Veron Naidoo 2012-2013. Planning for College What you need to know about College Application Planning and the Admissions Process Veron Naidoo 2012-2013

Veron Naidoo 2012-2013

The Magic Words


The Magic Words

GOOD MORNING/HELLO/GOOD

AFTERNOON

PLEASE

THANK YOU


Planning for College

What you need to know about College

Application Planning and the Admissions

Process


Planning for CollegeThere is a College for everyone – Your FIRST step is to decide what career path you are going to follow

Simplify the College Planning Process

• Explore your College Options – determine which College is most suitable to you and your family Veron Naidoo 2012-2013


Words of Wisdom

Relax…You will get in.

70% of colleges accept an average of 70% of their applicants.Remember that you need only to go to ONE college


Words of WisdomIf you don’t have a major, it’s OK.

More than half of new college students say a very important reason for going to college is “to find my purpose in life.”


Research Your College……….

type

faculties

Student population

Application

tuition fees

academics

location How big/small

residence

Student life


Colleges and Universities are used interchangeably in the US.

Colleges are much smaller than Universities.

Some Colleges only offer undergraduate degrees – Associate Degrees at two year colleges and Bachelors Degrees at Four Year Colleges.

Universities are composed of a number of Different Colleges

Differences between Colleges and Universities


Colleges and Universities - What’s the Difference

Universities include a College of Liberal Arts, College of Humanities, College of Fine Arts etc.

You can choose any number of majors within these Colleges.

Universities also have Graduate and Professional Colleges – where you could get a masters degree or a Ph.D.


WHICH SCHOOL IS FOR YOU

Public Colleges and Universities – large; many different degrees and majors; offers from Bachelors to Masters Degrees; funded by the State and usually less expensive

Private Colleges and Universities – offer a wide range of majors; more expensive than public schools and have more options for Financial Aid


Types of Colleges


Types of Colleges


Which School is For You

Liberal Arts Colleges – usually much smaller than Universities;

smaller class sizes; offers different degrees and a wide

range of majors; to join this you must work well in groups and be

prepared to receive individual attention from teachers.

Specialized Colleges – focus on particular subjects –

business, music, art – here you can get quickly to your

major – is good for students who know the

career they want to follow


Which School is For You

Vocational and Technical schools – these prepare you for specific careers – such as computer technology; carpentry; motor mechanics – offers special

training and certification.

Community Colleges – often closer to home and less expensive; offers two year programs and offers training for specific occupations; these also help

you improve your grades – and then you can transfer to a four year college


College Costs – Adding it all up

Tuition and Fees

Room and Board

Books and Supplies

Transportation

Personal Expenses

Research Financial Aid for

Each College


Your College list should include 5 to 8 colleges

Ideally you should apply to between 3 and 5 Colleges

Applying to more than 8 means that you are very confused, have not done your homework, and that you are in a

state of panic.Applying to more than 8 is

costly and most often unnecessary.


College Requirements

Subjects required to be taken by you in grade 11 and 12

Are Advanced Program (AP) Subjects a requirement?

Does the College require SAT, SAT 2?

What is the accepted SAT score ?

What are the SAT 2 subject tests needed? And what is the score needed?


College Application Requirements

Grade 11 Subjects – what is required for your field of

study

Grade 12 Subjects - what is required for your

field of study


College Admission Tests

• Know what tests are required to gain College Entrance.

• SAT®• SAT Subject Tests• CLEP• TOEFL• IELTS• English Entrance Exam by the College• Advanced Program (AP) Subjects

SAT scores are

required by most US

Universities and

Colleges; American

Universities in the Middle

East; some Canadian

Universities.

TOEFL scores are required

by Canadian

and UK Universities; and some

universities in the Middle East

IELTS scores

are required

by Australia

n and UK

Universities


Test Scores


The SATs

The SAT® includes the

following sections:Critical

Reading - 800 pointsWriting - 800 pointsMath - 800

pointsThe test

lasts for 3 hours and 45 mins

This is mostly written in grade 11 – throughout the year

– should not be written more than 3 times – as scores do

not change so drastically.


The SATs

SAT 2 relates to the subject tests – a one hour test – 3 tests

can be written on one day.

These include: Physics, Math 1 and 2, Chemistry, World History, Biology E and M.

Math 1 and 2 cannot be written on the same day.

Biology E –Ecological and Biology M – Molecular cannot

be written on the same day


Types of Applications

Early Admission/Early Decision normally submitted

by late November – Early December – these indicate a

binding commitment to a school – if accepted – a student

must withdraw all other applications Immediately

Rolling Admission - Decisions are

made about applicants on a

first –come, first-served basis


What Colleges Look for

The quality and rigor of the courses you are doing

Academic performance and grades – overall GPA

SAT Scores, AP Scores

Extracurricular activities

Essays

Letters of Recommendation- Teacher and Counselor

Personal characteristics and accomplishments


Next Steps for JuniorsIn School Stay focused on academics Do not lighten your academic load for senior year Meet with your school counselor Stay involved in school activities

Standardized Testing Prepare for and register for ACT / SAT tests Register for AP tests as appropriate

College Exploration Explore colleges on the Web Visit colleges if you can Meet with college representatives Attend college fairs


Our High School’s Timeline

College searchers through grades 10 and 11

Writing SAT, TOEFL and other tests – through grade 11, SAT 2 through grade 12 by December

College Essays drafted – junior year

College Searchers completed by summer end of junior year

College Applications start – November, December – Senior

year

If your parents need to see me for more details please make an appointment with me to see if I am available. Do Not assume that I will be available at any time to meet with your parents.

If you need to see me, check with Ms Misha first to see if I can see you.

DO NOT walk into my office unannounced.


Points to Remember


Communication With You

I will be communicating with you via MOODLE - it is therefore important that you access your Moodle Accounts regularly – If you do not then information that you do not receive will be your responsibility

Documents

Veron Naidoo 2012-2013. Planning for College What you need to know about College Application Planning and the Admissions Process Veron Naidoo 2012-2013