The College Planning Process: The College Planning Process: The Junior Year TimetableThe Junior Year Timetable

Presenter:Presenter:Mrs. Karen FelberMrs. Karen Felber

Topics to discuss with your child:Topics to discuss with your child:

What do I want to do with my life? Who What do I want to do with my life? Who do I want to be?do I want to be?

Stay Home/Go AwayStay Home/Go Away Financial Planning for CollegeFinancial Planning for College What colleges do I want to visit?What colleges do I want to visit?

– Map it outMap it out What experiences can expose me to What experiences can expose me to

opportunities?opportunities?– Volunteer work, internships, summer research, Volunteer work, internships, summer research,

pre-college programspre-college programs

Who Do I Want To Be?Who Do I Want To Be?◊ Choose a Career Path by taking a Self-Choose a Career Path by taking a Self-

Assessment TestAssessment Test◊ Write down some career goalsWrite down some career goals◊ Think about what interests you the Think about what interests you the

most!most!◊ Career Search WebsitesCareer Search Websites

◊ Naviance- Naviance- www.naviance.com◊ Career Zone- Career Zone- www.nycareerzone.org◊ Peterson’s- Peterson’s- www.petersons.com◊ Occupational Outlook Handbook- Occupational Outlook Handbook-

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/◊ Mpegasus.com- Mpegasus.com- www.mpegasus.com

Factors to ConsiderFactors to Consider MajorMajor LocationLocation

– Home Home – AwayAway

How far?How far?Urban/Suburban/RuralUrban/Suburban/Rural

SizeSize– # of students# of students

CompetitivenessCompetitiveness CostCost Support ServicesSupport Services

MajorMajor

Does the college offer a program in your Does the college offer a program in your field of interest?field of interest?

ReputationReputation

LocationLocation

Do you want to attend a college near Do you want to attend a college near home? Do you want to be in a familiar home? Do you want to be in a familiar place?place?

Do you want to go to another section of Do you want to go to another section of the country?the country?

Do you want to go to a college in a city, Do you want to go to a college in a city, suburban or a rural environment?suburban or a rural environment?

Do you have any preference as to the Do you have any preference as to the weather?weather?

HousingHousing

Do you want to live in a dorm?Do you want to live in a dorm? Would you live with a couple of Would you live with a couple of

roommates? How about 5 in a small roommates? How about 5 in a small apartment?apartment?

If it matters to you, FIND OUT!If it matters to you, FIND OUT!

Size of SchoolSize of School

Do you want to go to a small, Do you want to go to a small, medium-size or large college?medium-size or large college?

Large Colleges vs. Small CollegesLarge Colleges vs. Small Colleges

CostCost

Private/ PublicPrivate/ Public In State/ Out of StateIn State/ Out of State Financial Aid OpportunitiesFinancial Aid Opportunities

– Do you have specific plans for financing Do you have specific plans for financing your college?your college?

– Are you attending Financial Aid Night to Are you attending Financial Aid Night to learn more about options?learn more about options?

Financial Aid NightFinancial Aid Night

December 5, at Hicksville High December 5, at Hicksville High School, 7:00 PMSchool, 7:00 PM

File FAFSA – January of Senior YearFile FAFSA – January of Senior Year– www.fafsa.ed.gov– Best window of time to apply is Jan. 1- Best window of time to apply is Jan. 1-

Feb. 15Feb. 15

Special InterestsSpecial Interests

Do you want to attend a college Do you want to attend a college administered by a particular religious administered by a particular religious denomination?denomination?

Are you interested in a college with Are you interested in a college with specific athletic programs?specific athletic programs?

Do you have musical/artistic talents Do you have musical/artistic talents you would like to pursue?you would like to pursue?

Would you like to study abroad?Would you like to study abroad?

Support ProgramsSupport Programs

Does the college offer support Does the college offer support services or programs?services or programs?

Support ProgramsSupport Programs– Academic Enrichment ProgramsAcademic Enrichment Programs– Office for Students with DisabilitiesOffice for Students with Disabilities

Testing AccomodationsTesting Accomodations

– Student Financial ServicesStudent Financial Services– Academic AdvisementAcademic Advisement– Career and Placement ServicesCareer and Placement Services

The College ListThe College List

Safety (1-2)Safety (1-2)

Target (2-4)Target (2-4)

Reach (1-2)Reach (1-2)

Admissions CriteriaAdmissions Criteria Grades in College Preparatory CoursesGrades in College Preparatory Courses Course SelectionCourse Selection Class RankClass Rank Test ScoresTest Scores ExtracurricularExtracurricular Counselor/ Teacher RecommendationsCounselor/ Teacher Recommendations Writing Sample/ EssayWriting Sample/ Essay InterviewsInterviews Special Talents/ Interests/ SkillsSpecial Talents/ Interests/ Skills Community ServiceCommunity Service

ApplicationsApplications

It is encouraged that students use the It is encouraged that students use the common application if possible.common application if possible.Common Application-Common Application-www.commonapp.orgwww.commonapp.orgSUNY schools- www.SUNY.eduSUNY schools- www.SUNY.eduCUNY schools- www.CUNY.eduCUNY schools- www.CUNY.eduIndividual college applicationsIndividual college applicationsOn-Site AdmissionsOn-Site Admissions

Activity SheetActivity Sheet

Include all activities grades 9-12Include all activities grades 9-12

The Common Application asks for The Common Application asks for activities to be put in order of activities to be put in order of importance importance

Recommendation LettersRecommendation Letters

Request 2 lettersRequest 2 letters Relate to choice of majorRelate to choice of major Consider teachers, counselors, Consider teachers, counselors,

coaches, employers, and community coaches, employers, and community leaders who know you bestleaders who know you best

Anything beyond 2 letters, student Anything beyond 2 letters, student needs to have recommender send needs to have recommender send letter directly to colleges.letter directly to colleges.

EssayEssay

Opportunity for colleges to see who Opportunity for colleges to see who you are you are

Bring to counselor, English teachers Bring to counselor, English teachers for reviewfor review

Write in the first person and from the Write in the first person and from the heartheart

Look at Common Application Look at Common Application questions to get a sense of the types questions to get a sense of the types of questions.of questions.

PSAT ExamPSAT Exam

11th grade students will take the 11th grade students will take the PSAT on Saturday, October 19, at PSAT on Saturday, October 19, at Hicksville High School. Hicksville High School.

The SAT ExamThe SAT Exam

Register online at Register online at www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com– CEEB Code-332-365CEEB Code-332-365

The SAT measures critical reading, math and writing The SAT measures critical reading, math and writing abilities. abilities.

Students must take the SAT Exam at least once, and Students must take the SAT Exam at least once, and if taken more than once, most colleges will consider if taken more than once, most colleges will consider the highest Critical Reading and Math scores in their the highest Critical Reading and Math scores in their calculationscalculations

www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com – Question of the dayQuestion of the day– Practice testsPractice tests

SAT Score ReportSAT Score Report

Colleges require official score reportsColleges require official score reports– Must come from www.collegeboard.com Must come from www.collegeboard.com

directlydirectly– It takes 3-4 weeks for scores to be sentIt takes 3-4 weeks for scores to be sent– Most colleges combine your highest Most colleges combine your highest

scoresscores– Scoring: either a total of 1600 or Scoring: either a total of 1600 or

2400(depends on the college and 2400(depends on the college and whether they use the writing score)whether they use the writing score)

SAT II Subject TestsSAT II Subject Tests

1 Hour length test(can take up to 3 in 1 Hour length test(can take up to 3 in one day)one day)

Required by only some schoolsRequired by only some schools Examples: Math, Biology, Chemistry, Examples: Math, Biology, Chemistry,

etc.etc.

SAT Exam Test DatesSAT Exam Test Dates October 5 – Register by September 5October 5 – Register by September 5

November 2 – Register by October 3November 2 – Register by October 3

December 7 – Register by November 8December 7 – Register by November 8

January 25 – Register by December 27January 25 – Register by December 27

March 8 – Register by February 7March 8 – Register by February 7

May 3 – Register by April 4May 3 – Register by April 4

June 7 – Register by May 9June 7 – Register by May 9

The ACT ExamThe ACT Exam

www.act.orgwww.act.org Achievement orientedAchievement oriented Scores- Range from 1-36Scores- Range from 1-36 Sections include: Math, English, Sections include: Math, English,

Reading, scientific Reasoning, Reading, scientific Reasoning, Writing(Optional but strongly Writing(Optional but strongly recommended)recommended)

ACT Exam Test DatesACT Exam Test Dates

October 26 – Register by September 27October 26 – Register by September 27 December 14 – Register by November 8December 14 – Register by November 8 February 8- Register by January 10February 8- Register by January 10 April 12 – Register by March 7April 12 – Register by March 7 June 14 – Register by May 9June 14 – Register by May 9

Fee WaiversFee Waivers

If you are concerned about finances If you are concerned about finances and are interested in fee waivers for and are interested in fee waivers for college entrance exams and college college entrance exams and college applications, please see your counselor applications, please see your counselor to discuss further.to discuss further.

ScholarshipsScholarships

Naviance.com(college Naviance.com(college section/scholarship search)section/scholarship search)Fastweb.comFastweb.comMeritAid.comMeritAid.comGoogle “Scholarship Search”Google “Scholarship Search”Check with Guidance OfficeCheck with Guidance OfficeStart looking NOW!Start looking NOW!

How to Research CollegesHow to Research Colleges1.1. Review “Planning your Future” guidebook, which is available on school website.Review “Planning your Future” guidebook, which is available on school website.

2.2. Discuss your needs with your counselor.Discuss your needs with your counselor.

3.3. Use available references:Use available references:

a.a. Internet Internet

a.a. www.Naviance.comwww.Naviance.com

b.b. www.Collegeboard.comwww.Collegeboard.com

c.c. www.princetonreview.comwww.princetonreview.com

d.d. www.campustours.comwww.campustours.com

e.e. Hicksville High School Guidance Dept.Hicksville High School Guidance Dept.

b.b. Admissions Reference BooksAdmissions Reference Books

c.c. College CataloguesCollege Catalogues

4.4. Talk to college representatives at college fairs.Talk to college representatives at college fairs.

5.5. Discuss colleges and costs with parents.Discuss colleges and costs with parents.

6.6. Visit colleges – both an interview and tour are desirable (if offered).Visit colleges – both an interview and tour are desirable (if offered).

7.7. Maintain an ongoing dialogue with your counselor.Maintain an ongoing dialogue with your counselor.

8.8. Talk to current students in attendance at college.Talk to current students in attendance at college.

College VisitsCollege Visits

Campus ToursCampus Tours Open HousesOpen Houses Overnight StaysOvernight Stays Visit the actual classes while in Visit the actual classes while in

sessionsession

Early Decision Vs. Early ActionEarly Decision Vs. Early Action

““Binding”- If you Binding”- If you get accepted, you get accepted, you MUST go!MUST go!

Must pull all other Must pull all other applications if applications if acceptedaccepted

Make sure you are Make sure you are a million percent a million percent sure this is the sure this is the right fit.right fit.

Not “binding”- you Not “binding”- you will be notified well will be notified well in advance of the in advance of the normal response normal response datedate

Not required to Not required to make a make a commitment until commitment until May 1.May 1.

Junior Year TimelineJunior Year Timeline

OctoberOctober

• Take the PSAT exam – October 19, 2013 given Take the PSAT exam – October 19, 2013 given at Hicksville High Schoolat Hicksville High School

March/April March/April

• Obtain the SAT I – SAT II – ACT – schedules and Obtain the SAT I – SAT II – ACT – schedules and register for your appropriate testregister for your appropriate test

• Attend College Fairs and Visit CollegesAttend College Fairs and Visit Colleges• Meet with your counselor for ongoing post-Meet with your counselor for ongoing post-

high school planninghigh school planning

Junior Year TimelineJunior Year Timeline

March/AprilMarch/April Meet with your counselor for a junior Meet with your counselor for a junior

interviewinterview Sign up for the appropriate college entrance Sign up for the appropriate college entrance

examsexams Review college reference books and/or Review college reference books and/or

explore colleges on the Internet and request explore colleges on the Internet and request catalogs from collegescatalogs from colleges

NCAA Clearinghouse form (See your NCAA Clearinghouse form (See your counselor)counselor)

Create a filing system for catalogs, Create a filing system for catalogs, applications and correspondenceapplications and correspondence

Junior Year TimelineJunior Year Timeline

May/JuneMay/June

Take the appropriate college entrance examsTake the appropriate college entrance exams Begin composing your list of activitiesBegin composing your list of activities Meet with your counselor to share your Meet with your counselor to share your

college visitation experiences and to amend college visitation experiences and to amend your list in preparation for fall application your list in preparation for fall application processprocess

Request letters of recommendation from Request letters of recommendation from teachersteachers

Junior Year TimelineJunior Year Timeline

July/AugustJuly/August

If necessary, begin a new search via the If necessary, begin a new search via the Internet or using college catalogs found Internet or using college catalogs found at your community libraryat your community library

Start working on college applicationsStart working on college applications Plan and outline your college essayPlan and outline your college essay Update your activity listUpdate your activity list

Thank you!Thank you!

Any Questions?Any Questions?