we host a number of college admissions representatives on campus to meet with our junior and senior students. These meetings are incredibly valuable, as they offer students the opportunity to learn more about the colleges, but also to meet the representatives who will most likely be reviewing their applications. We have wrapped up our college visit season, but welcomed 32 colleges to campus, including the University of Notre Dame, Hillsdale College, Virginia Tech, Ave Maria, The Catholic University, Drexel University, and Villanova.

For Sophomores and Juniors
Back in mid-October, we hosted the first digital PSAT exam for sophomores and juniors. Scores will be available later this month - stay tuned! The practice SAT is a great way to gain exposure to standardized testing and to get a sense of what these tests look like.

We will also be offering an at-home virtual mock ACT on Saturday, November 18 at 9:00 am for sophomore and junior students. A test book will be emailed to you a few days prior to the test, and each student will receive a detailed score report afterwards.

Click here to register - and be sure to use the code OAKCREST to waive the registration fee!

Information about Financial Aid
Financial Aid and cost of attendance are two topics that frequently come up in college counseling discussions.

  • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is undergoing significant changes, and will not be available until December of this year (keep in mind, this delay will impact only the current senior class). Most schools use this application in their need-based aid and merit scholarship process. Some colleges also use the CSS Profile. Be sure to check each college's website for requirements and (updated) deadlines. Some of the major changes include:
  • Simplification (fewer questions, automatic transfer of IRS data, changes to formula calculations, increases eligibility for single parents, etc.)
  • Changes in reportable income
  • Less aid for multiple children in college
  • Click here for additional information about the changes coming to the FAFSA for the 2024-25 application year.
  • There is a resource available on each college's website called a net price calculator that can help prospective students get a better handle on what they will be expected to pay. Students enter information about their family’s financial situation to learn what similar students paid to attend the institution in the previous year. These calculators are a great tool to give you a sense of your Estimated Family Contribution (soon-to-be-called Student Aid Index), but it is important to remember these are just estimates, and the actual cost may end up being higher or lower.

Reminder for the spring: I am currently expecting a new addition to my family, and as such will be on maternity leave starting in April. While I am on leave, Mrs. Catherine Courtney will be the main point of contact for any college-related questions.

My door is always open for any students or parents who have questions about the college process. My ultimate goal is to help each student find the right college "fit," and I look forward to working with each of you throughout the next few years.

All the best,

Jessica DeVera
Director of College Counseling
BigFuture: CollegeBoard's Scholarship Search
Who: Seniors
What: Find scholarships, other financial aid and internships. Enter as much information as possible to find the most matches. Scholarship information is based on the College Board's Annual Survey of Financial Aid Programs.
Paying for College
Who: Rising 10th, 11th, & 12th grades
Where: NACAC Website
What: NACAC has compiled a list of trusted, up-to-date sources to help your students and their families navigate the financial aid process.
Junior College Counseling Meetings: November 27-December 8
Who: Junior Students & Parents
What: College Counseling meetings will be scheduled for the two weeks following Thanksgiving. This is an important initial meeting as we begin to plan out the college application process for your daughter! Click here to sign up, and please fill out the questionnaires (students and parents), and bring them to your meeting.
College Visit Days
Who: Juniors & Seniors
What: Students have 5 days to visit colleges over their junior and senior years. These excused absences are for visiting a college campus in person. Students must hand in the college visit form (signed by a parent) to Mrs. DeVera a week before the absence, in order to get the absence excused.