SEAFORD HIGH SCHOOL. Introduction of special guests: Mr. Joseph Benkert, Admissions Counselor, St. Joseph’s College The college application review.
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TONIGHT’S AGENDA Introduction of special guests:
Mr. Joseph Benkert, Admissions Counselor, St. Joseph’s College
The college application review process, Mr. Benkert
Chronological preparation for life beyond Seaford High School (Grades 9-12)
Breakdown key elements to a college application (Guidance Staff)
Breakdown key factors in your college search
Discussion Action!!
More support/Future Plans
Next step….
Q & A
THE HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
FRESHMAN YEAR ADJUST TO NEW
ENVIRONMENT ADAPT TO HIGH SCHOOL
STRUCTURE GAIN UNDERSTANDING OF
NEW TEACHING STYLES/METHODS
SEEK COMFORTABLE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (SPORTS/CLUBS/EMPLOYMENT)
DEVELOP RAPPORT WITH FACULTY AND STAFF
MAINTAIN FOCUS ON ACADEMICS/EVERYTHINGS COUNTS STARTING NOW!!
SOPHOMORE YEAR TAKE ACADEMIC RIGOR TO
THE NEXT LEVEL TAKE EXTRACURRICULAR
INVOLVEMENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL/SEEK LEADERSHIP ROLE
BEGIN DISCUSSING FUTURE PLANS (CAREERS/COLLEGE MAJOR/COLLEGE SEARCH/PSAT/ETC.)
MAKE STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN OVERALL ACADEMICS FROM FRESHMAN YEAR
THE EXPERIENCE CONTINUES…..
JUNIOR YEAR THEME OF YEAR:
RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!!!!
EXPAND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT (VOLUNTEER/EMPLOYMENT)
SECURE LEADERSHIP ROLE IN CLUB OR SPORT
CONTINUE PROGRESSION OF ACADEMIC CHALLENGES
PSAT/SAT/ACT FINAL YEAR TO IMPACT
TRANSCRIPT BEFORE COLLEGE VIEWS IT
SENIOR YEAR IMPLEMENT PLAN CREATED
DURING JUNIOR YEAR MAINTAIN ACADEMIC
STANDARDS TAKE SOLID SENIOR
COURSES/FILL SCHEDULE CHOOSE ELECTIVES RELATED
TO CAREER/MAJOR INTERESTS
LAST CHANCE TO IMPROVE SAT/ACT SCORES
ASK QUESTIONS…..
KEY FACTORS CONSIDERED BY COLLEGES FOR ACCEPTANCE
HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT SAT/ACT
ESSAY LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS
ACTIVITES RESUME
TRANSCRIPT DEFINED
Transcript- A permanent running record of a student’s academic performance throughout high school. It encompasses ALL completed courses and is updated every year.
Transcript- An academic glimpse a college representative will use to determine educational ability and preparation for an admissions decision.
TRANSCRIPT = #1 REGARDED PIECE OF INFORMATION FOR ADMISSIONS
Admissions Office ReviewINITIAL Decision- 3 years of accumulated high school work
(borderline decisions could require 3.5 years).OFFICIAL Decision- 4 years of accumulated high school work
and completion of graduation requirements.
“Avoid being a ‘GPA protector.’ Don’t play it safe by enrolling in easy classes. An effortless “A” is not as impressive as a hard-earned “B” or “C.” Taking challenging classes throughout high school — including senior year — shows the people reading your application that you’re serious about your education and that you’re ready to thrive in college.” – NY TIMES, 11/30/09“Don’t be deterred by one bad grade. Colleges understand if you have one grade that’s not reflective of your usual ability. Don’t stress. Refocus and work hard. What’s important is that you’re able to demonstrate that you’re getting back on track.”- NY TIMES, 11/30/09
SAT VS. ACT (JUNIORS AND JAN 1/16)
Critical Reading, Math, Writing
Three 800 point sections (total 2400)
Aptitude Test 3 hours 45 minutes (10
sections)
English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (Optional)
Four 36 point sections (Composite scoring)
Achievement Test 2 hours 55 minutes (4
sections + Writing)SAT Subject Test Achievement Tests
When should I take it? Who requires the Subject Test?
** www.fairtest.org - List of test optional schools **
ESSAY
1) Your essay will be most effective if you write about something that matters to you.
2) Use your own voice and sound like yourself. Don’t worry about making a special effort to include impressive vocabulary words or overly complex sentences.
3) Select topics that will give the reader an idea of who YOU are.
ESSAY….
4) Topic is less important than the connection you have to the topic.
o Excellent essays can be on common topics and weak essays can be on highly unusual topics.
5) Your perspective- the lens through which you view your topic- is far more important than the topic itself.
6) Proofread, proofread, proofread! Share your essay with at least one or two people who know you well- parent, teacher, counselor, or friend. Ask for feedback! Always retain your own voice, but others may catch an error.
ESSAY….
7) Possible suggestions for topics include:o Ethnicity and cultureo Family Situationso School and community events to which they
have had strong reactionso People who have influenced them/significant
experiences/intellectual interests/personal aspirations
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONWhat is a recommendation letter? A written reference
designed to offer information about a student’s character, ability, work ethic, etc.
How many recommendation letters should a student have? Typically, most colleges require at least one or two letters of recommendation.
Who can a student ask?1)Focus on major subject area teachers (Math, Science, English, Foreign Language & Social
Studies)2)Letters from the dept. of your major is
encouraged3)Can also ask Counselor, Coach, Advisor, Employer, Pastor/Rabbi
When should a student ask their teacher? Spring of Junior YearHow does a student request a letter of rec? Teacher Request Form/Naviance request. Details to follow in Junior Conferences!
ACTIVITIES RESUME
What is an Activities Resume- A detailed and thorough report explaining all extracurricular involvements.
Purpose- To demonstrate what interests you have and experiences you can bring to a college setting beyond academics.
Sample Categories- Clubs; Sports; Employment; Volunteer/Community Service; Accolades; Educational Conf.
Timeframe- Include all involvement in grades 9-12.
*HIGHLIGHT ALL LEADERSHIP ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES*
COLLEGE SEARCH PROCESS
3 SIMPLE QUESTIONS1) How far away from home do you want to
go? Commute vs. Dorm2) What environment/setting best fits your
interest? Urban vs. Suburban vs. Rural3) Size of student population? Bigger school = more opportunities/activitiesSmaller school = more interpersonal
relationships
COLLEGE SEARCH CONTINUED…
2 FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS1) Do you know your college Major?2) Are you determined to participate in
college athletics?
Answers to these 5 questions will immediately create a list of schools to be considered!
PLAN INTO ACTION (STUDENT)
Ways to expand your knowledge/research on a school of interest:
Call Admissions Office or Academic Department of interest
Speak to alumni or current students VISIT COLLEGE!!!!!!
Contact Undergraduate Admissions Office to
schedule: Information Session Guided Tour
PLAN INTO ACTION (COUNSELOR)
Ways to help students learn more about the college search process:
Naviance/Family Connections website Literature in College & Career Center Small group college visits with 10th &
11th grade students Counselor College Recruitment Trips College Representatives coming to
Seaford HS next Fall
SEAFORD GUIDANCE OFFICE COLLEGE PROGRAM
College Visitation ProgramSTUDENT: 2010-2011
Stony Brook University
MORE SUPPORT/FUTURE PLANS….. Senior College Information Night, Fall 2014
o Applicationso Deadlineso And more…….
College and Career Center:o Added Computerso Student Workshops
1) College Search2) Naviance training3) Commonapp website training
Seasonal Guidance Newslettero Important deadlines, future programs, upcoming
events, and so much more
NEXT STEP…..
Set up a Junior Conference with your counselor!!
HOW: Print, complete and submit Junior College Planning Packet from school website (Guidance tab).
WHO: Student, Parent(s) and Counselor
WHEN: Conferences start in March
WHY: More personalized conversation about student’sspecific plans
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