WELCOME TO COLLEGE PLANNING NIGHT!!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH, 2015

SEAFORD HIGH SCHOOL

TONIGHT’S AGENDA Introduction of special guests:

Mr. Joseph Benkert, Admissions Counselor, St. Joseph’s College

The college application review process, Mr. Benkert

Chronological preparation for life beyond Seaford High School (Grades 9-12)

Breakdown key elements to a college application (Guidance Staff)

Breakdown key factors in your college search

Discussion Action!!

More support/Future Plans

Next step….

Q & A

PLEASE WELCOME MR. BENKERT!!

THE HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

FRESHMAN YEAR ADJUST TO NEW

ENVIRONMENT ADAPT TO HIGH SCHOOL

STRUCTURE GAIN UNDERSTANDING OF

NEW TEACHING STYLES/METHODS

SEEK COMFORTABLE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (SPORTS/CLUBS/EMPLOYMENT)

DEVELOP RAPPORT WITH FACULTY AND STAFF

MAINTAIN FOCUS ON ACADEMICS/EVERYTHINGS COUNTS STARTING NOW!!

SOPHOMORE YEAR TAKE ACADEMIC RIGOR TO

THE NEXT LEVEL TAKE EXTRACURRICULAR

INVOLVEMENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL/SEEK LEADERSHIP ROLE

BEGIN DISCUSSING FUTURE PLANS (CAREERS/COLLEGE MAJOR/COLLEGE SEARCH/PSAT/ETC.)

MAKE STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN OVERALL ACADEMICS FROM FRESHMAN YEAR

THE EXPERIENCE CONTINUES…..

JUNIOR YEAR THEME OF YEAR:

RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!!!!

EXPAND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT (VOLUNTEER/EMPLOYMENT)

SECURE LEADERSHIP ROLE IN CLUB OR SPORT

CONTINUE PROGRESSION OF ACADEMIC CHALLENGES

PSAT/SAT/ACT FINAL YEAR TO IMPACT

TRANSCRIPT BEFORE COLLEGE VIEWS IT

SENIOR YEAR IMPLEMENT PLAN CREATED

DURING JUNIOR YEAR MAINTAIN ACADEMIC

STANDARDS TAKE SOLID SENIOR

COURSES/FILL SCHEDULE CHOOSE ELECTIVES RELATED

TO CAREER/MAJOR INTERESTS

LAST CHANCE TO IMPROVE SAT/ACT SCORES

ASK QUESTIONS…..

KEY FACTORS CONSIDERED BY COLLEGES FOR ACCEPTANCE

HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT SAT/ACT

ESSAY LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS

ACTIVITES RESUME

TRANSCRIPT DEFINED

Transcript- A permanent running record of a student’s academic performance throughout high school. It encompasses ALL completed courses and is updated every year.

Transcript- An academic glimpse a college representative will use to determine educational ability and preparation for an admissions decision.

TRANSCRIPT = #1 REGARDED PIECE OF INFORMATION FOR ADMISSIONS

Admissions Office ReviewINITIAL Decision- 3 years of accumulated high school work

(borderline decisions could require 3.5 years).OFFICIAL Decision- 4 years of accumulated high school work

and completion of graduation requirements.

“Avoid being a ‘GPA protector.’ Don’t play it safe by enrolling in easy classes. An effortless “A” is not as impressive as a hard-earned “B” or “C.” Taking challenging classes throughout high school — including senior year — shows the people reading your application that you’re serious about your education and that you’re ready to thrive in college.” – NY TIMES, 11/30/09“Don’t be deterred by one bad grade. Colleges understand if you have one grade that’s not reflective of your usual ability. Don’t stress. Refocus and work hard. What’s important is that you’re able to demonstrate that you’re getting back on track.”- NY TIMES, 11/30/09

SAT VS. ACT (JUNIORS AND JAN 1/16)

Critical Reading, Math, Writing

Three 800 point sections (total 2400)

Aptitude Test 3 hours 45 minutes (10

sections)

English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (Optional)

Four 36 point sections (Composite scoring)

Achievement Test 2 hours 55 minutes (4

sections + Writing)SAT Subject Test Achievement Tests

When should I take it? Who requires the Subject Test?

** www.fairtest.org - List of test optional schools **

ESSAY

1) Your essay will be most effective if you write about something that matters to you.

2) Use your own voice and sound like yourself. Don’t worry about making a special effort to include impressive vocabulary words or overly complex sentences.

3) Select topics that will give the reader an idea of who YOU are.

ESSAY….

4) Topic is less important than the connection you have to the topic.

o Excellent essays can be on common topics and weak essays can be on highly unusual topics.

5) Your perspective- the lens through which you view your topic- is far more important than the topic itself.

6) Proofread, proofread, proofread! Share your essay with at least one or two people who know you well- parent, teacher, counselor, or friend. Ask for feedback! Always retain your own voice, but others may catch an error.

ESSAY….

7) Possible suggestions for topics include:o Ethnicity and cultureo Family Situationso School and community events to which they

have had strong reactionso People who have influenced them/significant

experiences/intellectual interests/personal aspirations

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONWhat is a recommendation letter? A written reference

designed to offer information about a student’s character, ability, work ethic, etc.

How many recommendation letters should a student have? Typically, most colleges require at least one or two letters of recommendation.

Who can a student ask?1)Focus on major subject area teachers (Math, Science, English, Foreign Language & Social

Studies)2)Letters from the dept. of your major is

encouraged3)Can also ask Counselor, Coach, Advisor, Employer, Pastor/Rabbi

When should a student ask their teacher? Spring of Junior YearHow does a student request a letter of rec? Teacher Request Form/Naviance request. Details to follow in Junior Conferences!

ACTIVITIES RESUME

What is an Activities Resume- A detailed and thorough report explaining all extracurricular involvements.

Purpose- To demonstrate what interests you have and experiences you can bring to a college setting beyond academics.

Sample Categories- Clubs; Sports; Employment; Volunteer/Community Service; Accolades; Educational Conf.

Timeframe- Include all involvement in grades 9-12.

*HIGHLIGHT ALL LEADERSHIP ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES*

COLLEGE SEARCH PROCESS

3 SIMPLE QUESTIONS1) How far away from home do you want to

go? Commute vs. Dorm2) What environment/setting best fits your

interest? Urban vs. Suburban vs. Rural3) Size of student population? Bigger school = more opportunities/activitiesSmaller school = more interpersonal

relationships

COLLEGE SEARCH CONTINUED…

2 FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS1) Do you know your college Major?2) Are you determined to participate in

college athletics?

Answers to these 5 questions will immediately create a list of schools to be considered!

PLAN INTO ACTION (STUDENT)

Ways to expand your knowledge/research on a school of interest:

Call Admissions Office or Academic Department of interest

Speak to alumni or current students VISIT COLLEGE!!!!!!

Contact Undergraduate Admissions Office to

schedule: Information Session Guided Tour

PLAN INTO ACTION (COUNSELOR)

Ways to help students learn more about the college search process:

Naviance/Family Connections website Literature in College & Career Center Small group college visits with 10th &

11th grade students Counselor College Recruitment Trips College Representatives coming to

Seaford HS next Fall

SEAFORD GUIDANCE OFFICE COLLEGE PROGRAM

College Visitation ProgramSTUDENT: 2010-2011

Stony Brook University

STUDENT TRIPS….2011-2012

The College of New Jersey

STUDENT TRIPS….

2011-2012Monmouth University

STUDENT TRIPS….2012-2013

Molloy College

STUDENT TRIPS….

2013-2014Sacred Heart University

FUTURE COLLEGE VISITS

MORE SUPPORT/FUTURE PLANS….. Senior College Information Night, Fall 2014

o Applicationso Deadlineso And more…….

College and Career Center:o Added Computerso Student Workshops

1) College Search2) Naviance training3) Commonapp website training

Seasonal Guidance Newslettero Important deadlines, future programs, upcoming

events, and so much more

NEXT STEP…..

Set up a Junior Conference with your counselor!!

HOW: Print, complete and submit Junior College Planning Packet from school website (Guidance tab).

WHO: Student, Parent(s) and Counselor

WHEN: Conferences start in March

WHY: More personalized conversation about student’sspecific plans

GOODNIGHT!!!

Contact your child’s guidance counselor with questions!

Thank you for coming! Please drive home safely!