WELCOME TO

WINDSOR HIGH SCHOOL’S

COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT

Simplify the College Planning Process

1. Understand admission factors

2. Learn about the SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™

3. Explore college options

4. Develop a financial plan

College opportunities exist for everyone. These four steps can help simplify the planning process:

Understand Admission

Factors

The first part of planning for college is understanding what factors colleges consider when looking at a student profile.

What Colleges Consider

• Primary Factors

- Quality/Rigor of Academic Courses

- Academic Performance/ Grades

- Test Scores (SAT, SAT Subject Tests, AP®, etc.)

• Additional Factors

- Extracurricular Activities

- Essay(s)

- Letters of Recommendation

- Demonstrated Interest

Understand Admission

Factors

Grades & Course Work

Your high school academic record is one of the most important factors in college admission. Colleges will look at a few aspects:

• Course selection: Challenge yourself with a rigorous course load and high-level classes, including AP or honors courses.

• Grades: Every year counts, starting with freshman year.

• GPA trends: Keep improving through every grade.

• Class rank (if offered by your high school).

Understand Admission

Factors

Other Considerations

• Positive recommendations from educators and mentors

• Personal statement and essay(s) demonstrating writing ability and self-expression

• A “demonstrated interest” that shows your enthusiasm for the colleges to which you’re applying

• Extracurricular activities, including participation in sports, performing/visual arts, volunteering, etc.

• Community involvement, part-time work or internship

• Interview (if applicable)

Understand Admission

Factors

Learn About the SAT® and SAT

Subject Tests™

About the SAT

The SAT measures what you know and how well you apply that knowledge.

• It tests the same things taught every day in high school classrooms — reading, writing and math.

• It’s the most widely used college entrance exam.

• Almost all colleges and universities use the SAT to make admission decisions.

• A combination of grades and SAT scores is the best predictor of a student’s future success in college.

Learn About the

SAT

SATThe SAT is changing in some ways, but these things are staying the same:

- It’s accepted by almost all U. S. Colleges.- It’s typically taken by juniors in the spring and seniors in the fall.- SAT scores and high school GPA are a powerful combination. Used together, there’s nothing better at predicting potential college success.

REGISTERShow colleges you’ve got what it takes. Sign up for the test that measures the skills you’ve learned in class. Register now at collegeboard.org/sat

Wondering about dates and deadlines, fees and fee waivers, colleges that require the SAT Essay, photo ID policies? Get answers to all your registration questions. (/sat/register)

WHAT’S NEW?- All-new essay – and it’s optional- No penalty for guessing- No vocab that you’ll never use again

Know what to expect: Inside the Test (/sat/inside-the-test)

SKILLS AREN’T BOUGHTThey’re learned – so brush up on your skills with these free resources:

- Personalized practice from Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org/sat) - The app, Daily Practice for the New SAT (/sat/practice/daily-practice-app), that makes it easy to try questions and scores practice tests instantly.

Seriously they’re free and they’re official

QUICK FACTS- 4 parts: Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and the optional SAT Essay- 400-1600 score scale- 3 hours and 50 minutes with the SAT Essay – or 3 hours without it- 4 answer choices- 4 college application fee waivers for every student who uses an SAT fee waiver (/sat/register/fees/fee-

waivers)

The New SATWhen to Take the SAT

Most students take the SAT during their junior and senior year of high school, and that’s what is typically recommended.

At least half of all students take the SAT twice – usually once in the spring of their junior year and again in the fall of their senior year. Most students improve their scores the second time around. This is partly due to covering more academic material from junior to senior year.

It is recommended that students take the test no more than twice. It is not likely you will increase your score in any significant way by taking the test three or more times.

Getting Ready for the SAT

• Select challenging high school courses.

• Read widely and write extensively, both in and out of school.

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT® as a sophomore or junior.

• Become familiar with SAT question types, format and directions.

• Take advantage of free College Board resources at sat.collegeboard.com.

Learn About the

SAT

A Little Practice Goes a Long Way

• Research is clear that cramming and short-term test prep aren’t effective substitutes for hard work in school.

• To feel comfortable and confident on test day, it’s a good idea to be familiar with the test format and question types.

• Like anything else in life, a little practice never hurts.

Learn About the

SAT

Windsor Central School DistrictHOME OF THE BLACK KNIGHTS

Upcoming Events

Date

3.2.16

4.12.16

Event

SAT Administration

SAT Administration

About SAT Subject Tests

SAT Subject Tests allow you to showcase your accomplishments and interest in subjects in which you do well. They provide a more complete story about your academic abilities and distinguish you in the admission process.

For admission

• Certain schools require or recommend them as part of the admission process.

For placement and advising

• Placement out of beginner classes allows you to focus on more interesting/in-depth classes and satisfy basic requirements for certain majors prior to attending college.

• College advisers use them to help you pick course subjects and levels.

Learn About the

SAT

About SAT Subject Tests

Subject Tests cover content knowledge in:

Literature U.S. History Biology

Math Level 1 World History Chemistry

Math Level 2 Physics

Foreign language Subject Tests measure reading comprehension, language usage and vocabulary. Some of these tests have a listening component:

Spanish Chinese French

Japanese German Korean

Modern Hebrew Latin Italian

Learn About the

SAT

ACT vs. SAT

Colleges will accept either the SAT or ACT. So which should you take?

It’s all about the numbers. Some students end up scoring substantially higher on the SAT; others do better on the ACT.

The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities.

The SAT penalizes you for wrong answers, so guessing is discouraged. The ACT is scored based on the number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing.

The ACT has an interest inventory that allows students to evaluate their interests in various career options.

Description of the ACTThe ACT (No writing) consists of four multiple-choice tests: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.The ACT Plus Writing includes the four multiple choice tests and a Writing Test.

TEST CONTENT

English 75 Questions 45 Minutes Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills.

Mathematics 60 Questions 60 MinutesMeasures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of 12 grade.

Reading 40 questions 35 Minutes Measures reading comprehension.

Science 40 Questions 35 MinutesMeasures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.

Explore College Options

RESEARCHING COLLEGES

Online Search – www.collegeboard.com

Guidance Counselor role

Visit! Visit! Visit!

Utilize the college website

What to Consider

Size and diversity of student body

Location

Academic programs

Campus life — athletics, activities, housing

Graduation and retention rates

Financial aid and scholarship opportunities

Above all, think about where you will be the most happy and successful in your college life.

Explore College Options

Visit Campuses

Take a campus tour.

Speak with an admission counselor.

Ask about financial aid opportunities.

Sit in on a class of interest.

Read the student newspaper.

Talk to students and faculty.

Get to know a school from the inside:

Explore College Options

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TIMELINE

Junior Year • January /March - Academic Planning

• February-June - Register and Prepare for SAT/ACT

• March – Ongoing - Visit Prospective Colleges

• March–June - Develop Activities Resume

• May - Ongoing - Scholarship Research

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS REGENTS DIPLOMA ADVANCED DESIGNATION REGENTS

DIPLOMA

English Social Studies Math Science LOTE Art/Music Health Physical Education Electives Intro to Computers and Financial Literacy

Total

4 4 3** 3** 1* 1 0.5 2 3 0.5 22

English Social Studies Math Science LOTE Art/Music Health Physical Education Electives Intro to Computers and Financial Literacy

Total

4 4 3 3 3*** 1 0.5 2 1 0.5 22

REQUIRED EXAMS (passing score of 65 and above)

Required Exams (passing score of 65 and above) English Comprehensive Exam 3 Math Regents Exams Regents Global History Exam Regents U.S. History Exam 2 Regents Science Exams (one from Living Environment and one from Physical Setting)

English Comprehensive Exam 1 Math Regents Exam Regents Global History Exam Regents U.S. History Exam Regents Science Exam

*

**

***

****

Students are required to have completed 2 units of study in a Language other than English (LOTE) by the end of their freshman year. One unit of the credit is earned by passing the State LOTE proficiency exam or earning a unit of commencement level credit in a LOTE.

CTE integrated course in Mathematics/Science/Technology may be used as the third required unit of credit in Mathematics of Science.

Students Acquiring 5 units in one of the following may be exempt from the 2ND and 3rd credit Language other than English requirements for an advanced regents diploma: Art, Music Business, or Career and Technical Education.

All students participate in “Introduction to Computers and Financial Literacy” unless it does not fit into a student’s schedule or he/she transfers in late into their HS Career. In this case, students take a proficiency exam in the 12th grade year. If they do not pass, the student receives additional assistance via an independent study with the HS business teacher.

CURRICULUM SELECTION SHEET     11th Grade  

ENGLISH 11AP ENGLISH

US HISTORYAP US HISTORY

FRENCH IIIBCC FRENCHFRENCH IVSPANISH IIIBCC SPANISHSPANISH IV

GEOMETRYALGEBRA 2 TRIG

INTERM. ALG 2/TRIGPRE CALCULUSBUSINESS MATHCTE MATH

  

AP BIOLOGYAPP. CHEM IAPP. CHEM II

FORCE OF NATUREFORENSICSCHEMISTRYCTE SCIENCE

 

DIGITAL ELEC.CHORUSBAND

MUSIC THEO IMUSIC THEO IIGUITAR & KEY

BASS GUITAR&DRUMSPOP MUSIC IPOP MUSIC II

GREAT AM. FILMSDRAWING

ADV DRAWINGPAINTING

ADV PAINTINGSCULPTURE

ADV SCULPTURECERAMICS

PRINT MAKINGDIG PHOTO IDIG PHOTO II

AP STU ART PREPAP STU ART

PEHEALTH

PSYCHOLOGYINTRO TO COMPACCOUNTINGMARKETING

ENTREPRENEUR.DIG VIDEO PRODWEB DESIGNBCC MSOFFICE

BOCES ½ DAY – CTE PROGRAMS

CURRICULUM SELECTION SHEET     12th Grade

ENGLISH 12COLLEGE ENGLISH

AP ELACTE ELA

ECONOMICSP.I.G

BCC ECONAP WORLD

AP US HISTORYBCC PUBLIC POLICY

BCC FRENCHFRENCH IV

CONV.  FRENCHBCC SPANISHSPANISH IV 

CONV. SPANISH 

ALGEBRA 2 TRIGPRE CALCULUSBUSINESS MATH

INTERM. ALG 2/TRIGCOLLEGE CALCULUSFOUNDATIONS FOR COLLEGE MATH

AP PHYSICS CHEMISTRY

FORCE OF NATUREFORENSICSAPP. CHEM IAPP. CHEM IIAP BIOLOGY

ENG. DES. & DEV.CHORUSBAND

MUSIC THEO IMUSIC THEO IIGUTAR & KEY

BASS GUITAR & DRUMSPOP MUSIC IPOP MUSIC II

GREAT AM. FILMSDRAWING

ADV DRAWINGPAINTING

ADV PAINTINGSCULPTURE

ADV SCULPTURECERAMICSPRINT

DIG PHOTO IDIG PHOTO IIAP STU ART

PEGENOCIDE

CIVIC HISTORYHEALTH

PSYCHOLOGYINTRO TO COMPACCOUNTINGMARKETING

ENTREPRENEUR.DIG VIDEO PRODWEB DESIGNBCC MSOFFICE

NEW VISIONS                          BOCES ½ DAY-CTE PROGRAMS

Senior Year

• September/October - Meet with Counselor

• October-December - Apply (online vs. paper)

- File FAFSA–Apply for Financial Aid

•January - April - Admissions decision/Financial Aid Package

TIMELINE

Develop a Financial Plan

Add It Up

Determine all college costs — not just tuition.

Calculate your college savings so far and see if you’re on track.

Estimate your family’s expected contribution —an EFC calculator is available at www.collegeboard.com/payforcollege and www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov

Search for scholarships — See hand out for scholarship sites.

APPLY! APPLY!! APPLY!!!

Develop a Financial

Plan

Apply and Compare

• Know your options: grants, loans, work-study, etc.

• Fill out the free FAFSA application after January 1st of your senior year.

• Compare financial aid awards and determine how they fit with other contributions:

- Family

- Savings

- Scholarships

Develop a Financial

Plan

Congratulations, you’re off to college!

Making a Decision

• Try to visit colleges where you’ve been accepted.

• Compare financial aid packages.

• Send your deposit.

• Get ready to graduate!

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Thanks for comingContact information:

WINDSOR GUIDANCE OFFICE

William O’Donnell(607) 655-8231wodonnel@windsor-csd.org

Christina Salasny(607) 655-8230csalasny@windsor-csd.org