Hosted by: Michelle Wells – School Counselor 9/13.

Hosted by

Michelle Wells ndash School Counselor

913

Agenda1 College decision process

2 Senior application calendar

3 Friendly senioritis warning

4 Early Action and Early Decision

5 Regular and Rolling admissions

6 SAT and ACT information

7 Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans

8 Scholarships

9 Student and Counselor responsibilities

10Application checklist

11 Presentation Evaluation

The College Decision Process

1 Explore options

2 Gather information (consider academics interests clubs sports etc of each school)

3 Select prospective schools (long list) visit if possible make procon list to decide

4 Decide which schools to apply to (short list)

5 Send COMPLETE applications by due date Wait for responseshellip

6 Make the Final Decision and respond to schools

Helpful Websites

wwwyouniversitytvcom (virtual tours of campuses given by current students)

wwwprincetonreviewcom (college search website)

wwwcollegeviewcom (college search website)

wwwpetersonscom (college search website)

Senior Application Calendar

September Review each application process BE MINDFUL OF ALL

DEADLINES

Register for SAT ACT andor ASVAB Maintain academic performance and activities participation Complete Recommendation Letter information forms Draft long list ndash list of schools student is interested in Compare schools by utilizing procon lists Finalize short list ndash the schools and military institutions you

will apply to (make sure you have safety and reach schools)

Begin drafting personal statement

Senior Application Calendar

October

Individual planning appointment with counselor Request transcript from counseling office Begin asking teachers and other adults to write

recommendation letters (provide information forms) Have teachers review personal statement Take SATACTASVAB exams Maintain academic performance and activities

participation Begin scholarship search

Senior Application Calendar

November

Report ACT and SATSAT Subject Test scores to colleges

Send first quarter grades to colleges with Early Action and Early Decision programs

If applying Early Action or Early Decision contact school to make sure all application requirements have been met

Access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at wwwfafsaedgov

Register for a FAFSA Personal Identification Number (PIN)

Senior Application Calendar

December

Collect Recommendation Letters from teachersadults write follow-up thank you notes

Submit applications before deadline follow individual school procedures

Contact colleges to make sure all application materials have arrived

Enjoy your break

Senior Application Calendar

Spring Semester

Maintain academic performanceContinue with extra curricular activitiesContinue scholarship searchReply immediately to any correspondence from

schoolsNATIONAL NOTIFICATION DATE April 1st (watch

the mail Come sign the acceptance poster)NATIONAL STUDENT NOTIFICATION DATE May

1st

Important ldquoSenioritisrdquo Information

Offers of admission are ALWAYS ldquopending final transcriptrdquo

Course load could influence scholarship decisions and Honors programs

Maintaining a strong senior year GPA is crucial

Early Action vs Early Decision

Early ActionApplication is usually due

in November student hears back about acceptance before January (only one EA school per student)

The decision is not binding

Early Decision Student still applies early and

college replies before the end of the year but the agreement is binding (only one ED school per student)

Applicants who are accepted from an Early Decision pool have signed an agreement in their applications promising to enroll at that school if accepted Usually a deposit is due with the notice of acceptance

Regular vs Rolling Admissions

Regular Admission

Usually due between January 1st and February 15th

Acceptances selected from total applicant pool AFTER early decision and early action students have been selected

Rolling Admission

Usually no deadline the EARLIER THE BETTER

Students accepted wait listed or rejected on first-come first-served basis

SAT ACT amp ASVAB Testing Information

Test dates and registration forms can be found online

wwwcollegeboardcom (SAT)

wwwactorg (ACT)

wwwasvabprogramcom (ASVAB) ndashDec 6th

Colonial Beach School Code 470577

SAT vs ACT 10 differencesSAT

1 Ambiguous questions

2 Multiple choice amp fill in blank

3 Guessing penalty

4 Vocabulary heavy

5 No science

6 Algebra amp Geometry

7 25 minute essay

8 10 separate sections

9 Section scores more important than overall score

10 Experimental section

ACT

1 Straightforward questions

2 Multiple choice

3 Less vocabulary more grammar

4 No guessing penalty

5 Science section

6 Algebra to Trigonometry

7 Essay is optional

8 Each subject is one section

9 Overall score more important than sections

10 No experimental section

Examples

1 What is your view of the claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value

2 7 If Jane has 5 pairs of pants and 7 shirts how many different combinations of pants and shirts are possible

1 In your view should high schools become more tolerant of cheating

2 7 If Jane has 5 pairs of pants and 7 shirts how many different combinations of pants and shirts are possible A 25 B 42 C 38 D 35

Whatrsquos a ldquogoodrdquo score Three parts Critical Reading

Mathematics and Writing The scores from each section

can range from 200 to 800 so the best possible total score is 2400

The average score for each section is roughly 500 so the average total score is about 1500

For the 165 million test-takers in the class of 2011 the mean scores were 497 critical reading 514 math and 489 writing

Four parts English Language Reading Mathematics and Science Each category receives a score between 1 and 36 Those four scores are then averaged

The writing section is scored on a 12-point scale The average score is between 7 and 8

The average composite score is about 21 Meaning about 50 of test-takers score below a 21

Subsidized vs Unsubsidized Loans

SubsidizedAwarded on the basis

of financial need You wont be charged any interest before you begin repaying the loan because the federal government subsidizes the interest during this time

UnsubsidizedYou will be charged

interest from the first disbursement until it is paid in full The interest is capitalized meaning that you pay interest on any interest that has already accrued

$cholarshipsScholarship Websites

wwwscholarshipscom

wwwfastwebcom

wwwscholarshipexpertscom

wwwfinaidorgscholarships

Merit Based based on achievements

Need Based based on financial need

Contests submissions

Awards usually nominated

Grants government awarded based on specific criteriaAPPLY FOR EVERYTHING YOU CAN

Counselor Responsibilities

Take standardized tests and submit scores to prospective institutions

Ask teachers for letters of recommendation (at least 2 full weeks prior to due date)

Request transcript Complete and submit

applications by due date Apply for scholarships Register with the NCAA to

play college sports

oWrite letter of recommendation (if asked)

oFollow-up with student in individual meetings

oAnswer all questions from students and parents

oHelp guide the student through the application process

Student Responsibilities

College Application Checklist

College ApplicationApplication FeesEssaysActivities List ReacutesumeacuteRecommendation

LettersSATACT scoresHigh School

Transcripts

Proof of residency (if applicable)

Immunization Records (if necessary)

NCAA forms (if applicable)

Thanks for coming

If you have any additional questions please call 224-0040 to schedule a meeting

I will be reviewing ALL seniorsrsquo graduation requirements and progress individually in October