Words of WisdomRelax…There is a program for you!

75% of colleges accept an average of 67% of their applicants.

PW’s acceptance rate was 83.7%

Class of 2014- Attending70% to 4-year schools23% to 2-year schools

Accepted to colleges in 34 different states

APPLYING TO COLLEGE

The application process needs to begin in your junior

Go to college visits and take standardized tests

Finish applications by THANKSGIVING of your senior year!

Types of CollegesType Description Tuition Admission

Requirements

Four year

Profit

Not-for-Profit

Degrees offered: Bachelors and beyond

Provides: A well-rounded college experience that includes an academic area of study.

Selectivity- can range from a 95% DENIAL rate to a 100% acceptance rate

State: PA $22,000/year

Private: Typically more than $30,000/year

•Transcripts*a few self- reported•GPA•SAT or ACT

•Essay•Extracurricula

r activities•Letters of Recommendati

on

Types of Colleges

Type Description Tuition Admission Requirements

Two yearTrade/Tech

Certification

Accreditation

Degrees offered: Associates

Provides: A way to ease into college / take general college classes for credit.Typically have agreements with four year colleges to transfer credits.Often less than one year

Regional Career

Public/typically around $4,000/year

Private/typically above $20,000

Can be Open-door admission policy

May have stated admission guidelines

Other Options

Apprenticeship- skilled work on the job training

Gap year/Volunteer programs

United States Military

Did You KnowThere are many wonderful programs that

are two years or less that can prepare you for a great paying career?Paramedic -Medical Coding Specialist-

Licensed Practical Nurse- Security Management- HVAC-Engineering Technology- Phlebotomy- Surgical Technology- Automotive Technology- Plumbing-

Surveying Technology- Renewable Technology-Heavy Construction Equipment- the list goes on!

Preparing for a College Search

College Choice is About FIT:Social- is it a good match? Will I be happy outside of class?

Academic- Does it offer what I want? Do I meet admission requirements?

Financial- Can I afford it?

8

Thinking Forward

Know YourselfValuesAmbitionsAchievementsAcademic StrengthsInterestsYour Standout Talents

WHERE DO I BEGIN??There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in

the United States

Think about Yourself – What matters to you Size, Location, Cost, Sports or Activities, Major,

Admissions Criteria, Faculty There is a college or post secondary program for

everyone!

Collegeboard.orgzinch.comCappex.com princetonreview

Narrowing ChoicesPayscale.comCollegenavigator.govCollege Websites

College VisitsAcademicshttp://www.today.com/video/t

oday/50795355#50795355

What information do college admission officers review?

•Grades / Overall GPA•Strength of high school course selections

•Admission Test Score

•Essay

•Teacher and counselor recommendations

•Class rank

•Student’s demonstrated interest

•Personal accomplishments•Personality characteristics•Courses in progress in Senior year

Admission PlansRegular decision- apply by a specified date and

receive a decision at a specified date.Under Regular Decision you may see:Early Decision- Apply by a stated date and if

admitted must attend this school. A student can may apply to other schools but only one ED. (binding)

Early Action- Apply by a stated date and receive a decision well before the college’s regular response date. Not obligated to attend. (non-binding)

Restrictive Early Action- you may not simultaneously apply for Early Action or Early Decision to any other school.

AdmissionsRolling Admission No stated deadline date. This really means First Come, First

Served. Sometimes you will see a PRIORITY

deadline date!

Open Admissions- Students are accepted upon applying.Placement tests are used to select

courses.

Admission TestsPSAT - Expect results in December – be sure

to use www.collegeboard.org/quickstart.

Students register on their own to take the SAT, SAT Subject tests or the ACT.

www.collegeboard.org and www.actstudent.org

SAT optional listing www.fairtest.org.

TESTING 1…2…3SAT vs. ACT What are subject tests?Sending Scores – the “Cumulative Report”

and “Official” test scores.What does Splitting Scores mean?Fee Waivers –

Do you qualify? How do you get them? What does using a fee waiver mean?

SAT vs. ACTSAT

Critical Reading, Math, and Writing.

There is a penalty for wrong answers.

Test is scored:200- 800 each section.

Cumulative record but does have score choice.

ACTEnglish, Reading, Math,

Science Reasoning and writing (says it is optional but take it).

No guessing penalty so don’t leave blanks.

Scored from 1 – 36.Each test date is

separate.

SAT SUBJECT TESTSAre required at only about 29 schools (e.g.

Carnegie Mellon, MIT, PENN).

Tests in specific subjects (English Literature, Math Level 1 & 2, US History, World History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and languages).

Can not take SAT and SAT Subject on the same day.

Check college websites- some accept ACT in lieu of SAT Subject tests.

Score Reporting PoliciesScore Choice offered by the College Board

means that students can select what test DATES to send for the SAT and what individual test for the SAT Subject tests.

Colleges really want students to send all of their scores because most “split” test dates.

Students should take advantage of the “free” reports the last time they take a test!

NOTE: Fee waivers if on free/reduced lunch

TO-DO List for StudentsRegister for an SAT and an ACT test.Do college searches:

collegeboard.orgconnection.naviance.com

educationplanner.org nacacnet.orgcappex.com collegeprowleryouniversitytv.com

collegeconfidentialUse PWHS website under “College

Information” (scholarships, etc.)Get on college websites!!!!!!!!!!!Ask two teachers to write letters of

recommendation- form is in College Counseling.

Save graded junior year paper.Facebook and email address-appropriate?Choose wisely when choosing senior year

courses.Attend the College Information session on April

9 at 6:30pm.Attend the PACAC College Fair at Villanova

University on April 29 from 6:30pm – 9:00pm.Div 1 & 2 athletes register with the NCAA

Eligibility Center.Contact coaches, band directors, etc. this

spring and over the summer.Visit colleges THIS YEAR! Know the school and

the requirements for admission and/ your major.

HOW TO GET RECOMMENDATIONS

Ask two teachers from junior year.Give them a Teacher Recommendation Form

(found in College Counseling).Complete Student Profile/Brag sheet over the

summer and return it to college Counseling when school begins.

When completing Naviance add teacher/counselor requests as you list colleges “you’re Applying To”.

All recommendations are CONFIDENTIAL!

What about a counselor recommendation?

Counselors will write recommendations for students only when requested.

Students MUST complete the Student Profile and MAY have parents complete the Parent Brag Sheet.

Counselors use the information to give a

better picture of the student to the college.

The recommendations are CONFIDENTIAL!

COURSE SELECTION FOR SENIOR YEAR

Colleges WILL see you senior year course selections!

Courses should match your potential. Take the strongest classes you can without going crazy!

Electives Choose Pathway electives based on possible majors.

Understand individual college requirements!!

Components of the Completed

ApplicationStudentRESPONSIBILITIES:

Application - on-line (usually) Possibly on the Common Application

Essay

Short Answer/Personal Statement

Transcript Request Form to College Counseling

Teacher Recommendation

Give Student Profile/brag sheets

Test Scores- send from testing company

Colleges listed on Naviance

Mid-Year Grade Report request

Final Transcript request

25

Finally…In 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

College Exploration Explore colleges on the Web Visit colleges this year Meet with college representatives in the fall Attend college program on April 9at 6:30pm at PWHS