College College Information Information NightNight

April 9, 2014

New Providence High School Guidance Department

Mr. Scott MaciagMrs. Lynn Ward

Mrs. Lindsay GnudiMrs. Stacey Ellis

Ms. Christine Noppenberger, Intern

Naviance

Web based program for students, parents and counselors

During freshman year, the guidance department will email each student and parent(s) with registration information through Gmail

Students and parents should also add a valid email address to their Naviance accounts

http://connection.naviance.com/newprovidence

Freshmen

In Naviance… Create a username and password Encouraged to complete the personality type and

learning style inventory Begin adding entries

to the resume feature

Use these four tabs to navigate around

courses colleges careers about me

Sophomores

In Naviance… Encouraged to complete the Career Interest Profiler Investigate careers Continue adding to their resume

In October, all sophomores will take the PSAT during the school day, no charge

Juniors

In Naviance… Complete the Resume Complete the Student Self Description Sheet Request letters of Recommendation from 2 teachers Conduct college searches

Take PSAT in October Take SAT/ACT in the Spring Visit schools of interest Complete Common Application at

www.commonapp.org (summer)

Seniors

Finalize the list of schools to which you will apply Know the deadlines attached to each application Return Grade 12 Records Release Form and

Unofficial Transcript to Guidance Complete applications Request transcripts (DEADLINES) Follow up with colleges to be sure

they have received all materials Request CollegeBoard/ACT

to send test scores

Application Jargon

Common Application Self-Report Early Action/Early Decision Deferment Rolling Waitlisted Spring Admit

SAT vs. ACT

SAT is an ability test that predicts how well you will do in college

ACT is an achievement test that is curriculum based

Most colleges will take either SAT or ACT with writing.

SAT vs. ACT

ACT: 5 sections English Math Reading Science Optional Writing Section Possible score of 36, 12 for writing 2 hours and 55 minutes OR

3 hours and 25 minutes (+ writing)

www.actstudent.org

SAT vs. ACT

SAT: 3 sections Critical reading Math Writing 3 hours and 45 minutes total Possible score of 2400; 800 on

each section

www.collegeboard.com SAT II Subject Tests – required at

more competitive schools.

SAT vs. ACT

*NEW* SAT: Spring 2016

2 Sections Evidence-Based Reading & Writing Math OPTIONAL Essay (scored separately) 3 hours + 50 minutes for Essay Possible score of 1600; 800 on each

section No penalty for guessing

www.collegeboard.com

Test Optional

Many schools are now test optional

In lieu of test scores, students are asked to Submit graded writing sample Possibly interview

Go to www.fairtest.org for a list of all schools that are test optional

Teacher Recommendations

NCAA

Students who wish to play at either Division 1 or 2 levels must register with the Clearinghouse at www.ncaaclearinghouse.org

Begin compiling an athletic resume to submit to coaches

Consider creating a game filmavailable online for coachesto view

Financial Aid

Complete the FAFSA (after Jan. 1) www.fafsa.ed.gov

Can complete the FAFSA calculator ahead of time for an estimate and also register for a PIN

Some schools also accept/require the CSS Profile (fall of senior year) www.collegeboard.com

Scholarships are posted in Naviance

Local scholarships are available spring of senior year

General Tips

Right Fit is much more important than competitiveness

Career Café program is available to all students during lunch periods

The college process should be owned by the student. Students should complete all applications, paperwork, and correspondence with admissions

A Good Fit

Offers a program of study to match your interests and needs

Provides a style of instruction to match the way you like to learn

Provides a level of academic rigor to match your aptitude and preparation

Offers a community that feels like home to you

Values you for what you do well

Source: The College Planning Workbook, Peter Van Buskirk.

Food for Thought

A recent study by AT&T found that liberal arts graduates were more likely to be promoted into management than hires with business or technical degrees.

43% advanced to senior management compared to 32% of business graduates and 23% of engineering graduates

(Source: Liberal Education and Careers Today by Howard Figler)

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Thomas J. Stanley surveyed 1,300 millionaires for his book and found that the average millionaire earned Bs and Cs in colleges, the average SAT score was 1190-not good enough for ivy league.

Attending a top-rated college ranked 23rd as a cause for wealth accumulation and doing well in college ranked 30th

source: Associated Press (San Francisco Chronicle)

Ivy League?

In a recent year, Ivy League schools accepted an average of 9.15% of applicants

Harvard accepted 5.8% of applicants

Under 50% of freshmen at University of Pennsylvania were accepted through Early Action/Early Decision

Final Thought

The best school for a student is one that meets all of his/her academic, social and emotional needs-not the one that is the most competitive.

A student’s success in college is determined by how happy they are on campus and with the program.

College College Information Information NightNight

“Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to

climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing it is

stupid.”

-Albert Einstein

Have a wonderful night!