January 13th, 2014

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROGRAM FOR JUNIORS

AND PARENTS

Why Should You Go To College?

IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAT YOU GO TO COLLEGE THAN

WHERE YOU GO

Students who were accepted at an “elite” institution, but chose instead to attend a “moderately selective” school, had on average the same income 20 years later as graduates of the elite colleges.

SO, LET’S TAKE A MINUTE

Think of three colleges Eliminate them if they are located

in the following states: New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Massachusetts Delaware Virginia Rhode Island Vermont Connecticut Maryland How many do you have

left?

DID YOU KNOW…?• In the states listed previously there are a total

of 580 schools.

• There are over 4000 colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Why Limit Your Options?

CONSIDER GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY

As some states face a shrinking pool of high school graduates, their colleges will need to fill the seats they added in the 90’s. They will start recruiting much more heavily in states where the population is booming, such as…

FINDING THE RIGHT FITIt is important to consider the following when researching colleges:Academic reputationAvailability of financial aidCostJob placement successCollege sizeLocationInstructor-student ratioSupport services offeredSocial/extracurricular activitiesMajors offeredPerceptions after visiting

COLLEGES LOOK AT:High school gradesLevel of difficulty of courses takenStandardized test scoresCollege application essaysExtracurricular activitiesLeadership skillsTeacher recommendationsCounselor recommendationInterview, if offered

DEMONSTRATION OF INTEREST

A college is more likely to accept you if you demonstrate genuine interest in them.You can do this by:

Interviewing Visiting Filling out questionnaires and comment

cards Meeting your admissions representative

Colleges Do Not Like Stealth Applicants!!

“Admission depends on what the college is looking for in any given year– and that changes…

and the strengths & differences of the applicant pool in any given year –and that changes, too”

Rafael Figuaroa, Chronicle of Higher Education

Standardized Testing

STANDARDIZED TESTING

SAT - collegeboard.org

ACT - actstudent.org

Test Optional – Approximately 1,000 colleges

http://fairtest.org/sites/default/files/OptionalPDFHardCopy.pdf

SATCritical Reading

- Sentence Completions- Passage-based Reading

Math- Standard Multiple Choice- Student Produced Responses

Writing- Improving Sentences & Paragraphs- Identifying Sentence Errors- Essay

SAT SCORING

• All sections are converted to a score between 200 and 800.

• Combine all three sections for a total score out of 2400.

ACTEnglish Section - 45 minutes

Math Section - 60 minutes

Reading Section - 40 minutes

Science Section - 35 minutes

Essay Section - 30 minutes

(There is a short break after the first two tests and a break before the Essay)

ACT SCORINGAll sections (except the essay) are scored using

a 1 to 36 point system.

Your Composite score is the addition of all section scores divide by 4. A perfect composite score is a 36.

The essay is scored holistically by two separate readers. The two scores are added together.

SAT VS. ACT The SAT is a 3 part APTITUDE test – predicts

success for first year in college The ACT is a 5 part ACHIEVEMENT test –

curriculum based All colleges will accept either or both exams The SAT penalizes you for wrong answers by

deducting ¼ point for each wrong answer The ACT does not penalize you for wrong answers

2014 SAT & ACT DATES

ACTTest Date Registration DeadlineFebruary 8th January 10th (no test locations in NY))April 12th March 7th

June 14th* May 9th

SATTest Date Registration DeadlineMarch 8th February 7th May 3rd* April 4 June 7th May 9th

* Test is being offered at Westwood High School

APPLYING TO A RANGE OF SCHOOLS

ReachTargetSafety

TYPES OF ADMISSION

TraditionalRolling

Deadlines are usually between Nov 1 and Dec 15 for the following:

Early Decision I Early Decision II Early Action

12 WAYS TO MAKE APPLYING TO COLLEGE EASIER

Strength of Senior Schedule Potential Future/Career Interests? Examining your abilities, interests, grades, and test scores. Use “The ABC’s of College Planning” Book Application Calendar with necessary dates Start your essays early. College resume with academic achievements/extracurricular involvements. Keep your grades up. Read the instructions on applications. Get organized by creating a checklist for each school you’re applying to. Enlist your family and friends as proofreaders. Keep copies of your applications, essays, and financial aid forms.

YOUR COUNSELOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Assisting students with Naviance (at Junior Conference)

Submitting your transcript

Writing your counselor recommendation

Submitting teacher recommendations

Submitting the school profile

STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Completing the Student Information Sheet, Parent Brag Sheet, the “Authorization to Release Educational Records” forms

Sending official SAT and/or ACT scores directly to colleges

Completing college applications online

Registering for a Common Application account at www.commonapp.org

Completing privacy waiver on Naviance Family Connection

Completing all transcript requests on Naviance Family Connection

Requesting teacher letters of recommendation both in person and in Naviance

Completing a paper copy of the Transcript Request Form for EACH college (timeline)

STUDENTS WILL BE RECEIVING:

FINANCIAL AID

COSTNow is the time to think about which colleges to apply to..

And not the time to focus on $$$$$

Private Colleges may be as affordable as Public Colleges

Leave your options open!

FEELING STRESSED?

WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

IMPORTANT DATES!

• College Tour – April 2014

• College Fairs –Spring 2014 & Fall 2014

• College Essay Writing Program – Spring 2014

• Senior College Program – Fall 2014

• College Program for Spanish Speaking Families – February 11, 2014

• Financial Aid Workshops – Winter 2014

CONTACT INFORMATION

Supervisor of Guidance

Mrs. Joan Meijoan.mei@wwrsd.org Ext 2068

School Counselors Ms. Ara Debrodyaraceli.debrody@wwrsd.org Ext 2069

Mrs. Jennifer Gadaletajennifer.gadaleta@wwrsd.org Ext 2071

Mr. Vincent Aiellovincent.aiello@wwrsd.org Ext 2063

Mrs. Brenda Lyonsbrenda.lyons@wwrsd.org Ext 2055

THANK YOU VERY MUCH