RHS Guidance Department

Junior College Planning Night

Alphabet Breakdown

Class of 2015

Mrs. Rotondo: A – Cl

Mr. Saleem: Co-Ke

Ms. Richard: Kh - M

Mr. Green: N – Z

Agenda Guidance News College Selection Factors Family Connection Admission Factors Admission Process Athletics Reminders Questions?

Guidance News

To date, the Guidance Department processed 1460 applications to 253 different colleges

The class of 2013 graduates can be found on 87 different campuses this year: 80% attend a 4-year institution 17% attend a 2-year institution

Top 10 Schools the Class of 2013 Attend

Drexel University Monmouth University Montclair University Penn State University Rutgers University

Saint Joseph’s University

The College of NJ University of Delaware University of

Maryland University of Tampa

Most Popular Schools to apply to for the Class of 2014

Drexel University James Madison University Penn State University Rowan University Rutgers University The College of NJ Towson University University of Delaware West Chester University

College Search Process Where 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)

College Selection Factors Size of Campus:

Large, Medium, or Small Public or Private Institution Location:

Distance from Home Urban, Suburban, or Rural

Quality & Selection of Programs Quality of Faculty Resident or Commuter Diversity of Student Body

College Selection Factors Athletics:

Div. I, II, III Club or Intramural

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

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

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

etc.

Family Connection

College Search Database specified to RHS Each Junior received a password.

Forgotten Passwords: See your counselors

Link to Family Connection can be found on the RHS Website

Parents and Students receive e-mails via Family Connection

Impt. Factors for the Admission Committee

What are colleges looking for? Types of Courses/Load

Senior Year: 4 Academic Courses minimum Grade Point Average (computed at the end of each year) Standardized Tests: (SAT/ACT; SATII) Essay Interviews (not all require)

Sample Questions on Guidance Website Interest Level Extracurricular/Work Experiences

Sample Activities Resume on Guidance Website & in Counselor Recommendation Packet

Honors/Awards Letters of Recommendation

Testing Information Juniors take the ACT, SAT I, and SAT II during the spring time.

Students tend to take either the ACT, SAT I, or combination of three times (spring time junior year/fall senior year).

SAT/ACT: Institutions will only accept them directly from the college board and/or ACT. Reporting: Score Choice for both.

SAT II: Highly selective schools tend to require SAT II or Subject Tests. Juniors taking an AP course are recommended to take the Subject Test in May of their junior year.

AP Exams: Students can choose to send or not to send in their official score report only to the institution they are attending.

Test Optional Schools: www.fairtest.org

Test Prep: Kaplan, Princeton Review, Huntington, Private Tutors

Differences Between the ACT and SAT

SAT- Has 3 Components:

Critical Reading, Math, & Writing

- Aptitude Test- Highest Maximum Score:

2400 (each section 800)- Penalty for wrong

answers

ACT- Has 5 components:

English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, & Writing (optional)

- Achievement Test- Highest Maximum Score:

Composite of a 36- No Penalty for wrong

answers

The Essay – Your Voice Most difficult part of the application for most

students Answer the question Brainstorm First One third about the situation and two thirds

about you Use your own “voice” in the process

- Don’t write to impress the admission committee

Letters of Recommendation Counselor Recommendation Packet:

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

- Have completed forms into your counselor by June 3rd.

□ Students must first ask the teacher to write the letter of recommendation. If they say yes, then the student must complete the Teacher Recommendation Packet:

- Part I: Student Questionnaire due by June 3rd to each teacher

- Part II: Students will be given instructions at Sr. College

Planning Night in September 2013Recommendation Packets can be accessed online via the Guidance Website.

Click “College Planning” then click “Forms.”

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 yr! Application Deadlines

Early Action, Early Decision, Restrictive Early Action, 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 RecommendationHand in your brag sheets to Mrs. Quick by June 3, 2013.

Athletes

NCAA Eligibility Center: https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/ Can be submitted at the beginning of Junior Year Send SAT or ACT to NCAA Eligibility Center directly Send 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 Reminders Change your email addresses to a family account Facebook 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 probable

On average 8 total If student applies to highly selective schools, 12 total

Junior and Senior Grades Matter Register for SAT and ACT in Spring of Jr. Year/Fall Sr. Year

SAT: January, March, May or June ACT: February, April or June

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

Upcoming Dates Starting January 13th: Individual Student Meetings with Counselor for Course Selection and Future Planning February 22nd: Free Practice Test ½ SAT & ½ ACT (Pre-register through Kaplan by February 18th)

March 7th: College Admission Panel at RHS at 7pm Panel of Experts From: Mercer County Community College, Rider University, Rutgers University, University of Delaware

April 6th : NYC National College Fair at Jacob Javits Center from 11am – 4pm

April 22nd: Mercer County Community College sponsored college fair from 6pm – 8:30pm April 23rd & 24th : NJ National College Fair at Meadowlands Expo Center

April 23rd: 9am – 12:00pm & 6:00pm – 9:00pm April 24th: 9am – 12noon

Late August: Attend Mrs. Rotondo’s College Workshop at RHS June 3rd: Letter of Recommendation Packets Due September 2014: Senior College Planning Night

Questions?