college planning timeline

Focus on Grades PSAT Course selection end of Feb/early March Spend time building resume

◦ Leadership roles in clubs/activities ◦ Community service opportunities

Keep an eye out for updates on our website

PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Career development November College Admissions Panel December Financial Aid Night Last year to improve GPA & class rank

◦ Junior year rank is used on applications Colleges visiting GVHS

Course selection end of Feb/early March◦ Yes, colleges look at courses you choose senior

year SAT’s/ACT’s (Test prep!) SAT subject tests? Letters of recommendation

◦ Ask before end of school year◦ Common application requires counselor letter

Create list of potential schools and research Campus Visits

1. ACT questions tend to be more straightforward.SAT: What is your view of the claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value?ACT: In your view, should high schools become more tolerant of cheating?

The SAT has a stronger emphasis on vocabulary. The ACT tests more advanced math concepts. The ACT has a Science section, while the SAT does

not. The ACT Writing Test is optional on test day, but

required by many schools. Remember:

ACT-Achievement TestSAT-Aptitude Test

ACT ◦ 0-36 composite score

SAT ◦ 800 each section, total possible 2400

SAT math & critical reading used for admissions purposes

Some colleges use writing section as a placement tool

http://connection.naviance.com/garnetvalley

Guest Password: guidance Students register during Career

Development

Ask in person Request letter on Naviance

◦ Colleges tab◦ Colleges I’m applying to◦ Add/cancel teacher requests◦ Select teacher◦ Submit

Work on application as soon as it becomes available (August 1st)◦ Common Application◦ Individual school website

Essay

Revise/review college essay◦ English teacher, guidance counselor, parents ◦ Mechanical errors, grammatical, etc.

Take SAT’s again? ◦ October at GVHS (Register by first week

September) Add all colleges onto Naviance so that

transcript can be sent electronically

Check for letters of recommendation on Naviance

Stay organized◦ Keep track of deadlines

Complete applications, send SAT/ACT scores & submit pink sheets by Oct. 31st

3 Parts to the Application Process

1.Student submits their application Either via School Website OR Common

Application

2.Student sends SAT/ACT scores electronically to college

Act.org or collegeboard.org

3.Student completes “pink sheet” in guidance for each school after they have submitted their application

December Financial Aid Night FAFSA Jan. 1 Scholarships

Start early Stay organized Your counselors are here to help!