spring valley high school college night. college decisions, decisions, decisions

Spring Valley High School College Night

COLLEGE

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

LOCATED IN GUIDANCErefer to the “Navigator” for more information

www.richland2.org/schools/svh/

Accessing Naviance!You will be given your

access code to register!

Connection.naviance.com/springvhs

Naviance Resources!

Research Colleges & Scholarships

Identify careers & Clusters

Test scores & resume assistance

Finding The Perfect Fit

Two questions to be answered

What are schools looking for in a prospective student?

What should a prospective student look for in a college?

CATEGORIES OF ADMISSION SELECTIVITY

“It’s hard for kids to get into colleges because they only want to get into colleges that are hard to get into.”

Bill Mayher

Students Should Apply To:

2 to 3 Safe Schools

1 to 2 Competitive Schools

1 to 2 Dream Schools

“SUPER-SELECTIVE COLLEGES”

Examples: Harvard, Cal Tech, Stanford, Princeton, Brown, Yale, MIT, Dartmouth, Amherst College, Cornell, Boston Univ.

20% or fewer accepted

>95% in top 10% of high school class

Mid 50% score: 1390+ on the SAT (Critical Reading & Math) or 30+ on the ACT

Harvard UniversityHarvard University

2011/12 APPLIED – 34,2852011/12 APPLIED – 34,285

ADMITTED – 2,032ADMITTED – 2,032AVE. SAT SCORE – 1490-1590 AVE. SAT SCORE – 1490-1590 AVE. ACT- 31-36AVE. ACT- 31-36

2012-2013 tuition/fees/room/board: $53,1002012-2013 tuition/fees/room/board: $53,100

10,265 full time students, 14 part time10,265 full time students, 14 part time

HS Rank: 95% top tenth;100% top quarter;100% top halfHS Rank: 95% top tenth;100% top quarter;100% top half

Retention Rate: 98%Retention Rate: 98%

Graduation Rate (6 years): 98%Graduation Rate (6 years): 98%

Harvard


Harvard

Most Popular MajorsMost Popular Majors

49% Social Sciences/History49% Social Sciences/History 13% Biological/life sciences13% Biological/life sciences 7% Psychology7% Psychology 5% English5% English 5% Foreign Languages5% Foreign Languages 5% Physical Sciences5% Physical Sciences

“HIGHLY SELECTIVE COLLEGES”

Examples: Duke, Davidson, Ga Tech., Wake Forest, UNC-Chapel Hill, Furman, Wofford, Emory


Rank in the top 20% of high school class


Furman UniversityFurman University

2012/13 APPLIED – 6,0002012/13 APPLIED – 6,000

ADMITTED - 3080ADMITTED - 3080AVE. SAT SCORE - 1275 – 1370AVE. SAT SCORE - 1275 – 1370AVE. ACT- 27-30AVE. ACT- 27-30



HS Rank: 58% top tenth; 85% top quarter; 96% top halfHS Rank: 58% top tenth; 85% top quarter; 96% top half



Furman University


Furman University


23% History/Social Sciences23% History/Social Sciences 15% Business 15% Business 7% Communications7% Communications 7% Foreign Languages7% Foreign Languages 8% Visual/Performing Arts8% Visual/Performing Arts 6% Biology6% Biology 6% Physical Sciences6% Physical Sciences 5% English5% English 6% Parks/Recreation6% Parks/Recreation

Clemson UniversityClemson University

2011/12 APPLIED – 16,8652011/12 APPLIED – 16,865

ADMITTED – 9,724ADMITTED – 9,724AVE. SAT SCORE - 1130 – 1330AVE. SAT SCORE - 1130 – 1330AVE. ACT- 28-30AVE. ACT- 28-30




Retention Rate: 90.5%Retention Rate: 90.5%


ClemsonClemson


Clemson


18% Business18% Business 16% Engineering16% Engineering 9% Education9% Education 9% Biology9% Biology 8% History/Social Sciences8% History/Social Sciences 7% Health Professions7% Health Professions 5% Architecture5% Architecture 5% English5% English 5% Psychology5% Psychology

“SELECTIVE COLLEGES”

Examples: UGA, USC-Columbia, Spelman, Florida State, NC State, Presbyterian College, Va. Tech.




USC- ColumbiaUSC- Columbia

2010/11 APPLIED – 21,3112010/11 APPLIED – 21,311





USC - Columbia




USC- Columbia


27% Business27% Business 12% Social Sciences/History12% Social Sciences/History 7% Communications7% Communications 6% Parks/Recreation6% Parks/Recreation 5% Health Professions 5% Health Professions 5% Visual/Performing Arts5% Visual/Performing Arts 6% Biology/Life Sciences6% Biology/Life Sciences 6% Psychology6% Psychology 5% Engineering5% Engineering

College of CharlestonCollege of Charleston

2011/12 APPLIED – 11,2802011/12 APPLIED – 11,280

ADMITTED – 7,896ADMITTED – 7,896AVE. SAT SCORE - 1120 – 1280AVE. SAT SCORE - 1120 – 1280

AVE. ACT- 22-26AVE. ACT- 22-26






College of Charleston


College of Charleston


24% Business24% Business

14% History/Social Sciences14% History/Social Sciences

13% Communications13% Communications

10% Biology10% Biology

9% Visual/Performing Arts9% Visual/Performing Arts

8% Education8% Education

7% Psychology7% Psychology

“TRADITIONAL COLLEGES”

Examples: App. State, Anderson, Coastal Carolina, The Citadel, Claflin, Francis Marion, Converse

Up to 75% accepted



Winthrop UniversityWinthrop University

2011/12 APPLIED - 4,5112011/12 APPLIED - 4,511







Winthrop UniversityWinthrop University


Winthrop University


22% Business22% Business 17% Education17% Education 12% Visual/Performing Arts12% Visual/Performing Arts 11% Social Sciences/History11% Social Sciences/History 8% Psychology8% Psychology 7% Biology7% Biology 7% Communications7% Communications

Claflin UniversityClaflin University

2011/12 APPLIED – 4,2042011/12 APPLIED – 4,204

ADMITTED – 1,453ADMITTED – 1,453AVE. SAT SCORE - 770 – 990AVE. SAT SCORE - 770 – 990AVE. ACT SCORE- 16-21AVE. ACT SCORE- 16-21


1831 full time students, 79 part time1831 full time students, 79 part time




Claflin University


Claflin University


15% Criminal Justice15% Criminal Justice 15% Organizational Behavior 15% Organizational Behavior

StudiesStudies 15% Sociology15% Sociology 9% Communications9% Communications 8% Business8% Business

“OPEN COLLEGES”

Examples: USC- Beaufort, Benedict, Shaw, Full Sail

Up to 95% accepted

Rank in the lower 40% of high school class

Scores: below 800 on the SAT (Critical Reading & Math) or below 19 on the ACT

Caution: you get accepted, you pay, but your classes may not be for credit

WHAT DO COLLEGES LOOK AT?

ACADEMIC RECORD– Grades– Class Rank– Rigor of curriculum

STANDARIZED TEST SCORES

ENGAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM– Extracurricular activities– Community service– Work experience

WHAT DO COLLEGES LOOK AT?

PERSONAL QUALITIES– Counselor/ Teacher letters of recommendation– Essays– Interviews

HOOKS AND INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITIES– Legacy– Underrepresented race or ethnicity– Socioeconomic and geographic background– Donation potential– Recruited Athlete status– Exceptional talent

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

First, ask the person if they would write you a recommendation and give them sufficient time to complete it.

Provide a copy of your resume to the person who is writing your recommendation.

If sending separately, be sure to give the teacher an addressed, stamped envelope and a date that the letter is to be mailed.

Check with them periodically. Let your counselor know who will be writing a

letter of recommendation for you.

ESSAY

The essay is important for three major reasons:– 1) It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your

communication skills.

– 2) It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person.

– 3) It gives the student the opportunity to share something about themselves that the admissions counselor can not glean from the application.

SAMPLE ESSAY QUESTIONS

Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and

describe that influence.- Common Application

If you could recommend one work of fiction for your classmates, what would you ask them to read and contemplate?- UNC

Write an essay that conveys to the readers a sense of who you are.- Columbia University

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.- Common Application

ESSAY

DO

Keep your focus narrow and personal

Address the prompt

Be specific

Edit, Edit, Edit

DON’T

Don’t write a resume

Don’t tell your readers what they want to hear

Don’t use 50 words when 5 will do

Don’t forget to edit!

Finding What FitsSome Questions To Ask Yourself

What are my academic interests? What kind of student am I? How do I learn best? What activities outside of class matter most to me? How important is prestige to me? Do I want a diverse college? What kind of social and cultural environment would I

like best? Where do I want to live for the next four years?

WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR IN A COLLEGE?

Academic reputation Size of school Geographical location Selectivity of school

– 2-3 safe, 1-2 competitive, 1-2 dream

Financial aid availability Academic program availability Student body population Social atmosphere

COLLEGE VISIT STEPS

1. Research the college.

2. Read the campus newspaper available through Internet.

3. Call admissions at least 2 weeks in advance: arrange a time when students are on campus, arrange a tour, visit the dorms, arrange to meet with faculty member in the department of your intended major and financial aid officer (ask for merit deadlines, financial aid deadlines differ from admission deadlines). Follow up phone calls with written confirmation (always try to talk with the same person, build a relationship).

COLLEGE VISIT STEPS

4. Have lunch in the student union, walk through the library, sit on a bench and watch students walk by.

5. Sit in a class.6. Stay overnight in a dorm with a student.7. Ask students what they like best about

the campus and what they would change.8. Explore the nearest towns and

transportation options. 9. Write a Thank you note.

QUESTIONS TO ASK

What percent of the classes are taught by graduate assistants?

What is the placement record for graduates?

What percent of the students return after their freshman year?

What is unique about the campus?What percent graduate in 4 or 5 years?How safe is the campus?

DIFFERENT ADMISSION TYPES

Early Admissions: matriculate before graduating from high school

Early Action: apply and notified well in advance of regular date, not committed

Early Decision: apply and notified well in advance w/out financial information, if accepted must withdraw other applications

Deferred Entrance: postpone enrollment

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

ALL applications and scholarships are to be sent from guidance.

Transcript information will be attached and the application is checked for completeness.

We cannot give you an official transcript, only an unofficial one.

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Turn into guidance at least 5 working days before postmark deadline.

Attach a business-size envelope addressed to the school with 3 or more stamps.

$2.00 processing fee for each official transcript (fee waived for students on free or reduced lunch) Cash or check made payable to SVHS.

ON-LINE APPLICATION PROCESS

Turn in a written request for a transcript (with your name on it) to guidance at least 5 working days before postmark deadline.

Attach a business size envelope addressed to the school with 2 stamps.

$2.00 processing fee for each official transcript (Cash or check made payable to SVHS).

PSAT & PLAN

• PSAT (pre-SAT): students will take this test in 10th. 11th Students will need to sign up and pay a fee in Sept. (test in Oct.)

• PLAN (pre-ACT): will be given to students in 10th grade need to sign up and pay a fee in Sept. (test in Oct.)

Tests Seniors Should Consider Taking

• COMPASS• ASVAB• TOEFL• SAT• ACT• SAT II

SAT OR ACT?????

Must have completed Algebra 2

Apply on-line or come to guidance for a packet (Complete on your own. It

does not have to come through guidance.)

SAT ACT

Sections MathCritical ReadingWriting

MathReadingEnglishScienceOptional Essay

Scoring Each section 200-800Max. 2400Essay 2-12

Each section1-36Max 36Essay 2-12

Test Length 3hrs and 45 minutes

3hrs and 45 min. w/essay

Essay Required part of testEssay written at start25 minutes

Optional part of testEssay written at the end30 minutes

What’s the Difference SAT

ACTFormat Multiple choice & some

completion for mathMultiple choice only

Question order Questions presented in order of difficulty within each section

Questions randomly ordered within each section

Scoring Basis Random guessing PENALIZED

NO PENALTY for random guessing

Online info. www.collegeboard.com www.act.org

SAT DatesRegular Deadline

Sept 7

Oct 4

Nov 1

Dec 28

Feb 8

April 5

May 2

Late Deadline

Sept 21

Oct 19

Nov 16

Jan 11

Feb 22

Apr 19

May 17

Test Date

Oct 6

Nov 3

Dec 1

Jan 26

Mar 9

May 4

June 1

SAT SCORES

Critical Reading Math Writing Total

April 10 620 560 1170Sept 11 600 640 1240Dec 11 630 620 650 1250/1900

Best combined score= 1270

SAT Subject Tests

• Check with each school to see what is required.

• Take subject test immediately after completing the course.

ACT DatesRegular Deadline

Aug 17

Sept 21

Nov 2

Jan 11

Mar 8

May 3

Late Deadline

Aug 24

Oct 5

Nov 16

Jan 18

Mar 22

May 17

Test Date

Sept 8

Oct 27

Dec 8

Feb 9

Apr 13

June 8

ACTTWO OPTIONS

Sign up for:

ACT

OR

ACT plus writing (recommended)

ACADEMIC COMMON MARKET

• Students who are interested in a field of study not offered by any college or university in South Carolina can attend a college within the region and pay in-state tuition.

• www.sreb.org/programs/acm/acmindex.aspx

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