November 11th, 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 (Krueger & Dale).

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 skillsCounselor recommendationTeacher recommendationsInterview, 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)

Most Colleges require the Plus Writing ACT!

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 DeadlineDecember 13 late registration November 8-21February 7th January 9th *April 18th March 13th

*June 13th May 8th

SATTest Date Registration Deadline*December 6th November 24th for late registration March 8th February 7th January 24thDecember 29th March 14 February 13th *May 2nd April 6th June 6th May 8th

* 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 TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST OF YOUR SENIOR YEAR

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. Checklist of 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. Your counselor can help too! Keep copies of your applications, essays, and financial aid forms.

GUIDANCE GOES GREEN!!

Starting with the Class of 2016, all BRAG SHEETS will be accessed and completed via NAVIANCE.

• Must be completed prior to the individual junior/parent conference.

• Log in to Naviance and Survey will be under the “ABOUT ME” tab in the left hand column.

• Parents can access the Parent Survey by using their own Log-In.

YOUR COUNSELOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Assisting students with Naviance (at Junior Conference)

Submitting your transcript upon student request

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)

NCAA ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Students interested in participating in any Division I or Division II intercollegiate athletics must visit the NCAA Eligibility website and create an account.

• Transcripts will be sent to any college of interest at the end of your Junior year and again at the end of your Senior year.

• Requirements for eligibility can be found at… www.eligibilitycenter.org

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

State colleges outside of NJ may be as affordable as NJ state colleges i.e. SUNY universities

Leave your options open!

FEELING STRESSED?

WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

IMPORTANT DATES!

• College Admissions Game with Peter Buskirk- November 18 at 7pm

• College Program for Spanish Speaking Families – January 13, 2015

• College Tour – April 2015

• College Fairs –Spring 2015 & Fall 2015

• College Essay Writing Program – Spring 2014

• Senior College Program – Fall 2015

• Financial Aid Workshop – December 2015

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

Mrs. Margaret Montenaremargaret.montenare@wwrsd.org Ext 2076

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

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

THANK YOU VERY MUCH