COLLEGE PLANNING What you need to know about the college admission process

COLLEGES NTHS CLASS OF 2015Anna Maria College

Assumption College Becker College Berkeley College Central CT State University (CCSU) Eastern CT State University (ECSU) Elms College Embry-Riddle University Fitchburg State University Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Gordon College Johnson and Wales University (JWU) Manchester Community College (MCC) Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Mount Ida College

New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) Plymouth State University Post University Russell Sage College School of Visual Arts (SVA) Southern CT State University (SCSU) Stony Brook University Three Rivers Community College (TRCC) Trine University University of Bridgeport University of Connecticut/Avery Point (UCONN) University of Connecticut/Storrs (UCONN) University of Hartford (UHA/UHart) University of Maine University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) University of Saint Joseph University of Southern Maine

SIMPLIFY THE COLLEGE PLANNING PROCESS

1. Make High School Count2. Explore College Options3. Understand Admission Factors – You

must READ and pay attention to deadlines

College opportunities exist for everyone. These steps can help simplify the planning process:

MAKING HIGH SCHOOL COUNT

MAKING HIGH SCHOOL COUNT

Work hard academically! Rigor Matters

Your high school academic record is one of the most important factors in college admission. Colleges will look at a few aspects:

•Course selection: Challenge yourself with a rigorous course load and high-level classes, including honors courses.•Grades: Every year counts, starting with freshman year.•GPA trends: Keep improving through every grade.•Class rank

Make High School Count

GET INVOLVED

School Athletics

Community

Work

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME WITH YOUR COUNSELOR College application season is an especially busy time for high school counselors. You can help your counselor help you by staying on top of the application process. Here’s how.

Be early. If you start doing tasks — researching colleges, collecting ideas for application essays, making requests for recommendation letters — well ahead of time, you’ll make it easier for your counselor to give you timely answers when you need help.

Be organized. Figure out a system for keeping track of application components and deadlines yourself. Read Applying to College: FAQs for tips.

Be responsible. Your counselor can help in many ways, but this is your project and your responsibility. It’s up to you to ask your counselor for the help you need. Schedule appointments when you need to talk to him or her.

Be prepared. When you do meet with your counselor, have a list of questions ready and know what you want to discuss

PARENT’S ROLE: FINDING THE BALANCESupport and encouragement through the high school to college transition process

College Admission Requirements and the Parent's Role

Ultimately, it is the student’s journey!

EXPLORE COLLEGE OPTIONS

WHAT CAN HIGHER EDUCATION LOOK LIKE?

•2 year• Associate’s Degree• Transfer Compacts/Dual Enrollment/TAP• Certificate Programs

•4 year• Bachelor Degree

•Technical

•On the job training• Apprenticeship• Professional Development

WHAT TO CONSIDERSize and diversity of student body

Location

Academic programs

Campus life — athletics, activities, housing

Graduation and retention rates

Financial aid and scholarship opportunities

Above all, think about where you will be the most happy and successful in your college life.

Explore College Options

WHICH COLLEGES ARE RIGHT FOR YOU?

BIG FUTURE

Explore College Options

VISIT CAMPUSES

Take a campus tour.

Speak with an admission counselor.

Ask about financial aid opportunities.

Sit in on a class of interest.

Read the student newspaper.

Talk to students and faculty.

Get to know a school from the inside:

Explore College Options

UNDERSTAND ADMISSION

FACTORS

PARENT’S ROLE: FERPA In sum . . . College parents often feel frustrated by FERPA regulations. They feel that they need, and should have, access to student information. Once a student turns eighteen, or attends school beyond secondary school, the rights of access to the student’s records transfer to the student. This means that all academic information regarding your college student goes directly to the student unless the student has given specific, written permission to release that information to someone else

College parents need to remember that college students are working toward increased independence and responsibility.

Suggestion: increase communication between college parents and college students will make the experience go smoothly for everyone.

WHAT COLLEGES CONSIDERPrimary Factors

Quality/Rigor of Academic Courses

Academic Performance/ Grades

Test Scores (SAT, ACT, ACCUPLACER etc.)*Test optional schools

Additional Factors

Extracurricular Activities

Essay(s)Letters of Recommendation

Demonstrated Interest

Understand Admission

Factors

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Positive recommendations from educators and mentors

Personal statement and essay(s) demonstrating writing ability and self-expression

A “demonstrated interest” that shows your enthusiasm for the colleges to which you’re applying

Extracurricular activities, including participation and leadership in sports, performing/visual arts, volunteering, etc.

Community involvement, part-time work or internship

Interview or portfolio (if applicable)

Understand Admission

Factors

REDESIGNED SATYou might be surprised by everything that’s new about the new SAT:

All-new essay — and it’s optional

No penalty for guessing

No vocab that you’ll never use again

Partnership with Khan Academy

ALL JUNIORS TAKE IN MARCH without writing portion If students need writing for their

college of choice, retake in later spring or fall of senior year

Quick Facts

4 parts: Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and the optional SAT Essay

400–1600 score scale

3 hours and 50 minutes with the SAT Essay — or 3 hours without it

4 answer choices

4 college application fee waivers for every student who uses an SAT fee waiver

ACT: CONTENT-BASED TESTest     Content

English 75 questions45 minut

esMeasures standard written English and rhetorical skills.

Mathematics 60 questions60 minut

es

Measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12.

Reading 40 questions35 minut

esMeasures reading comprehension.

Science 40 questions35 minut

es

Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.

Optional Writing Test

1 prompt40

minutes

Measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.

GETTING READY FOR STANDARDIZED TESTING

Select challenging high school courses.

Read widely and write extensively, both in and out of school.

Take the PSAT/NMSQT® as a sophomore or junior.

Become familiar with SAT and ACT question types, format, directions and test taking strategies.

Take advantage of free resources at sat.collegeboard.org or actstudent.org

Learn About the

SAT

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR STANDARDIZED TESTING? SAT registration

ACT registration

GET ORGANIZED AND APPLY

Narrow and categorize your choices: “More than likely” schools (1 or 2): Safety School “Good match” schools (2 to 4): Target School “Reach” schools (1 or 2)

Review scholarship and financial aid requirements.

Revise application essays and share drafts with a trusted teacher, adviser or family member.

Ask for recommendations and set firm dates for their completion.

Request transcripts and schedule interviews, if needed.

SCHOLARSHIPS

www.fastweb.com

http://www.college-scholarships.com/

http://www.collegeaffordabilityguide.org/

http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/financial-aid/financial-aid-for-online-colleges/

COLLEGE PLANNING RECAP

Remember: College opportunities exist for everyone! Start thinking about it early! Simplify the planning process:Make high school count!Explore college options.Understand admission factors.

For more college tools and guidance, visitNorwich Tech Guidance Page

Norwich Tech Google Classroom Page

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