Can You Believe you are Seniors?Life after NW…

Senior OrientationClass of 2012

Subject Regents Regents with A.D.

English 4 4

Social Studies 4 4

Math 3 3

Science 3 3

Art/Music 1 1

Health .5 .5

PE 2 2

LOTE**can do 5 credits in Business, Tech, Art, Music or BOCES

1 3

Electives 3.5 1.5

Total 22 Credits 22 credits

Credits Required for Graduation:Are you on track?

Subject Regents Regents w/ A.D.

English 1- ELA 11 1- ELA 11

Social Studies 2- Global & US 2- Global and US

Math 1-Math 3- Algebra, Geometry and Trig

Science 1-any science 2- Living Env. & Chemistry or Earth Science, or Physics

LOTE 0 1

Total 5 exams 9 Exams

Regents Exams Required for Graduation

• 2 year college• 4 year college• Vocational or technical training• Employment• Military/ Armed Services• “Gap Year” (tutoring, volunteering, travel,

AmeriCorps, PeaceCorps, adventure programs…

• “I don’t have a clue!” (see your school counselor ASAP )

Post High School Options…What are your plans?

Senior Year College Process

• Visit schools (over nights)• See Admission Representatives that visit NW• Internet• Talk to Alumni• Find out about programs and majors• Does your list contain Reach, Realistic and

Safe Schools?• Always remember…your school counselor

and Mrs. Reed in the Career Center are here to help!

Completing Your List of Schools

• Reach Schools–College may be a stretch from your

current academic profile• Target Schools–Colleges in which the characteristics and

academic history match the student’s academic profile

• Safe Schools–Colleges in which your academic profile

places the student in the top third.

Three Tier Method

Factors Percentage

Grades in College Prep Courses 80%

Strength of Curriculum 64%

Standardized Tests 58%

Grades in All Courses 52%

Essay/Writing Sample 26%

Demonstrated Interest 22%

Counselor Recommendation 21%

Teacher Recommendation 20%

Interview 11%

Student Activities 7%

Subject Tests (AP, etc) 7%

Top Factors in College Admissions Decisions (National Association of College Admissions Counseling, 2008)

• Early Decision- Generally applications are due by 11/1, 11/15 or 12/1.– Students are LEGALLY BOUND to attend that college and must retract all

other applications to schools once accepted.– Make sure:• Have I talked to a financial aid advisor to get an estimate of college

costs to find out how Early Decision could affect my aid package?• Have ruled out other schools at first choice– Visited all– Extensive research and conversation– Hopefully multiple visits

• Do not look at it as the easiest way to get in• Early Action- Similar to Early Decision, although students are not obligated

to attend that college• Rolling Admissions- No deadline or cut off date. Decisions are based on a

rolling date. First in- first out.• Regular Admissions- Deadlines run from 1/1, thru 3/15 and sometimes

later. The admission letter will often not come out until March or April.– One Deadline Date

• Open Admissions- Open acceptance of students– For example, NCCC or ECC

Admissions Plans

• Call the admissions office in advance• Meet with an admissions counselor• Read up on college and think about questions

to ask• Get the facts: college cost, financial aid

opportunities, academic programs available• Take a campus tour (yes… even local schools)• Talk to students and faculty• Prepare for the interview• Take time to look around on your own

College VisitsWould you buy a car without shopping and test driving?

• Again… BE AWARE OF DEADLINES to both colleges and to the counseling office!

• Follow directions carefully! Read applications THOROUGHLY• Complete a rough draft/download and electronic application

to review before hitting send!• Use black ink if using paper form• Role of NW counseling office:– Transcript request forms– Standardized tests– Providing ALL materials to complete applications (application, essay,

and optional activity sheet/ resume)– If you are completing your application online, you MUST print out

ANY forms your high school must complete– Let counselor know EVERY school you have applied to so we know to

send in your transcripts.

Completing and Submitting Applications

Electronic Submission◦ More efficient for colleges to process and is

preferred by them Three ways:

◦ Common Application: www.commonapp.org Make your life easier!!

◦ SUNY Applications: www.suny.edu/student◦ Individual college websites

Electronic Applications

Good way for college to know you Do not reiterate information that is already on the

application Follow directions and guidelines Demonstrate good writing skills Share more in depth information, how or why

something has impacted you.◦ Own work◦ Be yourself◦ Unique◦ Passionate

Work with English teacher/ have it proof-read Spend the time… colleges look at them very seriously

Essay Writing

Check to see how many the school requires Student’s responsibility to ask teacher (ask

early) Teacher has the option to:

◦ send into school by envelopes provided by the student or;

◦ Teacher gives to counseling office

**Don’t forget to fill out the “Background Sheet” for Letter of Recommendation!!**

Letters of Recommendation

Supplemental Applications◦ Schools want more info◦ Additional essay(s)◦ Writing Sample◦ SAT subject test?

Midyear Reports Final/End of Year Reports

Other Information for Application

Senior year is hectic, but don't let that affect the quality of your college applications. Take your time, pay attention to detail and plan ahead so you can meet the deadlines.

The most common mistakes on college applications that counselors and admissions staff see are:

Top 10 College Application Mistakes

1. Misspellings and grammatical errors—This is a big pet peeve of admissions people. Misspellings on something as important as the application shows that either you don't care or you aren't good at spelling. Some students even misspell their intended major. But don't stop with a spell check. Proofread for grammatical errors, too.

2. Applying online, but the application isn't actually submitted—If you apply online, you should receive confirmation that the college or university received it. Confirmation could be an email message, a Web page response or a credit card receipt. Follow through and make sure that your application has been received

Top 10 College Application Mistakes

3. Forgotten signatures—Make sure you sign and date the form. Often students overlook that part of the form if it's on the back. Check that all spaces are completed.

4. Not reading carefully—For example, if the form asks what County you live in, don't misread it as Country and write United States

Top 10 College Application Mistakes

5. Listing extracurricular activities that aren't—Those that make the list include sports, the arts, formal organizations and volunteer work. Talking on the phone and hanging out with friends don't make the cut. Make sure your activity information is accurate. Colleges may check with your high school.

6. Not telling your school counselor where you've applied—Let your counselor know which colleges you're applying to, and ask him or her to review your high school transcript before sending it to colleges. Sometimes transcripts have errors.

Top 10 College Application Mistakes

7. Writing illegibly—First impressions count, so take your time and use your best handwriting. It will make a better impression.

8. Using an email address that friends might laugh about, but colleges won't—Select a professional email address. Keep your fun address for friends, but select an address using your name for college admissions.

Top 10 College Application Mistakes

9. Not checking your email regularly—If you've given an email address, the college will use it. You don't want to miss out on anything because you didn't read your email.

10. Letting Mom or Dad help you fill out your application—Admissions people know if your parents help, whether you have two different styles of handwriting or your admissions essay sounds more like a 45-year-old than a 17-year-old. It's fine to get advice, but do the work yourself.

Top 10 College Application Mistakes

Senior Year is all about DEADLINES– for college apps, financial aid & scholarships,

changing courses, ordering your announcements, and completing all your

requirements to GRADUATE!

BE AWARE OF DEADLINES

ACT SAT, Scholastic Assessment Test

$34.00, $49.50 with writing $49.00

Measures academic achievement in English, Math, Reading and Science Reasoning

Designed to measure academic aptitude in critical reading, math and writing

Each part 25% of score CR 1/3, Math 1/3, Writing 1/3

Scored based on number of correct answers. No penalty for guessing

ACT Assessment

Scoring scale 1-36 Scoring scale for each section 200-800, sum up of all three areas

Comparison Chart

* SAT and Subject Tests and ACT exams that are located at Niagara Wheatfield High School

SAT/ACT Dates in 2011-2012

Test Date Registration Deadline

ACT Oct 22nd* Sept 16th

SAT Nov 5th* Oct 7th

SAT Dec 3rd* Nov 8th

ACT Dec 10th* Nov 4th

Check to see if schools need them officially reported◦ Use six digit school code (335028)

Collegeboard.com Act.org

◦ Compare ACT and SAT scores◦ Check to see if SAT subject test is required for

some colleges and universities.

SAT and ACT reporting

• Financial Aid Night- December 8th– The counseling and career center host a Financial

Aid Night in the High School Adult Learning Centre in November. The purpose is to inform parents and students of the financial aid process.

• NOCA College Fair-NCCC- September 22–Over 60 college admissions representatives will

be available to answer questions and hand out information regarding academic programs, admissions requirements, scholarships and athletics. This is a very Informative and worthwhile evening!

Dates to Remember

SEPT 21 SUNY POTSDAM 10:00 CAZENOVIA COLLEGE 11:45HILBERT COLLEGE 12:30

SEPT 22 MARYMOUNT COLLEGE 8:30UTICA COLLEGE 9:15RIT 10:00NOCA COLLEGE FAIR – NCCC 6:30 – 8:00

SEPT 29 SUNY CANTON 10:00

SEPT 30 ST JOHN FISHER 10:30

College Visits Dates

OCT 3 NCCC INSTANT ADMISSIONS PER 1 – 5 & 7-8

OCT 4 NIAGARA UNIVERSITY 12:00NROTC PRESENTATION 10:15

OCT 5 WNY COLLEGE CONSORTIUM11:00 LMC

OCT 6 HOUGHTON COLLEGE 8:30CLARKSON UNIVERSITY 9:30SUNY OSWEGO 10:30

College Visit Dates

OCT 11 CANISIUS COLLEGE 9:00

OCT 14 LEMOYNE COLLEGE 9:00COMMON APPLICATION DAY PER

1 – 8 (You must schedule an appt in Career Center to attend)

OCT 19 SUNY BROCKPORT 8:30

OCT 20 JOHN CARROLL UNIV 11:30

OCT 25 D’YOUVILLE 10:00DAEMEN COLLEGE 11:00

College Visit Dates

NOV 7 ST. BONAVENTURE 11:30

NOV 14 ALFRED UNIVERSITY 12:00

NOV 15 KEUKA COLLEGE 8:30

NOV 18 SUNY CORTLAND 2:30

College Visit Dates

Students interested in applying to NCCC or ECC must apply ONLINE! There is no longer a paper application. College representatives will be in the Career Center October 3rd. If you are interested, visit the Career Center during periods 1-5 or 7-8. The application process should take no more than one period.

NCCC/ECC

• Search for colleges:– www.collegeboard.org– www.petersons.com– www.collegeview.com– www.usnews.com

• Financial Aid and Scholarships– www.fafsa.ed.gov– www.finaid.org

• Choices program available in the Career Center• As are Guidebooks, College Catalogs, etc.• NW Counseling and Career Center– www.nwcsd.k12.ny.us

You have many resources!

Listen to the morning announcements Read the counseling website

◦Website is also a great took for Scholarships, check NW counseling website regularly, new scholarship opportunities are added weekly!

Visit the Career Center Visit the Counseling Center’s Facebook

page Talk with Teachers/family/friends/counselor

Other resources

Counseling Office Due Dates◦ Applications due in counseling office by October

31st.◦ We process over 1,500 applications!◦ Keep in mind, we need at least ONE WEEK

advance notice to process transcripts

Due Dates

• Division 1 & 2 must meet eligibility• NCAA: www.eligibilitycenter.org– Fee– Request your transcript

• When do I register? – You can register anytime after you compete 6 semesters of high

school. Most students will register at the beginning of their senior year

• How do I qualify to participate in sports at a D I or II school?– Complete minimum of 16 core courses– Take your SAT or ACT– Eligibility is determined by sliding scale– You MUST have your SAT or ACT scores sent to NCAA directly from

collegeboard or ACT. Scores on a high school transcript will NOT be accepted

– NCAA code is 9999

NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse

• Relax… you’re almost there!• Work Hard-don’t catch Senioritis• Enjoy the journey!• Be Balanced• It’s your senior year…

Make Memories!!!and remember….

Once a falcon, always a falcon!

Final Thoughts