COLLEGE NIGHT

March 20, 2014

AGENDA

Starting your search ACT vs SAT College Visits Application (#’s, Types, Process) Naviance Letters of Recommendation Financial Aid Final Reminders

What are you looking for in a college?

Academic Programs / Major Location – rural, suburban, urban Size – small: 1,000-3,000; Medium: 3,000-

8,000; Large: 8,000-20,000; Extra Large: over 20,000

Facilities Religion Student Body Athletic / Talent Programs FIT ! Does it “feel” like a good fit?

What are colleges looking for in a student?

Academic Achievement (GPA) SAT/ACT scores Rigor of classes (H/AP) Senior Class Schedule (Maintain Rigor/Attendance) Extracurricular Activities-Commitment,

Leadership, Consistency Community Service Essays/Supplements Recommendation Letter(s) Interview (for some private colleges) Alumni of the university Special Talents

What matters to colleges?

“Scholastic Assessment Test”

Formerly “American College Testing”

3 Sections•Critical Reading•Math•Writing

5 Sections•English•Math•Reading•Science Reasoning•Writing (Optional, but not really)

Scores range from 200 – 800 in each section

Scores range from 1 – 36 in each section but COMPOSITE SCORE is average of all sections

1/4 –point penalty for wrong answers

No penalty for wrong answers

“Reasoning” based questions

“Curriculum” based questions

www.collegeboard.com www.act.org

Most colleges will acknowledge the student’s highest verbal score, highest math score and highest writing score, even if they were not taken on the same test date

Most colleges will look at highest COMPOSITE score – most do not mix and match section scores

Students will be able to select which scores they send to colleges by test date for the SAT and by individual test for the SAT Subject Tests

ACT reports, “ONLY the scores from the test date you designate, not any other test scores. This ensures that you direct the reporting of your scores.”

EXAMPLE SAT

March, 2014 650 Math, 590 Critical Reading, 640 Writing

May, 2013620 Math, 640 Critical Reading, 650 Writing

October, 2013590 Math, 590 Critical Reading, 600 Writing

* About ½ of colleges take the writing score into consideration

* SAT changing Class of 2016* Some colleges SCORE CHOICE

EXAMPLE ACT

February, 2014 April, 2014English – 28 English - 31Math – 24 Math - 27Reading – 32 Reading - 32Science – 24 Science - 27English/Writing – 28English/Writing - 30Composite – 27Composite – 29

Testing - SAT Some colleges will require that you send

ALL of your scores When you start to send your scores, you will

be able to see what each college requires.

Testing – SAT Subject Tests

Not all colleges require these tests, but those that do normally require 2 or 3

Research your prospective schools to see what they require

Test in areas in which you will do well English Literature, U.S. History, World

History, Math Level 1, Math Level 2, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Languages

SAT ACTMay 3, 2014 April 12, 2014June 7, 2014 June 14, 2014

ACT

Upcoming Test Dates

Importance of Visiting Colleges Spring Break is a great time to visit

colleges- students will be on campus Get a feel for the campus If possible, sign up for a tour– let the

school know that you are there! “Demonstrate Interest” – schools keep

track of any visits, tours, communication, etc. that you have with the school

Number of Applications 4-8 applications is reasonable Applications should include at least

one reach school, one safety school, and two target schools

To determine safety, target and reach, the student should compare her grade point average and SAT scores to the average statistics in the college’s “Freshman Class Profile” (information available on Naviance)

Number of Applications Applying to too many colleges can

complicate the final decision in April and May

College applications can also get very expensive ($25-$75 per application)

Doing research, being realistic and VISITING colleges can help narrow down your college list

Application Types

Every college has it’s own criteria and application requirements – BE SURE TO FIND OUT EACH SCHOOL’S REQUIREMENTS!

Different applications, supplements, deadlines, testing requirements, financial aid requirements, etc

Supplements are VERY IMPORTANT - Trying to differentiate applicants.

Application Types

Regular Decision Early Decision I (Usually Nov. 1 or Nov. 15)

Binding May only apply to ONE

Early Action (Usually Nov. 1 or Nov. 15) Non-binding Most allow more than one – check each

schools rules Rolling Admission

First come, first served Apply Early!!

Application Types

Common Application vs. School-specific Application Over 500 colleges and universities use the

Common App www.commonapp.org One application can be sent to multiple schools

Supplements to Common Application

Application Process About 99% of colleges accept the

application online About 90% of colleges will accept

transcript and recommendations online, through Naviance

The other 10% will need to be mailed via USPS

or completed through their own website.

(PENNSTATE, RUTGERS)

On-line Guidance program used for researching career options, exploring colleges, organizing applications, and sending information.

Statistics are from Villa students and graduates from the Class of 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

www.connection.naviance.com/villawalsh

USING NAVIANCE & The “NEW” CA4

Since our school uses Naviance to submit school forms. Applicants will need to submit the FERPA decision within the Common App account not their NAVIANCE account.

The FERPA questions is found w/i the “Assign Recommenders’ tab of the applications. There is a “release authorization’ link to click on in order to make your FERPA decision.

You must add at least one school (that you are applying to) on to your account.

The “New” Common Application

Why should you considering waiving your right of access?

Waiving your right lets colleges know that you will never try to read your recommendations.

If you do not waive your right, it can be perceived as though you have something to hide.

Some colleges may disregard recommendations because the recommender may not be willing to be candid.

THE “NEW” Common Application In order to begin the application

submission process, you must first have the following items completed:

All sections of the Common Application All of the College Questions Assign recommenders You will then be able to “MATCH” to

Naviance

A KEY NAVIANCE STEP

OFFICIAL NAME must match (Common App, College Application.

Register on commonapp.org, enter at least 1 college name and note USERNAME AND PASSWORD

In your NAVIANCE account>Colleges>”Colleges I am applying to” link, enter your email address to match your college information.

In your NAVIANCE account>Colleges>”Colleges I am applying to” add the colleges to which you are going to apply

Letters of Recommendations

Most colleges require 2 letters of recommendations from teachers and 1 from a guidance counselor

Letters DO NOT have to be from teachers of Junior year classes, but should be recent

Make sure the teacher knows you and can speak to your strengths to how you perform in their class

NEW THIS YEARSome colleges limited the amount of recommendations that can be sent (1

TEACHER)

TRANSCRIPT REQUEST

Submit a GREEN TRANSCRIPT form to GUIDANCE for each college you are applying to.

You will need to include: Deadline of Application Applying Early Action, Early Decision FORMS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED at least 2 weeks prior to deadline!

Letters of Recommendation

Brag Sheet Student Resume For now, begin thinking about

who you would like to write these letters for you

FINANCIAL AIDFAFSA CSS PROFILE

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

College Board aid application for about 200 private colleges

Used to determine FEDERAL Financial Aid

Used to determine NON-FEDERAL Financial Aid (institutional scholarships, grants, loans)

Cost is FREE! You are charged an application fee of $9, plus $16 for each college or scholarship program to which you want information sent.

The FAFSA can be submitted beginning on January 1 of your Senior year.

The CSS PROFILE can be submitted prior to January 1. CHECK EACH INDIVIDUAL COLLEGE FOR PROFILE DEADLINE!!

www.fafsa.ed.gov https://profileonline.collegeboard.com

FINANCIAL AID

Most private colleges require you to fill out both the FAFSA and the PROFILE.

Public colleges only require the FAFSA.

Each college sets a deadline by which you must file each of the forms- please check these deadlines over the summer to make sure you get them done on time!

Financial Aid

Family financial information is analyzed to come up with the EFC = Expected Family Contribution

EFC based on: Parents Income Parents Assets Student Income Student Assets # of family members # of children in college

Varsity Athletes If anyone is considering playing a varsity

sport in college, you must register and be cleared by the NCAA

www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org Being cleared takes time, so if you think

you might want to play, begin the process now

You will not be allowed to participate if you are not cleared through the NCAA

Recruiting regulations can also be found on this site

WHAT SHOULD WE DO NOW? Research and visit colleges Take SAT/ACT/Subject Tests Begin thinking about who you would like

to write your teacher letters of recommendations

Continue working hard without stressing.

Final Thought

The best school for a student is one that meets all of her academic, social and emotional needs-not the one that is the most competitive.

A student’s success in college is determined by how happy they are on campus and with the program.

Your daughter will get accepted into college!!

THANK YOU FOR COMING!

? QUESTIONS?