Transcript PSAT Strategy Session - Coppell Independent School District
PSAT Strategy Session
Pick up your Score Report before being seated.
How to Read the Results
How did you score?
Score Range Junior Average Sophomore Average Your Test
Total
60-80 143 127 140
Math
20-80 49 43 49
Reading
20-80 48 43 46
Writing
20-80 46 41 45 • • If you just put your name on the test and turn it in, all blank, your score will be above the minimum 60 Students have to work to get the minimum score in a section – by missing too many problems (due to wrong answer penalty) 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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What is the significance of the PSAT?
• • The PSAT is not used for college admissions – Even if you have a perfect PSAT score, you will need an SAT or ACT score for college admissions The PSAT is used for 2 things: – To give you a good idea of your level of readiness for the SAT – To qualify a student for the National Merit Scholarship Competition • Only the PSAT in the Junior year counts for NMSQT 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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What does it take to quality for National Merit?
200 216 216 216 *Note: These total numbers are from 2012 and are subject to change. Usually changes are no more that +1 or -1.
• • To become a Finalist, a student must submit the scholarship application (which requires an essay and a recommendation from your principal) The Scholars are selected from among the 15,000 finalists in an actual scholarship competition 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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SAT and PSAT Comparison
• • Add a 0 (since SAT is on a 600-2400 scale) Drop the score just a bit • To adjust for additional length • 3 hours 40 minutes versus 2 hours 10 minutes 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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Recognition
4/27/2020 • • Look at the PSAT Bulletin • At collegeboard.org
• Link from myknowsys.com: PSAT page Bulletin includes a list of the universities that provide Merit Scholarships Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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Does Preparation Help?
• • • Good preparation DEFINITELY helps Good preparation involves – Strategic methods – Content review – Vocabulary building Average Knowsys Improvement:
320 points
(total SAT score) 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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General Preparation Tips
• Order of Difficulty – Easy to Medium to Hard • NOT true in passages in Critical Reading – Starts over with each new section – Strategy: Do all the Easy and Medium problems FIRST before tackling the Hard problems – Note: This is true for SAT and PSAT, but not for the ACT 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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More General Preparation Tips
• Wrong Answer Penalty – Know the facts: • • Multiple Choice: - ¼ point Grid In: -0 points • Guessing Strategy – Apply your knowledge: • • Multiple Choice: Eliminate 2, then Guess Grid-Ins: Guess on ALL Grid-Ins 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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SAT Scores for Popular Universities
Are you scores competitive?
% Admitted tells you how accepted at particular universities. 4/27/2020 10
SAT Scores for Popular Universities
Interested in other schools?
Visit www.collegeboard.org
and select College Search.
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Math Performance Evaluation
Student Name
•
What you want to see:
More “Skipped” than “Incorrect.”
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Scoring on the PSAT
• • •
The SAT is essentially scored on a curve There is a raw score based on
+ 1 if correct - ¼ if incorrect multiple choice
Then, the raw score is converted to a scaled score (the “curved” score of 20-80)
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Math Question Analysis
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PSAT/SAT Math
• • What’s the highest level of math tested on the PSAT and SAT? • Basic functions • Did you learn functions in Algebra I? • If not, that is part of Algebra II • The rest is definitely lower level Many students know the concepts – but the issue is how the basic concepts are applied • A good prep course focuses on teaching students to apply the concepts they know to the way problems are tested on the exams 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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Math Answers Analysis
The Category code matches the code on the Analysis portion
+ = correct Letter = Your wrong answer Blank = You skipped it ? = You double bubbled
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What you want to see:
No blank Grid-Ins.
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Critical Reading Performance Evaluation
Student Name What if the student had skipped those 7 questions?
The score would increase by 2 points!
•
What you want to see:
More “Skipped” than “Incorrect.”
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Critical Reading Question Types
The 3 question types are: Long Passage Short Passage Sentence Completion Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
Basically, passages can be about any subject. Everything you need to know to answer the questions is in the passage itself. 18 4/27/2020
Critical Reading Answers Analysis
+ = correct Letter = Your wrong answer
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Blank = You skipped it ? = You double bubbled
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Writing Performance Evaluation
Student Name What if the student had skipped those 13 questions?
•
The score would increase by 4 points!
What you want to see:
More “Skipped” than “Incorrect.”
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Skipped/Missed Analysis
Math Critical Reading
# Questions
38 48 Writing 39
Missed
3 (18%) 7 (15%) 13 (33%)
Skipped
18 (47%) 11 (23%)
Points Lost
0 2 1 (3%) 3 4/27/2020
“I speak English goodly” Syndrome!
Strategy: Know what you don’t know and skip it.
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Writing Performance Question Analysis
Grammar concepts are often not emphasized in English classes. Grammar concepts are relatively straightforward and easy to learn – but you have to work at it!
A good prep course will review the grammar.
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Writing Performance Answer Analysis
+ = correct Letter = Your wrong answer
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Blank = You skipped it ? = You double bubbled
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College Timeline Highlights
• Sign up for the SAT Question of the Day – Sign up at www.collegeboard.org
– Free App at iPhone store • Sign up for the ACT Question of the Day – Sign up at www.actstudent.org
• Sign up for Knowsys SAT QOTD Blog – Knowsys1.blogspot.com
– Clear, logical explanations Search for the topics – Searchable by topic you need to work on (like “Fractions” or “Triangles”) 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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College Timeline Highlights
• Start investigating college and scholarships EARLY • • Investigate available scholarships and their requirements Build your resume intentionally and carefully • Push yourself to more advanced classes • Push for a high GPA in the hardest classes you can handle • Don’t be afraid to get tutoring and assistance • Yes! Knowsys offers tutoring! 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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College Timeline Highlights
• Take practice SAT and ACT Exams • • www.chsprojectgraduation.com
Plan to take 1 test in the fall and 1 in the spring • Use the practice exams to see if you’re ready to take the real exam 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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Vocabulary on the PSAT and SAT
• • • Start building your vocabulary NOW – The passages are dense, college-level reading with tough vocab – If your vocab is weak, it will slow you down, make it harder to understand, and mess you up on the vocab-in-context questions – The SAT and PSAT include “Sentence Completions” Improving your vocab will pay off on Sentence Completions, Reading Comp, and the SAT essay Knowsys offers a set of SAT Vocabulary Flashcards • www.myknowsys.com
• iPhone app (search “Knowsys”) 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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Vocabulary Flashcards
•
equivocal mercurial capricious loquacious disparage
•
SAT Vocabulary
– – 300 words per box Taken from released SATs
Grade Level Vocab:
– 9 th , 10 th , 12 th •
Vocabulary Activities
– – Greek & Latin Roots Synonyms – Antonyms – True/False – Short Answer – Etc.
– Buy at myknowsys.com
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Preparation Timeline
• Leading up to March/April of the Junior year – Take practice exams – Prepare – When your practice exam scores show you’re ready, take the real test 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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Test-Taking Timeline
• Get the test scores you need by the end of your
Junior year
– Prep for and take the SAT and ACT in March/April of your Junior year – If you don’t get the score you need,
review and retake
test in May or June the –
DO NOT WAIT until the fall of your senior year!
•
Waiting until the Senior year creates a high-stress testing situation.
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For Top Scoring Students
• The PSAT in October of your Junior year is the National Merit Qualifying Scholarship test – So, if you have the potential to make a top score, it is worth the effort and resources to prepare for the PSAT • If your Sophomore year PSAT score is 170 or higher – Prepare for the PSAT in your Junior year – Look for the district invitation to the PSAT Course 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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For Athletes
• • • Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse as a
Junior
Register for SAT or ACT and include Eligibility Center Code (9999) so the scores go to the Clearinghouse Meet the minimum scores: – SAT: Math and Critical Reading Only – – ACT: Sum of 4 Sections (Not Writing) Division 1: Sliding scale of test score & GPA in Core Courses • 3.55 PLUS 400 SAT or 37 ACT • • 3.0 PLUS 600 SAT or 52 ACT 2.5 PLUS 820 SAT or 68 ACT – Division 2: • • • SAT: Minimum of 820 ACT: Minimum sum of 68 GPA: Minimum of 2.0
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General Information
•
Retaking the test
– – Many students take the real SAT 2 or 3 times. But . . . It makes more sense to take practice tests until you know you are prepared for the real exam. •
Repeat Scores
– Unless something unusual happened on test day (e.g., you were deathly ill), there’s no reason to think that re-taking the SAT will increase your score beyond the normal score band. – Basically, if you retake the test with no additional preparation, your score is just as likely to go down as to go up. –
Good preparation is what makes repeating the test worthwhile.
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General Information
• •
How do Universities treat multiple SAT scores?
– – It depends on the University.
Most take the best Math, Critical Reading, and Writing Score from whichever test – How do you know? Ask the Admissions department.
What is Score Choice?
– The SAT and the ACT both include the Score Choice options. – Score Choice lets the student decide which test administration(s) to send to a university. – – Exception: Some more selective universities require all scores. Also – many times your best math is on one test and your best verbal is on another – so you’ll send both anyway. –
Basically, assume you have to send all your scores.
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The SAT Prep Options
Works Best for… Scheduling Location Cost Registration Study on Your Own Take a Knowsys Class Take Knowsys Private Tutoring
Highest Scorers Flexible
(but will you really make the time?)
Your choice $24.95 for Official Guide plus cost of separate Study Guide None needed Mid-Range Scorers All Students Regularly-schedule meetings Scheduled at the student’s convenience CHS, NTH@C Your choice See Registration Details Contact Knowsys Knowsys offers affordable individual and small group tutoring 512-961-8522 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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Overview of Upcoming Tests
Test Function SAT
College Admissions
ACT
College Admissions
PSAT
National Merit Scholarship Competition Practice for SAT
Practice Exams
To give you realistic practice before you have to take the “real” test.
AP Exams SAT IIs EOC
In specific subjects Used for College Placement and College Credit “Subject Tests” – similar to AP Exams Used for College Placement and Admissions Required to earn a High School Diploma in Texas
Timeline
Spring of Junior Yr Spring of Junior Yr
Preparation
Special Test Preparation Special Test Preparation October of Junior Special Test Preparation Year
Look at your toughest
Any time (But don’t over test!) None required
require SAT IIs?
9 th – 12 th grades AP Classes
If so, take the SAT II in June after you
High school classes
the related AP Exam
Senior Year Tutoring
in May.
High school classes Junior Year Tutoring 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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SAT versus ACT
Compare ACT Scoring
Composite score: 1-36 (Average of all 4 test scores)
SAT
Total Possible Score: 2400
Length Sections Areas Tested
Individual Test Scores: 1-36 for each separate test Essay (Optional): 0-12
3 hours 25 minutes
(with the 30-minute Writing Test) 5 test sections: English (45 min) Math (60 min) Reading (35 min) Science (35 min) Writing (30 min) Reading, Math, Grammar, Essay Writing,
Science
Individual Section Scores: 200-800 for each section Essay: 0-12
3 hours 45 minutes
10 Sections: 3 Critical Reading (70 min) 3 Math (70 min) 3 Writing (60 min) 1 Experimental (unscored; 25 min) Reading, Math, Grammar, Essay Writing,
Vocabulary
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SAT versus ACT
(continued)
Compare ACT Verbal ACT Reading
4 Passages (long) 10 questions per passage 52.5 seconds/question
Writing Essay ACT English:
75 Grammar Questions (100%) 36 seconds/question Last section in test Optional to ACT
(Often REQUIRED by schools – check!)
30 minutes Not included in composite score Topics: “of interest to students” (Should schools use dress codes?) Must: Address counterarguments 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
SAT SAT Critical Reading
Short Passages – 8 questions Long Passages – 40 questions Sentence Completion – 19 questions 63 seconds/question
SAT Writing:
49 Grammar Questions (70%) 43 seconds/question First section in test
NOT optional
25 minutes 30% of Writing Score Topics: more abstract (What motivates people?) Must: Pick a side and stick to it 38
SAT versus ACT
(continued)
Compare ACT Science Science Graphs:
Analysis, interpretation, problem solving 40 questions 52.5 seconds/question
Math Math Topics Tested:
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry 60 questions 60 seconds/question Summary:
SAT No science tested Math Topics Tested:
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, NO Trig 54 questions 78 seconds/question
ACT is the “SAT Plus” – ALL the SAT content PLUS . . . More grammar, science, harder math (Trig, Logs, Matrices, Graphing Circles, etc).
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SAT versus ACT
(continued)
Compare ACT Wrong Answer Penalty
No wrong answer penalty
Score Reporting Other FACTS
Students can select which test(s) scores to send (i.e., send your best test score) BUT – many schools want ALL the scores anyway. Plus, many students high scores are split between tests.
Most schools accept either.
SAT
¼ point penalty per wrong answer (NO penalty on Math Grid-Ins)
Same for SAT.
BUT – many schools want ALL the scores anyway. Plus, many students high scores are split between tests.
Most schools accept either.
TIPS TIP 1: Take the SAT AND the ACT to maximize your chances of meeting requirements!
TIP 2: Preparing for the SAT helps prepare you for the ACT!
TIP 3: Knowsys offers tutoring to bridge the gap between the SAT and the ACT.
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For More Information
• Knowsys Educational Services – – Classes and Tutoring Vocabulary – www.myKnowsys.com
– 512-961-8522 • Knowsys SAT Classes at Coppell ISD – – www.coppellisd.com
website [email protected]
(Kristen Brown) 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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4/27/2020 Timelines 9-12 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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Timeline – 9
th
Grade
• • • • • • Start building the high school transcript – Develop strong study skills – Make good grades Take Geometry or Algebra Get involved in a new extracurricular activity Start working on SAT Vocabulary Flashcards (learn 5 words per week) Create a College and Career Information Folder – Explore colleges on the internet – Explore careers by doing internet research – Shadow people at work to explore careers – Start list of extracurricular activities, community service, awards, honors, and classes Make the most of the summer break – Take advantage of summer programs and camps at colleges – Volunteer in the local community 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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Timeline – 10
th
Grade
• • • • • Take challenging courses Take the PSAT in October Keep working on SAT Vocabulary Flashcards (learn 5 words per week) Build your College and Career Information Folder – Take a career interest inventory – Request brochures and applications from 8 to 10 colleges – – – Identify apprenticeship opportunities Shadow people at work to explore careers Investigate financial aid and scholarship options and requirements – Update list of extracurricular activities, community service, awards, honors, and classes Make the most of the summer break – Take a part-time job – – Attend a summer camp at a college campus Participate in a volunteer service program 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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Timeline – 11
th
Grade
• • • • • • Take challenging courses Review all SAT Vocabulary Flashcards Take the PSAT in October for National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Program Build your College and Career Information Folder – During fall break, visit colleges – – – – – – Participate in college nights and career fairs During winter break, schedule campus visits in the spring Investigate SAT and ACT requirements at colleges Determine which colleges to send your test scores to Search for scholarship and financial aid programs to ensure you meet the requirements Update list of extracurricular activities, community service, awards, honors, and classes Take the SAT and the ACT in the spring – Take a practice test before taking the real exam – Consider taking a preparation course to improve SAT and ACT scores Make the most of the summer break – Take SAT or ACT preparation course to raise scores, if necessary – Visit college campuses – – – Talk with admissions counselors Participate in summer programs to explore college life and careers Write your college admissions essays 4/27/2020 Knowsys Educational Services, LLC.
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Timeline – 12
th
Grade
• • • • • • • Take Advanced Placement and Dual Credit classes Retake SAT or ACT, if necessary, to get needed scores Finalize your College and Career Information Folder – Finalize your list of extracurricular activities, community service, awards, honors, and classes – – Narrow your college choices and visit campuses Attend college fairs, careers fairs, and financial aid workshops Apply to colleges – Gather applications – Note early admissions deadlines (often November 1) – Make a checklist of admissions requirements – Proofread and finalize admissions essay and application – Request letters of recommendation Apply for Financial Aid – Search for scholarships and complete applications – Complete financial aid applications – Complete the FAFSA between Jan 1 and March 10 Evaluate Admissions Offers – Review and evaluate financial aid offers – Check deadlines for sending in acceptance and deposit – Apply for housing Make the most of the summer break – Find a part-time job – – Forward final high school transcript to selected college Plan the details of college life: select courses, attend orientation, make a budget, etc.
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In the 9th Grade Year
• • •
Start building your high school transcript
– Develop strong study skills – Make good grades
Take Algebra or Geometry Get involved in a new extracurricular activity
Preparing for College Seminar www.ktprep.com
9th Grade College Search
• •
Create a College and Career Folder
– Explore colleges on the internet – Explore careers by doing internet research – Shadow people to explore careers Start THE LIST – Extracurricular activities – Community service – Awards and honors – Classes Preparing for College Seminar www.ktprep.com
Rising 10th Grade Summer
•
Make the most of your Summer Break
– Take advantage of summer programs at colleges – Volunteer in the local community – Try to get an internship with a company that has careers that interest you – Visit colleges that you are interested in • Contact the admissions department to set up a campus tour Preparing for College Seminar www.ktprep.com
In the 10th Grade Year
• •
Take challenging courses Take the
PSAT
in October
– For “practice,” but take it seriously – Your 10th Grade PSAT Score . . . • Qualifies you for advanced PSAT Prep • Gives YOU an honest evaluation of how you compare to other college-bound students • Does not get sent to colleges Preparing for College Seminar www.ktprep.com
In the 10th Grade Year
• Build your College & Career Folder – Take a career interest inventory ( www.Kuder.com
) – Request brochures and applications from 8 to 10 colleges – Identify apprenticeship opportunities – Shadow people at work to explore careers – Investigate financial aid and scholarship requirements • Start doing what you need to do to meet the requirements!
– Update “The List” Preparing for College Seminar www.ktprep.com
Rising 11th Grade Summer
•
Make the most of your summer break
– Take a part time job – Attend a summer camp at a college campus – Participate in a volunteer service program – Visit college campuses • Reduce your college interest list from 8 down to 5 schools Preparing for College Seminar www.ktprep.com
In the 11th Grade Year
• • •
Take challenging courses Review all the SAT Vocabulary Flashcards Take the SAT and the ACT in the Spring
– Take a practice test before taking the real exam – Consider a preparation course or private tutoring to improve test scores Preparing for College Seminar www.ktprep.com
11th Grade College Prep
• Build your College and Career Folder – During fall and spring breaks , visit colleges • Set up meetings with professors, department chairs, and deans in your area(s) • Sit in on classes in your area(s) • Narrow your list down to the top 3 or 4 schools – Participate in college nights and career fairs – Investigate SAT and ACT requirements for the colleges you are interested in – Determine which colleges to send your test scores to – Search for scholarship and financial aid programs • Start doing what you need to do to meet the requirements!
– Update “The List” Preparing for College Seminar www.ktprep.com
Rising 12th Grade Summer
•
Make the most of the summer break
– Take (or retake) an SAT or ACT preparation course to raise scores – Visit college campuses of remaining schools – Talk with admission counselors to firm up your decision – Participate in summer programs at colleges – Write your college admissions essays Preparing for College Seminar www.ktprep.com
Rising 12th Grade Athletes
• • •
Register for the
NCAA Clearinghouse
Prepare for SAT and ACT
– Start preparing in the 11th grade Spring – Review, if necessary, in the summer Submit SAT and ACT
scores to the Clearinghouse in the
Spring Preparing for College Seminar www.ktprep.com
In the 12th Grade Year
• • •
Take AP and Dual Credit classes Retake the SAT or ACT, if necessary, to get needed scores Finalize your College and Career Folder
– Finalize “The List” – Narrow your college choices and visit campuses Preparing for College Seminar www.ktprep.com
12th College Application
• • Apply to colleges – Gather applications – – Note early admissions deadlines (often Nov 1) Make a check list of admissions requirements – Finalize admissions essays and applications – Request letters of recommendation Apply for Financial Aid – Search for scholarships and financial aid – – Complete applications Complete the FAFSA between Jan1 and March 10: www.fafsa.com
Preparing for College Seminar www.ktprep.com
12th College Admissions
• • Evaluate Admissions Offers – Review and evaluate financial aid offers • Strong candidates can negotiate with colleges for better offers and use the leverage of one offer against another offer – Check deadlines for sending in acceptance and deposit – Apply for housing Make the most of the summer break – Find a part-time job or internship – Forward final high school transcript to selected colleges Preparing for College Seminar www.ktprep.com
12th College Planning
• • Don’t forget the “hidden fees” and other financial areas of college – Textbooks – Mandatory Activities Fees – – – Lab Fees Copy Cards for on-campus copy machines Entertainment costs – – Meal plans and food prices (also, availability of food on weekends) Parking Permits and Availability or Transportation – – – Laundry facilities/prices (do you know how to wash clothes?) Credit Card or Debit Card for your student Opening a bank account where the college is located – Part-time work or work-study programs Also, consider non-scholastic issues: – Non-major related electives – – Clubs and groups in which to participate Intramural activities Preparing for College Seminar www.ktprep.com