COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT

Informational Meeting for Sophomore and Freshman Families

My Contact Information:

Stephanie Krosnosky Ph. 614.231.4591 Ext. 4192 Email:

stephanie.krosnosky@bexleyschools.org

Early College Preparation

College Admissions Testing College Research Financial Preparation-awareness Academics

WHAT TESTS ARE HELPFUL?

PLAN: A pre- ACT test PSAT: A pre- SAT test

WHAT TESTS ARE NECESSARY?

ACT SAT SAT II (ONLY IF

REQUIRED/RECOMMENDED BY YOUR COLLEGE OF CHOICE)

PLAN

Has no bearing on college admissions

Pre-ACT Gives an indicator of career interest.

ACT World of Work Map:

Regions of reported interest are “highlighted” on the Plan Test Score Report.

Click on the outer circle to investigate area.

PSAT

Taken Sophomore and Junior years Sophomore year: introduces student

to the test. Junior year: National Merit qualifying

test. Pre-SAT

National Merit Information:

ACT

www.act.org (to register) 5 Section test: English, math,

reading, science and an optional writing test

Score range: 1-36 No score penalty for guessing

SAT/SAT II

SAT www.collegeboard.org (to register) Bexley High School is a test center 3 section test: Critical Reading, Math,

Writing Score range 200-800 (for each section) Scoring penalty for guessing Writing test is not optional

SAT

Begin taking in January of JUNIOR year.

The Writing test is not optional Some colleges and universities

require the writing for admissions but do not use it in the admissions decision. (some schools do, though)

SAT II Subject Test 3 Hour Sections Up to 3 subject tests can be taken on

any Saturday. Offered during the same time as the SAT Required of some competitive colleges

Should I take the ACT or the SAT? A General Rule: Take each one once,

take one of the tests twice.

SAT II Subject Tests

Should I take them? If the test is in an area of high

proficiency for you, then TAKE IT!

SAT II Subject Tests

When should I take them? Directly following an AP course:

Ex. A sophomore taking AP US History should take the SAT II in US History in May or June at the end of Sophomore year.

Please refer to the handout regarding when to take the other subject tests.

College Research

Take advantage of family vacations Campus Characteristics

Large, state institution Small, private institution Rural, Suburban, Urban setting

Online Tours

www.universitytv.com www.campustours.com

Specialty searches:

Bexley City Schools website Bexley High School link College Counseling link

Financial Preparation

Complete the FAFSA 4caster to determine your need eligibility.

Use cost estimators on college websites, when available

FAFSA = EFC (Estimated Family Contribution)

Cost of Attendance (Tuition/Room and Board)

Cost of Attendance – EFC = Demonstrated Need

**The goal of Financial Aid is to finance the demonstrated need amount.

**The EFC does NOT change depending on school cost.

The Basic Idea of Financial Aid

New federal law requires colleges to put a college cost estimator on their website by October 2011.

US Department of Education—College Navigator Gives a ballpark (average net cost) for

all colleges

Estimating College Cost…

Academics

Course Rigor Focusing on behaviors vs. outcomes:

Paying attention in class Asking for help when needed Going to see the teacher for help when

needed Completing homework, even if it isn’t

graded Reviewing tests for incorrect

answers/areas of difficulty