Transcript COLLEGE NIGHT - Villa Walsh Academy

COLLEGE NIGHT
March 18,2015
AGENDA








Starting your search
ACT vs SAT/New SAT
College Visits
Application (#’s, Types, Process)
Naviance
Letters of Recommendation
Financial Aid
Final Reminders
What are you looking for in a
college?








Academic Programs / Major
Location – rural, suburban, urban
Size – small: 1,000-3,000; Medium: 3,000-8,000;
Large: 8,000-20,000
Facilities
Religion
Student Body
Athletic / Talent Programs
FIT ! Does it “feel” like a good fit?
What are colleges looking for in a
student?











Academic Achievement (GPA)
SAT/ACT scores
Rigor of classes
Senior Class Schedule (Maintain Rigor/Attendance)
Extracurricular Activities-Commitment, Leadership, Consistency
Community Service
Essays/Supplements
Recommendation Letter(s)
Interview (for some private colleges)
Legacy
Special Talents
What matters to colleges?
“Scholastic Assessment Test”
Formerly “American College Testing”
3 Sections
•Critical Reading
•Math
•Writing
5 Sections
•English
•Math
•Reading
•Science Reasoning
•Writing (Optional, but not really)
Scores range from 200 – 800 in each Scores range from 1 – 36 in each
section
section but COMPOSITE SCORE is
average of all sections
1/4 –point penalty for wrong
answers
No penalty for wrong answers
“Reasoning” based questions
“Curriculum” based questions
www.collegeboard.com
www.act.org
NEW SAT
•
•
•
•
Critical Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Essay
Most colleges will acknowledge the
student’s highest verbal score, highest
math score and highest writing score,
even if they were not taken on the same
test date
AT THIS TIME:
SCORE CHOICE REMAINS THE
SAME for Old and New
SCORES.
LAUNCH Spring 2016
3 SECTIONS:
• Evidence-Based Reading/Writing
• Writing (reading Test/Writing &
Language Test)
• Math
Essay OPTIONAL
• One point for each correct answer
• Zero points for unanswered items
• Zero points for wrong answers
EXAMPLE SAT * CHANGING 2016
March, 2015
650 Math, 590 Critical Reading, 640 Writing
January, 2015
620 Math, 640 Critical Reading, 650 Writing
October, 2014
590 Math, 590 Critical Reading, 600 Writing
* About ½ of colleges take the writing score into
consideration
* SAT changing Class of 2016
* Some colleges SCORE CHOICE
EXAMPLE ACT

February, 2015
English – 28
Math – 24
Reading – 32
Science – 24
English/Writing – 28
Composite – 27
April, 2015
English - 31
Math - 27
Reading - 32
Science - 27
English/Writing - 30
Composite – 29
Testing - SAT


Some colleges will require that you send ALL of your scores
When you start to send your scores, you will be able to see
what each college requires.
Testing – SAT Subject Tests



Not all colleges require these tests, but those that
do normally require 2 or 3
Research your prospective schools to see what
they require
Test in areas in which you will do well

ACT
Upcoming Test Dates
SAT
May 2, 2015
June 6, 2015
ACT
April 18, 2015
June 13, 2015
Importance of Visiting Colleges



Spring Break is a great time to visit collegesstudents will be on campus
If possible, sign up for a tour– let the school know
that you are there!
“Demonstrate Interest” – schools keep track of any
visits, tours, communication, etc. that you have with
the school
Number of Applications



4-8 applications is reasonable
Applications should include at least one reach
school, one safety school, and two target schools
To determine safety, target and reach, the student
should compare her grade point average and SAT
scores to the average statistics in the college’s
“Freshman Class Profile” (information available
on Naviance)
Number of Applications



Applying to too many colleges can complicate
the final decision in April and May
College applications can also get very expensive
($25-$75 per application)
Doing research, being realistic and VISITING
colleges can help narrow down your college list
Application Types
Every college has it’s own criteria and application
requirements – BE SURE TO FIND OUT EACH
SCHOOL’S REQUIREMENTS!
 Different applications, supplements, deadlines,
testing requirements, financial aid requirements, etc.
 Supplements are VERY IMPORTANT - Trying to
differentiate applicants.

Application Types


Regular Decision
Early Decision I (Usually Nov. 1 or Nov. 15)
 Binding
 May


only apply to ONE
RESTRICTIVE EARLY ACTION
Early Action (Usually Nov. 1 or Nov. 15)
 Non-binding
 Most

allow more than one – check each schools rules
Rolling Admission
 Apply
Early!!
Application Types

Common Application vs. School-specific Application
Over 500 colleges and universities use the Common App
 www.commonapp.org
 One application can be sent to multiple schools


Supplements to Common Application
Application Process
About 99% of colleges accept the application
online
 About 90% of colleges will accept transcript and
recommendations online, through Naviance
 The other 10% will need to be mailed via USPS
or completed through their own website.
(PENNSTATE, RUTGERS, GEORGETOWN)




On-line Guidance program used for researching
career options, exploring colleges, organizing
applications, and sending information.
Statistics are from Villa students and graduates
from the Class of 2011, 2012, 2013,2014
www.connection.naviance.com/villawalsh
Common Application



Why should you considering waiving your right
of access?
Waiving your right lets colleges know that you will
never try to read your recommendations.
If you do not waive your right, it can be perceived
as though you have something to hide.
Letters of Recommendations



Most colleges require 2 letters of recommendations
from teachers and 1 from a guidance counselor
Letters DO NOT have to be from teachers of Junior
year classes, but should be recent
Make sure the teacher knows you and can speak to
your strengths to how you perform in their class

NEW THIS YEAR
Some colleges limited the amount of
recommendations that can be sent (1 TEACHER)
TRANSCRIPT REQUEST
Submit a GREEN TRANSCRIPT form to
GUIDANCE for each college you are applying
to.
You will need to include:
 Deadline of Application
 Applying Early Action, Early Decision
 FORMS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED
at least 2 weeks prior to deadline!

My Letter of Recommendation
Brag Sheet
 Student Resume
 For now, begin thinking about who you
would like to write these letters for you

FINANCIAL AID



Most private colleges require you to fill out both
the FAFSA and the PROFILE.
Public colleges only require the FAFSA.
Each college sets a deadline by which you must
file each of the forms- please check these
deadlines over the summer to make sure you get
them done on time!
Varsity Athletes



If anyone is considering playing a varsity sport in
college, you must register and be cleared by the
NCAA
www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org
Being cleared takes time, so if you think you
might want to play, begin the process now
WHAT SHOULD WE DO NOW?
Research and visit colleges
 Take SAT/ACT/Subject Tests
 Begin thinking about who you would like to
write your teacher letters of recommendations
 Continue working hard without stressing.

Final Thought


The best school for a student is one
that meets all of her academic,
social and emotional needs-not the
one that is the most competitive.
A student’s success in college is
determined by how happy they are
on campus and with the program.
Your daughter will get
accepted into college!!
THANK YOU FOR COMING!
? QUESTIONS?