College Admissions Program for Juniors and Parents

1. College Admissions Program for Juniors and Parents January 13th, 2014

3. Why Should You Go To College?

5. IT IS MORE IMPORTANT That You GoTo College Than WhereYou Go Students who were accepted at an “elite” institution, but chose instead to attend a “moderately selective” school, had on average the same income 20 years later as graduates of the elite colleges.

6. So, Let’s Take A Minute • Think of three colleges • Eliminate them if they are located in the following states: • New York • New Jersey • Pennsylvania • Massachusetts • Delaware • Virginia • Rhode Island • Vermont • Connecticut • Maryland How many do you have left?

7. Did you know…? • In the states listed previously there are a total of 580 schools. • There are over 4000 colleges and universities throughout the United States. Why Limit Your Options?

8. Consider Geographic Diversity As some states face a shrinking pool of high school graduates, their colleges will need to fill the seats they added in the 90’s. They will start recruiting much more heavily in states where the population is booming, such as…

10. Finding the Right Fit It is important to consider the following when researching colleges: • Academic reputation • Availability of financial aid • Cost • Job placement success • College size • Location • Instructor-student ratio • Support services offered • Social/extracurricular activities • Majors offered • Perceptions after visiting

11. Colleges Look At: • High school grades • Level of difficulty of courses taken • Standardized test scores • College application essays • Extracurricular activities • Leadership skills • Teacher recommendations • Counselor recommendation • Interview, if offered

12. Demonstration of Interest A college is more likely to accept you if you demonstrate genuine interest in them. You can do this by: • Interviewing • Visiting • Filling out questionnaires and comment cards • Meeting your admissions representative Colleges Do Not Like Stealth Applicants!!

14. “Admission depends on what the college is looking for in any given year– and that changes… and the strengths & differences of the applicant pool in any given year –and that changes, too” Rafael Figuaroa, Chronicle of Higher Education

15. Standardized Testing

16. Standardized Testing SAT - collegeboard.org ACT - actstudent.org Test Optional – Approximately 1,000 colleges http://fairtest.org/sites/default/files/OptionalPDFHardCopy.pdf

17. SAT Critical Reading - Sentence Completions - Passage-based Reading Math - Standard Multiple Choice - Student Produced Responses Writing - Improving Sentences & Paragraphs - Identifying Sentence Errors - Essay

18. SAT Scoring • All sections are converted to a score between 200 and 800. • Combine all three sections for a total score out of 2400.

19. ACT • English Section - 45 minutes • Math Section - 60 minutes • Reading Section - 40 minutes • Science Section - 35 minutes • Essay Section - 30 minutes (There is a short break after the first two tests and a break before the Essay)

20. ACT Scoring • All sections (except the essay) are scored using a 1 to 36 point system. • Your Composite score is the addition of all section scores divide by 4. A perfect composite score is a 36. • The essay is scored holistically by two separate readers. The two scores are added together.

21. SAT vs. ACT • The SAT is a 3 part APTITUDE test – predicts success for first year in college • The ACT is a 5 part ACHIEVEMENT test – curriculum based • All colleges will accept either or both exams • The SAT penalizes you for wrong answers by deducting ¼ point for each wrong answer • The ACT does not penalize you for wrong answers

22. 2014 SAT & ACT Dates ACT Test Date Registration Deadline February 8th January 10th (no test locations in NY)) April 12th March 7th June 14th* May 9th SAT Test Date Registration Deadline March 8th February 7th May 3rd* April 4 June 7th May 9th * Test is being offered at Westwood High School

23. Applying to a range of schools • Reach • Target • Safety

24. Types of Admission • Traditional • Rolling Deadlines are usually between Nov 1 and Dec 15 for the following: • Early Decision I • Early Decision II • Early Action

26. 12 Ways to Make Applying to College Easier • Strength of Senior Schedule • Potential Future/Career Interests? • Examining your abilities, interests, grades, and test scores. • Use “The ABC’s of College Planning” Book • Application Calendar with necessary dates • Start your essays early. • College resume with academic achievements/extracurricular involvements. • Keep your grades up. • Read the instructions on applications. • Get organized by creating a checklist for each school you’re applying to. • Enlist your family and friends as proofreaders. • Keep copies of your applications, essays, and financial aid forms.

28. Your Counselor Is Responsible For: • Assisting students with Naviance (at Junior Conference) • Submitting your transcript • Writing your counselor recommendation • Submitting teacher recommendations • Submitting the school profile

29. Student Is Responsible For: • Completing the Student Information Sheet, Parent Brag Sheet, the “Authorization to Release Educational Records” forms • Sending official SAT and/or ACT scores directly to colleges • Completing college applications online • Registering for a Common Application account at www.commonapp.org • Completing privacy waiver on Naviance Family Connection • Completing all transcript requests on Naviance Family Connection • Requesting teacher letters of recommendation both in person and in Naviance • Completing a paper copy of the Transcript Request Form for EACHcollege (timeline)

30. Students Will Be Receiving:

31. Financial Aid

32. COST Now is the time to think about which colleges to apply to.. And not the time to focus on $$$$$ Private Colleges may be as affordable as Public Colleges Leave your options open!

34. Feeling STRESSED?

35. We Are Here To Help!

36. Important Dates! • College Tour – April 2014 • College Fairs –Spring 2014 & Fall 2014 • College Essay Writing Program – Spring 2014 • Senior College Program – Fall 2014 • College Program for Spanish Speaking Families – February 11, 2014 • Financial Aid Workshops – Winter 2014

38. Contact Information Supervisor of Guidance Mrs. Joan Mei joan.mei@wwrsd.org Ext 2068    School Counselors Ms. Ara Debrody araceli.debrody@wwrsd.org Ext 2069    Mrs. Jennifer Gadaleta jennifer.gadaleta@wwrsd.org Ext 2071    Mr. Vincent Aiello vincent.aiello@wwrsd.org Ext 2063 Mrs. Brenda Lyons brenda.lyons@wwrsd.org Ext 2055

39. Thank You Very Much