Transcript Welcome to…. Your Junior Year

SEARCH PROCESS THE SPRING OF
YOUR JUNIOR YEAR
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THERE IS A LOT TO DO!
College Entrance Exams
IMPORTANT JUNIOR
YEAR TESTS
A Quick Review:
PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP
Standardized College Admission
Exams
 SAT – Reasoning Test – This SAT is a three-hour,
primarily multiple-choice test that measures verbal and mathematical
reasoning abilities that develop over time. Most colleges require SAT scores for
admission.
 Subject Tests – Subject Tests are one-hour, primarily multiplechoice tests that measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability
to apply that knowledge. Check the requirements of the colleges you are
considering. More selective colleges may require or recommend one or more
Subject Tests for admission or placement.
 ACT – Assessment Test – A group of tests
administered by ACT and required or recommended by many colleges. The
tests measure educational development in English, mathematics, reading, and
science reasoning and are given at specified test centers throughout the year.
When do I take the exams and how
often?
“Rule of thumb”
 SAT Reasoning: Spring of junior year AND
Fall of senior year
 ACT: Spring of junior year OR
Fall of senior year
 SAT Subject Tests: Spring of junior year AND/OR
Fall of senior year IF REQUIRED
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How to register?
 Online
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www.ACTSTUDENT.org (ACT)
www.collegeboard.org/mysat. (SAT)
 You can choose to have your scores sent to four
colleges at no additional charge
 If planning on playing DI or DII sports makes sure
to have your SAT’s sent directly to NCAA by
writing the code 9999 in the score report section.
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SELECTING A COLLEGE
WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
7 KEY FACTORS TO CONSIDER:
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1. PROGRAMS:
Does the college you are considering have your major?
If applicable does it have my choice of sport? Extracurriculars?
Study abroad? Good job placement?
2. COST:
Can I afford it? Do they offer scholarships?
3. CHANCES:
Can I get in? Do I have the grades?
4. LOCATION:
Do I want a big city school or a small town school?
5. SIZE:
Will I be able to learn in a class with 300 students?
Will I do better in a small class?
6. 2 or 4 year:
What type of degree do you need?
If you are going to transfer to a four year school be careful about
which courses you take, so that the credits transfer.
7. Public/Private:
Which is the best choice for you?
COLLEGE VISIT
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Tour classrooms and dorm rooms
Talk with students, faculty
Investigate your academic program
Meet with an admissions counselor
Verify admissions requirements
Inquire about a class visit
Discuss your chances of success: admission,
graduation, placement, etc
 Bring a copy of your transcript (request from
Counseling Center 5 days prior to visit)
 Ask thoughtful, mindful, active questions!
Courses where you can Earn
College Credit
Listed below are classes offered here at N-W where students can earn college credit from NCCC. Credits are transferrable to most 2 and 4 year
colleges.
Course
Credits
Grade
Calculus
4 Credits – NCCC
12
Precalculus
4 Credits – NCCC
11,12
College Composition I
3Credits – NCCC
12
College Composition II
3 Credits – NCCC
12
Intro/Adv. Marketing
3 Credits – NCCC (for Business Majors only)
10, 11, 12
French 4
3 Credits –NCCC
11,12
French 5
3 Credits – NCCC
12
Spanish 4
3 Credits – NCCC
11,12
Spanish 5
3 Credits –NCCC
12
Topics in Leadership
3 Credits – NCCC
10,11,12
NCCC Approx. $60/Credit Hour
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
College Level Classes at NW
Students may earn college credits in AP courses based on their scores on the AP exam. Scores range from 1-5. Credits earned vary by individual
colleges.
AP English (12th)
AP World History (10th)
AP US History (11th)
AP Macroeconomics (12th)
AP Government and Politics (12th)
AP Stats (11th,12th)
AP Calculus (12th)
AP Studio Art (11th,12th)
AP Physics (11th,12th)
AP Biology (11th,12th)
AP Chemistry (11th,12th)
NCCC/Niagara University
Seniors who are approved for Early Dismissals, may take courses at Niagara University or NCCC. Students will take regular college courses with
Helpful Hints for College Bound Students
 When applying to college choose a safe school, a
realistic school and a reach School
 Early action
 Early decision
 Rolling
 Regular admissions
 Open admissions
 Ask for Letters of Recommendation early
 PAY ATTENTION TO DEADLINES!
How Does My Child Apply to College?
 . www.commonapp.org
 www.suny.edu/student
 Individual College Application
What Information is Required?
Required Documentation Varies by School
 Application
 Supplemental Application
 Application Fee
 Letters of recommendation
 Mid-Year Reports
 Final Reports
SENIOR YEAR
 SEPTEMBER
-Visit Career Center to finalize College Choices
-Begin working on college applications or trade school applications
which are due to the Counseling Center by October 31st.
-Register for the October ACT and/or November or December SAT’s.
-Register for the SAT subject test if required by your college of choice.
-Request Letters of Recommendation from teachers
 OCTOBER
- College Applications into the Counseling Center by Oct. 31st
SENIOR YEAR
 NOVEMBER
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-Contact schools to make sure your application is complete
DECEMBER
-Attend Financial Aid Workshop for seniors at NW
JANUARY
-Complete FAFSA application at fafsa.ed.gov
-Check with prospective colleges about any additional financial
aid forms that may need to be completed.
FEBRUARY
-If you submitted FAFSA in January then you should be
receiving your SAR report
MARCH/APRIL
-Acceptance letters and Financial Aid packages arrive
- Most schools ask for final decision and payments by May 1st.
SENIOR YEAR
 MAY
-After you made your final decision, notify the
other colleges to tell them that you will not be
attending.
-Double check deadlines for housing, financial
aid, etc.
 JUNE
-Have final transcripts sent to college
GRADUATION!!!
Common Mistakes!!!!!
 Students forget their username/passwords for
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SAT/ACT Registration AND College Applications
Students do not check status of application
Students do not submit applications
Students don’t read e-mail for updates from colleges
Students miss deadlines
Students do not tell their counselor that they applied
to colleges
NCAA Initial Eligibility
Clearinghouse
 Division 1 & 2 must meet eligibility
 NCAA: www.eligibilitycenter.org
 Fee
 Request your transcript
 When do I register?
 You can register anytime after you compete 6 semesters of high school.
Most students will register at the beginning of their senior year
 How do I qualify to participate in sports at a D I or II school?
 Complete minimum of 16 core courses
 Take your SAT or ACT
 Eligibility is determined by sliding scale
 You MUST have your SAT or ACT scores sent to NCAA directly from
Collegeboard or ACT. Scores on a high school transcript will NOT be
accepted
 NCAA code is 9999
MILITARY OPTIONS
ROTC
-Start the process NOW
-Offered at over 1,000 colleges
-Very competitive
-In exchange for paid college tuition and a post college career you
agree to serve in the military after graduation.
 Military Academies
-Start the process NOW
-VERY competitive
-Once you graduate you become an officer in the military
 Enter the Military after graduation
-You should contact a recruiter
School Counseling Website has more information and website
addresses
How Do We Pay for College?
Fill out the FAFSA AFTER January 1 2016 –
www.fafsa.ed.gov
The FAFSA calculates Expected Family Contribution
(EFC) based on family income, # of people in
household, # of people in college, etc.
It qualifies you for:
 Loans
 Federal Grants (PELL)
 State Grants (TAP)
 College Work Study
EFC
College #1
Cost of College:
$50,000
EFC:
-$15,000
Financial Aid Eligible for: 35,000
College #2
Cost of College:
$15,000
EFC
-$15,000
Financial Aid Eligible for:
$0
Scholarships
 Merit Based Scholarships- given by individual
colleges based on Academics
 Special talent scholarships- given by colleges based
on athletic, musical, or other special talents
 Local Scholarships- given by local organizations
designated for local high school students based on
certain criteria (community service, intended college
major, etc). These are posted on Counseling Center
webpage.