The ABC’s of CollegePlanning

Are You Ready?

This is Part Two of a Series

• Part Three- In early September, an evening on the college application process

• Part Four – In the fall, senior individual meetings

• Part Five - January Financial Aid night for the FAFSA

2014 Graduation Requirements

• 120 Credits• Required courses for graduation:

– 4 years of English, 4 years of History, 4 years of Physical Education, 3 years of Math, 3 years of Science, 1 year of Foreign Language, 1 year of visual & performing arts, 1 year of 21st Century Life and Careers including Instructional Technology, Financial Literacy

• Passing the HSPA

OPTIONS

• 4 YEAR COLLEGE• MILITARY ACADEMY• 2 YEAR SCHOOL• TECHNICAL SCHOOL• MILITARY• WORK

Types of Colleges & Universities

• Two-year Colleges• Colleges/Universities• Technical Institutes• Service Academies• Career Schools

Most Important Factors for College Acceptance

• The Transcript – by far the single most important document

• GPA• Test scores on the SAT or ACT • Activities and Community Service• The Essay

The Admission ProcessHow Admission Decisions Are Made

• Academic Record–Strength of course load–Overall performance from

grades 9-12–Overall grade point average

The Admission’s Process

• Honors & Awards • Extracurricular and Personal Activities• The College Essay• Personal Interview• Special Categories:

– Athletes, leaders, artists, musicians, geographically diverse students, economically and/educationally disadvantaged students.

Recommendati onsFrom Your Counselor

• College Resume• Senior Information Questionnaire

and Parent Brag Sheet

PSAT

• Excellent tool for SAT preparation• Gives each student a

comprehensive report outlining strengths and weaknesses

• Junior year PSAT scores enter students for the National Merit scholarship program

• “My Road”

Understanding Your

PSAT/NMSQT Results

4 Major Parts of Your PSAT/NMSQT Results

Your Scores

Your Skills

Your Answers

Critical Reading

Mathematics

Writing Skills

Next Steps

3 Test Sections

Websites

• www.collegeboard.org

• My College Quick Start for career tests, personality assessments, college majors, college search

My College QuickStart

Admission Process

• Standardized Tests:–SAT I–ACT–SAT II–TOEFL

SAT Application Information

• Ocean Township High School code – 311039• Test Center – 31-604• Testing Dates – Check registration deadlines

on web site• Photo ID required and must print out

admission ticket with photo on test day• Special Circumstances: Fee waivers, Sunday

testing, testing for students with disabilities

SATwww.collegeboard.org

• Test Dates• January 26, 2013• March 09, 2013• May 4, 2013• June 1, 2013

• Registration• December 28, 2012• February 08, 2013• April 5, 2013• May 2, 2013

The SAT

• Critical reading : analogies eliminated, short reading passages added to existing long reading passages.

• Math : math content expanded include topics from third year college prep math. Quantitative comparisons eliminated.

• Writing: multiple-choice questions on grammar and usage and student written essay

• National college admission examination that consists of tests in: English, Math, Reading, Science and an optional Writing test.

• What scores are reported: English (1-36), Math (1-36), Reading (1-36), Science (1-36), Writing (1-36)

• What colleges are looking for: highly selective 27-31, selective 22-27, traditional 20-23, liberal 18-21, open 17-20.

ACT ASSESSMENTWWW.ACTSTUDENT.ORG

ACT

• Test Dates• Feb. 09, 2013• April 13, 2013• June 08, 2013

• Registration • Jan 11, 2013• March 08, 2013• May 03, 2013

Act Test Dates

Schools that Do Not Require Test scores for Admission

Consideration

www.fairtest.org

It’s Time To Begin Your Search

CurriculumMajor

GeographicLocation

Setting Size

Student Body AdmissionPolicy

CampusLife

Athletes

SpecialPrograms

Services HousingOther

ImportantFactors

Cost

College Search Resources

• Naviance• Online resources and websites• College’s own website• College Fairs

Naviancehttp://connection.naviance.com/oceantwphs

Naviance Junior Parent Tutorial

College Fairs and Campus VisitsApril 22, 2013-College Fair @ Brookdale Community College

(200 college Representatives)

• Meet with college representatives at college fairs

• Visit the campus-open house

• Keep a campus profile page on each school

TYPES OF ADMISSIONS

• Rolling Admissions• Priority Deadlines• Early Action• Early Decision• Regular

Your Final List

• Reach schools - present an admission challenge

• Realistic schools - admission standards closely match your qualifications

• Foundation schools - your academic achievement exceeds the admission criteria

NCAA National Collegiate Athletic

Association

• The NCAA Clearinghouse will certify all athletes for division I & II

• An athlete needs to register the beginning of his or her senior year.

• An NCAA Guide and student release form are available on line at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net, www.eligibiltycenter.org

• Eligibility is based on courses completed, grades and quality points and an SAT/ACT score

Schedule For College PlanningFebruary/March

Begin to prepare a list of colleges to explorePrepare for the SAT’s using Naviance method test prepTake the SAT/ACT

AprilMake visits to campuses for tours, open houses, etc.Take an ACTAttend the Monmouth County college fair in April at Brookdale Community college-April 22, 2013

MayTake the SATRequest letters of recommendation from your teachers

Resume in Naviance

JuneAnother chance to take the SAT I or SAT IIContinue to visit schools, refine your list

This Summer: Do Something Productive

• Work, volunteer, study• If unhappy with the first SAT scores,

study using Naviance method test prep• Think about/write essays for the

college applications• Create a college resume-can do this on

Naviance

Ways Parents Can Be Helpful• Assess the financial and

academic possibilities upfront• Develop a thoughtful college

list• Visit colleges• Help keep track of deadlines.

Be positive, realistic and supportive

• Seek financial aid-services should be FREE. You should never be charged for FAFSA completion