Transcript Document
Central Senior High School College Planning Night January 14
th
, 2015
An Overview of tonight’s presentation:
College Planning Checklist
Testing Information
The College Search
Where have 2014 Central graduates gone to college?
How parents/guardians can help: What’s your role?
Useful Resources
Throughout High School
Take rigorous academic courses (core areas and foreign language)
Read as much as possible
Plan summer “experiences”
Create a folder for college materials
Attend college fairs
Visit 1-2 colleges during the summer and/or during breaks
Participate in extracurricular activities and take on leadership roles
Develop good study habits including: note taking; revising written work; test taking skills; and a daily homework schedule.
Junior Year Checklist
What’s your academic plan for high school?
Do you have the classes you need?
Are you on track to graduate?
Take the PSAT/NMSQT on October 14 th , 2015
Attend local/regional college fairs – MN National College Fair is September (dates TBA)
Establish personal interests and college “must haves”
Begin ACT/SAT test preparation, take Tuesday, April 28 th in school
Attend college representatives’ visits at Central High School
Research programs and career services at prospective schools
Develop a Resume
Visit college campuses
Senior Year Checklist
•
Meet with college representatives at Central
•
Arrange college campus visits
•
Attend the MN National College Fair: September (TBA)
•
Update your resume
•
Study and retake SAT & ACT tests in early Fall (optional)
•
Request recommendation letters if needed
•
Finalize college application list: essays; forms; recommendations; etc.
Recommended In Preparation Of College
English
Mathematics Sciences Social Studies Additional Courses
Four years of English
Three to four years of mathematics, including rigorous courses in Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II Three to four years of science, including rigorous courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics Three years of social studies Some colleges/universities require other classes as prerequisites for admission including: two or more years of the same foreign language or courses in fine arts or computer science, etc.
* Specific high school course requirements vary by institution. Be sure to check with the schools you’re interested in to see what they recommend or require. * University of Minnesota: For student seeking admission fall 2015 and thereafter: Four years, including intermediate algebra, geometry, and algebra 2. Examples of 4 th year math include calculus (preferred), pre-calculus, or analysis. For more information refer to the University of Minnesota website.
Become familiar with the “alphabet soup” of testing
PSAT
– a practice test for the SAT and the only way to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program
ACT
– college entrance test taken by an estimated 98% or more of CHS students
SAT
– college entrance test taken by some students, usually those applying to East Coast and highly selective schools.
SAT Subject Tests
– specialized 1 hour tests in specific subjects, required by some highly selective schools.
College Entrance Exams
ACT & SAT: counselors recommend taking these in the spring of junior year.
SPPS will be offering this to all juniors on Tuesday, April 28 th at no charge, no preregistration needed.
(Additional testing is available fall of senior year if needed.)
Most colleges now require you to have the testing company send your test results directly to the college.
Accuplacer: used at community and technical college assessment is online.
(offered here at Central to Seniors in Nov., online)
Naviance ACT PrepMe
Free ACT Prep on Naviance under PrepMe www.connection.naviance.com/chsstp View video on Home page Enter your active directory user name and password
Websites for Free Test Prep
Free practice Tests for many different exams http://www.testprepreview.com/
A free sample test for the ACTs
http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/ Free online test preparation. Sponsored by the military https://www.march2success.com/index.cfm
Spark notes offer a more direct approach to learning the strategies of standardized tests http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/
Another FREE SAT prep site http://www.number2.com/
Other Test Prep Resources
Check with your local public library for ACT/SAT test prep books and CD’s with tips and sample tests.
$$ ZAPS: http://www.zaps.com
$$ Advantage Education Programs: http://advantageprep.net
$$$$ Kaplan: www.kaptest.com
$$$$ Princeton Review: www.princetonreview.com
$$$$ Revolution Prep: www.revolution.prep.com
College Athletics
Students considering college athletics at the Division I or II level can obtain information on NCAA guidelines at http://www.ncaa.org/.
Division I & II institutions which sponsor specific sports can be found at http://www.ncaa.org/sponsorships/.
The NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse handles all inquiries regarding an individual's initial eligibility status. Information and Clearinghouse registration are available at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
For more information go to the Central Webpage, click on student or parent, click on Counseling Services, on the right hand side listed in the quick list is the NCAA Clearinghouse, click on this and there is a link to NCAA Clearinghouse in addition to NCAA Initial Eligibility and Recruiting power point.
Finding a College “Fit”
What Should Your College List Look Like?
3-6 Schools
Dream (Reach) School
Good Chance School
Safety School
Prospective College List: Personal Preferences
Size (# undergraduates) Geographic Location Campus setting (urban, suburban, rural) Academic Focus Areas of Study Facilities: Library, Research Labs, etc.
Social Atmosphere Campus Life, Sports, Arts Religious Affiliation Support Services
Cost Financial Aid Housing – 4 years guaranteed?
Diversity (ethnic, geographic) Admission Criteria Graduation & Retention Rates Outcomes: employment/ graduate schools Greek System
Admissions Terminology
Early Decision I – Binding. Student agrees to withdraw all other apps. Can double chances of acceptance at certain colleges.
Early Action - Early Deadline, Early Notification. Student doesn’t have to decide until regular admission date.
Early Notification - Colleges who really want a student will let them know early how likely it is that they will be accepted.
Regular Admissions - Considers all students who have their app. in by the deadline.
Priority Deadline – Considers priority applications in advance of regular admissions.
Rolling Admissions - Continuous acceptance of apps. until class fills.
Central Class of 2014 Most Popular College Enrollments
Saint Paul College University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Century Community and Technical College University of Minnesota - Duluth St. Cloud University University of Wisconsin – Madison Minneapolis Community and Technical College 78 48 18 17 14 12 12 Minnesota State University, Mankato Augsburg College Inver Hills Community College 11 10 10
Colleges & Universities chosen by the top 25 students of CHS Class of 2014
Carleton College Columbia University Earlham College University of Indiana, Bloomington University of Rochester University of Texas, Austin
Next year as an applicant: What do colleges look for?
• • • •
Academic Performance Grade Point Average (GPA) Rank ACT/SAT test scores Rigor of courses taken Personal Essay Recommendations Activities/Awards Interview
Keep up the MOMENTUM!
Continue with most rigorous academic program possible 4 years English, math, science (bio, chem, physics), social studies and world language. Most selective schools want strong grades in the most rigorous academic program available at the student’s school.
Your GPA matters ALL THE WAY TO THE END! If you change your courses after you apply to college and you don’t check it out with a college, they can rescind their offer.
The Campus Visit
Campus Visit Questions
What are the admissions requirements?
Average class size?
Retention rate, graduation rate and career placement history of grads?
Who teaches undergrad classes?
Strongest departments/programs?
Financial Aid- Avg. amount students receive, etc?
Special programs, clubs, recreation facilities and services?
Types of housing and living situations available?
Ways Parents Can Help
Encourage your child to consider options which best fits his or her interests, abilities, and values.
Encourage your child to utilize the resources available.
Encourage your child to maximize the opportunity to visit with college representatives.
Naviance
www.connection.naviance.com/chsstp
On Naviance you can:
Take practice ACT tests
Create a Resume
Explore careers
Research Colleges
Sign up for College Visits
Keep track of your Applications and Deadlines
Request Recommendation Letters
Request Transcripts
Naviance Preview
Naviance Overview
View an 11 minute overview of Naviance by:
Going to the Central Webpage: central.spps.org
Click on Academics
Click on Counseling Services
On the right, under “In this Section”
Click on Naviance
Click on Naviance Overview
Or go there directly by entering in http://central.spps.org/naviance_4
Useful Web Sites
http://connection.naviance.chsstp.com
www.act.org
www.collegeboard.com
www.commonapp.org
www.collegeboard.com/parents
www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.ncaa.org
www.getready.state.mn.us
www.mnprivatecolleges.org/how-plan
version2.gustavus.edu/images/userimages/dkogler/4323/How%20Not%20to%20Hover %2009.pdf " How Not to Hover " presentation about parents and the college search.
SPPS ACT Prep Courses:
Who: Juniors in SPPS
When: Courses in February, March and early April Where: Central High School and Washington Technology Cost: Course paid courtesy of SPPS Thinking College Early Fair Saturday, Feb. 28th, 11:30-2:00 Harding High School 1540 6th Street East St. Paul, MN 55106
ACT for all SPPS juniors on Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Counseling Staff
Counselors
Kea Sparkman Kathleen Karp Barbara Kurtz Nathan Flanders A - E F – K L - O P – T Dia Yang Steven Olson U – Z College and Career Counselor
Support Staff
Xia Lyfoung Norma Hollins Testing Coordinator Counseling Secretary (651)744-4906