Junior College Planning NightSpring 2010

AgendaGuidance NewsCollege Selection FactorsFamily ConnectionAdmission FactorsAdmission ProcessAthleticsRemindersQuestion & Answer Session

Counseling NewsTo date, the Counseling Department processed

1011applications to 274 different colleges

Our class of 2009 graduates can be found on 87 different campuses this year with:48% attend a 4-year institution 37% attend a 2-year institution 4% other post secondary3% employment9% other

Most Popular Schools to apply to for the Class of 2010

University of DelawareRutgers UniversityPenn State UniversityJames Madison UniversityThe College of NJTowson UniversityMontclair UniversityRider UniversityUniversity of MarylandNew York University

Top 10 Schools the Class of 2009 Attended

Rutgers UniversityThe College of NJRowanMontclairDrexel

James Madison University

Penn State UniversityRider UniversityMercer County

Community CollegeBurlington County

Community College

College Search ProcessWhere do we begin?

Communication What is the student looking for? What are the parent expectations? Impt. Topics: Location, Cost, Commuting

Initial Research: Websites and View books-

College Board & Family Connection

Test Drive: Visitations fall, spring, and summer

open house, tours and sit in on a class (Schedule)

Family ConnectionCollege Search Database specified to high schoolEach student has received a password.

Forgot your Password? See your counselorLink to Family Connection can be found on the high

school WebsiteParents and Students receive e-mails via Family

Connection

Family ConnectionCounseling NewsletterCollege searchRequest transcriptsCollege Application WaiverSchedule college visitsCareer interest

College Selection FactorsSize of Campus:

Large, Medium, or SmallPublic or Private InstitutionLocation:

Distance from HomeUrban, Suburban, or Rural

College Selection FactorsAthletics:

Div. I, II, III Club or Intramural

Cost:Tuition: In-State vs. Out of StateFinancial Aid

Support Services: Career Services, Tutoring, Counseling, etc.

Special Programs: Study Abroad, Internship Opportunities, Graduate Programs, etc.

College Selection FactorsQuality & Selection of ProgramsQuality of FacultyResident or CommuterDiversity of Student Body

Admission CommitteeImportant Factors What are colleges looking for?

Types of Courses/Load Grade Point AverageStandardized Tests:

SAT SAT Subject Test ACT

EssayInterviews (not all require/offer)

Sample Questions on Counseling Website

Admission CommitteeImportant Factors

Interest LevelExtracurricular/Work experiences

Sample Activities Resume on Counseling Website

Honors/AwardsLetters of Recommendation

Waiver

Testing InformationACT, SAT I, and SAT II - Spring

At least three times (spring time junior year/fall senior year) Institutions will only accept them directly from the CollegeBoard and/or

ACT. Reporting: Score Choice for both.

AP Exams Students can choose to send or not to send in their official score report only

to the institution they are attending

SAT II/Subject Test Highly selective schools tend to require SAT II/Subject Tests. Juniors

taking an AP course are recommended to take the Subject Test in the spring time of their junior year.

Test Optional Schools: www.fairtest.org

Differences Between the ACT and SAT

SAT3 Components:

Critical Reading

Math

Writing

-Aptitude Test

-Max. Score: 2400

-Penalty for wrong answers

ACT5 components:

English

Mathematics

Reading

Science

Writing -optional

- Achievement Test

-Max. Score: 36

-No Penalty for wrong answers

The Essay – Your VoiceMost difficult part of the application for most studentsAnswer the questionBrainstorm First1/3 story – 2/3 about youUse your own “voice” in the process

- Don’t write to impress the admission committee

Letters of RecommendationCounselor Recommendation

- Parent Brag Sheet, Student Brag Sheet, & Student Resume

- Have completed forms by June 1st.First ASK the teacher to write the letter recommendation. If they

say yes, then the student must complete the Teacher Recommendation Packet:

- Student Questionnaire due by June 1st to each teacher

- List of schools the student is sending the application &

with deadlines, addressed and stamped envelopes, signed waiver form to the teacher 3 weeks prior to the application deadline in the fall.

Activities

Create an Activities Resume

Focus on one or two activities

Show how you have developed as a leader

Quality vs. Quantity

College Application Process Do not wait, apply early in senior year!

Application Deadlines Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, Early Decision; Regular

Deadline & Rolling Admission

Types of Applications: Paper, on-line, Common Application (if a school accepts

Common App. student should use this application), Universal College Application

Letters of Recommendation Ask for these in Spring of Jr. Year! Hand your forms in by June

2010.

AthletesNCAA Eligibility Center:

https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/Can be submitted at the beginning of Junior Year Send SAT or ACT to NCAA Eligibility Center directlySend Official Transcript to NCAA Eligibility Center

Athletic Scholarships: Div. I or Div. II only

Student Athletes Ask Yourself: “If I can not compete, would this still be the right school for me?”

Helpful RemindersChange your email addresses to a family accountMy Space/Face Book Accounts: College Admission Offices do

look at your accounts“Best Fit” not “Best School”: Finding the best fit requires

visiting and researching How many?: 2 reach, 3-4 target, 2-3 probableJunior and Senior Grades MatterRegister for SAT and ACT in Spring of Jr. Year

SAT: March, May and/or JuneACT: April and/or June*Take them again in Fall of Senior Year

Last Minute Thoughts

Remember, the college application process is unlike anything you or your sons/daughters have experienced

The stress level for applying to colleges is high

Tips for Parents

Reassure your son or daughter that you will be proud, regardless of the outcome

Don’t believe everything you hear – get an objective third party opinion

Remember, there is a school out there for everyone