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COLLEGE NIGHT FOR JUNIORS
Presented by the STEM Counseling Department February 25, 2014
TOPICS FOR TONIGHT
▪ Establishing a general college planning timeline
▪ Understanding college testing
▪ Exploring colleges—evaluating size, selectivity, setting, and “fit”
▪ Understanding the basics of the college admissions process
▪ The Use of Naviance in the College Process
ESTABLISHING A COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE
Tidbits from eguidancecounselor.com and getreadyforcollege.com
THINGS TO CONSIDER ALONG THE WAY
▪ Identify potential career/college interests—both Naviance and Collegeboard can help!
▪ Remain (or get) involved with school and community based activities—remember to record them (Resume)
▪ Consider the best way to use your summer (volunteer opportunities, internship programs, summer enrichment programs, work). For summer program opportunities, check out the STEM counseling website.
▪ Begin exploring colleges (on paper or in person) and investigating potential college majors
▪ Review your internet profile
Winter 2014
• Review results of PSAT and utilize online planning tools (Naviance and Collegeboard)
• Start to create a list of colleges that attract you (15-20 schools) • Start to notice similarities: type of campus, size of campus,
location, cost, culture, programs offered. • Remember to add these to “Colleges I’m Thinking About” in
Naviance! • Register for the SAT/SAT Subject Test or ACT • Have Junior Meeting with your Counselor
Spring 2014
• Take the SAT/Subject Test or ACT • Request information from colleges/universities • Learn about Admission Requirements from your identified list • Student Athletes: Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse
JUNIOR YEAR CHECKLIST
Summer 2014
• Narrow down your list of schools and visit as many as possible or check them out in person or online through a virtual tour.
• Start to have conversations with your family about financial aid – how will you be financing your college education? Begin a search for financial aid sources.
• Fill out the Senior Questionnaire to help those you ask to write to a recommendation letter.
• Fill out your Resume on Naviance to give the writers of your recommendation letters a detailed overview (who, what, where, when) of your extracurricular activities.
• Identify and ask the people you want to write you a letter of recommendation (min. 2 people). You can start to do this before the end of junior year too!
• Research what the college essay requirements are for the schools you are considering. See some examples of great college essays here.
SENIOR YEAR CHECKLIST
SENIOR YEAR CHECKLIST
Fall 2014
• Start to whittle down your list of 15-20 schools by doing further research, taking campus tours, talking to students, etc. Check out College Prowler for student input on colleges.
• Focus on applying to between 6-8 schools (approx. 3 reach schools, 3 match schools, and 2 likely schools).
• Complete the Common Application. See the complete list of Common App schools here.
• Complete any other electronic submission (non-CA) college applications.
• Add the schools you will be applying to on the Colleges I’m Applying list on Naviance. This will ensure that your counselor and teachers can submit documents via Naviance to your prospective schools
NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE
▪ NCAA Initial Eligibility Center
▪ www.eligibilitycenter.org
▪ Register Online at the beginning of Junior Year
▪ SAT/ACT code 9999
▪ Senior Year: Request Final Amateurism Certification ( after April 1) Online Account
▪ Senior Year: Request final transcript to be sent to NCAA in June
UNDERSTANDING COLLEGE TESTING
PSAT
▪ PSAT (The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)—standardized test that serves as a “practice test” for the SAT.
▪ Only offered once a year in October.
▪ Enables students and families to get access to college/career planning tools provided through the College Board.
▪ Allows students to enter the National Merit Scholarship Competition during their junior year
▪ Has similar format to SAT (except essay segment) and scores are reported on a scale of 20-80 per section
▪ Use My College QuickStart™ to explore colleges and careers – as well as see your projected SAT scores
▪ Where to go: www.collegeboard.org/quickstart
▪ What you’ll need: The My College QuickStart access code printed on your paper score reports
PSAT
MY COLLEGE QUICKSTART
NMSC
▪ The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is an independent not-for-profit organization offering scholarship assistance.
▪ The NMSC uses a Selection Index based on PSAT/NMSQT scores as an initial screen of over 1.5 million students who enter its scholarship programs. – Each state has its own cut-off score
▪ If your Selection Index places you among the 55,000 high scorers who qualify for program recognition (semi-finalists), you will be notified next September (2014).
▪ For more detailed information visit: www.nationalmerit.org
SAT vs. ACT
Scholastic Aptitude Test tests the subject matter learned by students in high school and how well they apply that knowledge along with critical thinking skills necessary to success in college.
www.collegeboard.com
American College Testing assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. ACT scores are accepted at every four year college and university in the United States.
www.actstudent.org
HOW TO CHOOSE
▪ Try online practice tests
▪ Consider your strengths and weaknesses – ACT is shorter and more knowledge based
– ACT does not take points off for guessing
– SAT is reasoning based like a puzzle
– SAT allows more time per question
TEST SECTIONS
ACT 4 Sections
▪ Reading
– Grammar
– Punctuation
– Reading Passages
▪ Writing
– 1 Essay (100% of score)
▪ Math
– Pre-Algebra
– Algebra
– Geometry
– Trigonometry
▪ Science
– Interpreting
▪ –Graphs
▪ –tables
▪ –research
▪ –scientific viewpoints
SAT 3 Sections
▪ Reading – Sentence Completion – Reading Passages – Vocabulary
▪ Writing – Multiple Choice (70% of score)
▪ Grammar ▪ Writing Organization
– Essay (30% of score)
▪ Math – Algebra – Geometry – Algebra II – Statistics
QUESTIONS
ACT
▪ 215 Total Questions
▪ Less time per question
▪ Questions considered less difficult
▪ No Penalty for wrong answers
▪ SAT
▪ 170 Total Questions
▪ More time per question
▪ Questions considered more difficult
▪ ¼ point deducted for each incorrect answer
SAT SUBJECT TESTS
▪ Taken in addition to SAT Reasoning or ACT exams
▪ Be sure to consult college admissions sites directly, these are generally required or recommended by the most competitive colleges
▪ One hour timed tests
▪ 20 different subjects to choose from
▪ Up to three Subject Tests may be taken on any given date
*Literature *German
*US History *German with Listening
*World History *Spanish
*Math Level 1 *Spanish with Listening
*Math Level 2 *Modern Hebrew
*Biology *Italian
*Chemistry *Latin
*Physics *Chinese with Listening
*French *Japanese with Listening
*French with Listening *Korean with Listening
SAT SUBJECT TESTS
HELPFUL RESOURCES
▪ SAT - www.collegeboard.com
▪ ACT - www.actstudent.org
▪ Practice Tests and Information – www.petersons.com
– www.princetonreview.com
– www.ivybound.net
▪ Test Requirements for Selective Colleges – http://www.compassprep.com/admissions_req_subjects.aspx
▪ Colleges without Test Requirements- www.fairtest.org
Evaluating size, selectivity, setting, and “fit”
EXPLORING COLLEGES
EXPLORING OPTIONS: WHAT COLLEGES ARE RIGHT FOR YOU?
What students should consider: • Size and diversity of student body
• Location
• Academic Programs
• Campus life: athletics, activities, housing
• Student Services: Accommodations
• Financial Aid and Scholarship opportunities
• Freshman Year Retention Rate
• If at all possible visit each campus, take a tour, sit in on a class, talk to students and faculty.
VISITING CAMPUS
▪ During vacations, plan to visit colleges/universities in the area.
▪ Instead of just walking around on campus, register your visit through the Admissions Office (see the school’s website)
▪ Attend an information session and take a guided tour with a student admissions representative
▪ Ask questions about the programs offered and student life (i.e. “Tell me about the physics department? And “What are the most popular activities on campus?”
Diversify Your College Options! Match/Target Schools
A match school is a college that you are pretty likely to get into because your test scores, class rank and / or high school grades fall right into the middle range when you look at the school's profile. Note that even stellar students should consider the top U.S. colleges and top universities to be reach schools, not match schools. The admissions standards for these schools are so high that nearly perfect SAT scores and a straight 'A' transcript are no guarantee of acceptance.
Reach Schools A reach school is a college that you have a chance of getting into, but your test scores, class rank and / or high school grades are a bit on the low side when you look at the school's profile. The top U.S. colleges and top universities should always be considered reach schools, for the admissions standards are so high that not even perfect SAT scores guarantee acceptance.
Likely Schools A likely school is a college that you will almost certainly get into because your test scores, class rank and / or high school grades are well above average when you look at the school's profile. Even if you're a valedictorian with perfect SAT scores, you should never consider the top U.S. colleges and top universities to be safety schools. The admissions standards at these schools are so high that no one is guaranteed acceptance.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
West Chester University GPA: 3.46 SAT: (CR) and (M) 1080 (480-570) (W)
Penn State University GPA: UPARK: 3.52-3.97 Other Campus: 2.96-3.46 SAT: UPARK: 1750-1990 Other Campus: 1470-1720 ACT: UPARK: 26-30 ACT: Other Campus: 21-25
Villanova University: GPA: 3.81 SAT: 1340-1440 (CR and M) ACT: 30-33
Temple University GPA: 3.42 SAT: (CR) 500-600 (M) 510-610 (W) 480-570 ACT: 20-26
Drexel University GPA: 3.5 SAT: (CR) and (M) 1210 ACT: 27
University of Pennsylvania GPA: Not reported SAT: (CR) 680-770 (M) 700-790 (W) 690-790 ACT: 31-34
UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS OF THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
UNDERSTANDING APPLICATION TYPES
▪ Early Decision (I &II) : Binding – Cannot apply early to other colleges, can apply regular decision
▪ Early Action: Non-Binding – Can apply early to other colleges, can apply regular decision
▪ Single Choice/Restricted Early Action: Non-Binding – Cannot apply early to other colleges, can apply regular decision
▪ Rolling Admission – Open admission, no specific deadline
▪ Regular Decision – Deadline date established by the institution
– Priority Deadline
MORE TERMS TO KNOW
• Demonstrated interest
• Score Optional (www. Fairtest.org)
• Acceptance rate
• Retention rate
• Need Blind vs. Need Aware
• Merit
THE COMMON APPLICATION
▪ The Common App is a free undergraduate college admission application that applicants may use to apply to any of the 500+ member colleges and universities in 47 states and the District of Columbia.
▪ In Naviance, a Common App school is designated by the symbol.
▪ You can access the Common App by going to www.commonapp.org
COMMON APP VS. NON-COMMON APP
Common App Non-Common App
PA STATE UNIVERSITIES
PASSHE.EDU
▪ www.applyweb.com/apply/passhe
▪ Allows you to apply easily to more than one PA state university:
▪ Bloomsburg, California, Cheney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, West Chester
COLLEGE ESSAY
▪ Make sure it is edited and free of errors.
▪ Build your essay around: – Something in your personal life that has shaped you
– How you fit in with the philosophy of the university
– The Essay is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
After considering GPA, rigor of schedule, and test scores, many schools look to the letters of recommendation in the acceptance
process.
▪ Check to see if your colleges require recommendation letters
▪ Ask two teachers who know you well
▪ Provide teachers with an Activities Resume and Recommendation Request form
▪ Ask early!
▪ FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
▪ Determine with teachers whether they will submit letters online through Naviance or if you should provide them with stamped envelopes
FINANCIAL AID OVERVIEW
–
Steps to Federal Student Aid
Collect financial aid information required by schools Student/Parent: Apply for a PIN at anytime: pin.ed.gov
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
www.fafsa.gov
FAFSA Application Submission: After January 1, 2015 Student Aid Report ( Expected Family Contribution)
Financial Award Letters Issued in Spring
Compare your Financial Aid Awards Tool (College Board)
FINANCIAL AID OVERVIEW
Types of Student Financial Aid
– Grants: Federal/State/College
– Loans: Federal
– Work Study Opportunities
Steps to Institutional Aid
CSS Profile: Available October 1, 2015
Used by many Early Action/Early Decision Institutions
Comprehensive list of Schools:
http://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile
Fee: $25 Original Application Fee/One College
$ 16.00 additional college/program
– Merit Based Scholarships
UPENN FINANCIAL AID CHECKLIST
FINANCIAL AID HELPFUL RESOURCES
STEM ACADEMY COUNSELING PAGE: SCHOLARSHIP LINKS
▪ MY COLLEGE DOLLARS: SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH
HTTPS://APPS.FACEBOOK.COM/MYCOLLEGEDOLLARS
▪ NET PRICE CALCULATOR: ESTIMATE COLLEGE COST HTTP://STUDENTNPC.COLLEGEBOARD.ORG/
▪ HTTP://WWW.YOUCANDEALWITHIT.COM/PARENTS/BEFORE-COLLEGE.SHTML
▪ HTTP://WWW.PHEAA.ORG/
▪ HTTP://WWW.EDUCTIONPLANNER.ORG
NAVIANCE
NAVIANCE
▪ Naviance is a web-based college research and planning tool new to Downingtown students, parents, and school counselors. It offers many opportunities during the college planning process.
▪ While using it, you can: – Link personality type and interests with careers – Indicate preferences/ criteria to determine college matches – Compare your academic statistics to the average statistics of
your prospective colleges – Predict the outcome of your application for a specific college
using the Scattergrams – Apply online to your schools and manage deadlines – Track application materials, including teacher
recommendation letters – View schedule of colleges visiting the Career Center
JUNIOR MEETINGS
▪ Counselors will hold individual junior meetings during the school day in March.
▪ Thirty minutes in length.
▪ Identify a time that works best for your schedule.
▪ Appointments available from 7:30-1:30.
▪ Register for your students appointment online: http://ptcfast.com/schools/Downingtown_STEM_Academy_1
QUESTIONS?
Contact the STEM Counseling Department
Mrs. Timm Dinkins, (A-Go)
Mrs. McGavin-Wiedlich, (Gr-Pa)
Mrs. Glowik, (Pe-Z)
