I'm going to college. I don't care if it ruins my career. I'd rather be smart than a movie star. Natalie Portman
Preparing for CollegeJUNIOR YEAR
Spring 2011• Sign up for SAT’s, ACT’s (May, June)
• Begin College Search• Visit Colleges over Spring Break
Summer 2011• Create your college list
• Begin college application(s) & essay(s)• Work on Transcript Request Packet
• Work on Teacher Recommendation Packet
Preparing for College
SENIOR YEAR
Fall 2011• Begin scholarship search
• Senior Meetings w/Counselor• Request recommendations from teachers
• Complete/Submit Transcript Request Packet
• Finish essays
Tests!
•ACT•SAT•SAT II Subject Tests •AP
ACT or SAT, What’s the Difference?SAT
• No science section
• No trigonometry questions • Vocabulary emphasized
• Non multiple-choice questions asked
• Guessing penalty
• No English grammar
• Math accounts for 50% of your score
• Questions go from easy to difficult
ACT • Science reasoning section
• Math includes trigonometry
• Vocabulary less important
• Entirely multiple-choice
• No guessing penalty
• English grammar tested
• Math accounts for 25% of your score
• Questions are mixed up
The SAT may be a better fit if:
• You did great on the PSAT.
• You have a killer vocabulary. (You are comfortable with words like “didactic,” “sedulous,” and “esoteric.”)
• You prefer starts and stops when taking tests. There are nine sections and an essay on the SAT.
• You can ace grammar. For example, you are comfortable with the sentence, “On the table, there ARE a pencil and some paper.”
• You consider yourself “quick-thinking.”
• Students must exercise educated guessing on the SAT because you lose ¼ point for each incorrect answer. If students can rule out one or more answer choices for multiple-choice questions – they should guess.
The ACT may be a better fit if:
• Your PSAT or SAT score is inconsistent with your academic performance in school.
• Your vocabulary is not as strong as your reading.
• You read relatively quickly.
• You are more academic than test savvy. (The ACT test is more like a test you would take in school.)
• You prefer four longer sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science) to having interruptions and breaks during the test.
• You are great at writing papers but do not have formal grammar instruction.
• Students are not penalized for incorrect answers and should answer as many test questions as possible.
Be a SMARTIE!ACT Now
Stop And Think!
Register today for the May 7th SAT at collegeboard.com. Deadline is April 8
June 4th SAT---- Deadline is May 10th
The American College TestACT
Actstudent.orgRegister for the June 11th ACT
Deadline is May 6th
210 – 510School Code
COLLEGE VISITS
Colleges visit Howard High School throughout the year!
• See the Student Services website for the College Visit list.
• Students can sign up for a college visit in Student Services
Internet College and Scholarship Searches
– Beware: do not pay money or give a credit card for a college or scholarship search
College Searches Scholarships-Bridges** -Fastweb.com-Princeton Review -Findtuition.com-Peterson -hcpss.org-College Board -Bridges-USnews.com/education -
Collegeanswer.com-zinch.com
Bridges College Search
• See instruction packet: kept in the career center
• www.bridges.com Choices Planner > School Finder
• SiteID: 28513• Password: o6113ps2
Hints• You can narrow or broaden responses to
get a manageable number of colleges • Create portfolio to save search results and
schools• Compare schools to each other
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
• Types of Applications: Common, On-Line, School Application
• Appearance is KEY! • Most schools require a
social security number• Fill out draft copies of
the application and essay before doing the final
• Make copies of anything you send out
• Make sure you send the correct amount in application fees
• Make sure you mail them in a timely manner
Transcript Request Packet
What is the transcript request packet?
– A request to the registrar and counselor for transcripts and a counselor recommendation.
** 30 school days are required for processing of the Transcript Packet**
Transcript Request Packet
The packet includes:
• A list of required forms to be completed– Transcript Request Form– Sample Student Academic Resume– Counselor Input Form– Optional Parent Questionnaire– Waiver of Right to See School/Teacher Letters of
Recommendation
• Information on what the registrar will compile for your student’s college
• Mid-year Reports and Final Transcript information
Transcript Request Packet
• Forms that will be due by Monday, June 14th– Student Academic Resume– Counselor Input Form– Optional Parent Questionnaire
• Please have your student turn in their completed forms to either: Mrs. St. John or Mrs. Wohlers, the Registrars.
Transcript Example
Teacher Recommendations
• Select two teachers
• Requests for letters should be typed
• Include a resume and input form with your request
• Some colleges require teacher recommendation forms – you must provide the form
• Teachers require 30 school days advance notice
• Teachers will submit letters to the Registrar
Administrator Recommendations
• Students should make an appointment to meet with the administrator
• Requests for letters should be typed
• Include a transcript, resume and input form with your request
• Some colleges require recommendation forms – you must provide the form
• Administrators require 30 school days advance notice
• Administrators will submit letters to the Registrar
You have brains in your head.You have feet in your shoes.You can steer yourself in any
direction you choose.You're on your own.
And you know what you know.You are the guy who'll decide
where to go.~Dr. Seuss
QUESTIONS?
7:00PM Guest Speaker Chip Saltsman
• Vice-President, Capgemini• MIT Alumni Interviewer
• Parent
