Preparing for College Preparing for College ForumForum

Wednesday, August 27, 2014Wednesday, August 27, 2014Department of Department of

Guidance and CounselingGuidance and Counseling

The College Admission Process

A GUIDE TO YOUR FUTURE!

Socorro Independent School District Department of Guidance and Counseling

Congratulations! Graduation is just on the Horizon….Now What??

Dear College-Bound Student,Your hard work has not gone unnoticed! The following information will be invaluable to you as you begin your search for the college/university that best suites you. Although some of you may not be seniors today, beginning the research for what will be required of you really begins now. So get ready!!

Recommended College Entrance Requirements and Texas High School and SISD District Graduation Requirements

a. Social Studies 4 years requiredb. English 4 years requiredc. Mathematics 4 years requiredd. Science 4 years requirede. Foreign Language 2 years required, 3 years

recommended

f. Fine Arts 1 year requiredg. Speech/Health .5 & .5 each requiredh. Computer Technology 1 year requiredi. Physical Education 1.5 year requiredh. Electives 3.5 years required*i. Financial Literacy .5 & 3+ Endorsement Electives* For 2014-15 Freshman and

thereafter

College Admission Tests www.collegeboard.comSAT Reasoning Test – 3 hours and 45 minutes

Writing: 800 – Essay scored 1-12, multiple choiceMath: 800 – Multiple choice, student-produced,

response, up to Algebra IIVerbal: 800 – Sentence completion, passage-based reading

SAT Subject Tests – 1 hour per testMost colleges require 2 different subjects. For UT if you chose to take Math as one of your subjects, only Math Level 2 scores are accepted. The most selective colleges require 3 subjects.

College Admission Tests ACT--www.act.org

English/Writing: 36 – Usage/Mechanics, rhetorical skills, student produced essay

Math: 36 – Up to trigonometryReading: 36 – Social studies, natural sciences,

prose fiction, humanitiesScience: 36 – Data representation, research

summaries, conflicting viewpointsComposite Score is the average of your four test

scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. Test Length: 2 hours and 55 minutes (plus 30

min. optional writing test)

SAT Reasoning vs. ACTSAT ACT

Test

Sections

Critical Reading

Math

Writing

Reading Science

English Math

Writing (optional)

Time 3 hours, 45 minute s(including a 25 minute experimental section)

2 hours, 55 minutes (plus

30 minute optional writing test)

Scoring 3 scores of 200-800 for each test section

2 subscores of 20-80 for the writing multiple

choice section and 2-12 for the essay.

5 scores of 1-36 for each test section and the total composite. A score of 2-12 for the optional writing test.

Sending Scores If you take the SAT more than once your score history will be sent to schools.

If you take the more than once, you can choose which set of scores to send to schools.

Popularity

In the US

Popular with student s and schools on the East and West Coasts.

Popular with students and schools in the Mid-West and South.

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Freshmen/Sophomore – October• PSAT and if you plan on taking Advanced Placement courses.Juniors – Spring/Summer• SAT Reasoning (March or June, both if you are considering

EA/ED)• SAT Subject Tests (May)Seniors – Fall semester• SAT Reasoning (October, November, December)• SAT Subject Tests (October, November, December)• November – Last SAT scores accepted for EA/ED.• December – Last SAT scores accepted/December for Regular

Admission. Students are advised to take each SAT no more than 3

times.

What’s the Big Deal about SAT/ ACT?

TIP:Many colleges/universities use the SAT/ACT score to qualify students for specific scholarships. The higher your score, the more scholarship $$$ you may qualify for.

TIP:Use your ACT/SAT score reports wisely. ACT and the College Board have limits on the number of reports you can send without an additional fee.

College Searches Best Resources

• Guidance Counselor• Teachers• Family/Friends• College Fairs / Forums• www.bestcollegepicks.com• www.careercruising.com

Criteria to Consider– Affiliation– Academic Environment– Size– Community– Location– Housing– Student Body– Financial Aid– Support Services– Activities/Social Clubs– Athletics– Specialized Programs– Cost of Attendance x 4

Research!!!• Research, research, research the school

that you are applying to!

• Apply early… the closer to the end of the fall semester, the more work you have due!

• Know the university your parents, grandparents and siblings went to! Some universities offer Legacy Admissions.

Admission StrategyApply Broadly

– Reach: Your dream college (2)

– In-Reach: You meet the requirements (2)

– Safety: You exceed the requirements (2)TIP:

Look up the Student Profile information online for the college(s) you’re considering to see what the

scores/academic criteria was for an average student accepted the previous year.

Applying to CollegeWhat Schools Look At• Academic Record

– Rigorous Coursework – How many, how challenging, which ones• Grades

– Consistency or improvement• Class Rank• Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT)

– In terms of ranges• Out-of-Class Activities

– Depth of involvement – variety and how long– Initiative – leadership– Creativity, service or work

• Recommendations from educators/community members

Admission Options

Four year institutions generally offer the following admission options:

• Early Admission – A student of superior ability is admitted into college courses and programs before completing high school.

• Early Decision – A student declares a first-choice college, requests that the college they’ve decided on ensures his/her acceptance early, and then s/he agrees to enroll if accepted. This is a binding contract! Students must rescind other offers!

• Early Action – Similar to Early Decision, but if a student is accepted, he or she has until the regular admission deadline to decide whether or not to attend.

More Admission Options

• Regular Admission – This is the most common option offered to students. A deadline is set when all applications must be received, and all notifications are sent out at the same time.

• Rolling Admission – The college accepts students who meet the academic requirements on a first-come, first-served basis until it fills its freshman class. No strict application deadline is specified.

• Open Admission – Virtually all high school graduates are admitted, regardless of academic qualifications.

• Deferred Admission – An accepted student is allowed to postpone enrollment for a year.

ApplicationsParts of the College Application

– Application– SAT Reasoning or ACT scores– SAT Subject Test scores (usually math or

science)– Essay– Letters of Recommendation– Transcript– Portfolio/audition/highlight footage (optional)

Recommendation LettersGuidance Counselor Letters of Recommendation

– Nearly all colleges require a letter of recommendation from your high school guidance counselor

Educator Letters of Recommendation– Consider these questions before you decide on your

recommender:• How well does the educator know you?• Has the educator taught you for more than one course?• Has the educator sponsored an extracurricular activity in

which you made a contribution?• Do you get along with the educator?• Is the recommendation letter required/recommended from

a specific subject-area instructor?• If you declare an intended major, can you obtain a

recommendation letter from a teacher in that subject area?

More on RecommendationsWhat to provide your Recommender

– Request a recommendation letter at least 2 weeks in advance

– Provide the recommendation form and information about the college/university

– Provide a copy of your application– Provide a copy of your Academic Resume– Include an envelope addressed and

stamped

Academic ResumeWhat to include in your Academic

Resume– GPA– Honors/AP courses (taken and those in progress)– Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT)– Out-of-School Activities (offices, length,

contribution)– Awards/Recognition– Special Talents (sports, arts/music)– Jobs– Goals– Family background

UniversitiesMost Selective: Ivy League, Tier 1 private and public schools

Selective: Flagship State Schools

Less Selective: Local state universities and colleges

Application filing period: National application opening date: August 1

www.applytexas.org www.commonapp.org

TIP:Research each individual school

to find the opening date and deadline.

Admission Requirements

Application includes:– SAT Reasoning or ACT– SAT Subject Tests (optional—usually students will take 2

different subjects, and if you chose to take Math, you must take Math Level 2.)

– Personal Statement– Some select schools require an additional application to be

completed besides the common one. Please see your school’s website for their requirements.

Apply Online: www.applytexas.org www.commonapp.org

Application filing period: Research each individual school for specific deadlines.

Personal Statement

1,000 word limit (Two-200 word, One 600 word) While it is acceptable to receive feedback or helpful

suggestions, applicants’ personal statements should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone.

Avoid lists of accomplishments. Do not manufacture or “make-up” hardships. Think critically about your application’s content. Identify personal and academic experiences as worthy of

reflection and analysis. Give concrete examples to support your assertions or

opinions. Connect the issues raised by the application to the

responses provided in your personal statement. Think like an admissions reader.

Common Questions

• There are different examples of questions found at different universities for personal statements.

• Rationale: To identify students who would be a “good fit” at their school. Very selective schools would much rather accept a student in the top 25%ile than a top 5% student if they feel the student will adjust better at their school. Look at the question as their “picture” of you. Don’t be afraid to let your individuality stand out!

Sample Question 11. How have you taken advantage of the

educational opportunities you have had to prepare for college?

Rationale: The Universities look to enroll students who take initiative in pursuing their education (e.g. developing a special interest in science, language or the performing arts; or becoming involved in special programs such as IB, AP, Dual Credit or other similar programs). This question seeks to understand a student’s motivation and dedication to learning.

Sample Question 22. Tell us about a talent, experience,

contribution or personal quality you will bring to the University of your choice?

Rationale: Universities welcome the contributions to each student brings to the campus learning community. This question seeks to determine an applicant’s academic or creative interests and potential to contribute to the vitality of the University. (personal qualities)

Sample Question 3

3. Is there anything you would like us to know about you or your academic record that you have not had the opportunity to describe elsewhere in the application?

Rationale: This question seeks to give students the opportunity to share important aspects of their schooling or their lives—such as their personal circumstances, family experiences and opportunities that were or were not available at their school or college—which may not have been sufficiently addressed elsewhere, in the application.

Sample Question 44. How did you overcome any adversity

or difficult situation in your life. Rationale: Universities look at this

question to see your level of resiliency and how you handle difficult challenges or changes in your life. For obvious reasons…

Private CollegesCommon Application: 347 private universities and colleges use the

Common Application form exclusively. All give equal consideration to the Common Application and the college's own supplemental form.

Admission Requirements– Application– SAT Reasoning/ACT, some req. SAT Subject Tests– Essay– Teacher Recommendation– School Report– Midyear Report– Supplemental Forms

www.commonapp.org

Financial AidPublic Institutions: January 1st – March 2nd

– Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – www.fafsa.ed.gov

Private Institutions: FAFSA – www.fafsa.ed.gov– CSS/PROFILE – www.collegeboard.com

• Registrations accepted beginning October 1st.

• Application deadline is different for each college.

Texas Institutions: January 1st – March 2nd – Texas Grant – www.collegefortexans.com

ScholarshipsTypes of Scholarships

– National– Regional– Local– Institutional

Scholarship Board in Counseling Center– Scholarship Bulletin – scholarship listing that is distributed monthly

to all senior English classes– Scholarship Spotlight —scholarship that is highlighted weekly

through announcements – Senior E-mail distribution —scholarship and various college

information that is sent via e-mail to the senior classWeb Sites

– www.fastweb.com– www.collegeguidanceconsultants.com– www.collegeforalltexans.com – www.careercruising.com

Continue with your high academic endeavors… becauseyour future looks bright! Good Luck!your future looks bright!

Good Luck!