The ABC’s of CollegePlanning
Are You Ready?
This is Part Two of a Series
• Part Three- In early September, an evening on the college application process
• Part Four – In the fall, senior individual meetings
• Part Five - January Financial Aid night for the FAFSA
2014 Graduation Requirements
• 120 Credits• Required courses for graduation:
– 4 years of English, 4 years of History, 4 years of Physical Education, 3 years of Math, 3 years of Science, 1 year of Foreign Language, 1 year of visual & performing arts, 1 year of 21st Century Life and Careers including Instructional Technology, Financial Literacy
• Passing the HSPA
OPTIONS
• 4 YEAR COLLEGE• MILITARY ACADEMY• 2 YEAR SCHOOL• TECHNICAL SCHOOL• MILITARY• WORK
Types of Colleges & Universities
• Two-year Colleges• Colleges/Universities• Technical Institutes• Service Academies• Career Schools
Most Important Factors for College Acceptance
• The Transcript – by far the single most important document
• GPA• Test scores on the SAT or ACT • Activities and Community Service• The Essay
The Admission ProcessHow Admission Decisions Are Made
• Academic Record–Strength of course load–Overall performance from
grades 9-12–Overall grade point average
The Admission’s Process
• Honors & Awards • Extracurricular and Personal Activities• The College Essay• Personal Interview• Special Categories:
– Athletes, leaders, artists, musicians, geographically diverse students, economically and/educationally disadvantaged students.
Recommendati onsFrom Your Counselor
• College Resume• Senior Information Questionnaire
and Parent Brag Sheet
PSAT
• Excellent tool for SAT preparation• Gives each student a
comprehensive report outlining strengths and weaknesses
• Junior year PSAT scores enter students for the National Merit scholarship program
• “My Road”
Understanding Your
PSAT/NMSQT Results
4 Major Parts of Your PSAT/NMSQT Results
Your Scores
Your Skills
Your Answers
Critical Reading
Mathematics
Writing Skills
Next Steps
3 Test Sections
Websites
• www.collegeboard.org
• My College Quick Start for career tests, personality assessments, college majors, college search
My College QuickStart
Admission Process
• Standardized Tests:–SAT I–ACT–SAT II–TOEFL
SAT Application Information
• Ocean Township High School code – 311039• Test Center – 31-604• Testing Dates – Check registration deadlines
on web site• Photo ID required and must print out
admission ticket with photo on test day• Special Circumstances: Fee waivers, Sunday
testing, testing for students with disabilities
SATwww.collegeboard.org
• Test Dates• January 26, 2013• March 09, 2013• May 4, 2013• June 1, 2013
• Registration• December 28, 2012• February 08, 2013• April 5, 2013• May 2, 2013
The SAT
• Critical reading : analogies eliminated, short reading passages added to existing long reading passages.
• Math : math content expanded include topics from third year college prep math. Quantitative comparisons eliminated.
• Writing: multiple-choice questions on grammar and usage and student written essay
• National college admission examination that consists of tests in: English, Math, Reading, Science and an optional Writing test.
• What scores are reported: English (1-36), Math (1-36), Reading (1-36), Science (1-36), Writing (1-36)
• What colleges are looking for: highly selective 27-31, selective 22-27, traditional 20-23, liberal 18-21, open 17-20.
ACT ASSESSMENTWWW.ACTSTUDENT.ORG
ACT
• Test Dates• Feb. 09, 2013• April 13, 2013• June 08, 2013
• Registration • Jan 11, 2013• March 08, 2013• May 03, 2013
Act Test Dates
Schools that Do Not Require Test scores for Admission
Consideration
www.fairtest.org
It’s Time To Begin Your Search
CurriculumMajor
GeographicLocation
Setting Size
Student Body AdmissionPolicy
CampusLife
Athletes
SpecialPrograms
Services HousingOther
ImportantFactors
Cost
College Search Resources
• Naviance• Online resources and websites• College’s own website• College Fairs
Naviancehttp://connection.naviance.com/oceantwphs
Naviance Junior Parent Tutorial
College Fairs and Campus VisitsApril 22, 2013-College Fair @ Brookdale Community College
(200 college Representatives)
• Meet with college representatives at college fairs
• Visit the campus-open house
• Keep a campus profile page on each school
TYPES OF ADMISSIONS
• Rolling Admissions• Priority Deadlines• Early Action• Early Decision• Regular
Your Final List
• Reach schools - present an admission challenge
• Realistic schools - admission standards closely match your qualifications
• Foundation schools - your academic achievement exceeds the admission criteria
NCAA National Collegiate Athletic
Association
• The NCAA Clearinghouse will certify all athletes for division I & II
• An athlete needs to register the beginning of his or her senior year.
• An NCAA Guide and student release form are available on line at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net, www.eligibiltycenter.org
• Eligibility is based on courses completed, grades and quality points and an SAT/ACT score
Schedule For College PlanningFebruary/March
Begin to prepare a list of colleges to explorePrepare for the SAT’s using Naviance method test prepTake the SAT/ACT
AprilMake visits to campuses for tours, open houses, etc.Take an ACTAttend the Monmouth County college fair in April at Brookdale Community college-April 22, 2013
MayTake the SATRequest letters of recommendation from your teachers
Resume in Naviance
JuneAnother chance to take the SAT I or SAT IIContinue to visit schools, refine your list
This Summer: Do Something Productive
• Work, volunteer, study• If unhappy with the first SAT scores,
study using Naviance method test prep• Think about/write essays for the
college applications• Create a college resume-can do this on
Naviance
Ways Parents Can Be Helpful• Assess the financial and
academic possibilities upfront• Develop a thoughtful college
list• Visit colleges• Help keep track of deadlines.
Be positive, realistic and supportive
• Seek financial aid-services should be FREE. You should never be charged for FAFSA completion