Transcript Senior College Night Presentation

Senior College
Information Night
October 9, 2012
Guidance Department
Tracey Pirozzolo (Grades 10-12)
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[email protected]
776-6100 ext 1140
Kevin Barber (Grades 7-9)
 [email protected]
 776-6100 ext 1142
Are SAT/ACT tests required?
 Standardized
tests are not required at
every school.
 Not required for admission to most
community colleges but may be required
to be considered for scholarships at that
college
 Some four year schools are test optional
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Ithaca, SUNY Potsdam, Nazareth…
Standardized Tests
 SAT
1: Reasoning Test
 SAT 2: Subject Tests
 ACT
 Typically taken in Spring of Junior Year,
and/or Fall of Senior Year
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Next SAT: December 1 (register by Nov. 1)
Next ACT December 8 (register by Nov 2)
 Verify
requirements with admissions at
each school you are considering
SAT 1: Reasoning Test
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Traditional College Entrance Exam
Register at www.collegeboard.com
3 hours, 35 minutes
3 Sections: Critical Reading, Math, Writing
Each section is worth 800 points
Most schools look at Reading and Math only
Cost: $48.00
Next test: Dec 1, register by Nov 1st or late
register by November 16
 January 26th exam, register by December 28
PSAT
 Go
back and review your PSAT scores
and the suggestions that were given to
you on how to improve.
 If anyone needs an additional copy of your
scores- I have them in the guidance office
 Remember to review MyCollegeQuickStart
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College and Career Planning Kit- customized
based on your interests
SAT 2: Subject Tests
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Required at Highly Selective Colleges
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Check with the Admissions Office if you are unsure
Tests are offered in the areas of: Math, English,
US History, World History, French, Spanish,
Chemistry, and Biology.
Best to take these immediately following the
class
Cannot be taken on the same day as the SAT 1
One hour long each, can take up to 3 in one day
Register at www.collegeboard.com
Score Choice
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Gives you the option to choose which scores (by test
date) you would like to send.
 Sign up for when you are registering.
 Can select 4 schools to send your scores to for free.
 If you do not sign up for score choice you will have to
request your scores are sent for a fee of $9.00 per
school.
 We also put whichever scores you would like on your
transcript when we send it to the colleges you apply to.
 Most colleges are fine with this method, however some
may require that the scores come directly from
collegeboard
ACT
 Register
at www.actstudent.org
 Cost: $35.00
 Next test: December 8, register by Nov 2
 Measure achievement in: Math, English,
Reading and Science
 Score- ranges from 1-36
 ACT Composite- average score of all four
subtest areas.
New for 2012-2013
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Photos will now be required to register for the SAT and
ACT
 SAT- Beginning with the March test administration
 ACT- Requires photos now
 Can be uploaded from the web, an IPhone, IPod touch,
any Android mobile device
 We will have the capability once we get school photos
back
 Done to ensure the integrity of the test
 If someone does not have access they can mail a photo
to ACT
Fee Waivers
 Are
available for SAT, ACT and College
Applications
 Please see me if you are interested
 There are many ways to qualify
including…
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Free or reduced lunch
Visit schools when they are here at PB
Going on a campus visit
How to Apply
 www.commonapp.org
 www.suny.edu
 At
the website of the prospective college
 Often colleges will give out applications
with the fee waived if you visit in person or
visit when they come to the guidance
office
Admission Criteria
 How
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are applicants evaluated?
Strength of high school academics
GPA/ Class Rank
SAT/ACT scores
Extra curricular Activities
Letters of Recommendation
Essay
Appearance of Application
Did it arrive on time?
Admission Terms
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Early Action: Students apply early and receive a
decision well in advance of the regular date. Non
binding
 Early Decision: Students make a commitment to
a 1st choice institution. If they are admitted they
will definitely enroll. Deadline usually Nov. 15th
 Regular Decision: submit application by a
specified date (usually Jan 1 or 15)
 Rolling Admissions: Application accepted and
reviewed as they are received.
Selecting A College
 Try
to narrow it down to 5-6 Schools
 Have one “Reach” School
 Three – Four “Likely” Schools that are a
good match academically and otherwise)
 One – Two “Safety” Schools
Selecting a College
 Begin
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by comparing 6 main points:
Academic Programs: do they have what you
are interested in? Strength of program?
Location
School Size
Setting (Rural, Suburban or Urban)
Living Conditions (dorms, apartments)
Athletic Programs, Other Facilities (Pool,
Performing Arts Center, etc)
Selecting a College
 Do
not make cost a factor in your initial
search. Wait and see what they offer you
in terms of a financial package.
Going on A College Visit
 Call Admissions
Office- set up a visit in
advance
 Bring copy of your transcript
 Sit in on a class
 Eat in the Dining Hall
 Have a list of questions ready to ask
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(see list in packet)
Be prepared for questions they may ask you
College Visitation
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Talk with students on campus
Send a Thank you to the Admissions counselor that you
met with.
You may not want to interview at your top choice first. Go
somewhere else first to get experience interviewing first
Some colleges may waive your application fee if you go
on an interview
Attend Fall or Spring Open Houses
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Usually require advance registration
More formalized program
Writing the College Essay
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Evaluated on 3 Main Parts:
Ability to use written English correctly
including grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Content, substance and depth of insight
Creativity and Originality
Do’s and Don’ts for Your Essay
 Adapted
from Peterson’s Best College
Admission Essays:
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Be interesting but more importantly, be
yourself
Strive for quality not quantity. Be concise and
stay positive
Stick to your topic
Write about something you feel strongly
about, a life changing event or a significant
person who has influenced you.
The College Essay
 Make
sure you have the correct college
name on your essay.
 Edit and revise several times.
 Have a parent, teacher or counselor
proofread
 Keep a copy for your records
Financial Aid
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Apply for a PIN # to complete your FAFSA online at
www.pin.ed.gov
Starting January 1, complete FAFSA (Free Application
for Federal Student Aid) online www.fafsa.ed.gov
Usually FAFSA is due by February 15th but check with
each college you are applying to
Link now when doing income taxes that will submit info
to the FAFSA if you choose.
Do not pay to file the FAFSA
CSS Profile
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Used by private institutions
Check deadlines
Can apply at www.collegeboard.com
Net Price Calculator
 Every
college is now required to post this
on their website
 Provides an estimate of what aid you
might qualify for
 Planning tool only, not an application for
financial aid
Financial Aid Upcoming Events
Financial Aid Seminar –
October/November at the College Fair
 Attend Financial Aid Night- December at
PB High School
 Attend Financial Aid Days –
January/February at area colleges
 Attend
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These are open to anyone regardless of
where you plan on applying or attending
Financial Aid Websites
 www.fafsa.gov
 www.zinch.com
 www.cappex.com
 www.meritaid.com
 www.finaid.org
 www.hesc.org
 www.studentaid2.gov
Scholarship Websites
 www.fastweb.com
 www.zinch.com
 www.scholarships.com
 www.nationalmerit.com
 www.collegenet.com
 www.scholarshipworkshop.com
 www.collegeanswer.com
 www.collegescholarship.com
NAVIANCE
 www.connection.naviance.com/pbshs
 Helps
manage, prepare and send
recommendations electronically
 Families are able to view when materials
have been submitted to colleges
 Teachers submit and store letters
electronically
General Timeline
 September/October/November
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- take SAT/ACT’s
Attend Open Houses
Begin to organize activities, create common
app account
Apply Early Action if doing so
General Timeline
 December
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Aim to have college applications in by
Christmas break
Attend Financial Aid night
January
• Apply for PIN #
• Fill out Financial Aid
• Attend Financial Aid day (at CCC) if neccesary
 February…some
schools require housing
deposit (OCC, MCC)
 March.. Begin receiving replies.
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Do last round of visits
April.. Will have received financial award
letters
May- submit deposit by May 1st usually
June- request final transcripts be sent
Other College Related Websites
 www.suny.edu
 www.Commonapp.org
 www.collegenet.com
 www.nymentor.edu
 www.nycolleges.org
 www.petersons.com
 www.nacacnet.org
NCAA
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Register at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net if
interested in playing at a Division 1 or Division 2
college
Typically done in Spring of Junior year
Have your coach send a letter to the coach of
the college you are interested in.
Fill out an online athletic questionnaire at the
website of the school you are interested in.
Prepare a DVD of your highlights
Prepare an athletic resume
Recommendations
 Colleges
will usually ask you to provide at
least two letters of recommendation.
 Ask your teachers early
 Cover sheet in guidance office.
 Turn in to us when completed.
 Give teachers a copy of your activity
sheet.
Good Luck!!