Kenmore WestKenmore WestCollege PlanningCollege Planning

presentationpresentation

September 23, 2015September 23, 20156:30 pm6:30 pm

Many decisions are neccesary Many decisions are neccesary when planning for collegewhen planning for college

Two year or four college? Two year or four college? Attend a local school or go away? Attend a local school or go away? What do I want to major in? What do I want to major in? How will I afford college? How will I afford college? What kind of career am I thinking What kind of career am I thinking about? about?

How much money do I want to make?How much money do I want to make?Where do I see myself in 5-10 years?Where do I see myself in 5-10 years?

What are colleges looking What are colleges looking forfor??

GPA GPA Strength of transcriptStrength of transcript Standardized test scores (SAT, SAT Standardized test scores (SAT, SAT

Subject test, ACT)Subject test, ACT) College essayCollege essay Letters of recommendationLetters of recommendation Community service, clubs and activitiesCommunity service, clubs and activities Involvement in athletics, arts, music, Involvement in athletics, arts, music,

etcetc

Grade Point AverageGrade Point Average

Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated in Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated in the fall of senior year. The GPA includes all the fall of senior year. The GPA includes all grades for any high school class the student grades for any high school class the student earned credit for in grades 8 – 11earned credit for in grades 8 – 11

Courses of higher levels (IB, AP, Honors) Courses of higher levels (IB, AP, Honors) carry weighting with them for the purpose of carry weighting with them for the purpose of computing GPA. IB = 1.10, AP = 1.10, computing GPA. IB = 1.10, AP = 1.10, Honors = 1.05, Regents = 1.0Honors = 1.05, Regents = 1.0

Students receive their GPA in fall of their Students receive their GPA in fall of their senior yearsenior year

Strength of transcriptStrength of transcript

Colleges have “recommended” minimum academic Colleges have “recommended” minimum academic requirements for applicants. Look at college websites requirements for applicants. Look at college websites

under their Admissions section for requirements under their Admissions section for requirements

Students are always encouraged to achieve more than the Students are always encouraged to achieve more than the minimum of the required high school requirements. minimum of the required high school requirements.

We recommend challenging yourself as much We recommend challenging yourself as much as possible in order to stay competitive:as possible in order to stay competitive:

Honors & AP coursesHonors & AP coursesArticulated coursesArticulated courses

Other advanced coursesOther advanced coursesChallenging electivesChallenging electives

Full high school scheduleFull high school schedule

Register for SAT and/or ACT testsRegister for SAT and/or ACT tests

SAT – To register: SAT – To register: www.collegeboard.com

ACT – To register: ACT – To register: www.actstudent.org

**If you are a special education student **If you are a special education student planning to take either of these tests, you planning to take either of these tests, you MUSTMUST see your IEP teacher and counselor see your IEP teacher and counselor

before you registerbefore you register

Standardized tests are not required for Standardized tests are not required for admission to a two-year community collegeadmission to a two-year community college

Standardized Tests

ACTACT

Four parts to the testFour parts to the test: : English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning

The Writing section is optionalThe Writing section is optional

Each section is scored separately, Each section is scored separately, with a total composite score of 36.with a total composite score of 36.

The cost of the ACT is $39.50, with writing section is $56.50The cost of the ACT is $39.50, with writing section is $56.50Both include sending scores to 4 schools at no additional cost.Both include sending scores to 4 schools at no additional cost.

Next test dateNext test date: December 12: December 12Registration deadlineRegistration deadline: November 6: November 6

Fee waivers are available to students Fee waivers are available to students who receive free or reduced lunchwho receive free or reduced lunch

Check the ACT website or KW Counseling Ctr websiteCheck the ACT website or KW Counseling Ctr websitefor 2015-16 dates & informationfor 2015-16 dates & information

SATSAT

Three parts to the test: Math, Critical Reading and Writing Three parts to the test: Math, Critical Reading and Writing The Writing section is The Writing section is notnot optional optional

Each section is 800 points, with a total possible score of 2400Each section is 800 points, with a total possible score of 2400

The cost of the SAT is $54.50 The cost of the SAT is $54.50 (this includes sending scores to 4 schools at no additional cost)(this includes sending scores to 4 schools at no additional cost)

Dates & deadlines:Dates & deadlines: Next test dateNext test date: November 7: November 7

Registration deadlineRegistration deadline: October 9: October 9

Fee waivers are available for students Fee waivers are available for students who receive free or reduced lunchwho receive free or reduced lunch

Check the College Board website or KW Counseling Ctr websiteCheck the College Board website or KW Counseling Ctr website for 2015-16 test dates & informationfor 2015-16 test dates & information

SAT Subject testsSAT Subject tests

SAT subject tests are one hour long, content-based tests that allow SAT subject tests are one hour long, content-based tests that allow you to showcase achievement in specific subjects where you excel. you to showcase achievement in specific subjects where you excel.

Students choose the test(s) that best show achievement & Students choose the test(s) that best show achievement & interest.interest.

Certain schools will require a SAT subject test Certain schools will require a SAT subject test for specific majorsfor specific majors

Subject tests are offered in the following areas: Subject tests are offered in the following areas:

Literature, US History, World History, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Literature, US History, World History, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Latin, Italian, German, Latin, and Physics, French, Spanish, Latin, Italian, German, Latin, and

modern Hebrewmodern Hebrew

Recommended that students take these in June Recommended that students take these in June of junior year (after AP exams)of junior year (after AP exams)

Cost of a subject test is $26, each additional test is $18Cost of a subject test is $26, each additional test is $18

Please check with college of interest to see Please check with college of interest to see if these are required.if these are required.

Sending your scores

Many colleges prefer you send your SAT and/or ACT scores directly from the testing company

(for security purposes)

When you register for either test, you can send your scores to FOUR colleges for free

ACT and College Board will charge a fee to have your scores sent to additional colleges

SAT & ACT score report fee: $12 per school

Colleges & your scores

When most colleges look at your SAT/ACT scores from different test dates, they will look at your

top score for each section, or your “Super Score.”Example:

May 2015 SAT scores: Writing – 500, Reading – 550, Math – 600October 2015 SAT scores: Writing – 550, Reading – 500, Math 650

Colleges will use the 550 for Writing, 550 for Reading, and 650 for Math to determine

acceptance or placement in a Math or English course

Gathering InformationGathering Information

Look at college and university websites Look at college and university websites under Admissions or Prospective Studentsunder Admissions or Prospective Students

Use the S.U.N.Y. website, Naviance, & Common Use the S.U.N.Y. website, Naviance, & Common Application website for information on colleges Application website for information on colleges (admission requirements, financial aid, etc.)(admission requirements, financial aid, etc.)

Attend college fairs this fallAttend college fairs this fall

Meet with college representatives Meet with college representatives in Career Center this spring & fallin Career Center this spring & fall

Visit schools this fall - you won’t know if it’s a Visit schools this fall - you won’t know if it’s a good fit for you until you step foot on campusgood fit for you until you step foot on campus

Information about CareersInformation about Careers

Use online resources such as:Use online resources such as:

Naviance – website for career and college searchesNaviance – website for career and college searches

Bureau of Labor StatisticsBureau of Labor Statisticswww.bls.govwww.bls.gov

U.S. Department of LaborU.S. Department of Laborwww.careeronestop.org

N.Y. Department of LaborN.Y. Department of Laborwww.labor.ny.govwww.labor.ny.gov

Look for more resources on the Look for more resources on the KW Counseling webpage → Career PlanningKW Counseling webpage → Career Planning

Naviance Family Connection

Naviance is a website used by KW for all students to research college information & careers, manage

applications, create a resume, & more

Students log in by using their KW Novell username and password

Parents can also access their own account. Please contact your student’s counselor for a registration

code.

All current students areregistered for Naviance.

Students must use their Students must use their Naviance accountNaviance account to request to request transcripts be sent to the colleges they’ve applied to. transcripts be sent to the colleges they’ve applied to.

From Naviance, their transcripts will be sent electronically From Naviance, their transcripts will be sent electronically to the colleges. to the colleges.

Transcripts will only be sent electronically from Kenmore Transcripts will only be sent electronically from Kenmore West to colleges beginning in Fall 2015.West to colleges beginning in Fall 2015.

Colleges do not notify us when an application is submitted Colleges do not notify us when an application is submitted online. Students must be sure their list of college online. Students must be sure their list of college

applications in Naviance is accurate.applications in Naviance is accurate.

Colleges will NOT review a student’s application until he/she Colleges will NOT review a student’s application until he/she has submitted all required documents (transcript, has submitted all required documents (transcript,

SAT/ACT scores, letters of recommendation, SAT/ACT scores, letters of recommendation, essay, etc)essay, etc)

Counselors will hand out more specific information Counselors will hand out more specific information about the college application process about the college application process

during classroom presentations during classroom presentations & individual Senior Review meetings.& individual Senior Review meetings.

Common ApplicationCommon ApplicationThe Common Application is used by The Common Application is used by

over 600 colleges and universitiesover 600 colleges and universities

Complete one Common Application online, Complete one Common Application online,

and it can be sent to numerous member schoolsand it can be sent to numerous member schools

Students must MATCH their Common Application account Students must MATCH their Common Application account with their Naviance accountwith their Naviance account

There is a separate section in Common App for each There is a separate section in Common App for each individual school if they require different documents (essay individual school if they require different documents (essay

or the number of required letters of recommendation)or the number of required letters of recommendation)

An application fee is still required An application fee is still required

for each school you apply tofor each school you apply to

College AcceptanceCollege Acceptance

Students should know whether they have been Students should know whether they have been accepted by early spring accepted by early spring

(every college has a different timeline)(every college has a different timeline)

Applicants may either be accepted, Applicants may either be accepted, wait listed or denied admissionwait listed or denied admission

Once all offers are on the table, Once all offers are on the table, weigh the pros and cons of each school, weigh the pros and cons of each school,

together with the financial packages offered together with the financial packages offered & make the best decision for you& make the best decision for you

Your school counselor will make an appointment Your school counselor will make an appointment for you to discuss your Senior Review for you to discuss your Senior Review

in September or Octoberin September or October. .

During the Senior Review, students will review all During the Senior Review, students will review all credits earned & needed for graduation, credits earned & needed for graduation,

including diploma type.including diploma type.

Students will also review post-high school plans Students will also review post-high school plans with their counselor and review the college with their counselor and review the college

application process.application process.

Counselors will follow up with seniors Counselors will follow up with seniors through the year as neededthrough the year as needed

Senior Review appointments

Letters of Letters of Recommendation and EssayRecommendation and Essay

Some colleges may require letters Some colleges may require letters of recommendation and an essay.of recommendation and an essay.

Ask 1-2 people to write a recommendation letter for Ask 1-2 people to write a recommendation letter for college applications or scholarships and begin working college applications or scholarships and begin working

on college application essay.on college application essay.

Be sure to give your recommenders enough time so the Be sure to give your recommenders enough time so the letter will get to the college on time. Complete the letter will get to the college on time. Complete the

resume section on Naviance so recommenders resume section on Naviance so recommenders can write a quality letter.can write a quality letter.

You may be able to use a general essay you’ve already You may be able to use a general essay you’ve already written but some colleges may want you to write an written but some colleges may want you to write an essay on a specific topic. Ask your current English essay on a specific topic. Ask your current English

teacher teacher for help with your essay.for help with your essay.

Mid Year ReportsMid Year Reports

Some colleges may require a mid year Some colleges may require a mid year report to check on your 12report to check on your 12thth grade classes grade classes

and grades.and grades.

Mid year report requests must be submitted Mid year report requests must be submitted to your counselor. to your counselor.

If the college requires these, KW will send a If the college requires these, KW will send a copy of your 2copy of your 2ndnd marking period report marking period report

card. card.

Other application materialsOther application materials::

Some schools may require additional Some schools may require additional materials materials

(ie. art schools may require submitting a (ie. art schools may require submitting a portfolio)portfolio)

Check websites or contact admissions offices Check websites or contact admissions offices

for more informationfor more information

Students interested in a health or medical Students interested in a health or medical field must apply early because these field must apply early because these

programs fill up quicklyprograms fill up quickly

NCAANCAA

If you plan on participating in Division I If you plan on participating in Division I or Division II athletics during college, or Division II athletics during college,

you must register with NCAA, you must register with NCAA,

prior to senior year prior to senior year

It is the student’s responsibility to It is the student’s responsibility to registerregister

www.ncaa.orgwww.ncaa.org

ScholarshipsScholarships

Check the Scholarship file on a regular basis in the Check the Scholarship file on a regular basis in the Career Center. The Scholarship Bulletin is also Career Center. The Scholarship Bulletin is also

available on the available on the Kenmore West Career Center websiteKenmore West Career Center website

Talk to parents about scholarship opportunities Talk to parents about scholarship opportunities through their employersthrough their employers

Look online for Scholarship opportunities. Obtain Look online for Scholarship opportunities. Obtain scholarship information through scholarship information through www.fastweb.com

Scholarships require most of the following: Scholarships require most of the following: application, transcript, essay, or letter of application, transcript, essay, or letter of

recommendationrecommendation

Pay attention to deadlinesPay attention to deadlines

Financial AidFinancial Aid

Attend Financial Aid NightAttend Financial Aid NightKenmore West AuditoriumKenmore West AuditoriumDecember 9, 2015 6:30 pmDecember 9, 2015 6:30 pm

A financial aid office representative from a local A financial aid office representative from a local college college

will guide you through the financial aid process.will guide you through the financial aid process.

File FAFSA Form between Jan 1 - 31File FAFSA Form between Jan 1 - 31www.fafasa.ed.gov

You may create a username and obtain a PIN prior to January 1 on the FAFSA website

*Do not let the tuition cost of a private college prevent you from applying. Private colleges often offer

comparable financial aid & scholarship packages for students vs. public colleges

Please call or email us at any time Please call or email us at any time with questions or concernswith questions or concerns

Last nameLast name Mr. Gourlay:Mr. Gourlay: A-CiA-Ci Mrs. Sedita:Mrs. Sedita: Cj – GoCj – Go Mrs. Serio:Mrs. Serio: Gp-LeGp-Le Mr. Panepinto:Mr. Panepinto: Lf-ParLf-Par Mrs. Handley:Mrs. Handley: Pas-SiPas-Si Mrs. Flatau:Mrs. Flatau: Sj-ZSj-Z

Use our website for additional help:Use our website for additional help:www.kenton.k12.ny.us

Kenmore West → Services → Counseling & Career Kenmore West → Services → Counseling & Career CtrCtr