SENIOR PARENT NIGHT2015

Penncrest High School Guidance Department

AgendaClass of 2015 a year in reviewAdmissions overviewSenior timeline NavianceCommon ApplicationWhat counselors send to collegesNon-electronic applicationsHelpful advice

Penncrest Graduates Pursue a Wide Variety of College Experiences!

University of Pennsylvania

Swarthmore College

Duke University

Johns Hopkins University

Vanderbilt University

Penn State Schreyer Honors College

University of Pittsburgh Honors College

Arizona State University

University of Alabama

University of Maine

University of Vermont

James Madison University

University of Delaware

West Chester University

University of South Carolina

West Virginia University

University of Iowa

Moor College of Art & Design

Widener University

Class of 2015 Post High School Plans

4-yr. College/ University

74%

2-yr. or Community College

19%

Trade or Technical1%

Military1% Full-time Employment

2%

Gap Year1% Other

1%

Exchange Students1%

Class of 2015 Post High School Plans323 Graduating Seniors

Applications by the Numbers

The department processed over 1400 applications.

Each Guidance Counselor processed approximately 350 applications.

The average Penncrest student applied to 4+ colleges

Average SAT Score : Critical Reading & Math: 1095 (+13 from the class of 2014)

Average ACT Score: Composite Score – 25Penncrest students experienced a 72% rate

of acceptance overall.

Non Restrictive PlansRestrictive Application Plans

Regular DecisionRolling AdmissionEarly ActionPriority Deadline

Early Decision (I & II)Restricted Early ActionSingle-Choice EA

Admissions Options/Plans

Non-Restrictive Plans Restrictive Plans

Regular Decision Students submit an application by a specified date and receive a decision in a clearly stated period of time.Commitment: Non Binding

Rolling AdmissionInstitutions review applications as they are submitted and render decisions throughout the cycle.Commitment: Non Binding

Early Action (EA)Students apply early and receive a decision well in advance of regular responseCommitment: Non Binding

Early Decision (ED)Students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted they definitely will enroll. The application deadline and decision deadline occur early. Commitment: Binding

Restrictive Early Action (REA)Students apply to an institution of preference early and receive a decision early. They may be restricted from applying ED or EA or REA to other colleges. If offered enrollment students have until May 1 to confirmCommitment: Non Binding

Definitions of Admissions Options

Admissions Responsibilities for Seniors

Accept an offer by May 1st, or unless Early Decision

Send a deposit to one school onlyColleges may respond with the following

decisions:AdmitDenyDeferWaitlistSummer/January Admit

Prospective Students Have the Right to Know

Colleges must provide:General: • The cost of attending an institution,

including tuition, books and supplies, housing, and

related costs and fees • Requirements and procedures for

withdrawing from an institution, including refund policies • Names of associations that accredit,

approve or license the institution • Special facilities and services for disabled

students.Academics: • The academic program of the institution,

including degrees, programs of study, and facilities • A list of faculty and other instructional

personnel • A report on completion or graduation rates

at the college • At schools that typically prepare students

for transfer to a four-year college, such as a

community college, information about the transfer out rate.*

Financial Aid: • The types of financial aid, including federal, state and local government, need-based and non-need based, and private scholarships and awards • The methods by which a school determines eligibility for financial aid; how and when the aid is distributed • Terms and conditions of campus employment, if financial aid is delivered through a work-study aid program. For more information about student financial aid,

visit www.studentaid.gov. Campus Security: • Procedures and policies for reporting crimes and emergencies on campus, as well as the system of adjudication • The number and types of crime reported on and around campus • The school’s drug offense policy, as well as descriptions of the school’s drug awareness and drug use prevention programs. To compare campus crime statistics for different

colleges, visit http://ope.ed.gov/security.

Student’s Rights When Applying to Colleges/Universities

Before You Apply: • You have the right to receive

factual and comprehensive information from colleges and universities about their admission, financial costs , aid opportunities, practices and packaging policies, and housing policies.

If you consider applying under an early admission plan, you have the right to complete information from the college about its process and policies.

• You have the right to be free from high-pressure sales tactics.

Student Responsibilities in the Application Process

Before You Apply: You have a responsibility to

research, and to understand and comply with the policies and procedures of each college or university regarding application fees, financial aid, scholarships, and housing.

You should also be sure you understand the policies of each college or university regarding deposits you may be required to make before you enroll.

As You Apply: You must complete all material

required for application and submit your application on or before the published deadlines. You should be the sole author of your applications.

Student’s Rights When Applying to Colleges/Universities

When You Are Offered Admission:

• You have the right to wait until May 1 to respond to an offer of admissionand/or financial aid.• Colleges that request commitments to offers of admission and/or financial assistance prior to May 1 must clearly offer you the opportunityto request (in writing) an extension until May 1. They must grant you this extension and your request may not jeopardize your status for admission and/or financial aid.• Candidates admitted under early decision programs are a recognizedexception to the May 1 deadline.

Senior To Do List : September

Make an appointment with your guidance counselor to discuss plans.

Make appointments with teachers to discuss letters of recommendations.

Register/take final round of SAT/ACTSend SAT or ACT scores through collegeboard.org or

actstudent.orgAttend visits with college representatives, college fairs.Set up a Common Application account-remember the

email used to set up the account.Return Transcript Release and Application forms

to Penncrest Guidance.

Senior To Do List: September - February

Maintain communication with your guidance counselor. Work on your applications and submit once completed. No

need to wait for school documents-school materials will follow your sent application.

Review list of visiting colleges in Naviance and attend sessions.

Maintain awareness of application deadlines and responsibilities.

Athletes-register through the NCAA Clearinghouse and under “My Planner” and “My Task List” click “Official Transcript Needed” to complete electronic request.

Visit colleges- the absence is excused-required form is available in the Guidance Office.

Check your email for messages from the Penncrest Guidance Department and Career Center.

Naviance Manages College Applications

Naviance is an important tool in managing applications.

All actions taken by the Penncrest Guidance Department are initiated through the student’s Naviance account.

Students are required to actively maintain their Naviance account in order to request transcripts, request letters of recommendation and report outcomes.

Students do not apply to any college on Naviance.

Naviance Student Home Page

The Common Application

The Common Application is a not-for-profit membership organization that, since its founding over 35 years ago, has been committed to providing reliable services that promote equity, access, and integrity in the college application process. We serve students, member institutions, and secondary schools by providing applications that students and school officials may submit to any of our over 500 members. Membership is open to colleges and universities that promote access by evaluating students using a holistic selection process.

What Do Counselors Send?

Transcript / Final course grades through the junior year

Courses in progress/Marking period grades in progress

Secondary School Report / Common App / NACAC

The Penncrest High School ProfileCounselor Recommendation (If required)

What works…

Enter the correct Common Application email address into Naviance to match accounts.

Be consistent, your Common Application account should only include schools you plan to apply to through the Common Application.

Your Naviance account should include ALL the schools that you are applying to including NCAA

Under “Applying via Common App?” in Naviance, enter “yes” or “no”.

Penn State Applications

Requires only electronic notification to your guidance counselor. No need to print out any forms for the counselor.

Penncrest High School is a web partner with Penn State.

Helpful Hints

Know your deadlines. Especially for Early Action, Early Decision. Provide your counselor with at least ten school days to write a letter of recommendation.

Plan aheadFocus on your needsMaintain organizationAsk for help – teachers, guidance

counselors, guidance staffSave the dates:November 4, 2015 / Financial Aid Night