Transcript Anticipating College Planning
ANTICIPATING COLLEGE PLANNING
May 6, 2015 William Morrison & Aliza Gilbert Highland Park High School Counseling Department
Agenda
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Courses / GPA College Entrance Testing Letters of Recommendation Summer Calendars/Timelines Web Resources Outside Resources
Important Factors in Selecting Students
Importance:
Grades in college prep courses Strength of curriculum Admission test scores (SAT, ACT) Grades in all courses Essay or writing sample Student’s demonstrated interest Counselor recommendation Teacher recommendation Class rank Extracurricular activities
Considerable Moderate Limited No
82.3% 65.0 56.1 49.8 Interview Portfolio Subject test scores (AP, IB) 6.5 5.2 4.8 SAT II scores State graduation exam scores 3.8 2.1 Work 1.0 Source: NACAC 2013 State of College Admission Report 19.7 17.8 15.6 15.4 13.3 6.8 11.6% 25.2 31.3 37.5 38.1 31.2 42.9 41.6 36.2
39.1 25.3 10.7 32.0 12.0 13.7 16.5 4.4% 6.8 9.2 11.6 25.2 25.7 27.9 29.4 35.8 38.4 29.7 3.3 33.0 26.4 27.7 48.5 1.7% 3.1
3.4
1.0
17.0
25.3
13.6
13.7
14.7
15.6
38.6
50.9
30.3
57.9
56.5
34.0
Courses
Junior year schedule Senior year schedule Honors vs. College Prep Balance in coursework
Graduation vs. College Admission Requirements
English Math Science Soc. Science Foreign Lang.
Fine Arts
HPHS 4 Years 3 Years 2 Year 2 Years Most Colleges Highly Selective Community & Universities Schools 4 Years 3-4 Years 3 Years 3 Years 4 Years 4 Years 4 Years 4 Years None 2 Years* 4 Years
One year of same Fine Art for California state schools
Colleges 4 Years 2 Years 1-2 Years 2 Years None
Grade Point Averages (GPA)
Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA GPA Distribution
Grade Point Average Distribution
Class of 2016 Highest Median Lowest Weighted 4.70
3.35
.82
Unweighted 3.97
3.19
.74
For colleges that require additional information for scholarship consideration, the weighted and unweighted grade point averages for the top 10% and 25% are: Top 10% Top 25% Weighted 4.18
3.84
Unweighted 3.73
3.55
College Entrance Testing
ACT SAT SAT Subject Tests Score reporting
ACT – www.act.org
Total possible score is 36 (average of the 4 scores) Optional writing test Allows students to choose which test(s) to report Given 6x per year September and October are recommended for seniors December is recommended for juniors wanting to review their answers to prepare for spring tests (extra fee required) February, April and June are recommended for juniors
ACT Writing Test
Optional Writing Test Comprised of a rhetorical essay written from a paragraph prompt and three distinct perspectives of the issue Students’ Writing Tests are available on-line for colleges to review Score Report includes a separate Writing score AND English/Writing score
ACT Writing Test
Writing score ranges from 1-36 and is based on four distinct categories: ~Ideas & Analysis ~Development & Support ~Organization ~Language Use & Conventions A combined English/Writing score is then reported on a 1-36 scale, it is not included in the ACT Composite Score Sample Score: ENG MATH READ SCIR COMP E/W 25 26 28 26 26 27
SAT – www.collegeboard.org
Total possible score is 1600 (800 per section; Reading & Math) Writing section is now optional & reported separately (Change!); written from available prompt Writing section uses an essay and multiple choice questions to test standard English Writing samples also available on-line for colleges to review Largely multiple choice questions; no longer penalizes guessing (Change!) Given 7x per year
The New SAT
The first administration of the New SAT will be in March 2016 Can take old one prior to this, will be valid for college admission purposes Redesigned PSAT/NMSQT in Fall 2015 Concordance tables available
SAT Subject Tests
One hour, content based exam, primarily multiple choice 5 areas of subject tests: English, history, math, science, language Tend to be required by highly selective schools, though not all highly selectives Typically students take 2 exams (1 is usually math) – some schools still require 3 Tests such as US History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math should be taken immediately after course is completed Appropriate for Honors level students in that area, supplemental studying may be required
Multiple ACT tests
Students taking test a second time in spring of junior year +.8 National average = +1.0
Students taking first test prior to 2 nd semester junior year saw a +2.4 point disparity between first and highest test score (as opposed to +0.8)
Highest Scores
Highest scores seen in April Fall of senior year second
ACT vs SAT
All colleges accept both ACT can get you out of taking Subject Tests at some highly selective colleges & universities We recommend trying hand at both and focusing on one with better results Utilize practice exams/PSAT
Testing Reminders
Practice ACT given by HPHS in October; free practice ACT, utilize! PSAT given on alternate day(practice SAT also used as a qualifier for National Merit consideration) Chemistry Subject Test the only one to worry about now – May 27 deadline No more State administered ACT
Letters of Recommendations
You are going to need letters of recommendation for college applications, use your junior year to develop relationships.
-Teachers -Counselors -Activity sponsors, Coaches, etc.
Summer
College Visits - Make sure visits are “official”; don’t just self-tour, interest counts! Summer school Summer programs Work Be productive!
Calendars/Timelines
Make good use of your summer-visit!
Review your four-year plan with your counselor Map out a standardized testing calendar Formal college counseling program begins in November; individual appointments with college counselors second semester Start utilizing Naviance
Naviance
College search College visits/contacts College admissions Scholarships Contact Rob Becker for assistance
College Counseling Website
Upcoming programs Student Outcomes Useful links College Counseling Handbook hphs.dist113.org/cc
Affordability
Net Price Calculator -visit college websites -may include need based and merit possibilities EFC Estimator: www.fafsa.ed.gov
“Thinking About College?” Section
Outside Services
Start with us! HPHS offers myriad services and programs: assist with developing college list and assessing chances for admission provide application and essay support offer mock interviews share financial aid and scholarship information; assist with FAFSA completion Know the background of the individual in regard to training and experience in college counseling Think about student/family needs versus services provided Outside parties cannot communicate with colleges due to federal privacy laws; are not versed in the HP curriculum No one can get a student into college except the student him/herself