Planning Ahead for your Sophomore

1. Planning Ahead for your Sophomore How to Pace and Approach the College Search Process April, 2019

2. Preparation for the College Search • Starting Early by getting on campuses • Initial research and Gaining Knowledge • No Stress Required

3. Visiting Colleges • Register for a College Tour and Information Session online on the college’s website • Plan on April Vacation and Summer as getting a jump start on tours • You don’t need to travel far! • Check out local colleges to get a feel for the College Fit

4. What do you mean by College Fit • Explore colleges keeping in mind the following categories: • Size of college – Small, Medium, Large • Location and setting- Urban, Suburban, Rural • Check out the college’s student activities and the campus life (sports, clubs, performance groups, Greek life) • College Majors • Internship Opportunities • Study Abroad Opportunities

5. Definitions of Reach, Target , Safety • Reach-Colleges in which the student meets some of the admissions criteria and the Acceptance Rate is 30% or lower. • Target-Colleges in which the student meets the majority of the admissions criteria and the Acceptance Rate is above 40 -60 %. • Safety-Colleges in which the student meets or exceeds all of the admissions criteria and the Acceptance Rate is 65-95%.

6. Search a College by Major • It is early for Sophomores to have an exact college major in mind • It is more common for Sophomores to have an interest or idea of a pathway • Search colleges that have a variety of related majors and pathways • Example: A student might be interested in Business, check out Economics, Finance, Marketing, Business, Communications • A student is interested in Law or History- check out History, Pre-law, Political science, Public Policy, Criminal Justice

7. How do I use the tools in Naviance • Scattergrams • Super Match- you can search by major • College Match – once you select some colleges it will give you similar colleges • Advanced College Search • College Look Up • Do What You Are or Interest Profiler

8. Two Other great resources • My Big Future –Collegeboard website • College Confidential

9. Local College Fair • Assumption College , May 14, 2019 • 6:00 pm –Plourde Recreation Center

10. What are my State college options • The University of Massachusetts system • Not all campuses are equal in competitiveness • Variety of options and curriculum across each campus • Check out the State college system • Many State universities and colleges have varied levels of challenge and there is a GPA/SAT sliding scale • Keep in mind Majors affect the competitiveness and available seats on certain campuses.

11. Preparing for Junior Year • Course planning • Increase challenge in some areas • Explore new or more challenging electives • Ensure participation in Extra-curricular Activities, Community Service • Summer Programs–check out our high school website or research local college options • Summer Camps, Enrichment activities • Sample transcript

13. Let’s Talk Testing in Junior Year • PSAT’s- October, 2019 • SAT/ACT/- March, April, May, June 2020 • AP exams- May, 2020

14. Starting Early Reduces Stress • Pace yourself • Do some research • Enjoy the college tours and take notes

15. Questions??????