1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MISSION 3

INTRODUCTION 3

PRIVACY AND REPORTING POLICY 3

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 4

COLLEGE CALENDAR 5

JUNIOR YEAR PLAN 5 SENIOR YEAR PLAN 8

PARENTS IN THE PROCESS 11

GRADES AND COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL 12

SCORES ON STANDARDIZED TESTS 12

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES 12

COLLECTING INFORMATION 13

COLLEGE GUIDES 13 GREAT REFERENCE BOOKS 13 COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVES 13 REQUEST INFORMATION FROM COLLEGES 13 GET ORGANIZED 14 OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION 14

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST 15

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS 16

TO SCHEDULE A COLLEGE VISIT 16 HELPFUL HINTS 16 QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED 17

CONTACTING COLLEGES 19

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS 20

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES 20 COMPLETING APPLICATIONS 21 USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS 22

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS 23

TESTING INFORMATION 26

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION 27 TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT 30

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE 31

FINANCIAL AID 32

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE 33

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE 33 RECRUITING 34 OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS 34

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS 35

THE FIRST ACADEMY GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 37

2

BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION 38

FLORIDA ACADEMIC SCHOLARS AWARD 38

INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT WWWFLORIDASTUDENTFINANCIALAIDORGSSFADBFFASREQUIREHTM 38

FLORIDA MEDALLION SCHOLARS AWARD 38

SAMPLE RESUMES 39

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE 42

RECOMMENDATION LETTER REQUEST FORM 43

UF ACCEPTANCE 2014 ANALYSIS ERROR BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED

GODrsquoS PLAN OF SALVATION 44

3

MISSION The goal of The First Academyrsquos College Guidance program is to provide our students with the best available advice and information regarding their academic program at TFA and to assist them in choosing and gaining admission to the college or university most holistically appropriate for them We seek to engage in the college search process through a three-way partnership involving the student the guidance counselors and the parents Together we can assure that each student takes advantage of every possible opportunity and has countless prospects open for hisher future

INTRODUCTION

Making decisions about your post-secondary future can be both scary and exciting It will test your patience and tolerance We are committed to making the process as manageable as possible

Please know that colleges are becoming more and more selective Remember too that being admitted to a college or university is only a small part of ldquothe battlerdquo Being successful at that school is the ultimate goal

One of the Guidance counselors will meet individually with each student and hisher parent(s) on a yearly basis to review course selection test scores and the college application process We will also discuss the criteria for acceptance into colleges that students are interested in attending We can only offer suggestions and guidelines that merit consideration The final decision should be a family decision Although many colleges may be appropriate for each student the key is finding the schools that match your abilities and needs

There are thousands of colleges and universities in the United States - and like the students who attend them they are all different They are private and public large and small located in cities and small towns Some schools are church-related while others are not Some offer the liberal arts and sciences while others are specialized or technical

Understanding that there is not a perfect college also will make the application process more exciting If you narrow your sights to only one college you may spend too much time worrying about gaining admission to that particular school This will keep you from seriously considering other colleges and universities

We urge you to look at a variety of options and you will quickly find that each one has its own advantages

PRIVACY AND REPORTING POLICY

Each student has the right to complete confidentiality and privacy of hisher academic records discipline records and college choices We will not send transcripts to any college coach scholarship etc without written consent

Most disciplinary actions do not need to be reported However we are required to report suspensions or incidences of academic dishonesty to every college to which a student applies

All letters of recommendation are considered confidential and will be given to the student only with the written permission of the writer You have the right to see any other documentation being sent from this office Please trust that we will never send a letter that is unfavorable to a student

4

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Rights

When you are offered admission you have the right to wait to respond to an offer of admission andor financial aid until May 1st (This does not include Early Decision candidates) Colleges that request commitments to offers of admission prior to May 1 must clearly offer you the opportunity to request (in writing) an extension until May 1

These colleges must grant you an extension and your request may not jeopardize your status for admission andor financial aid

If you are placed on a waitlist you have the right to be notified of that placement by the college or university They should provide a history that describes the number of students on the waitlist the number offered admission and the availability of financial aid and housing Waitlist candidates are individuals who have been deemed ldquoacceptablerdquo by the admissions committee but who are not fully ldquoacceptedrdquo when other students are notified on or around April 1 the traditional notification deadline Individuals may or may not be taken from the waitlist at a later date which is largely determined by the college or university filling their new freshman class with the first round of accept letters If a college foresees that it could fall any number of students short in filling their freshman class they may at that point accept some or many of the students from the wait list

Responsibilities

Before you apply you have the responsibility to research and understand the policies and procedures of each college or university regarding application fees financial aid scholarships and housing You should also be sure of each schoolrsquos policy regarding deposits which you may be required to make before you enroll

It is your responsibility to accurately and thoroughly complete all material required for an application and to submit your application on or before the published deadliness Please allow the college counseling office 2 weeks to work on your application You are responsible to seek assistance from the Guidance Office and to follow the process as outlined in this book

It is your responsibility to arrange for college visits get applications schedule interviews and register for the SAT and ACT It is your responsibility to send official copies of your SATACT scores to each college

It is your responsibility to withdraw applications to other colleges when you receive an Early Decision acceptance

Once you receive your admission decisions it is your responsibility to notify each college or university whether you are accepting or rejecting its offer You should make these notifications as soon as you have made a final decision but no later than June 1 Please remember that there may be students on a waitlist waiting to hear from that school

5

COLLEGE CALENDAR Junior Year Plan

Begin college selection process Attend college fairs financial aid seminars general information sessions etc to learn as much as you can about the college application process Make sure you are meeting NCAA requirements if you want to play Division I or II sports in college

September

Save samples of your best work for your academic portfolio (all year)

Maintain your extra-curricular record (all year)

Attend the Christian College Fair at TFA

Be sure to check with the Guidance office or Naviance for the list of colleges visiting TFA throughout the fall

October

Take the PSAT

Junior year PSAT scores may qualify a student for the National Merit Scholarship Competition and the National Achievement and the National Hispanic Scholars Programs Even though these scores will not be used for college admission it is still a good idea to take the PSAT The more times you take standardized tests the more familiar you will become with the format and the types of questions asked

Attend the National College Fairs at the Valencia College (East West or Osceola campus)

Meet with the college representatives when they visit TFA

November

Junior year grades are extremely important in the college admission process because they are a measure of how well you do in advanced upper-level courses Grades are also used to determine scholarships and grants for which you may be eligible so put in the extra effort and keep those grades up

If you will require financial aid start researching your options for grants scholarships and work-study programs Make an appointment with your guidance counselor or start by visiting NACACs Web Resources for the College-Bound at wwwnacacnetorg for more information

December

During December you should receive the results of your PSAT Read your score report and consult your school counselor to determine how you might improve on future standardized tests The PSAT is excellent preparation for the SAT which you will take in the spring

If you plan to take the ACT register now for the February ACT Many colleges accept the ACT or the SAT Some colleges require the ACT or both SAT and the SAT Subject Tests When you begin to explore different colleges and universities double-check to see what they prefer

6

January

Begin to make a preliminary list of colleges you would like to investigate further Surf the Internet and use the college resources in the guidance office or library

Ask your parents for your Social Security number (required on many college applications) If you were never issued a Social Security number contact the closest Social Security office as soon as possible to obtain a number

Attend the GUIDANCE MEETING (for all Juniors amp Parents)

Register for the SAT Reasoning Test in the Spring if you have completed the math courses covered by the test (Algebra I Geometry amp Algebra II) If not plan to take the SAT in May or June Prepare for the SAT or ACT by signing up for a prep course using computer software or doing the SATACT practice tests available in the counseling office or at bookstores Do not spend so much time trying to improve standardized test scores that grades and extra-curricular involvement suffer

February

Continue to be diligent in your academic and extracurricular work

Check with the Guidance office on the amount of community service hours you have

Consider taking college-related trips with friends and family

March

Write telephone or use the Internet to request admission literature and financial aid information from the colleges on your list Begin visiting colleges Set up appointments Interviews are always a good idea Many colleges will tell you they are optional but an interview will show interest enthusiasm and initiative on your part and provide an excellent opportunity to have your questions answered

April

When selecting your senior courses be sure to continue to challenge yourself academically

Register for the MayJune SAT andor the MayJune SAT Subject Tests Not all SAT Subject Tests are given on every test date Check the calendar carefully to determine when the Subject Tests you want are offered Register for the June ACT if you want to take that test

Look into summer jobs or apply for special summer academic or enrichment programs Colleges love to see students using their knowledge and developing their skills and interests

7

May

Get a jump start on summer activities consider enrolling in an academic course at a local college pursuing a summer school program applying for an internship working or volunteering If you work save part of your earnings for college

Take the SAT or the SAT Subject Tests

Students must complete their NCAA Clearinghouse registration after completing their junior year Transcript request must be made to the Guidance office

June

After school ends get on the road to visit colleges if you have not done so already Seeing the college firsthand taking a tour and talking to students can be the greatest help in deciding whether a school is right for you Although it is ideal to visit colleges during the academic year going in the summer will also be valuable Admission offices employ their students to give tours and answer questions from prospective students and their parents

Take the SAT the SAT Subject Tests andor the ACT

July

Visit colleges take tours have interviews and ask questions Make college visits a family event Involve your parents and siblings in every step of your application process Choosing the right college is a tough decision the opinions of those who know you best can provide helpful insight into which college is best for you

Begin preparing for the actual application process draft application essays collect writing samples and assemble portfolios or audition tapes

August

Continue to refine your list of potential colleges and universities

If you are an athlete and plan on playing in college contact the coaches at the schools to which you are applying and ask about intercollegiate and intramural sports programs and athletic scholarships

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

8

Senior Year Plan Apply to colleges Make decisions Finish high school with pride in yourself and your accomplishments

September

Make sure you have all applications required for college admission and financial aid Write phone or use the Internet to request missing information

Check on application and financial aid deadlines for the schools to which you plan to apply They may vary and it is essential to meet all deadlines

Review your transcript and extra-curricular records with your school counselor to ensure their accuracy

If needed register for the OctoberNovember SAT andor SAT Subject Tests or SeptemberOctober ACT

If the colleges require recommendations ask the appropriate people to write on your behalf Provide recommendation forms any special instructions and a stamped addressed business envelope to the people writing your recommendation Be thoughtful Write thank-you notes to those who write recommendations and keep them informed of your decisions

Do not take rolling admission applications for granted (Some colleges do not have application deadlines they admit students on a continuous basis) These schools may reach their maximum class size quickly-the earlier you apply the more availability there may be

Plan visits to colleges and set up interviews (if you didnt get to them during the summer or if you want to return to a campus for a second time)

October

Mail applications in time to reach the colleges by the deadlines Fill out the transcript request on Naviance to have your transcript mailed to the colleges

If applying for early decision or early action send in your application now Also prepare applications for back-up schools Remember if you are accepted under the early decision option you are expected to enroll at that college and to withdraw all other applications Submit financial aid information if requested from early decisionaction candidates

Have official test scores sent by the testing agency to colleges on your list

November

Be sure your first quarter grades are in good standing

Continue completing applications to colleges Make copies of all applications before mailing them

9

If you need financial aid you can apply on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website at wwwfafsaedgov Check to see if the colleges to which you are applying require any other financial aid form

Keep all records test score reports and copies of applications for admission and financial aid Do not throw anything away until at least the end of your first year in college Having detailed records will save you time and effort should anything be lost or should you decide to apply in the future to other colleges and scholarship programs

December

Consult your school counselor again to review your final list of colleges Be sure you have all bases covered It is a good idea to make copies of everything before you drop those envelopes in the mail If for some reason your application gets lost you will have a back-up copy File your last college application

If you applied for early decision you should have an answer by now If you are accepted follow the instructions for admitted students If the decision is deferred until spring or you are denied submit applications now to other colleges

Apply for Bright Futures Scholarship

January

Keep up with your classwork Grades and courses continue to count throughout the senior year

Request that your counselor send an updated transcript (including your first semester grades) to the colleges to which you applied

Complete your income tax forms as soon as possible You will need those figures to fill out the FAFSA Complete and return your FAFSA as quickly as possible after January 1 Check to make sure your colleges do not require any other financial aid forms If they do consult your guidance counselor or contact the colleges financial aid office

February

Remember to monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time and that they are complete Stay on top of things and dont procrastinate you can ruin your chances for admission by missing a deadline

If you completed a FAFSA you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks after submitting the FAFSA Review the SAR carefully and check for any inaccuracies If necessary correct any items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor If a college transmitted your data directly notify the college of any change

If more than four weeks have passed after sending in your FAFSA and you have not received an acknowledgment contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or visit their website at wwwfafsaedgov for more information They will need your name social security number address and date of birth exactly as it was written on your FAFSA

10

Complete scholarship applications You may be eligible for more scholarships than you think so apply for as many as you can

Enjoy your final year in high school but dont catch senioritis

March

Stay focused and keep studying-only a couple more months to go

Visit colleges to which you have been accepted to help you decide on a final choice

April

Review your college acceptances and financial aid awards Be sure to compare financial aid packages in your decision-making process If you are positive you will not enroll at one or more of the colleges which accepted you please notify those colleges that you have selected another college Keeping colleges abreast of your plans might enable those colleges to admit someone else If you know which college you will attend send your tuition deposit and follow all other instructions for admitted students You must decide which offer of admission to accept by May 1 (postmark date)

May

By May 1 decide on the one college you will attend and send in your tuition deposit to that college Notify the other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another college

BE PROUD-you have completed a difficult task

If your first-choice college places you on their waitlist do not lose all hope Some students are admitted off the waitlist Talk with your counselor and contact the college to let them know you are still very interested Keep the college updated on your activities

Take Advanced Placement examinations if appropriate and request that your AP scores be sent to the college you will attend

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

11

PARENTS IN THE PROCESS For many students choosing a college is up to this point in their lives their most major decision Parents know their students better than anyone else and in most cases will be paying the fees

So how much involvement should parents have in the decision

What is the role of parents in this process

The involvement of the studentrsquos parents in choosing a college varies enormously and sometimes causes stress and tension within the family Some parents give absolute freedom to their students to choose a college independently others impose their own suggestion on the child Together students and parents must find the right balance The parentsrsquo role should certainly be more than just driving the student to the college visits but giving support and suggestions to the students in preparing for the visits and asking questions This will be one of the most stressful times for the students and it will be crucial that the parents walk along side to give positive support to them

This is not to say that parents should not play a significant role in the process Parents have the right and responsibility to be involved in the decision and there are several ways to do this Parents can be most helpful by providing a system of checks and balances and keeping the student on task They can make sure that their student is asking perceptive questions and considering all aspects of the school Some families may set limits with their student regarding things like cost size and distance from home

Talk about finances early in the process This will not only avoid disappointment later but it will also help to prepare students for the responsibilities they will face once they enroll Initially cost should not be a limiting factor because of possible financial aid awards However it is often wise to have one to two schools on the list that may be less costly

Overall the adult perspective should not be undervalued in the college selection process but parents should let students take ownership of the process While students should preparing applications calling for interviews and following up independently parents can assist during campus visits by noticing things students may not have ie advising programs campus security availability of on-campus services etc Together families can carefully evaluate possible choices and help their student choose an environment in which heshe will flourish

12

GRADES AND COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL

Your high school record will be the most important factor in admittance to a particular college or university Good grades in all your courses throughout high school show a willingness to work hard and an interest in a variety of subjects

A poor grade or two in high school does not necessarily mean you will not be admitted to a selective college If your grades improve even late in your high school career most colleges will notice Likewise if grades drop later in your high school career most colleges will notice

Colleges also consider the diversity and difficulty of the courses you have taken Success in the tougher courses (higher level math language or Advanced Placement) suggests you will do well in college Colleges want students who are interested in learning and working hard A weak schedule regardless of your grades will not speak well of you Colleges are extremely interested in your senior year course schedule They do not want students who have decided to ldquoslack offrdquo their senior year Research suggests that senior year performance is a good indicator of success in college

SCORES ON STANDARDIZED TESTS

The widely used tests for college admissions are the SAT I the ACT and SAT Subject Tests After your high school record test scores are the next most important aspect of your application

So just how much emphasis do colleges put on test scores That depends on where you apply College guidebooks and admission materials often list the average test scores of students at a particular college or university Keep in mind that this is an average not a minimum The scores of students admitted to the school are in a range extending below as well as above that average An increasing number of colleges list a range that shows the scores of the middle 50 percent of the students who attend the school

College admission officers are fully aware too that some students do not test wellrdquo Slow reading speed unfamiliarity with the test format or simple fear may cause a student to perform poorly on standardized tests For these reasons virtually all colleges also consider other factors when they select students They look at grades recommendations essays and a students special talents and achievements However standardized tests are the great equalizer Though receiving a low score on the ACT or SAT does not automatically eliminate you from attending the college of your choice it is critically important to do your very best possible on these tests

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Most colleges look for students with many interests Colleges notice students involved in theater musical groups special interest clubs (such as Chess Club) student publications athletics or student government If you have ldquodabbledrdquo in a lot of activities you may want to focus only on those that you have put a great deal of commitment toward The new word in college admissions is ldquoangularrdquo An angular student is one who may have only one or two activities outside of academics but they have been committed for four years and demonstrate increased leadership Do what you enjoy Schools do not look favorably upon participation in activities simply for the purpose of resume-building Be sure to include any activity in which you have been elected to or assumed a leadership role If the college asks for you to estimate the number of hours per week you spend on each activity be careful not to overestimate Part-time work interesting summer adventure or unusual experiences may also be important to some colleges

13

COLLECTING INFORMATION COLLEGE GUIDES

There are many fine guidebooks to colleges and universities They are available in the school library public library or at a bookstore These books are good sources for objective information about enrollment major fields of study church affiliation costs and student life There is also a search available through Naviance

Be wary of any guide that claims to rank colleges and universities The quality of your educational experience will depend more on how well the college meets your needs and goals than on any criteria a guide might use to rank colleges

Also no one guide can capture the spirit or strength of a college If you compare several accounts you can better judge a colleges admission literature

GREAT REFERENCE BOOKS

There are some great books out there to help you choose a college and gain admission

Here are just a few

Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope

Looking Beyond the Ivy League by Loren Pope

The 100 Best Colleges For African-American Students by Erlene B Wilson

Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean by Joyce Slayton Mitchell

Presenting Yourself Successfully to Colleges by Howard and Matthew Greene

COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVES

During the school year admission representatives from a number of colleges and universities will visit our school Be sure to seek out representatives from the colleges you are considering This is a good opportunity to have your questions answered You may even want to talk to representatives of colleges you havenrsquot considered It will give you a sense of what a variety of colleges offer Most of these representatives will be here during the school day Use Naviance to sign up for these visits If you are unable to miss class that day please at least come to the conference room introduce yourself to the representative and complete an information card Please remember that the person you meet is likely to be the individual who will read your application Make a good impression Listen ask good questions and be attentive

REQUEST INFORMATION FROM COLLEGES

As you compile a list of colleges and universities you might be interested in contact them for information You can find the addresses and phone numbers in the college guidebooks or directly from the collegesrsquo websites Most colleges allow you to request information on their website usually located on the admissions page It may take colleges several weeks to send you the information or an application do not wait to request the information If you want to find out about particular majors sports or activities ask for that as

14

well Most colleges allow you to download and print an application directly from their website This may be the most efficient method

GET ORGANIZED

To make the best use of all the information you gather from colleges get organized One good way is to keep a folder for each college Keep all information you receive and notes on any conversations you have with representatives from each college As the materials arrive read them carefully with a pencil at hand Note the things you like about a particular college and the things you dislike Make sure you note the deadline for each application

Ask yourself these questions

1 Does the college have the major or program I want

2 Does the college have the activities andor sports I want

3 Do I meet the colleges admission requirements

4 Will the college help me achieve my educational and personal goals

5 Does the college provide the environment I am looking for

The idea is not to make a final decision now Instead read and think about each college as carefully as possible then figure out what other information you need to gather Look at this as a research project Collect as much information as possible from as many sources as possible

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

1 Most of your questions should be answered in this manual It is designed to give you the necessary specifics about the college application process Please keep this in a location convenient for you and refer to it often

2 We recommend that you limit your college applications by applying to 3-5 colleges We encourage you to apply to 1-2 reach or dream schools 1-2 colleges where you have a better than 50 chance of acceptance and 2 schools that are pretty much guaranteed acceptance ALL of these schools should be schools you have an interest in attending

3 Students are allowed the opportunity for college visits junior and senior year as long as they are pre-arranged absences You are required to submit to the school a note from the visiting college stating date and time of visit written on official school letter head

4 If you want to participate in athletics on the college level in either a Division I or II school you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse determines athletic eligibility If you think there is even the most remote possibility that you might play in college register with the Clearinghouse

5 Students with DIAGNOSED learning disabilities may be eligible for extended-time testing on the ACT and SAT The documentation must be on file at the school must be recent (three years is the longest it may be used without needing a re-evaluation) and the school must be making similar modifications for you in order to qualify It is very difficult to receive non-standard administration of the tests for a newly diagnosed learning disability

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

2

BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION 38

FLORIDA ACADEMIC SCHOLARS AWARD 38

INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT WWWFLORIDASTUDENTFINANCIALAIDORGSSFADBFFASREQUIREHTM 38

FLORIDA MEDALLION SCHOLARS AWARD 38

SAMPLE RESUMES 39

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE 42

RECOMMENDATION LETTER REQUEST FORM 43

UF ACCEPTANCE 2014 ANALYSIS ERROR BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED

GODrsquoS PLAN OF SALVATION 44

3

MISSION The goal of The First Academyrsquos College Guidance program is to provide our students with the best available advice and information regarding their academic program at TFA and to assist them in choosing and gaining admission to the college or university most holistically appropriate for them We seek to engage in the college search process through a three-way partnership involving the student the guidance counselors and the parents Together we can assure that each student takes advantage of every possible opportunity and has countless prospects open for hisher future

INTRODUCTION

Making decisions about your post-secondary future can be both scary and exciting It will test your patience and tolerance We are committed to making the process as manageable as possible

Please know that colleges are becoming more and more selective Remember too that being admitted to a college or university is only a small part of ldquothe battlerdquo Being successful at that school is the ultimate goal

One of the Guidance counselors will meet individually with each student and hisher parent(s) on a yearly basis to review course selection test scores and the college application process We will also discuss the criteria for acceptance into colleges that students are interested in attending We can only offer suggestions and guidelines that merit consideration The final decision should be a family decision Although many colleges may be appropriate for each student the key is finding the schools that match your abilities and needs

There are thousands of colleges and universities in the United States - and like the students who attend them they are all different They are private and public large and small located in cities and small towns Some schools are church-related while others are not Some offer the liberal arts and sciences while others are specialized or technical

Understanding that there is not a perfect college also will make the application process more exciting If you narrow your sights to only one college you may spend too much time worrying about gaining admission to that particular school This will keep you from seriously considering other colleges and universities

We urge you to look at a variety of options and you will quickly find that each one has its own advantages

PRIVACY AND REPORTING POLICY

Each student has the right to complete confidentiality and privacy of hisher academic records discipline records and college choices We will not send transcripts to any college coach scholarship etc without written consent

Most disciplinary actions do not need to be reported However we are required to report suspensions or incidences of academic dishonesty to every college to which a student applies

All letters of recommendation are considered confidential and will be given to the student only with the written permission of the writer You have the right to see any other documentation being sent from this office Please trust that we will never send a letter that is unfavorable to a student

4

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Rights

When you are offered admission you have the right to wait to respond to an offer of admission andor financial aid until May 1st (This does not include Early Decision candidates) Colleges that request commitments to offers of admission prior to May 1 must clearly offer you the opportunity to request (in writing) an extension until May 1

These colleges must grant you an extension and your request may not jeopardize your status for admission andor financial aid

If you are placed on a waitlist you have the right to be notified of that placement by the college or university They should provide a history that describes the number of students on the waitlist the number offered admission and the availability of financial aid and housing Waitlist candidates are individuals who have been deemed ldquoacceptablerdquo by the admissions committee but who are not fully ldquoacceptedrdquo when other students are notified on or around April 1 the traditional notification deadline Individuals may or may not be taken from the waitlist at a later date which is largely determined by the college or university filling their new freshman class with the first round of accept letters If a college foresees that it could fall any number of students short in filling their freshman class they may at that point accept some or many of the students from the wait list

Responsibilities

Before you apply you have the responsibility to research and understand the policies and procedures of each college or university regarding application fees financial aid scholarships and housing You should also be sure of each schoolrsquos policy regarding deposits which you may be required to make before you enroll

It is your responsibility to accurately and thoroughly complete all material required for an application and to submit your application on or before the published deadliness Please allow the college counseling office 2 weeks to work on your application You are responsible to seek assistance from the Guidance Office and to follow the process as outlined in this book

It is your responsibility to arrange for college visits get applications schedule interviews and register for the SAT and ACT It is your responsibility to send official copies of your SATACT scores to each college

It is your responsibility to withdraw applications to other colleges when you receive an Early Decision acceptance

Once you receive your admission decisions it is your responsibility to notify each college or university whether you are accepting or rejecting its offer You should make these notifications as soon as you have made a final decision but no later than June 1 Please remember that there may be students on a waitlist waiting to hear from that school

5

COLLEGE CALENDAR Junior Year Plan

Begin college selection process Attend college fairs financial aid seminars general information sessions etc to learn as much as you can about the college application process Make sure you are meeting NCAA requirements if you want to play Division I or II sports in college

September

Save samples of your best work for your academic portfolio (all year)

Maintain your extra-curricular record (all year)

Attend the Christian College Fair at TFA

Be sure to check with the Guidance office or Naviance for the list of colleges visiting TFA throughout the fall

October

Take the PSAT

Junior year PSAT scores may qualify a student for the National Merit Scholarship Competition and the National Achievement and the National Hispanic Scholars Programs Even though these scores will not be used for college admission it is still a good idea to take the PSAT The more times you take standardized tests the more familiar you will become with the format and the types of questions asked

Attend the National College Fairs at the Valencia College (East West or Osceola campus)

Meet with the college representatives when they visit TFA

November

Junior year grades are extremely important in the college admission process because they are a measure of how well you do in advanced upper-level courses Grades are also used to determine scholarships and grants for which you may be eligible so put in the extra effort and keep those grades up

If you will require financial aid start researching your options for grants scholarships and work-study programs Make an appointment with your guidance counselor or start by visiting NACACs Web Resources for the College-Bound at wwwnacacnetorg for more information

December

During December you should receive the results of your PSAT Read your score report and consult your school counselor to determine how you might improve on future standardized tests The PSAT is excellent preparation for the SAT which you will take in the spring

If you plan to take the ACT register now for the February ACT Many colleges accept the ACT or the SAT Some colleges require the ACT or both SAT and the SAT Subject Tests When you begin to explore different colleges and universities double-check to see what they prefer

6

January

Begin to make a preliminary list of colleges you would like to investigate further Surf the Internet and use the college resources in the guidance office or library

Ask your parents for your Social Security number (required on many college applications) If you were never issued a Social Security number contact the closest Social Security office as soon as possible to obtain a number

Attend the GUIDANCE MEETING (for all Juniors amp Parents)

Register for the SAT Reasoning Test in the Spring if you have completed the math courses covered by the test (Algebra I Geometry amp Algebra II) If not plan to take the SAT in May or June Prepare for the SAT or ACT by signing up for a prep course using computer software or doing the SATACT practice tests available in the counseling office or at bookstores Do not spend so much time trying to improve standardized test scores that grades and extra-curricular involvement suffer

February

Continue to be diligent in your academic and extracurricular work

Check with the Guidance office on the amount of community service hours you have

Consider taking college-related trips with friends and family

March

Write telephone or use the Internet to request admission literature and financial aid information from the colleges on your list Begin visiting colleges Set up appointments Interviews are always a good idea Many colleges will tell you they are optional but an interview will show interest enthusiasm and initiative on your part and provide an excellent opportunity to have your questions answered

April

When selecting your senior courses be sure to continue to challenge yourself academically

Register for the MayJune SAT andor the MayJune SAT Subject Tests Not all SAT Subject Tests are given on every test date Check the calendar carefully to determine when the Subject Tests you want are offered Register for the June ACT if you want to take that test

Look into summer jobs or apply for special summer academic or enrichment programs Colleges love to see students using their knowledge and developing their skills and interests

7

May

Get a jump start on summer activities consider enrolling in an academic course at a local college pursuing a summer school program applying for an internship working or volunteering If you work save part of your earnings for college

Take the SAT or the SAT Subject Tests

Students must complete their NCAA Clearinghouse registration after completing their junior year Transcript request must be made to the Guidance office

June

After school ends get on the road to visit colleges if you have not done so already Seeing the college firsthand taking a tour and talking to students can be the greatest help in deciding whether a school is right for you Although it is ideal to visit colleges during the academic year going in the summer will also be valuable Admission offices employ their students to give tours and answer questions from prospective students and their parents

Take the SAT the SAT Subject Tests andor the ACT

July

Visit colleges take tours have interviews and ask questions Make college visits a family event Involve your parents and siblings in every step of your application process Choosing the right college is a tough decision the opinions of those who know you best can provide helpful insight into which college is best for you

Begin preparing for the actual application process draft application essays collect writing samples and assemble portfolios or audition tapes

August

Continue to refine your list of potential colleges and universities

If you are an athlete and plan on playing in college contact the coaches at the schools to which you are applying and ask about intercollegiate and intramural sports programs and athletic scholarships

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

8

Senior Year Plan Apply to colleges Make decisions Finish high school with pride in yourself and your accomplishments

September

Make sure you have all applications required for college admission and financial aid Write phone or use the Internet to request missing information

Check on application and financial aid deadlines for the schools to which you plan to apply They may vary and it is essential to meet all deadlines

Review your transcript and extra-curricular records with your school counselor to ensure their accuracy

If needed register for the OctoberNovember SAT andor SAT Subject Tests or SeptemberOctober ACT

If the colleges require recommendations ask the appropriate people to write on your behalf Provide recommendation forms any special instructions and a stamped addressed business envelope to the people writing your recommendation Be thoughtful Write thank-you notes to those who write recommendations and keep them informed of your decisions

Do not take rolling admission applications for granted (Some colleges do not have application deadlines they admit students on a continuous basis) These schools may reach their maximum class size quickly-the earlier you apply the more availability there may be

Plan visits to colleges and set up interviews (if you didnt get to them during the summer or if you want to return to a campus for a second time)

October

Mail applications in time to reach the colleges by the deadlines Fill out the transcript request on Naviance to have your transcript mailed to the colleges

If applying for early decision or early action send in your application now Also prepare applications for back-up schools Remember if you are accepted under the early decision option you are expected to enroll at that college and to withdraw all other applications Submit financial aid information if requested from early decisionaction candidates

Have official test scores sent by the testing agency to colleges on your list

November

Be sure your first quarter grades are in good standing

Continue completing applications to colleges Make copies of all applications before mailing them

9

If you need financial aid you can apply on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website at wwwfafsaedgov Check to see if the colleges to which you are applying require any other financial aid form

Keep all records test score reports and copies of applications for admission and financial aid Do not throw anything away until at least the end of your first year in college Having detailed records will save you time and effort should anything be lost or should you decide to apply in the future to other colleges and scholarship programs

December

Consult your school counselor again to review your final list of colleges Be sure you have all bases covered It is a good idea to make copies of everything before you drop those envelopes in the mail If for some reason your application gets lost you will have a back-up copy File your last college application

If you applied for early decision you should have an answer by now If you are accepted follow the instructions for admitted students If the decision is deferred until spring or you are denied submit applications now to other colleges

Apply for Bright Futures Scholarship

January

Keep up with your classwork Grades and courses continue to count throughout the senior year

Request that your counselor send an updated transcript (including your first semester grades) to the colleges to which you applied

Complete your income tax forms as soon as possible You will need those figures to fill out the FAFSA Complete and return your FAFSA as quickly as possible after January 1 Check to make sure your colleges do not require any other financial aid forms If they do consult your guidance counselor or contact the colleges financial aid office

February

Remember to monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time and that they are complete Stay on top of things and dont procrastinate you can ruin your chances for admission by missing a deadline

If you completed a FAFSA you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks after submitting the FAFSA Review the SAR carefully and check for any inaccuracies If necessary correct any items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor If a college transmitted your data directly notify the college of any change

If more than four weeks have passed after sending in your FAFSA and you have not received an acknowledgment contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or visit their website at wwwfafsaedgov for more information They will need your name social security number address and date of birth exactly as it was written on your FAFSA

10

Complete scholarship applications You may be eligible for more scholarships than you think so apply for as many as you can

Enjoy your final year in high school but dont catch senioritis

March

Stay focused and keep studying-only a couple more months to go

Visit colleges to which you have been accepted to help you decide on a final choice

April

Review your college acceptances and financial aid awards Be sure to compare financial aid packages in your decision-making process If you are positive you will not enroll at one or more of the colleges which accepted you please notify those colleges that you have selected another college Keeping colleges abreast of your plans might enable those colleges to admit someone else If you know which college you will attend send your tuition deposit and follow all other instructions for admitted students You must decide which offer of admission to accept by May 1 (postmark date)

May

By May 1 decide on the one college you will attend and send in your tuition deposit to that college Notify the other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another college

BE PROUD-you have completed a difficult task

If your first-choice college places you on their waitlist do not lose all hope Some students are admitted off the waitlist Talk with your counselor and contact the college to let them know you are still very interested Keep the college updated on your activities

Take Advanced Placement examinations if appropriate and request that your AP scores be sent to the college you will attend

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

11

PARENTS IN THE PROCESS For many students choosing a college is up to this point in their lives their most major decision Parents know their students better than anyone else and in most cases will be paying the fees

So how much involvement should parents have in the decision

What is the role of parents in this process

The involvement of the studentrsquos parents in choosing a college varies enormously and sometimes causes stress and tension within the family Some parents give absolute freedom to their students to choose a college independently others impose their own suggestion on the child Together students and parents must find the right balance The parentsrsquo role should certainly be more than just driving the student to the college visits but giving support and suggestions to the students in preparing for the visits and asking questions This will be one of the most stressful times for the students and it will be crucial that the parents walk along side to give positive support to them

This is not to say that parents should not play a significant role in the process Parents have the right and responsibility to be involved in the decision and there are several ways to do this Parents can be most helpful by providing a system of checks and balances and keeping the student on task They can make sure that their student is asking perceptive questions and considering all aspects of the school Some families may set limits with their student regarding things like cost size and distance from home

Talk about finances early in the process This will not only avoid disappointment later but it will also help to prepare students for the responsibilities they will face once they enroll Initially cost should not be a limiting factor because of possible financial aid awards However it is often wise to have one to two schools on the list that may be less costly

Overall the adult perspective should not be undervalued in the college selection process but parents should let students take ownership of the process While students should preparing applications calling for interviews and following up independently parents can assist during campus visits by noticing things students may not have ie advising programs campus security availability of on-campus services etc Together families can carefully evaluate possible choices and help their student choose an environment in which heshe will flourish

12

GRADES AND COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL

Your high school record will be the most important factor in admittance to a particular college or university Good grades in all your courses throughout high school show a willingness to work hard and an interest in a variety of subjects

A poor grade or two in high school does not necessarily mean you will not be admitted to a selective college If your grades improve even late in your high school career most colleges will notice Likewise if grades drop later in your high school career most colleges will notice

Colleges also consider the diversity and difficulty of the courses you have taken Success in the tougher courses (higher level math language or Advanced Placement) suggests you will do well in college Colleges want students who are interested in learning and working hard A weak schedule regardless of your grades will not speak well of you Colleges are extremely interested in your senior year course schedule They do not want students who have decided to ldquoslack offrdquo their senior year Research suggests that senior year performance is a good indicator of success in college

SCORES ON STANDARDIZED TESTS

The widely used tests for college admissions are the SAT I the ACT and SAT Subject Tests After your high school record test scores are the next most important aspect of your application

So just how much emphasis do colleges put on test scores That depends on where you apply College guidebooks and admission materials often list the average test scores of students at a particular college or university Keep in mind that this is an average not a minimum The scores of students admitted to the school are in a range extending below as well as above that average An increasing number of colleges list a range that shows the scores of the middle 50 percent of the students who attend the school

College admission officers are fully aware too that some students do not test wellrdquo Slow reading speed unfamiliarity with the test format or simple fear may cause a student to perform poorly on standardized tests For these reasons virtually all colleges also consider other factors when they select students They look at grades recommendations essays and a students special talents and achievements However standardized tests are the great equalizer Though receiving a low score on the ACT or SAT does not automatically eliminate you from attending the college of your choice it is critically important to do your very best possible on these tests

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Most colleges look for students with many interests Colleges notice students involved in theater musical groups special interest clubs (such as Chess Club) student publications athletics or student government If you have ldquodabbledrdquo in a lot of activities you may want to focus only on those that you have put a great deal of commitment toward The new word in college admissions is ldquoangularrdquo An angular student is one who may have only one or two activities outside of academics but they have been committed for four years and demonstrate increased leadership Do what you enjoy Schools do not look favorably upon participation in activities simply for the purpose of resume-building Be sure to include any activity in which you have been elected to or assumed a leadership role If the college asks for you to estimate the number of hours per week you spend on each activity be careful not to overestimate Part-time work interesting summer adventure or unusual experiences may also be important to some colleges

13

COLLECTING INFORMATION COLLEGE GUIDES

There are many fine guidebooks to colleges and universities They are available in the school library public library or at a bookstore These books are good sources for objective information about enrollment major fields of study church affiliation costs and student life There is also a search available through Naviance

Be wary of any guide that claims to rank colleges and universities The quality of your educational experience will depend more on how well the college meets your needs and goals than on any criteria a guide might use to rank colleges

Also no one guide can capture the spirit or strength of a college If you compare several accounts you can better judge a colleges admission literature

GREAT REFERENCE BOOKS

There are some great books out there to help you choose a college and gain admission

Here are just a few

Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope

Looking Beyond the Ivy League by Loren Pope

The 100 Best Colleges For African-American Students by Erlene B Wilson

Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean by Joyce Slayton Mitchell

Presenting Yourself Successfully to Colleges by Howard and Matthew Greene

COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVES

During the school year admission representatives from a number of colleges and universities will visit our school Be sure to seek out representatives from the colleges you are considering This is a good opportunity to have your questions answered You may even want to talk to representatives of colleges you havenrsquot considered It will give you a sense of what a variety of colleges offer Most of these representatives will be here during the school day Use Naviance to sign up for these visits If you are unable to miss class that day please at least come to the conference room introduce yourself to the representative and complete an information card Please remember that the person you meet is likely to be the individual who will read your application Make a good impression Listen ask good questions and be attentive

REQUEST INFORMATION FROM COLLEGES

As you compile a list of colleges and universities you might be interested in contact them for information You can find the addresses and phone numbers in the college guidebooks or directly from the collegesrsquo websites Most colleges allow you to request information on their website usually located on the admissions page It may take colleges several weeks to send you the information or an application do not wait to request the information If you want to find out about particular majors sports or activities ask for that as

14

well Most colleges allow you to download and print an application directly from their website This may be the most efficient method

GET ORGANIZED

To make the best use of all the information you gather from colleges get organized One good way is to keep a folder for each college Keep all information you receive and notes on any conversations you have with representatives from each college As the materials arrive read them carefully with a pencil at hand Note the things you like about a particular college and the things you dislike Make sure you note the deadline for each application

Ask yourself these questions

1 Does the college have the major or program I want

2 Does the college have the activities andor sports I want

3 Do I meet the colleges admission requirements

4 Will the college help me achieve my educational and personal goals

5 Does the college provide the environment I am looking for

The idea is not to make a final decision now Instead read and think about each college as carefully as possible then figure out what other information you need to gather Look at this as a research project Collect as much information as possible from as many sources as possible

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

1 Most of your questions should be answered in this manual It is designed to give you the necessary specifics about the college application process Please keep this in a location convenient for you and refer to it often

2 We recommend that you limit your college applications by applying to 3-5 colleges We encourage you to apply to 1-2 reach or dream schools 1-2 colleges where you have a better than 50 chance of acceptance and 2 schools that are pretty much guaranteed acceptance ALL of these schools should be schools you have an interest in attending

3 Students are allowed the opportunity for college visits junior and senior year as long as they are pre-arranged absences You are required to submit to the school a note from the visiting college stating date and time of visit written on official school letter head

4 If you want to participate in athletics on the college level in either a Division I or II school you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse determines athletic eligibility If you think there is even the most remote possibility that you might play in college register with the Clearinghouse

5 Students with DIAGNOSED learning disabilities may be eligible for extended-time testing on the ACT and SAT The documentation must be on file at the school must be recent (three years is the longest it may be used without needing a re-evaluation) and the school must be making similar modifications for you in order to qualify It is very difficult to receive non-standard administration of the tests for a newly diagnosed learning disability

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

3

MISSION The goal of The First Academyrsquos College Guidance program is to provide our students with the best available advice and information regarding their academic program at TFA and to assist them in choosing and gaining admission to the college or university most holistically appropriate for them We seek to engage in the college search process through a three-way partnership involving the student the guidance counselors and the parents Together we can assure that each student takes advantage of every possible opportunity and has countless prospects open for hisher future

INTRODUCTION

Making decisions about your post-secondary future can be both scary and exciting It will test your patience and tolerance We are committed to making the process as manageable as possible

Please know that colleges are becoming more and more selective Remember too that being admitted to a college or university is only a small part of ldquothe battlerdquo Being successful at that school is the ultimate goal

One of the Guidance counselors will meet individually with each student and hisher parent(s) on a yearly basis to review course selection test scores and the college application process We will also discuss the criteria for acceptance into colleges that students are interested in attending We can only offer suggestions and guidelines that merit consideration The final decision should be a family decision Although many colleges may be appropriate for each student the key is finding the schools that match your abilities and needs

There are thousands of colleges and universities in the United States - and like the students who attend them they are all different They are private and public large and small located in cities and small towns Some schools are church-related while others are not Some offer the liberal arts and sciences while others are specialized or technical

Understanding that there is not a perfect college also will make the application process more exciting If you narrow your sights to only one college you may spend too much time worrying about gaining admission to that particular school This will keep you from seriously considering other colleges and universities

We urge you to look at a variety of options and you will quickly find that each one has its own advantages

PRIVACY AND REPORTING POLICY

Each student has the right to complete confidentiality and privacy of hisher academic records discipline records and college choices We will not send transcripts to any college coach scholarship etc without written consent

Most disciplinary actions do not need to be reported However we are required to report suspensions or incidences of academic dishonesty to every college to which a student applies

All letters of recommendation are considered confidential and will be given to the student only with the written permission of the writer You have the right to see any other documentation being sent from this office Please trust that we will never send a letter that is unfavorable to a student

4

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Rights

When you are offered admission you have the right to wait to respond to an offer of admission andor financial aid until May 1st (This does not include Early Decision candidates) Colleges that request commitments to offers of admission prior to May 1 must clearly offer you the opportunity to request (in writing) an extension until May 1

These colleges must grant you an extension and your request may not jeopardize your status for admission andor financial aid

If you are placed on a waitlist you have the right to be notified of that placement by the college or university They should provide a history that describes the number of students on the waitlist the number offered admission and the availability of financial aid and housing Waitlist candidates are individuals who have been deemed ldquoacceptablerdquo by the admissions committee but who are not fully ldquoacceptedrdquo when other students are notified on or around April 1 the traditional notification deadline Individuals may or may not be taken from the waitlist at a later date which is largely determined by the college or university filling their new freshman class with the first round of accept letters If a college foresees that it could fall any number of students short in filling their freshman class they may at that point accept some or many of the students from the wait list

Responsibilities

Before you apply you have the responsibility to research and understand the policies and procedures of each college or university regarding application fees financial aid scholarships and housing You should also be sure of each schoolrsquos policy regarding deposits which you may be required to make before you enroll

It is your responsibility to accurately and thoroughly complete all material required for an application and to submit your application on or before the published deadliness Please allow the college counseling office 2 weeks to work on your application You are responsible to seek assistance from the Guidance Office and to follow the process as outlined in this book

It is your responsibility to arrange for college visits get applications schedule interviews and register for the SAT and ACT It is your responsibility to send official copies of your SATACT scores to each college

It is your responsibility to withdraw applications to other colleges when you receive an Early Decision acceptance

Once you receive your admission decisions it is your responsibility to notify each college or university whether you are accepting or rejecting its offer You should make these notifications as soon as you have made a final decision but no later than June 1 Please remember that there may be students on a waitlist waiting to hear from that school

5

COLLEGE CALENDAR Junior Year Plan

Begin college selection process Attend college fairs financial aid seminars general information sessions etc to learn as much as you can about the college application process Make sure you are meeting NCAA requirements if you want to play Division I or II sports in college

September

Save samples of your best work for your academic portfolio (all year)

Maintain your extra-curricular record (all year)

Attend the Christian College Fair at TFA

Be sure to check with the Guidance office or Naviance for the list of colleges visiting TFA throughout the fall

October

Take the PSAT

Junior year PSAT scores may qualify a student for the National Merit Scholarship Competition and the National Achievement and the National Hispanic Scholars Programs Even though these scores will not be used for college admission it is still a good idea to take the PSAT The more times you take standardized tests the more familiar you will become with the format and the types of questions asked

Attend the National College Fairs at the Valencia College (East West or Osceola campus)

Meet with the college representatives when they visit TFA

November

Junior year grades are extremely important in the college admission process because they are a measure of how well you do in advanced upper-level courses Grades are also used to determine scholarships and grants for which you may be eligible so put in the extra effort and keep those grades up

If you will require financial aid start researching your options for grants scholarships and work-study programs Make an appointment with your guidance counselor or start by visiting NACACs Web Resources for the College-Bound at wwwnacacnetorg for more information

December

During December you should receive the results of your PSAT Read your score report and consult your school counselor to determine how you might improve on future standardized tests The PSAT is excellent preparation for the SAT which you will take in the spring

If you plan to take the ACT register now for the February ACT Many colleges accept the ACT or the SAT Some colleges require the ACT or both SAT and the SAT Subject Tests When you begin to explore different colleges and universities double-check to see what they prefer

6

January

Begin to make a preliminary list of colleges you would like to investigate further Surf the Internet and use the college resources in the guidance office or library

Ask your parents for your Social Security number (required on many college applications) If you were never issued a Social Security number contact the closest Social Security office as soon as possible to obtain a number

Attend the GUIDANCE MEETING (for all Juniors amp Parents)

Register for the SAT Reasoning Test in the Spring if you have completed the math courses covered by the test (Algebra I Geometry amp Algebra II) If not plan to take the SAT in May or June Prepare for the SAT or ACT by signing up for a prep course using computer software or doing the SATACT practice tests available in the counseling office or at bookstores Do not spend so much time trying to improve standardized test scores that grades and extra-curricular involvement suffer

February

Continue to be diligent in your academic and extracurricular work

Check with the Guidance office on the amount of community service hours you have

Consider taking college-related trips with friends and family

March

Write telephone or use the Internet to request admission literature and financial aid information from the colleges on your list Begin visiting colleges Set up appointments Interviews are always a good idea Many colleges will tell you they are optional but an interview will show interest enthusiasm and initiative on your part and provide an excellent opportunity to have your questions answered

April

When selecting your senior courses be sure to continue to challenge yourself academically

Register for the MayJune SAT andor the MayJune SAT Subject Tests Not all SAT Subject Tests are given on every test date Check the calendar carefully to determine when the Subject Tests you want are offered Register for the June ACT if you want to take that test

Look into summer jobs or apply for special summer academic or enrichment programs Colleges love to see students using their knowledge and developing their skills and interests

7

May

Get a jump start on summer activities consider enrolling in an academic course at a local college pursuing a summer school program applying for an internship working or volunteering If you work save part of your earnings for college

Take the SAT or the SAT Subject Tests

Students must complete their NCAA Clearinghouse registration after completing their junior year Transcript request must be made to the Guidance office

June

After school ends get on the road to visit colleges if you have not done so already Seeing the college firsthand taking a tour and talking to students can be the greatest help in deciding whether a school is right for you Although it is ideal to visit colleges during the academic year going in the summer will also be valuable Admission offices employ their students to give tours and answer questions from prospective students and their parents

Take the SAT the SAT Subject Tests andor the ACT

July

Visit colleges take tours have interviews and ask questions Make college visits a family event Involve your parents and siblings in every step of your application process Choosing the right college is a tough decision the opinions of those who know you best can provide helpful insight into which college is best for you

Begin preparing for the actual application process draft application essays collect writing samples and assemble portfolios or audition tapes

August

Continue to refine your list of potential colleges and universities

If you are an athlete and plan on playing in college contact the coaches at the schools to which you are applying and ask about intercollegiate and intramural sports programs and athletic scholarships

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

8

Senior Year Plan Apply to colleges Make decisions Finish high school with pride in yourself and your accomplishments

September

Make sure you have all applications required for college admission and financial aid Write phone or use the Internet to request missing information

Check on application and financial aid deadlines for the schools to which you plan to apply They may vary and it is essential to meet all deadlines

Review your transcript and extra-curricular records with your school counselor to ensure their accuracy

If needed register for the OctoberNovember SAT andor SAT Subject Tests or SeptemberOctober ACT

If the colleges require recommendations ask the appropriate people to write on your behalf Provide recommendation forms any special instructions and a stamped addressed business envelope to the people writing your recommendation Be thoughtful Write thank-you notes to those who write recommendations and keep them informed of your decisions

Do not take rolling admission applications for granted (Some colleges do not have application deadlines they admit students on a continuous basis) These schools may reach their maximum class size quickly-the earlier you apply the more availability there may be

Plan visits to colleges and set up interviews (if you didnt get to them during the summer or if you want to return to a campus for a second time)

October

Mail applications in time to reach the colleges by the deadlines Fill out the transcript request on Naviance to have your transcript mailed to the colleges

If applying for early decision or early action send in your application now Also prepare applications for back-up schools Remember if you are accepted under the early decision option you are expected to enroll at that college and to withdraw all other applications Submit financial aid information if requested from early decisionaction candidates

Have official test scores sent by the testing agency to colleges on your list

November

Be sure your first quarter grades are in good standing

Continue completing applications to colleges Make copies of all applications before mailing them

9

If you need financial aid you can apply on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website at wwwfafsaedgov Check to see if the colleges to which you are applying require any other financial aid form

Keep all records test score reports and copies of applications for admission and financial aid Do not throw anything away until at least the end of your first year in college Having detailed records will save you time and effort should anything be lost or should you decide to apply in the future to other colleges and scholarship programs

December

Consult your school counselor again to review your final list of colleges Be sure you have all bases covered It is a good idea to make copies of everything before you drop those envelopes in the mail If for some reason your application gets lost you will have a back-up copy File your last college application

If you applied for early decision you should have an answer by now If you are accepted follow the instructions for admitted students If the decision is deferred until spring or you are denied submit applications now to other colleges

Apply for Bright Futures Scholarship

January

Keep up with your classwork Grades and courses continue to count throughout the senior year

Request that your counselor send an updated transcript (including your first semester grades) to the colleges to which you applied

Complete your income tax forms as soon as possible You will need those figures to fill out the FAFSA Complete and return your FAFSA as quickly as possible after January 1 Check to make sure your colleges do not require any other financial aid forms If they do consult your guidance counselor or contact the colleges financial aid office

February

Remember to monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time and that they are complete Stay on top of things and dont procrastinate you can ruin your chances for admission by missing a deadline

If you completed a FAFSA you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks after submitting the FAFSA Review the SAR carefully and check for any inaccuracies If necessary correct any items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor If a college transmitted your data directly notify the college of any change

If more than four weeks have passed after sending in your FAFSA and you have not received an acknowledgment contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or visit their website at wwwfafsaedgov for more information They will need your name social security number address and date of birth exactly as it was written on your FAFSA

10

Complete scholarship applications You may be eligible for more scholarships than you think so apply for as many as you can

Enjoy your final year in high school but dont catch senioritis

March

Stay focused and keep studying-only a couple more months to go

Visit colleges to which you have been accepted to help you decide on a final choice

April

Review your college acceptances and financial aid awards Be sure to compare financial aid packages in your decision-making process If you are positive you will not enroll at one or more of the colleges which accepted you please notify those colleges that you have selected another college Keeping colleges abreast of your plans might enable those colleges to admit someone else If you know which college you will attend send your tuition deposit and follow all other instructions for admitted students You must decide which offer of admission to accept by May 1 (postmark date)

May

By May 1 decide on the one college you will attend and send in your tuition deposit to that college Notify the other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another college

BE PROUD-you have completed a difficult task

If your first-choice college places you on their waitlist do not lose all hope Some students are admitted off the waitlist Talk with your counselor and contact the college to let them know you are still very interested Keep the college updated on your activities

Take Advanced Placement examinations if appropriate and request that your AP scores be sent to the college you will attend

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

11

PARENTS IN THE PROCESS For many students choosing a college is up to this point in their lives their most major decision Parents know their students better than anyone else and in most cases will be paying the fees

So how much involvement should parents have in the decision

What is the role of parents in this process

The involvement of the studentrsquos parents in choosing a college varies enormously and sometimes causes stress and tension within the family Some parents give absolute freedom to their students to choose a college independently others impose their own suggestion on the child Together students and parents must find the right balance The parentsrsquo role should certainly be more than just driving the student to the college visits but giving support and suggestions to the students in preparing for the visits and asking questions This will be one of the most stressful times for the students and it will be crucial that the parents walk along side to give positive support to them

This is not to say that parents should not play a significant role in the process Parents have the right and responsibility to be involved in the decision and there are several ways to do this Parents can be most helpful by providing a system of checks and balances and keeping the student on task They can make sure that their student is asking perceptive questions and considering all aspects of the school Some families may set limits with their student regarding things like cost size and distance from home

Talk about finances early in the process This will not only avoid disappointment later but it will also help to prepare students for the responsibilities they will face once they enroll Initially cost should not be a limiting factor because of possible financial aid awards However it is often wise to have one to two schools on the list that may be less costly

Overall the adult perspective should not be undervalued in the college selection process but parents should let students take ownership of the process While students should preparing applications calling for interviews and following up independently parents can assist during campus visits by noticing things students may not have ie advising programs campus security availability of on-campus services etc Together families can carefully evaluate possible choices and help their student choose an environment in which heshe will flourish

12

GRADES AND COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL

Your high school record will be the most important factor in admittance to a particular college or university Good grades in all your courses throughout high school show a willingness to work hard and an interest in a variety of subjects

A poor grade or two in high school does not necessarily mean you will not be admitted to a selective college If your grades improve even late in your high school career most colleges will notice Likewise if grades drop later in your high school career most colleges will notice

Colleges also consider the diversity and difficulty of the courses you have taken Success in the tougher courses (higher level math language or Advanced Placement) suggests you will do well in college Colleges want students who are interested in learning and working hard A weak schedule regardless of your grades will not speak well of you Colleges are extremely interested in your senior year course schedule They do not want students who have decided to ldquoslack offrdquo their senior year Research suggests that senior year performance is a good indicator of success in college

SCORES ON STANDARDIZED TESTS

The widely used tests for college admissions are the SAT I the ACT and SAT Subject Tests After your high school record test scores are the next most important aspect of your application

So just how much emphasis do colleges put on test scores That depends on where you apply College guidebooks and admission materials often list the average test scores of students at a particular college or university Keep in mind that this is an average not a minimum The scores of students admitted to the school are in a range extending below as well as above that average An increasing number of colleges list a range that shows the scores of the middle 50 percent of the students who attend the school

College admission officers are fully aware too that some students do not test wellrdquo Slow reading speed unfamiliarity with the test format or simple fear may cause a student to perform poorly on standardized tests For these reasons virtually all colleges also consider other factors when they select students They look at grades recommendations essays and a students special talents and achievements However standardized tests are the great equalizer Though receiving a low score on the ACT or SAT does not automatically eliminate you from attending the college of your choice it is critically important to do your very best possible on these tests

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Most colleges look for students with many interests Colleges notice students involved in theater musical groups special interest clubs (such as Chess Club) student publications athletics or student government If you have ldquodabbledrdquo in a lot of activities you may want to focus only on those that you have put a great deal of commitment toward The new word in college admissions is ldquoangularrdquo An angular student is one who may have only one or two activities outside of academics but they have been committed for four years and demonstrate increased leadership Do what you enjoy Schools do not look favorably upon participation in activities simply for the purpose of resume-building Be sure to include any activity in which you have been elected to or assumed a leadership role If the college asks for you to estimate the number of hours per week you spend on each activity be careful not to overestimate Part-time work interesting summer adventure or unusual experiences may also be important to some colleges

13

COLLECTING INFORMATION COLLEGE GUIDES

There are many fine guidebooks to colleges and universities They are available in the school library public library or at a bookstore These books are good sources for objective information about enrollment major fields of study church affiliation costs and student life There is also a search available through Naviance

Be wary of any guide that claims to rank colleges and universities The quality of your educational experience will depend more on how well the college meets your needs and goals than on any criteria a guide might use to rank colleges

Also no one guide can capture the spirit or strength of a college If you compare several accounts you can better judge a colleges admission literature

GREAT REFERENCE BOOKS

There are some great books out there to help you choose a college and gain admission

Here are just a few

Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope

Looking Beyond the Ivy League by Loren Pope

The 100 Best Colleges For African-American Students by Erlene B Wilson

Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean by Joyce Slayton Mitchell

Presenting Yourself Successfully to Colleges by Howard and Matthew Greene

COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVES

During the school year admission representatives from a number of colleges and universities will visit our school Be sure to seek out representatives from the colleges you are considering This is a good opportunity to have your questions answered You may even want to talk to representatives of colleges you havenrsquot considered It will give you a sense of what a variety of colleges offer Most of these representatives will be here during the school day Use Naviance to sign up for these visits If you are unable to miss class that day please at least come to the conference room introduce yourself to the representative and complete an information card Please remember that the person you meet is likely to be the individual who will read your application Make a good impression Listen ask good questions and be attentive

REQUEST INFORMATION FROM COLLEGES

As you compile a list of colleges and universities you might be interested in contact them for information You can find the addresses and phone numbers in the college guidebooks or directly from the collegesrsquo websites Most colleges allow you to request information on their website usually located on the admissions page It may take colleges several weeks to send you the information or an application do not wait to request the information If you want to find out about particular majors sports or activities ask for that as

14

well Most colleges allow you to download and print an application directly from their website This may be the most efficient method

GET ORGANIZED

To make the best use of all the information you gather from colleges get organized One good way is to keep a folder for each college Keep all information you receive and notes on any conversations you have with representatives from each college As the materials arrive read them carefully with a pencil at hand Note the things you like about a particular college and the things you dislike Make sure you note the deadline for each application

Ask yourself these questions

1 Does the college have the major or program I want

2 Does the college have the activities andor sports I want

3 Do I meet the colleges admission requirements

4 Will the college help me achieve my educational and personal goals

5 Does the college provide the environment I am looking for

The idea is not to make a final decision now Instead read and think about each college as carefully as possible then figure out what other information you need to gather Look at this as a research project Collect as much information as possible from as many sources as possible

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

1 Most of your questions should be answered in this manual It is designed to give you the necessary specifics about the college application process Please keep this in a location convenient for you and refer to it often

2 We recommend that you limit your college applications by applying to 3-5 colleges We encourage you to apply to 1-2 reach or dream schools 1-2 colleges where you have a better than 50 chance of acceptance and 2 schools that are pretty much guaranteed acceptance ALL of these schools should be schools you have an interest in attending

3 Students are allowed the opportunity for college visits junior and senior year as long as they are pre-arranged absences You are required to submit to the school a note from the visiting college stating date and time of visit written on official school letter head

4 If you want to participate in athletics on the college level in either a Division I or II school you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse determines athletic eligibility If you think there is even the most remote possibility that you might play in college register with the Clearinghouse

5 Students with DIAGNOSED learning disabilities may be eligible for extended-time testing on the ACT and SAT The documentation must be on file at the school must be recent (three years is the longest it may be used without needing a re-evaluation) and the school must be making similar modifications for you in order to qualify It is very difficult to receive non-standard administration of the tests for a newly diagnosed learning disability

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

4

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Rights

When you are offered admission you have the right to wait to respond to an offer of admission andor financial aid until May 1st (This does not include Early Decision candidates) Colleges that request commitments to offers of admission prior to May 1 must clearly offer you the opportunity to request (in writing) an extension until May 1

These colleges must grant you an extension and your request may not jeopardize your status for admission andor financial aid

If you are placed on a waitlist you have the right to be notified of that placement by the college or university They should provide a history that describes the number of students on the waitlist the number offered admission and the availability of financial aid and housing Waitlist candidates are individuals who have been deemed ldquoacceptablerdquo by the admissions committee but who are not fully ldquoacceptedrdquo when other students are notified on or around April 1 the traditional notification deadline Individuals may or may not be taken from the waitlist at a later date which is largely determined by the college or university filling their new freshman class with the first round of accept letters If a college foresees that it could fall any number of students short in filling their freshman class they may at that point accept some or many of the students from the wait list

Responsibilities

Before you apply you have the responsibility to research and understand the policies and procedures of each college or university regarding application fees financial aid scholarships and housing You should also be sure of each schoolrsquos policy regarding deposits which you may be required to make before you enroll

It is your responsibility to accurately and thoroughly complete all material required for an application and to submit your application on or before the published deadliness Please allow the college counseling office 2 weeks to work on your application You are responsible to seek assistance from the Guidance Office and to follow the process as outlined in this book

It is your responsibility to arrange for college visits get applications schedule interviews and register for the SAT and ACT It is your responsibility to send official copies of your SATACT scores to each college

It is your responsibility to withdraw applications to other colleges when you receive an Early Decision acceptance

Once you receive your admission decisions it is your responsibility to notify each college or university whether you are accepting or rejecting its offer You should make these notifications as soon as you have made a final decision but no later than June 1 Please remember that there may be students on a waitlist waiting to hear from that school

5

COLLEGE CALENDAR Junior Year Plan

Begin college selection process Attend college fairs financial aid seminars general information sessions etc to learn as much as you can about the college application process Make sure you are meeting NCAA requirements if you want to play Division I or II sports in college

September

Save samples of your best work for your academic portfolio (all year)

Maintain your extra-curricular record (all year)

Attend the Christian College Fair at TFA

Be sure to check with the Guidance office or Naviance for the list of colleges visiting TFA throughout the fall

October

Take the PSAT

Junior year PSAT scores may qualify a student for the National Merit Scholarship Competition and the National Achievement and the National Hispanic Scholars Programs Even though these scores will not be used for college admission it is still a good idea to take the PSAT The more times you take standardized tests the more familiar you will become with the format and the types of questions asked

Attend the National College Fairs at the Valencia College (East West or Osceola campus)

Meet with the college representatives when they visit TFA

November

Junior year grades are extremely important in the college admission process because they are a measure of how well you do in advanced upper-level courses Grades are also used to determine scholarships and grants for which you may be eligible so put in the extra effort and keep those grades up

If you will require financial aid start researching your options for grants scholarships and work-study programs Make an appointment with your guidance counselor or start by visiting NACACs Web Resources for the College-Bound at wwwnacacnetorg for more information

December

During December you should receive the results of your PSAT Read your score report and consult your school counselor to determine how you might improve on future standardized tests The PSAT is excellent preparation for the SAT which you will take in the spring

If you plan to take the ACT register now for the February ACT Many colleges accept the ACT or the SAT Some colleges require the ACT or both SAT and the SAT Subject Tests When you begin to explore different colleges and universities double-check to see what they prefer

6

January

Begin to make a preliminary list of colleges you would like to investigate further Surf the Internet and use the college resources in the guidance office or library

Ask your parents for your Social Security number (required on many college applications) If you were never issued a Social Security number contact the closest Social Security office as soon as possible to obtain a number

Attend the GUIDANCE MEETING (for all Juniors amp Parents)

Register for the SAT Reasoning Test in the Spring if you have completed the math courses covered by the test (Algebra I Geometry amp Algebra II) If not plan to take the SAT in May or June Prepare for the SAT or ACT by signing up for a prep course using computer software or doing the SATACT practice tests available in the counseling office or at bookstores Do not spend so much time trying to improve standardized test scores that grades and extra-curricular involvement suffer

February

Continue to be diligent in your academic and extracurricular work

Check with the Guidance office on the amount of community service hours you have

Consider taking college-related trips with friends and family

March

Write telephone or use the Internet to request admission literature and financial aid information from the colleges on your list Begin visiting colleges Set up appointments Interviews are always a good idea Many colleges will tell you they are optional but an interview will show interest enthusiasm and initiative on your part and provide an excellent opportunity to have your questions answered

April

When selecting your senior courses be sure to continue to challenge yourself academically

Register for the MayJune SAT andor the MayJune SAT Subject Tests Not all SAT Subject Tests are given on every test date Check the calendar carefully to determine when the Subject Tests you want are offered Register for the June ACT if you want to take that test

Look into summer jobs or apply for special summer academic or enrichment programs Colleges love to see students using their knowledge and developing their skills and interests

7

May

Get a jump start on summer activities consider enrolling in an academic course at a local college pursuing a summer school program applying for an internship working or volunteering If you work save part of your earnings for college

Take the SAT or the SAT Subject Tests

Students must complete their NCAA Clearinghouse registration after completing their junior year Transcript request must be made to the Guidance office

June

After school ends get on the road to visit colleges if you have not done so already Seeing the college firsthand taking a tour and talking to students can be the greatest help in deciding whether a school is right for you Although it is ideal to visit colleges during the academic year going in the summer will also be valuable Admission offices employ their students to give tours and answer questions from prospective students and their parents

Take the SAT the SAT Subject Tests andor the ACT

July

Visit colleges take tours have interviews and ask questions Make college visits a family event Involve your parents and siblings in every step of your application process Choosing the right college is a tough decision the opinions of those who know you best can provide helpful insight into which college is best for you

Begin preparing for the actual application process draft application essays collect writing samples and assemble portfolios or audition tapes

August

Continue to refine your list of potential colleges and universities

If you are an athlete and plan on playing in college contact the coaches at the schools to which you are applying and ask about intercollegiate and intramural sports programs and athletic scholarships

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

8

Senior Year Plan Apply to colleges Make decisions Finish high school with pride in yourself and your accomplishments

September

Make sure you have all applications required for college admission and financial aid Write phone or use the Internet to request missing information

Check on application and financial aid deadlines for the schools to which you plan to apply They may vary and it is essential to meet all deadlines

Review your transcript and extra-curricular records with your school counselor to ensure their accuracy

If needed register for the OctoberNovember SAT andor SAT Subject Tests or SeptemberOctober ACT

If the colleges require recommendations ask the appropriate people to write on your behalf Provide recommendation forms any special instructions and a stamped addressed business envelope to the people writing your recommendation Be thoughtful Write thank-you notes to those who write recommendations and keep them informed of your decisions

Do not take rolling admission applications for granted (Some colleges do not have application deadlines they admit students on a continuous basis) These schools may reach their maximum class size quickly-the earlier you apply the more availability there may be

Plan visits to colleges and set up interviews (if you didnt get to them during the summer or if you want to return to a campus for a second time)

October

Mail applications in time to reach the colleges by the deadlines Fill out the transcript request on Naviance to have your transcript mailed to the colleges

If applying for early decision or early action send in your application now Also prepare applications for back-up schools Remember if you are accepted under the early decision option you are expected to enroll at that college and to withdraw all other applications Submit financial aid information if requested from early decisionaction candidates

Have official test scores sent by the testing agency to colleges on your list

November

Be sure your first quarter grades are in good standing

Continue completing applications to colleges Make copies of all applications before mailing them

9

If you need financial aid you can apply on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website at wwwfafsaedgov Check to see if the colleges to which you are applying require any other financial aid form

Keep all records test score reports and copies of applications for admission and financial aid Do not throw anything away until at least the end of your first year in college Having detailed records will save you time and effort should anything be lost or should you decide to apply in the future to other colleges and scholarship programs

December

Consult your school counselor again to review your final list of colleges Be sure you have all bases covered It is a good idea to make copies of everything before you drop those envelopes in the mail If for some reason your application gets lost you will have a back-up copy File your last college application

If you applied for early decision you should have an answer by now If you are accepted follow the instructions for admitted students If the decision is deferred until spring or you are denied submit applications now to other colleges

Apply for Bright Futures Scholarship

January

Keep up with your classwork Grades and courses continue to count throughout the senior year

Request that your counselor send an updated transcript (including your first semester grades) to the colleges to which you applied

Complete your income tax forms as soon as possible You will need those figures to fill out the FAFSA Complete and return your FAFSA as quickly as possible after January 1 Check to make sure your colleges do not require any other financial aid forms If they do consult your guidance counselor or contact the colleges financial aid office

February

Remember to monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time and that they are complete Stay on top of things and dont procrastinate you can ruin your chances for admission by missing a deadline

If you completed a FAFSA you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks after submitting the FAFSA Review the SAR carefully and check for any inaccuracies If necessary correct any items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor If a college transmitted your data directly notify the college of any change

If more than four weeks have passed after sending in your FAFSA and you have not received an acknowledgment contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or visit their website at wwwfafsaedgov for more information They will need your name social security number address and date of birth exactly as it was written on your FAFSA

10

Complete scholarship applications You may be eligible for more scholarships than you think so apply for as many as you can

Enjoy your final year in high school but dont catch senioritis

March

Stay focused and keep studying-only a couple more months to go

Visit colleges to which you have been accepted to help you decide on a final choice

April

Review your college acceptances and financial aid awards Be sure to compare financial aid packages in your decision-making process If you are positive you will not enroll at one or more of the colleges which accepted you please notify those colleges that you have selected another college Keeping colleges abreast of your plans might enable those colleges to admit someone else If you know which college you will attend send your tuition deposit and follow all other instructions for admitted students You must decide which offer of admission to accept by May 1 (postmark date)

May

By May 1 decide on the one college you will attend and send in your tuition deposit to that college Notify the other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another college

BE PROUD-you have completed a difficult task

If your first-choice college places you on their waitlist do not lose all hope Some students are admitted off the waitlist Talk with your counselor and contact the college to let them know you are still very interested Keep the college updated on your activities

Take Advanced Placement examinations if appropriate and request that your AP scores be sent to the college you will attend

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

11

PARENTS IN THE PROCESS For many students choosing a college is up to this point in their lives their most major decision Parents know their students better than anyone else and in most cases will be paying the fees

So how much involvement should parents have in the decision

What is the role of parents in this process

The involvement of the studentrsquos parents in choosing a college varies enormously and sometimes causes stress and tension within the family Some parents give absolute freedom to their students to choose a college independently others impose their own suggestion on the child Together students and parents must find the right balance The parentsrsquo role should certainly be more than just driving the student to the college visits but giving support and suggestions to the students in preparing for the visits and asking questions This will be one of the most stressful times for the students and it will be crucial that the parents walk along side to give positive support to them

This is not to say that parents should not play a significant role in the process Parents have the right and responsibility to be involved in the decision and there are several ways to do this Parents can be most helpful by providing a system of checks and balances and keeping the student on task They can make sure that their student is asking perceptive questions and considering all aspects of the school Some families may set limits with their student regarding things like cost size and distance from home

Talk about finances early in the process This will not only avoid disappointment later but it will also help to prepare students for the responsibilities they will face once they enroll Initially cost should not be a limiting factor because of possible financial aid awards However it is often wise to have one to two schools on the list that may be less costly

Overall the adult perspective should not be undervalued in the college selection process but parents should let students take ownership of the process While students should preparing applications calling for interviews and following up independently parents can assist during campus visits by noticing things students may not have ie advising programs campus security availability of on-campus services etc Together families can carefully evaluate possible choices and help their student choose an environment in which heshe will flourish

12

GRADES AND COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL

Your high school record will be the most important factor in admittance to a particular college or university Good grades in all your courses throughout high school show a willingness to work hard and an interest in a variety of subjects

A poor grade or two in high school does not necessarily mean you will not be admitted to a selective college If your grades improve even late in your high school career most colleges will notice Likewise if grades drop later in your high school career most colleges will notice

Colleges also consider the diversity and difficulty of the courses you have taken Success in the tougher courses (higher level math language or Advanced Placement) suggests you will do well in college Colleges want students who are interested in learning and working hard A weak schedule regardless of your grades will not speak well of you Colleges are extremely interested in your senior year course schedule They do not want students who have decided to ldquoslack offrdquo their senior year Research suggests that senior year performance is a good indicator of success in college

SCORES ON STANDARDIZED TESTS

The widely used tests for college admissions are the SAT I the ACT and SAT Subject Tests After your high school record test scores are the next most important aspect of your application

So just how much emphasis do colleges put on test scores That depends on where you apply College guidebooks and admission materials often list the average test scores of students at a particular college or university Keep in mind that this is an average not a minimum The scores of students admitted to the school are in a range extending below as well as above that average An increasing number of colleges list a range that shows the scores of the middle 50 percent of the students who attend the school

College admission officers are fully aware too that some students do not test wellrdquo Slow reading speed unfamiliarity with the test format or simple fear may cause a student to perform poorly on standardized tests For these reasons virtually all colleges also consider other factors when they select students They look at grades recommendations essays and a students special talents and achievements However standardized tests are the great equalizer Though receiving a low score on the ACT or SAT does not automatically eliminate you from attending the college of your choice it is critically important to do your very best possible on these tests

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Most colleges look for students with many interests Colleges notice students involved in theater musical groups special interest clubs (such as Chess Club) student publications athletics or student government If you have ldquodabbledrdquo in a lot of activities you may want to focus only on those that you have put a great deal of commitment toward The new word in college admissions is ldquoangularrdquo An angular student is one who may have only one or two activities outside of academics but they have been committed for four years and demonstrate increased leadership Do what you enjoy Schools do not look favorably upon participation in activities simply for the purpose of resume-building Be sure to include any activity in which you have been elected to or assumed a leadership role If the college asks for you to estimate the number of hours per week you spend on each activity be careful not to overestimate Part-time work interesting summer adventure or unusual experiences may also be important to some colleges

13

COLLECTING INFORMATION COLLEGE GUIDES

There are many fine guidebooks to colleges and universities They are available in the school library public library or at a bookstore These books are good sources for objective information about enrollment major fields of study church affiliation costs and student life There is also a search available through Naviance

Be wary of any guide that claims to rank colleges and universities The quality of your educational experience will depend more on how well the college meets your needs and goals than on any criteria a guide might use to rank colleges

Also no one guide can capture the spirit or strength of a college If you compare several accounts you can better judge a colleges admission literature

GREAT REFERENCE BOOKS

There are some great books out there to help you choose a college and gain admission

Here are just a few

Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope

Looking Beyond the Ivy League by Loren Pope

The 100 Best Colleges For African-American Students by Erlene B Wilson

Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean by Joyce Slayton Mitchell

Presenting Yourself Successfully to Colleges by Howard and Matthew Greene

COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVES

During the school year admission representatives from a number of colleges and universities will visit our school Be sure to seek out representatives from the colleges you are considering This is a good opportunity to have your questions answered You may even want to talk to representatives of colleges you havenrsquot considered It will give you a sense of what a variety of colleges offer Most of these representatives will be here during the school day Use Naviance to sign up for these visits If you are unable to miss class that day please at least come to the conference room introduce yourself to the representative and complete an information card Please remember that the person you meet is likely to be the individual who will read your application Make a good impression Listen ask good questions and be attentive

REQUEST INFORMATION FROM COLLEGES

As you compile a list of colleges and universities you might be interested in contact them for information You can find the addresses and phone numbers in the college guidebooks or directly from the collegesrsquo websites Most colleges allow you to request information on their website usually located on the admissions page It may take colleges several weeks to send you the information or an application do not wait to request the information If you want to find out about particular majors sports or activities ask for that as

14

well Most colleges allow you to download and print an application directly from their website This may be the most efficient method

GET ORGANIZED

To make the best use of all the information you gather from colleges get organized One good way is to keep a folder for each college Keep all information you receive and notes on any conversations you have with representatives from each college As the materials arrive read them carefully with a pencil at hand Note the things you like about a particular college and the things you dislike Make sure you note the deadline for each application

Ask yourself these questions

1 Does the college have the major or program I want

2 Does the college have the activities andor sports I want

3 Do I meet the colleges admission requirements

4 Will the college help me achieve my educational and personal goals

5 Does the college provide the environment I am looking for

The idea is not to make a final decision now Instead read and think about each college as carefully as possible then figure out what other information you need to gather Look at this as a research project Collect as much information as possible from as many sources as possible

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

1 Most of your questions should be answered in this manual It is designed to give you the necessary specifics about the college application process Please keep this in a location convenient for you and refer to it often

2 We recommend that you limit your college applications by applying to 3-5 colleges We encourage you to apply to 1-2 reach or dream schools 1-2 colleges where you have a better than 50 chance of acceptance and 2 schools that are pretty much guaranteed acceptance ALL of these schools should be schools you have an interest in attending

3 Students are allowed the opportunity for college visits junior and senior year as long as they are pre-arranged absences You are required to submit to the school a note from the visiting college stating date and time of visit written on official school letter head

4 If you want to participate in athletics on the college level in either a Division I or II school you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse determines athletic eligibility If you think there is even the most remote possibility that you might play in college register with the Clearinghouse

5 Students with DIAGNOSED learning disabilities may be eligible for extended-time testing on the ACT and SAT The documentation must be on file at the school must be recent (three years is the longest it may be used without needing a re-evaluation) and the school must be making similar modifications for you in order to qualify It is very difficult to receive non-standard administration of the tests for a newly diagnosed learning disability

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

5

COLLEGE CALENDAR Junior Year Plan

Begin college selection process Attend college fairs financial aid seminars general information sessions etc to learn as much as you can about the college application process Make sure you are meeting NCAA requirements if you want to play Division I or II sports in college

September

Save samples of your best work for your academic portfolio (all year)

Maintain your extra-curricular record (all year)

Attend the Christian College Fair at TFA

Be sure to check with the Guidance office or Naviance for the list of colleges visiting TFA throughout the fall

October

Take the PSAT

Junior year PSAT scores may qualify a student for the National Merit Scholarship Competition and the National Achievement and the National Hispanic Scholars Programs Even though these scores will not be used for college admission it is still a good idea to take the PSAT The more times you take standardized tests the more familiar you will become with the format and the types of questions asked

Attend the National College Fairs at the Valencia College (East West or Osceola campus)

Meet with the college representatives when they visit TFA

November

Junior year grades are extremely important in the college admission process because they are a measure of how well you do in advanced upper-level courses Grades are also used to determine scholarships and grants for which you may be eligible so put in the extra effort and keep those grades up

If you will require financial aid start researching your options for grants scholarships and work-study programs Make an appointment with your guidance counselor or start by visiting NACACs Web Resources for the College-Bound at wwwnacacnetorg for more information

December

During December you should receive the results of your PSAT Read your score report and consult your school counselor to determine how you might improve on future standardized tests The PSAT is excellent preparation for the SAT which you will take in the spring

If you plan to take the ACT register now for the February ACT Many colleges accept the ACT or the SAT Some colleges require the ACT or both SAT and the SAT Subject Tests When you begin to explore different colleges and universities double-check to see what they prefer

6

January

Begin to make a preliminary list of colleges you would like to investigate further Surf the Internet and use the college resources in the guidance office or library

Ask your parents for your Social Security number (required on many college applications) If you were never issued a Social Security number contact the closest Social Security office as soon as possible to obtain a number

Attend the GUIDANCE MEETING (for all Juniors amp Parents)

Register for the SAT Reasoning Test in the Spring if you have completed the math courses covered by the test (Algebra I Geometry amp Algebra II) If not plan to take the SAT in May or June Prepare for the SAT or ACT by signing up for a prep course using computer software or doing the SATACT practice tests available in the counseling office or at bookstores Do not spend so much time trying to improve standardized test scores that grades and extra-curricular involvement suffer

February

Continue to be diligent in your academic and extracurricular work

Check with the Guidance office on the amount of community service hours you have

Consider taking college-related trips with friends and family

March

Write telephone or use the Internet to request admission literature and financial aid information from the colleges on your list Begin visiting colleges Set up appointments Interviews are always a good idea Many colleges will tell you they are optional but an interview will show interest enthusiasm and initiative on your part and provide an excellent opportunity to have your questions answered

April

When selecting your senior courses be sure to continue to challenge yourself academically

Register for the MayJune SAT andor the MayJune SAT Subject Tests Not all SAT Subject Tests are given on every test date Check the calendar carefully to determine when the Subject Tests you want are offered Register for the June ACT if you want to take that test

Look into summer jobs or apply for special summer academic or enrichment programs Colleges love to see students using their knowledge and developing their skills and interests

7

May

Get a jump start on summer activities consider enrolling in an academic course at a local college pursuing a summer school program applying for an internship working or volunteering If you work save part of your earnings for college

Take the SAT or the SAT Subject Tests

Students must complete their NCAA Clearinghouse registration after completing their junior year Transcript request must be made to the Guidance office

June

After school ends get on the road to visit colleges if you have not done so already Seeing the college firsthand taking a tour and talking to students can be the greatest help in deciding whether a school is right for you Although it is ideal to visit colleges during the academic year going in the summer will also be valuable Admission offices employ their students to give tours and answer questions from prospective students and their parents

Take the SAT the SAT Subject Tests andor the ACT

July

Visit colleges take tours have interviews and ask questions Make college visits a family event Involve your parents and siblings in every step of your application process Choosing the right college is a tough decision the opinions of those who know you best can provide helpful insight into which college is best for you

Begin preparing for the actual application process draft application essays collect writing samples and assemble portfolios or audition tapes

August

Continue to refine your list of potential colleges and universities

If you are an athlete and plan on playing in college contact the coaches at the schools to which you are applying and ask about intercollegiate and intramural sports programs and athletic scholarships

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

8

Senior Year Plan Apply to colleges Make decisions Finish high school with pride in yourself and your accomplishments

September

Make sure you have all applications required for college admission and financial aid Write phone or use the Internet to request missing information

Check on application and financial aid deadlines for the schools to which you plan to apply They may vary and it is essential to meet all deadlines

Review your transcript and extra-curricular records with your school counselor to ensure their accuracy

If needed register for the OctoberNovember SAT andor SAT Subject Tests or SeptemberOctober ACT

If the colleges require recommendations ask the appropriate people to write on your behalf Provide recommendation forms any special instructions and a stamped addressed business envelope to the people writing your recommendation Be thoughtful Write thank-you notes to those who write recommendations and keep them informed of your decisions

Do not take rolling admission applications for granted (Some colleges do not have application deadlines they admit students on a continuous basis) These schools may reach their maximum class size quickly-the earlier you apply the more availability there may be

Plan visits to colleges and set up interviews (if you didnt get to them during the summer or if you want to return to a campus for a second time)

October

Mail applications in time to reach the colleges by the deadlines Fill out the transcript request on Naviance to have your transcript mailed to the colleges

If applying for early decision or early action send in your application now Also prepare applications for back-up schools Remember if you are accepted under the early decision option you are expected to enroll at that college and to withdraw all other applications Submit financial aid information if requested from early decisionaction candidates

Have official test scores sent by the testing agency to colleges on your list

November

Be sure your first quarter grades are in good standing

Continue completing applications to colleges Make copies of all applications before mailing them

9

If you need financial aid you can apply on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website at wwwfafsaedgov Check to see if the colleges to which you are applying require any other financial aid form

Keep all records test score reports and copies of applications for admission and financial aid Do not throw anything away until at least the end of your first year in college Having detailed records will save you time and effort should anything be lost or should you decide to apply in the future to other colleges and scholarship programs

December

Consult your school counselor again to review your final list of colleges Be sure you have all bases covered It is a good idea to make copies of everything before you drop those envelopes in the mail If for some reason your application gets lost you will have a back-up copy File your last college application

If you applied for early decision you should have an answer by now If you are accepted follow the instructions for admitted students If the decision is deferred until spring or you are denied submit applications now to other colleges

Apply for Bright Futures Scholarship

January

Keep up with your classwork Grades and courses continue to count throughout the senior year

Request that your counselor send an updated transcript (including your first semester grades) to the colleges to which you applied

Complete your income tax forms as soon as possible You will need those figures to fill out the FAFSA Complete and return your FAFSA as quickly as possible after January 1 Check to make sure your colleges do not require any other financial aid forms If they do consult your guidance counselor or contact the colleges financial aid office

February

Remember to monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time and that they are complete Stay on top of things and dont procrastinate you can ruin your chances for admission by missing a deadline

If you completed a FAFSA you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks after submitting the FAFSA Review the SAR carefully and check for any inaccuracies If necessary correct any items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor If a college transmitted your data directly notify the college of any change

If more than four weeks have passed after sending in your FAFSA and you have not received an acknowledgment contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or visit their website at wwwfafsaedgov for more information They will need your name social security number address and date of birth exactly as it was written on your FAFSA

10

Complete scholarship applications You may be eligible for more scholarships than you think so apply for as many as you can

Enjoy your final year in high school but dont catch senioritis

March

Stay focused and keep studying-only a couple more months to go

Visit colleges to which you have been accepted to help you decide on a final choice

April

Review your college acceptances and financial aid awards Be sure to compare financial aid packages in your decision-making process If you are positive you will not enroll at one or more of the colleges which accepted you please notify those colleges that you have selected another college Keeping colleges abreast of your plans might enable those colleges to admit someone else If you know which college you will attend send your tuition deposit and follow all other instructions for admitted students You must decide which offer of admission to accept by May 1 (postmark date)

May

By May 1 decide on the one college you will attend and send in your tuition deposit to that college Notify the other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another college

BE PROUD-you have completed a difficult task

If your first-choice college places you on their waitlist do not lose all hope Some students are admitted off the waitlist Talk with your counselor and contact the college to let them know you are still very interested Keep the college updated on your activities

Take Advanced Placement examinations if appropriate and request that your AP scores be sent to the college you will attend

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

11

PARENTS IN THE PROCESS For many students choosing a college is up to this point in their lives their most major decision Parents know their students better than anyone else and in most cases will be paying the fees

So how much involvement should parents have in the decision

What is the role of parents in this process

The involvement of the studentrsquos parents in choosing a college varies enormously and sometimes causes stress and tension within the family Some parents give absolute freedom to their students to choose a college independently others impose their own suggestion on the child Together students and parents must find the right balance The parentsrsquo role should certainly be more than just driving the student to the college visits but giving support and suggestions to the students in preparing for the visits and asking questions This will be one of the most stressful times for the students and it will be crucial that the parents walk along side to give positive support to them

This is not to say that parents should not play a significant role in the process Parents have the right and responsibility to be involved in the decision and there are several ways to do this Parents can be most helpful by providing a system of checks and balances and keeping the student on task They can make sure that their student is asking perceptive questions and considering all aspects of the school Some families may set limits with their student regarding things like cost size and distance from home

Talk about finances early in the process This will not only avoid disappointment later but it will also help to prepare students for the responsibilities they will face once they enroll Initially cost should not be a limiting factor because of possible financial aid awards However it is often wise to have one to two schools on the list that may be less costly

Overall the adult perspective should not be undervalued in the college selection process but parents should let students take ownership of the process While students should preparing applications calling for interviews and following up independently parents can assist during campus visits by noticing things students may not have ie advising programs campus security availability of on-campus services etc Together families can carefully evaluate possible choices and help their student choose an environment in which heshe will flourish

12

GRADES AND COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL

Your high school record will be the most important factor in admittance to a particular college or university Good grades in all your courses throughout high school show a willingness to work hard and an interest in a variety of subjects

A poor grade or two in high school does not necessarily mean you will not be admitted to a selective college If your grades improve even late in your high school career most colleges will notice Likewise if grades drop later in your high school career most colleges will notice

Colleges also consider the diversity and difficulty of the courses you have taken Success in the tougher courses (higher level math language or Advanced Placement) suggests you will do well in college Colleges want students who are interested in learning and working hard A weak schedule regardless of your grades will not speak well of you Colleges are extremely interested in your senior year course schedule They do not want students who have decided to ldquoslack offrdquo their senior year Research suggests that senior year performance is a good indicator of success in college

SCORES ON STANDARDIZED TESTS

The widely used tests for college admissions are the SAT I the ACT and SAT Subject Tests After your high school record test scores are the next most important aspect of your application

So just how much emphasis do colleges put on test scores That depends on where you apply College guidebooks and admission materials often list the average test scores of students at a particular college or university Keep in mind that this is an average not a minimum The scores of students admitted to the school are in a range extending below as well as above that average An increasing number of colleges list a range that shows the scores of the middle 50 percent of the students who attend the school

College admission officers are fully aware too that some students do not test wellrdquo Slow reading speed unfamiliarity with the test format or simple fear may cause a student to perform poorly on standardized tests For these reasons virtually all colleges also consider other factors when they select students They look at grades recommendations essays and a students special talents and achievements However standardized tests are the great equalizer Though receiving a low score on the ACT or SAT does not automatically eliminate you from attending the college of your choice it is critically important to do your very best possible on these tests

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Most colleges look for students with many interests Colleges notice students involved in theater musical groups special interest clubs (such as Chess Club) student publications athletics or student government If you have ldquodabbledrdquo in a lot of activities you may want to focus only on those that you have put a great deal of commitment toward The new word in college admissions is ldquoangularrdquo An angular student is one who may have only one or two activities outside of academics but they have been committed for four years and demonstrate increased leadership Do what you enjoy Schools do not look favorably upon participation in activities simply for the purpose of resume-building Be sure to include any activity in which you have been elected to or assumed a leadership role If the college asks for you to estimate the number of hours per week you spend on each activity be careful not to overestimate Part-time work interesting summer adventure or unusual experiences may also be important to some colleges

13

COLLECTING INFORMATION COLLEGE GUIDES

There are many fine guidebooks to colleges and universities They are available in the school library public library or at a bookstore These books are good sources for objective information about enrollment major fields of study church affiliation costs and student life There is also a search available through Naviance

Be wary of any guide that claims to rank colleges and universities The quality of your educational experience will depend more on how well the college meets your needs and goals than on any criteria a guide might use to rank colleges

Also no one guide can capture the spirit or strength of a college If you compare several accounts you can better judge a colleges admission literature

GREAT REFERENCE BOOKS

There are some great books out there to help you choose a college and gain admission

Here are just a few

Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope

Looking Beyond the Ivy League by Loren Pope

The 100 Best Colleges For African-American Students by Erlene B Wilson

Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean by Joyce Slayton Mitchell

Presenting Yourself Successfully to Colleges by Howard and Matthew Greene

COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVES

During the school year admission representatives from a number of colleges and universities will visit our school Be sure to seek out representatives from the colleges you are considering This is a good opportunity to have your questions answered You may even want to talk to representatives of colleges you havenrsquot considered It will give you a sense of what a variety of colleges offer Most of these representatives will be here during the school day Use Naviance to sign up for these visits If you are unable to miss class that day please at least come to the conference room introduce yourself to the representative and complete an information card Please remember that the person you meet is likely to be the individual who will read your application Make a good impression Listen ask good questions and be attentive

REQUEST INFORMATION FROM COLLEGES

As you compile a list of colleges and universities you might be interested in contact them for information You can find the addresses and phone numbers in the college guidebooks or directly from the collegesrsquo websites Most colleges allow you to request information on their website usually located on the admissions page It may take colleges several weeks to send you the information or an application do not wait to request the information If you want to find out about particular majors sports or activities ask for that as

14

well Most colleges allow you to download and print an application directly from their website This may be the most efficient method

GET ORGANIZED

To make the best use of all the information you gather from colleges get organized One good way is to keep a folder for each college Keep all information you receive and notes on any conversations you have with representatives from each college As the materials arrive read them carefully with a pencil at hand Note the things you like about a particular college and the things you dislike Make sure you note the deadline for each application

Ask yourself these questions

1 Does the college have the major or program I want

2 Does the college have the activities andor sports I want

3 Do I meet the colleges admission requirements

4 Will the college help me achieve my educational and personal goals

5 Does the college provide the environment I am looking for

The idea is not to make a final decision now Instead read and think about each college as carefully as possible then figure out what other information you need to gather Look at this as a research project Collect as much information as possible from as many sources as possible

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

1 Most of your questions should be answered in this manual It is designed to give you the necessary specifics about the college application process Please keep this in a location convenient for you and refer to it often

2 We recommend that you limit your college applications by applying to 3-5 colleges We encourage you to apply to 1-2 reach or dream schools 1-2 colleges where you have a better than 50 chance of acceptance and 2 schools that are pretty much guaranteed acceptance ALL of these schools should be schools you have an interest in attending

3 Students are allowed the opportunity for college visits junior and senior year as long as they are pre-arranged absences You are required to submit to the school a note from the visiting college stating date and time of visit written on official school letter head

4 If you want to participate in athletics on the college level in either a Division I or II school you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse determines athletic eligibility If you think there is even the most remote possibility that you might play in college register with the Clearinghouse

5 Students with DIAGNOSED learning disabilities may be eligible for extended-time testing on the ACT and SAT The documentation must be on file at the school must be recent (three years is the longest it may be used without needing a re-evaluation) and the school must be making similar modifications for you in order to qualify It is very difficult to receive non-standard administration of the tests for a newly diagnosed learning disability

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

6

January

Begin to make a preliminary list of colleges you would like to investigate further Surf the Internet and use the college resources in the guidance office or library

Ask your parents for your Social Security number (required on many college applications) If you were never issued a Social Security number contact the closest Social Security office as soon as possible to obtain a number

Attend the GUIDANCE MEETING (for all Juniors amp Parents)

Register for the SAT Reasoning Test in the Spring if you have completed the math courses covered by the test (Algebra I Geometry amp Algebra II) If not plan to take the SAT in May or June Prepare for the SAT or ACT by signing up for a prep course using computer software or doing the SATACT practice tests available in the counseling office or at bookstores Do not spend so much time trying to improve standardized test scores that grades and extra-curricular involvement suffer

February

Continue to be diligent in your academic and extracurricular work

Check with the Guidance office on the amount of community service hours you have

Consider taking college-related trips with friends and family

March

Write telephone or use the Internet to request admission literature and financial aid information from the colleges on your list Begin visiting colleges Set up appointments Interviews are always a good idea Many colleges will tell you they are optional but an interview will show interest enthusiasm and initiative on your part and provide an excellent opportunity to have your questions answered

April

When selecting your senior courses be sure to continue to challenge yourself academically

Register for the MayJune SAT andor the MayJune SAT Subject Tests Not all SAT Subject Tests are given on every test date Check the calendar carefully to determine when the Subject Tests you want are offered Register for the June ACT if you want to take that test

Look into summer jobs or apply for special summer academic or enrichment programs Colleges love to see students using their knowledge and developing their skills and interests

7

May

Get a jump start on summer activities consider enrolling in an academic course at a local college pursuing a summer school program applying for an internship working or volunteering If you work save part of your earnings for college

Take the SAT or the SAT Subject Tests

Students must complete their NCAA Clearinghouse registration after completing their junior year Transcript request must be made to the Guidance office

June

After school ends get on the road to visit colleges if you have not done so already Seeing the college firsthand taking a tour and talking to students can be the greatest help in deciding whether a school is right for you Although it is ideal to visit colleges during the academic year going in the summer will also be valuable Admission offices employ their students to give tours and answer questions from prospective students and their parents

Take the SAT the SAT Subject Tests andor the ACT

July

Visit colleges take tours have interviews and ask questions Make college visits a family event Involve your parents and siblings in every step of your application process Choosing the right college is a tough decision the opinions of those who know you best can provide helpful insight into which college is best for you

Begin preparing for the actual application process draft application essays collect writing samples and assemble portfolios or audition tapes

August

Continue to refine your list of potential colleges and universities

If you are an athlete and plan on playing in college contact the coaches at the schools to which you are applying and ask about intercollegiate and intramural sports programs and athletic scholarships

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

8

Senior Year Plan Apply to colleges Make decisions Finish high school with pride in yourself and your accomplishments

September

Make sure you have all applications required for college admission and financial aid Write phone or use the Internet to request missing information

Check on application and financial aid deadlines for the schools to which you plan to apply They may vary and it is essential to meet all deadlines

Review your transcript and extra-curricular records with your school counselor to ensure their accuracy

If needed register for the OctoberNovember SAT andor SAT Subject Tests or SeptemberOctober ACT

If the colleges require recommendations ask the appropriate people to write on your behalf Provide recommendation forms any special instructions and a stamped addressed business envelope to the people writing your recommendation Be thoughtful Write thank-you notes to those who write recommendations and keep them informed of your decisions

Do not take rolling admission applications for granted (Some colleges do not have application deadlines they admit students on a continuous basis) These schools may reach their maximum class size quickly-the earlier you apply the more availability there may be

Plan visits to colleges and set up interviews (if you didnt get to them during the summer or if you want to return to a campus for a second time)

October

Mail applications in time to reach the colleges by the deadlines Fill out the transcript request on Naviance to have your transcript mailed to the colleges

If applying for early decision or early action send in your application now Also prepare applications for back-up schools Remember if you are accepted under the early decision option you are expected to enroll at that college and to withdraw all other applications Submit financial aid information if requested from early decisionaction candidates

Have official test scores sent by the testing agency to colleges on your list

November

Be sure your first quarter grades are in good standing

Continue completing applications to colleges Make copies of all applications before mailing them

9

If you need financial aid you can apply on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website at wwwfafsaedgov Check to see if the colleges to which you are applying require any other financial aid form

Keep all records test score reports and copies of applications for admission and financial aid Do not throw anything away until at least the end of your first year in college Having detailed records will save you time and effort should anything be lost or should you decide to apply in the future to other colleges and scholarship programs

December

Consult your school counselor again to review your final list of colleges Be sure you have all bases covered It is a good idea to make copies of everything before you drop those envelopes in the mail If for some reason your application gets lost you will have a back-up copy File your last college application

If you applied for early decision you should have an answer by now If you are accepted follow the instructions for admitted students If the decision is deferred until spring or you are denied submit applications now to other colleges

Apply for Bright Futures Scholarship

January

Keep up with your classwork Grades and courses continue to count throughout the senior year

Request that your counselor send an updated transcript (including your first semester grades) to the colleges to which you applied

Complete your income tax forms as soon as possible You will need those figures to fill out the FAFSA Complete and return your FAFSA as quickly as possible after January 1 Check to make sure your colleges do not require any other financial aid forms If they do consult your guidance counselor or contact the colleges financial aid office

February

Remember to monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time and that they are complete Stay on top of things and dont procrastinate you can ruin your chances for admission by missing a deadline

If you completed a FAFSA you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks after submitting the FAFSA Review the SAR carefully and check for any inaccuracies If necessary correct any items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor If a college transmitted your data directly notify the college of any change

If more than four weeks have passed after sending in your FAFSA and you have not received an acknowledgment contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or visit their website at wwwfafsaedgov for more information They will need your name social security number address and date of birth exactly as it was written on your FAFSA

10

Complete scholarship applications You may be eligible for more scholarships than you think so apply for as many as you can

Enjoy your final year in high school but dont catch senioritis

March

Stay focused and keep studying-only a couple more months to go

Visit colleges to which you have been accepted to help you decide on a final choice

April

Review your college acceptances and financial aid awards Be sure to compare financial aid packages in your decision-making process If you are positive you will not enroll at one or more of the colleges which accepted you please notify those colleges that you have selected another college Keeping colleges abreast of your plans might enable those colleges to admit someone else If you know which college you will attend send your tuition deposit and follow all other instructions for admitted students You must decide which offer of admission to accept by May 1 (postmark date)

May

By May 1 decide on the one college you will attend and send in your tuition deposit to that college Notify the other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another college

BE PROUD-you have completed a difficult task

If your first-choice college places you on their waitlist do not lose all hope Some students are admitted off the waitlist Talk with your counselor and contact the college to let them know you are still very interested Keep the college updated on your activities

Take Advanced Placement examinations if appropriate and request that your AP scores be sent to the college you will attend

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

11

PARENTS IN THE PROCESS For many students choosing a college is up to this point in their lives their most major decision Parents know their students better than anyone else and in most cases will be paying the fees

So how much involvement should parents have in the decision

What is the role of parents in this process

The involvement of the studentrsquos parents in choosing a college varies enormously and sometimes causes stress and tension within the family Some parents give absolute freedom to their students to choose a college independently others impose their own suggestion on the child Together students and parents must find the right balance The parentsrsquo role should certainly be more than just driving the student to the college visits but giving support and suggestions to the students in preparing for the visits and asking questions This will be one of the most stressful times for the students and it will be crucial that the parents walk along side to give positive support to them

This is not to say that parents should not play a significant role in the process Parents have the right and responsibility to be involved in the decision and there are several ways to do this Parents can be most helpful by providing a system of checks and balances and keeping the student on task They can make sure that their student is asking perceptive questions and considering all aspects of the school Some families may set limits with their student regarding things like cost size and distance from home

Talk about finances early in the process This will not only avoid disappointment later but it will also help to prepare students for the responsibilities they will face once they enroll Initially cost should not be a limiting factor because of possible financial aid awards However it is often wise to have one to two schools on the list that may be less costly

Overall the adult perspective should not be undervalued in the college selection process but parents should let students take ownership of the process While students should preparing applications calling for interviews and following up independently parents can assist during campus visits by noticing things students may not have ie advising programs campus security availability of on-campus services etc Together families can carefully evaluate possible choices and help their student choose an environment in which heshe will flourish

12

GRADES AND COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL

Your high school record will be the most important factor in admittance to a particular college or university Good grades in all your courses throughout high school show a willingness to work hard and an interest in a variety of subjects

A poor grade or two in high school does not necessarily mean you will not be admitted to a selective college If your grades improve even late in your high school career most colleges will notice Likewise if grades drop later in your high school career most colleges will notice

Colleges also consider the diversity and difficulty of the courses you have taken Success in the tougher courses (higher level math language or Advanced Placement) suggests you will do well in college Colleges want students who are interested in learning and working hard A weak schedule regardless of your grades will not speak well of you Colleges are extremely interested in your senior year course schedule They do not want students who have decided to ldquoslack offrdquo their senior year Research suggests that senior year performance is a good indicator of success in college

SCORES ON STANDARDIZED TESTS

The widely used tests for college admissions are the SAT I the ACT and SAT Subject Tests After your high school record test scores are the next most important aspect of your application

So just how much emphasis do colleges put on test scores That depends on where you apply College guidebooks and admission materials often list the average test scores of students at a particular college or university Keep in mind that this is an average not a minimum The scores of students admitted to the school are in a range extending below as well as above that average An increasing number of colleges list a range that shows the scores of the middle 50 percent of the students who attend the school

College admission officers are fully aware too that some students do not test wellrdquo Slow reading speed unfamiliarity with the test format or simple fear may cause a student to perform poorly on standardized tests For these reasons virtually all colleges also consider other factors when they select students They look at grades recommendations essays and a students special talents and achievements However standardized tests are the great equalizer Though receiving a low score on the ACT or SAT does not automatically eliminate you from attending the college of your choice it is critically important to do your very best possible on these tests

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Most colleges look for students with many interests Colleges notice students involved in theater musical groups special interest clubs (such as Chess Club) student publications athletics or student government If you have ldquodabbledrdquo in a lot of activities you may want to focus only on those that you have put a great deal of commitment toward The new word in college admissions is ldquoangularrdquo An angular student is one who may have only one or two activities outside of academics but they have been committed for four years and demonstrate increased leadership Do what you enjoy Schools do not look favorably upon participation in activities simply for the purpose of resume-building Be sure to include any activity in which you have been elected to or assumed a leadership role If the college asks for you to estimate the number of hours per week you spend on each activity be careful not to overestimate Part-time work interesting summer adventure or unusual experiences may also be important to some colleges

13

COLLECTING INFORMATION COLLEGE GUIDES

There are many fine guidebooks to colleges and universities They are available in the school library public library or at a bookstore These books are good sources for objective information about enrollment major fields of study church affiliation costs and student life There is also a search available through Naviance

Be wary of any guide that claims to rank colleges and universities The quality of your educational experience will depend more on how well the college meets your needs and goals than on any criteria a guide might use to rank colleges

Also no one guide can capture the spirit or strength of a college If you compare several accounts you can better judge a colleges admission literature

GREAT REFERENCE BOOKS

There are some great books out there to help you choose a college and gain admission

Here are just a few

Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope

Looking Beyond the Ivy League by Loren Pope

The 100 Best Colleges For African-American Students by Erlene B Wilson

Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean by Joyce Slayton Mitchell

Presenting Yourself Successfully to Colleges by Howard and Matthew Greene

COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVES

During the school year admission representatives from a number of colleges and universities will visit our school Be sure to seek out representatives from the colleges you are considering This is a good opportunity to have your questions answered You may even want to talk to representatives of colleges you havenrsquot considered It will give you a sense of what a variety of colleges offer Most of these representatives will be here during the school day Use Naviance to sign up for these visits If you are unable to miss class that day please at least come to the conference room introduce yourself to the representative and complete an information card Please remember that the person you meet is likely to be the individual who will read your application Make a good impression Listen ask good questions and be attentive

REQUEST INFORMATION FROM COLLEGES

As you compile a list of colleges and universities you might be interested in contact them for information You can find the addresses and phone numbers in the college guidebooks or directly from the collegesrsquo websites Most colleges allow you to request information on their website usually located on the admissions page It may take colleges several weeks to send you the information or an application do not wait to request the information If you want to find out about particular majors sports or activities ask for that as

14

well Most colleges allow you to download and print an application directly from their website This may be the most efficient method

GET ORGANIZED

To make the best use of all the information you gather from colleges get organized One good way is to keep a folder for each college Keep all information you receive and notes on any conversations you have with representatives from each college As the materials arrive read them carefully with a pencil at hand Note the things you like about a particular college and the things you dislike Make sure you note the deadline for each application

Ask yourself these questions

1 Does the college have the major or program I want

2 Does the college have the activities andor sports I want

3 Do I meet the colleges admission requirements

4 Will the college help me achieve my educational and personal goals

5 Does the college provide the environment I am looking for

The idea is not to make a final decision now Instead read and think about each college as carefully as possible then figure out what other information you need to gather Look at this as a research project Collect as much information as possible from as many sources as possible

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

1 Most of your questions should be answered in this manual It is designed to give you the necessary specifics about the college application process Please keep this in a location convenient for you and refer to it often

2 We recommend that you limit your college applications by applying to 3-5 colleges We encourage you to apply to 1-2 reach or dream schools 1-2 colleges where you have a better than 50 chance of acceptance and 2 schools that are pretty much guaranteed acceptance ALL of these schools should be schools you have an interest in attending

3 Students are allowed the opportunity for college visits junior and senior year as long as they are pre-arranged absences You are required to submit to the school a note from the visiting college stating date and time of visit written on official school letter head

4 If you want to participate in athletics on the college level in either a Division I or II school you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse determines athletic eligibility If you think there is even the most remote possibility that you might play in college register with the Clearinghouse

5 Students with DIAGNOSED learning disabilities may be eligible for extended-time testing on the ACT and SAT The documentation must be on file at the school must be recent (three years is the longest it may be used without needing a re-evaluation) and the school must be making similar modifications for you in order to qualify It is very difficult to receive non-standard administration of the tests for a newly diagnosed learning disability

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

7

May

Get a jump start on summer activities consider enrolling in an academic course at a local college pursuing a summer school program applying for an internship working or volunteering If you work save part of your earnings for college

Take the SAT or the SAT Subject Tests

Students must complete their NCAA Clearinghouse registration after completing their junior year Transcript request must be made to the Guidance office

June

After school ends get on the road to visit colleges if you have not done so already Seeing the college firsthand taking a tour and talking to students can be the greatest help in deciding whether a school is right for you Although it is ideal to visit colleges during the academic year going in the summer will also be valuable Admission offices employ their students to give tours and answer questions from prospective students and their parents

Take the SAT the SAT Subject Tests andor the ACT

July

Visit colleges take tours have interviews and ask questions Make college visits a family event Involve your parents and siblings in every step of your application process Choosing the right college is a tough decision the opinions of those who know you best can provide helpful insight into which college is best for you

Begin preparing for the actual application process draft application essays collect writing samples and assemble portfolios or audition tapes

August

Continue to refine your list of potential colleges and universities

If you are an athlete and plan on playing in college contact the coaches at the schools to which you are applying and ask about intercollegiate and intramural sports programs and athletic scholarships

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

8

Senior Year Plan Apply to colleges Make decisions Finish high school with pride in yourself and your accomplishments

September

Make sure you have all applications required for college admission and financial aid Write phone or use the Internet to request missing information

Check on application and financial aid deadlines for the schools to which you plan to apply They may vary and it is essential to meet all deadlines

Review your transcript and extra-curricular records with your school counselor to ensure their accuracy

If needed register for the OctoberNovember SAT andor SAT Subject Tests or SeptemberOctober ACT

If the colleges require recommendations ask the appropriate people to write on your behalf Provide recommendation forms any special instructions and a stamped addressed business envelope to the people writing your recommendation Be thoughtful Write thank-you notes to those who write recommendations and keep them informed of your decisions

Do not take rolling admission applications for granted (Some colleges do not have application deadlines they admit students on a continuous basis) These schools may reach their maximum class size quickly-the earlier you apply the more availability there may be

Plan visits to colleges and set up interviews (if you didnt get to them during the summer or if you want to return to a campus for a second time)

October

Mail applications in time to reach the colleges by the deadlines Fill out the transcript request on Naviance to have your transcript mailed to the colleges

If applying for early decision or early action send in your application now Also prepare applications for back-up schools Remember if you are accepted under the early decision option you are expected to enroll at that college and to withdraw all other applications Submit financial aid information if requested from early decisionaction candidates

Have official test scores sent by the testing agency to colleges on your list

November

Be sure your first quarter grades are in good standing

Continue completing applications to colleges Make copies of all applications before mailing them

9

If you need financial aid you can apply on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website at wwwfafsaedgov Check to see if the colleges to which you are applying require any other financial aid form

Keep all records test score reports and copies of applications for admission and financial aid Do not throw anything away until at least the end of your first year in college Having detailed records will save you time and effort should anything be lost or should you decide to apply in the future to other colleges and scholarship programs

December

Consult your school counselor again to review your final list of colleges Be sure you have all bases covered It is a good idea to make copies of everything before you drop those envelopes in the mail If for some reason your application gets lost you will have a back-up copy File your last college application

If you applied for early decision you should have an answer by now If you are accepted follow the instructions for admitted students If the decision is deferred until spring or you are denied submit applications now to other colleges

Apply for Bright Futures Scholarship

January

Keep up with your classwork Grades and courses continue to count throughout the senior year

Request that your counselor send an updated transcript (including your first semester grades) to the colleges to which you applied

Complete your income tax forms as soon as possible You will need those figures to fill out the FAFSA Complete and return your FAFSA as quickly as possible after January 1 Check to make sure your colleges do not require any other financial aid forms If they do consult your guidance counselor or contact the colleges financial aid office

February

Remember to monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time and that they are complete Stay on top of things and dont procrastinate you can ruin your chances for admission by missing a deadline

If you completed a FAFSA you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks after submitting the FAFSA Review the SAR carefully and check for any inaccuracies If necessary correct any items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor If a college transmitted your data directly notify the college of any change

If more than four weeks have passed after sending in your FAFSA and you have not received an acknowledgment contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or visit their website at wwwfafsaedgov for more information They will need your name social security number address and date of birth exactly as it was written on your FAFSA

10

Complete scholarship applications You may be eligible for more scholarships than you think so apply for as many as you can

Enjoy your final year in high school but dont catch senioritis

March

Stay focused and keep studying-only a couple more months to go

Visit colleges to which you have been accepted to help you decide on a final choice

April

Review your college acceptances and financial aid awards Be sure to compare financial aid packages in your decision-making process If you are positive you will not enroll at one or more of the colleges which accepted you please notify those colleges that you have selected another college Keeping colleges abreast of your plans might enable those colleges to admit someone else If you know which college you will attend send your tuition deposit and follow all other instructions for admitted students You must decide which offer of admission to accept by May 1 (postmark date)

May

By May 1 decide on the one college you will attend and send in your tuition deposit to that college Notify the other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another college

BE PROUD-you have completed a difficult task

If your first-choice college places you on their waitlist do not lose all hope Some students are admitted off the waitlist Talk with your counselor and contact the college to let them know you are still very interested Keep the college updated on your activities

Take Advanced Placement examinations if appropriate and request that your AP scores be sent to the college you will attend

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

11

PARENTS IN THE PROCESS For many students choosing a college is up to this point in their lives their most major decision Parents know their students better than anyone else and in most cases will be paying the fees

So how much involvement should parents have in the decision

What is the role of parents in this process

The involvement of the studentrsquos parents in choosing a college varies enormously and sometimes causes stress and tension within the family Some parents give absolute freedom to their students to choose a college independently others impose their own suggestion on the child Together students and parents must find the right balance The parentsrsquo role should certainly be more than just driving the student to the college visits but giving support and suggestions to the students in preparing for the visits and asking questions This will be one of the most stressful times for the students and it will be crucial that the parents walk along side to give positive support to them

This is not to say that parents should not play a significant role in the process Parents have the right and responsibility to be involved in the decision and there are several ways to do this Parents can be most helpful by providing a system of checks and balances and keeping the student on task They can make sure that their student is asking perceptive questions and considering all aspects of the school Some families may set limits with their student regarding things like cost size and distance from home

Talk about finances early in the process This will not only avoid disappointment later but it will also help to prepare students for the responsibilities they will face once they enroll Initially cost should not be a limiting factor because of possible financial aid awards However it is often wise to have one to two schools on the list that may be less costly

Overall the adult perspective should not be undervalued in the college selection process but parents should let students take ownership of the process While students should preparing applications calling for interviews and following up independently parents can assist during campus visits by noticing things students may not have ie advising programs campus security availability of on-campus services etc Together families can carefully evaluate possible choices and help their student choose an environment in which heshe will flourish

12

GRADES AND COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL

Your high school record will be the most important factor in admittance to a particular college or university Good grades in all your courses throughout high school show a willingness to work hard and an interest in a variety of subjects

A poor grade or two in high school does not necessarily mean you will not be admitted to a selective college If your grades improve even late in your high school career most colleges will notice Likewise if grades drop later in your high school career most colleges will notice

Colleges also consider the diversity and difficulty of the courses you have taken Success in the tougher courses (higher level math language or Advanced Placement) suggests you will do well in college Colleges want students who are interested in learning and working hard A weak schedule regardless of your grades will not speak well of you Colleges are extremely interested in your senior year course schedule They do not want students who have decided to ldquoslack offrdquo their senior year Research suggests that senior year performance is a good indicator of success in college

SCORES ON STANDARDIZED TESTS

The widely used tests for college admissions are the SAT I the ACT and SAT Subject Tests After your high school record test scores are the next most important aspect of your application

So just how much emphasis do colleges put on test scores That depends on where you apply College guidebooks and admission materials often list the average test scores of students at a particular college or university Keep in mind that this is an average not a minimum The scores of students admitted to the school are in a range extending below as well as above that average An increasing number of colleges list a range that shows the scores of the middle 50 percent of the students who attend the school

College admission officers are fully aware too that some students do not test wellrdquo Slow reading speed unfamiliarity with the test format or simple fear may cause a student to perform poorly on standardized tests For these reasons virtually all colleges also consider other factors when they select students They look at grades recommendations essays and a students special talents and achievements However standardized tests are the great equalizer Though receiving a low score on the ACT or SAT does not automatically eliminate you from attending the college of your choice it is critically important to do your very best possible on these tests

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Most colleges look for students with many interests Colleges notice students involved in theater musical groups special interest clubs (such as Chess Club) student publications athletics or student government If you have ldquodabbledrdquo in a lot of activities you may want to focus only on those that you have put a great deal of commitment toward The new word in college admissions is ldquoangularrdquo An angular student is one who may have only one or two activities outside of academics but they have been committed for four years and demonstrate increased leadership Do what you enjoy Schools do not look favorably upon participation in activities simply for the purpose of resume-building Be sure to include any activity in which you have been elected to or assumed a leadership role If the college asks for you to estimate the number of hours per week you spend on each activity be careful not to overestimate Part-time work interesting summer adventure or unusual experiences may also be important to some colleges

13

COLLECTING INFORMATION COLLEGE GUIDES

There are many fine guidebooks to colleges and universities They are available in the school library public library or at a bookstore These books are good sources for objective information about enrollment major fields of study church affiliation costs and student life There is also a search available through Naviance

Be wary of any guide that claims to rank colleges and universities The quality of your educational experience will depend more on how well the college meets your needs and goals than on any criteria a guide might use to rank colleges

Also no one guide can capture the spirit or strength of a college If you compare several accounts you can better judge a colleges admission literature

GREAT REFERENCE BOOKS

There are some great books out there to help you choose a college and gain admission

Here are just a few

Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope

Looking Beyond the Ivy League by Loren Pope

The 100 Best Colleges For African-American Students by Erlene B Wilson

Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean by Joyce Slayton Mitchell

Presenting Yourself Successfully to Colleges by Howard and Matthew Greene

COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVES

During the school year admission representatives from a number of colleges and universities will visit our school Be sure to seek out representatives from the colleges you are considering This is a good opportunity to have your questions answered You may even want to talk to representatives of colleges you havenrsquot considered It will give you a sense of what a variety of colleges offer Most of these representatives will be here during the school day Use Naviance to sign up for these visits If you are unable to miss class that day please at least come to the conference room introduce yourself to the representative and complete an information card Please remember that the person you meet is likely to be the individual who will read your application Make a good impression Listen ask good questions and be attentive

REQUEST INFORMATION FROM COLLEGES

As you compile a list of colleges and universities you might be interested in contact them for information You can find the addresses and phone numbers in the college guidebooks or directly from the collegesrsquo websites Most colleges allow you to request information on their website usually located on the admissions page It may take colleges several weeks to send you the information or an application do not wait to request the information If you want to find out about particular majors sports or activities ask for that as

14

well Most colleges allow you to download and print an application directly from their website This may be the most efficient method

GET ORGANIZED

To make the best use of all the information you gather from colleges get organized One good way is to keep a folder for each college Keep all information you receive and notes on any conversations you have with representatives from each college As the materials arrive read them carefully with a pencil at hand Note the things you like about a particular college and the things you dislike Make sure you note the deadline for each application

Ask yourself these questions

1 Does the college have the major or program I want

2 Does the college have the activities andor sports I want

3 Do I meet the colleges admission requirements

4 Will the college help me achieve my educational and personal goals

5 Does the college provide the environment I am looking for

The idea is not to make a final decision now Instead read and think about each college as carefully as possible then figure out what other information you need to gather Look at this as a research project Collect as much information as possible from as many sources as possible

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

1 Most of your questions should be answered in this manual It is designed to give you the necessary specifics about the college application process Please keep this in a location convenient for you and refer to it often

2 We recommend that you limit your college applications by applying to 3-5 colleges We encourage you to apply to 1-2 reach or dream schools 1-2 colleges where you have a better than 50 chance of acceptance and 2 schools that are pretty much guaranteed acceptance ALL of these schools should be schools you have an interest in attending

3 Students are allowed the opportunity for college visits junior and senior year as long as they are pre-arranged absences You are required to submit to the school a note from the visiting college stating date and time of visit written on official school letter head

4 If you want to participate in athletics on the college level in either a Division I or II school you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse determines athletic eligibility If you think there is even the most remote possibility that you might play in college register with the Clearinghouse

5 Students with DIAGNOSED learning disabilities may be eligible for extended-time testing on the ACT and SAT The documentation must be on file at the school must be recent (three years is the longest it may be used without needing a re-evaluation) and the school must be making similar modifications for you in order to qualify It is very difficult to receive non-standard administration of the tests for a newly diagnosed learning disability

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

8

Senior Year Plan Apply to colleges Make decisions Finish high school with pride in yourself and your accomplishments

September

Make sure you have all applications required for college admission and financial aid Write phone or use the Internet to request missing information

Check on application and financial aid deadlines for the schools to which you plan to apply They may vary and it is essential to meet all deadlines

Review your transcript and extra-curricular records with your school counselor to ensure their accuracy

If needed register for the OctoberNovember SAT andor SAT Subject Tests or SeptemberOctober ACT

If the colleges require recommendations ask the appropriate people to write on your behalf Provide recommendation forms any special instructions and a stamped addressed business envelope to the people writing your recommendation Be thoughtful Write thank-you notes to those who write recommendations and keep them informed of your decisions

Do not take rolling admission applications for granted (Some colleges do not have application deadlines they admit students on a continuous basis) These schools may reach their maximum class size quickly-the earlier you apply the more availability there may be

Plan visits to colleges and set up interviews (if you didnt get to them during the summer or if you want to return to a campus for a second time)

October

Mail applications in time to reach the colleges by the deadlines Fill out the transcript request on Naviance to have your transcript mailed to the colleges

If applying for early decision or early action send in your application now Also prepare applications for back-up schools Remember if you are accepted under the early decision option you are expected to enroll at that college and to withdraw all other applications Submit financial aid information if requested from early decisionaction candidates

Have official test scores sent by the testing agency to colleges on your list

November

Be sure your first quarter grades are in good standing

Continue completing applications to colleges Make copies of all applications before mailing them

9

If you need financial aid you can apply on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website at wwwfafsaedgov Check to see if the colleges to which you are applying require any other financial aid form

Keep all records test score reports and copies of applications for admission and financial aid Do not throw anything away until at least the end of your first year in college Having detailed records will save you time and effort should anything be lost or should you decide to apply in the future to other colleges and scholarship programs

December

Consult your school counselor again to review your final list of colleges Be sure you have all bases covered It is a good idea to make copies of everything before you drop those envelopes in the mail If for some reason your application gets lost you will have a back-up copy File your last college application

If you applied for early decision you should have an answer by now If you are accepted follow the instructions for admitted students If the decision is deferred until spring or you are denied submit applications now to other colleges

Apply for Bright Futures Scholarship

January

Keep up with your classwork Grades and courses continue to count throughout the senior year

Request that your counselor send an updated transcript (including your first semester grades) to the colleges to which you applied

Complete your income tax forms as soon as possible You will need those figures to fill out the FAFSA Complete and return your FAFSA as quickly as possible after January 1 Check to make sure your colleges do not require any other financial aid forms If they do consult your guidance counselor or contact the colleges financial aid office

February

Remember to monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time and that they are complete Stay on top of things and dont procrastinate you can ruin your chances for admission by missing a deadline

If you completed a FAFSA you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks after submitting the FAFSA Review the SAR carefully and check for any inaccuracies If necessary correct any items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor If a college transmitted your data directly notify the college of any change

If more than four weeks have passed after sending in your FAFSA and you have not received an acknowledgment contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or visit their website at wwwfafsaedgov for more information They will need your name social security number address and date of birth exactly as it was written on your FAFSA

10

Complete scholarship applications You may be eligible for more scholarships than you think so apply for as many as you can

Enjoy your final year in high school but dont catch senioritis

March

Stay focused and keep studying-only a couple more months to go

Visit colleges to which you have been accepted to help you decide on a final choice

April

Review your college acceptances and financial aid awards Be sure to compare financial aid packages in your decision-making process If you are positive you will not enroll at one or more of the colleges which accepted you please notify those colleges that you have selected another college Keeping colleges abreast of your plans might enable those colleges to admit someone else If you know which college you will attend send your tuition deposit and follow all other instructions for admitted students You must decide which offer of admission to accept by May 1 (postmark date)

May

By May 1 decide on the one college you will attend and send in your tuition deposit to that college Notify the other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another college

BE PROUD-you have completed a difficult task

If your first-choice college places you on their waitlist do not lose all hope Some students are admitted off the waitlist Talk with your counselor and contact the college to let them know you are still very interested Keep the college updated on your activities

Take Advanced Placement examinations if appropriate and request that your AP scores be sent to the college you will attend

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

11

PARENTS IN THE PROCESS For many students choosing a college is up to this point in their lives their most major decision Parents know their students better than anyone else and in most cases will be paying the fees

So how much involvement should parents have in the decision

What is the role of parents in this process

The involvement of the studentrsquos parents in choosing a college varies enormously and sometimes causes stress and tension within the family Some parents give absolute freedom to their students to choose a college independently others impose their own suggestion on the child Together students and parents must find the right balance The parentsrsquo role should certainly be more than just driving the student to the college visits but giving support and suggestions to the students in preparing for the visits and asking questions This will be one of the most stressful times for the students and it will be crucial that the parents walk along side to give positive support to them

This is not to say that parents should not play a significant role in the process Parents have the right and responsibility to be involved in the decision and there are several ways to do this Parents can be most helpful by providing a system of checks and balances and keeping the student on task They can make sure that their student is asking perceptive questions and considering all aspects of the school Some families may set limits with their student regarding things like cost size and distance from home

Talk about finances early in the process This will not only avoid disappointment later but it will also help to prepare students for the responsibilities they will face once they enroll Initially cost should not be a limiting factor because of possible financial aid awards However it is often wise to have one to two schools on the list that may be less costly

Overall the adult perspective should not be undervalued in the college selection process but parents should let students take ownership of the process While students should preparing applications calling for interviews and following up independently parents can assist during campus visits by noticing things students may not have ie advising programs campus security availability of on-campus services etc Together families can carefully evaluate possible choices and help their student choose an environment in which heshe will flourish

12

GRADES AND COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL

Your high school record will be the most important factor in admittance to a particular college or university Good grades in all your courses throughout high school show a willingness to work hard and an interest in a variety of subjects

A poor grade or two in high school does not necessarily mean you will not be admitted to a selective college If your grades improve even late in your high school career most colleges will notice Likewise if grades drop later in your high school career most colleges will notice

Colleges also consider the diversity and difficulty of the courses you have taken Success in the tougher courses (higher level math language or Advanced Placement) suggests you will do well in college Colleges want students who are interested in learning and working hard A weak schedule regardless of your grades will not speak well of you Colleges are extremely interested in your senior year course schedule They do not want students who have decided to ldquoslack offrdquo their senior year Research suggests that senior year performance is a good indicator of success in college

SCORES ON STANDARDIZED TESTS

The widely used tests for college admissions are the SAT I the ACT and SAT Subject Tests After your high school record test scores are the next most important aspect of your application

So just how much emphasis do colleges put on test scores That depends on where you apply College guidebooks and admission materials often list the average test scores of students at a particular college or university Keep in mind that this is an average not a minimum The scores of students admitted to the school are in a range extending below as well as above that average An increasing number of colleges list a range that shows the scores of the middle 50 percent of the students who attend the school

College admission officers are fully aware too that some students do not test wellrdquo Slow reading speed unfamiliarity with the test format or simple fear may cause a student to perform poorly on standardized tests For these reasons virtually all colleges also consider other factors when they select students They look at grades recommendations essays and a students special talents and achievements However standardized tests are the great equalizer Though receiving a low score on the ACT or SAT does not automatically eliminate you from attending the college of your choice it is critically important to do your very best possible on these tests

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Most colleges look for students with many interests Colleges notice students involved in theater musical groups special interest clubs (such as Chess Club) student publications athletics or student government If you have ldquodabbledrdquo in a lot of activities you may want to focus only on those that you have put a great deal of commitment toward The new word in college admissions is ldquoangularrdquo An angular student is one who may have only one or two activities outside of academics but they have been committed for four years and demonstrate increased leadership Do what you enjoy Schools do not look favorably upon participation in activities simply for the purpose of resume-building Be sure to include any activity in which you have been elected to or assumed a leadership role If the college asks for you to estimate the number of hours per week you spend on each activity be careful not to overestimate Part-time work interesting summer adventure or unusual experiences may also be important to some colleges

13

COLLECTING INFORMATION COLLEGE GUIDES

There are many fine guidebooks to colleges and universities They are available in the school library public library or at a bookstore These books are good sources for objective information about enrollment major fields of study church affiliation costs and student life There is also a search available through Naviance

Be wary of any guide that claims to rank colleges and universities The quality of your educational experience will depend more on how well the college meets your needs and goals than on any criteria a guide might use to rank colleges

Also no one guide can capture the spirit or strength of a college If you compare several accounts you can better judge a colleges admission literature

GREAT REFERENCE BOOKS

There are some great books out there to help you choose a college and gain admission

Here are just a few

Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope

Looking Beyond the Ivy League by Loren Pope

The 100 Best Colleges For African-American Students by Erlene B Wilson

Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean by Joyce Slayton Mitchell

Presenting Yourself Successfully to Colleges by Howard and Matthew Greene

COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVES

During the school year admission representatives from a number of colleges and universities will visit our school Be sure to seek out representatives from the colleges you are considering This is a good opportunity to have your questions answered You may even want to talk to representatives of colleges you havenrsquot considered It will give you a sense of what a variety of colleges offer Most of these representatives will be here during the school day Use Naviance to sign up for these visits If you are unable to miss class that day please at least come to the conference room introduce yourself to the representative and complete an information card Please remember that the person you meet is likely to be the individual who will read your application Make a good impression Listen ask good questions and be attentive

REQUEST INFORMATION FROM COLLEGES

As you compile a list of colleges and universities you might be interested in contact them for information You can find the addresses and phone numbers in the college guidebooks or directly from the collegesrsquo websites Most colleges allow you to request information on their website usually located on the admissions page It may take colleges several weeks to send you the information or an application do not wait to request the information If you want to find out about particular majors sports or activities ask for that as

14

well Most colleges allow you to download and print an application directly from their website This may be the most efficient method

GET ORGANIZED

To make the best use of all the information you gather from colleges get organized One good way is to keep a folder for each college Keep all information you receive and notes on any conversations you have with representatives from each college As the materials arrive read them carefully with a pencil at hand Note the things you like about a particular college and the things you dislike Make sure you note the deadline for each application

Ask yourself these questions

1 Does the college have the major or program I want

2 Does the college have the activities andor sports I want

3 Do I meet the colleges admission requirements

4 Will the college help me achieve my educational and personal goals

5 Does the college provide the environment I am looking for

The idea is not to make a final decision now Instead read and think about each college as carefully as possible then figure out what other information you need to gather Look at this as a research project Collect as much information as possible from as many sources as possible

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

1 Most of your questions should be answered in this manual It is designed to give you the necessary specifics about the college application process Please keep this in a location convenient for you and refer to it often

2 We recommend that you limit your college applications by applying to 3-5 colleges We encourage you to apply to 1-2 reach or dream schools 1-2 colleges where you have a better than 50 chance of acceptance and 2 schools that are pretty much guaranteed acceptance ALL of these schools should be schools you have an interest in attending

3 Students are allowed the opportunity for college visits junior and senior year as long as they are pre-arranged absences You are required to submit to the school a note from the visiting college stating date and time of visit written on official school letter head

4 If you want to participate in athletics on the college level in either a Division I or II school you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse determines athletic eligibility If you think there is even the most remote possibility that you might play in college register with the Clearinghouse

5 Students with DIAGNOSED learning disabilities may be eligible for extended-time testing on the ACT and SAT The documentation must be on file at the school must be recent (three years is the longest it may be used without needing a re-evaluation) and the school must be making similar modifications for you in order to qualify It is very difficult to receive non-standard administration of the tests for a newly diagnosed learning disability

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

9

If you need financial aid you can apply on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website at wwwfafsaedgov Check to see if the colleges to which you are applying require any other financial aid form

Keep all records test score reports and copies of applications for admission and financial aid Do not throw anything away until at least the end of your first year in college Having detailed records will save you time and effort should anything be lost or should you decide to apply in the future to other colleges and scholarship programs

December

Consult your school counselor again to review your final list of colleges Be sure you have all bases covered It is a good idea to make copies of everything before you drop those envelopes in the mail If for some reason your application gets lost you will have a back-up copy File your last college application

If you applied for early decision you should have an answer by now If you are accepted follow the instructions for admitted students If the decision is deferred until spring or you are denied submit applications now to other colleges

Apply for Bright Futures Scholarship

January

Keep up with your classwork Grades and courses continue to count throughout the senior year

Request that your counselor send an updated transcript (including your first semester grades) to the colleges to which you applied

Complete your income tax forms as soon as possible You will need those figures to fill out the FAFSA Complete and return your FAFSA as quickly as possible after January 1 Check to make sure your colleges do not require any other financial aid forms If they do consult your guidance counselor or contact the colleges financial aid office

February

Remember to monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time and that they are complete Stay on top of things and dont procrastinate you can ruin your chances for admission by missing a deadline

If you completed a FAFSA you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks after submitting the FAFSA Review the SAR carefully and check for any inaccuracies If necessary correct any items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor If a college transmitted your data directly notify the college of any change

If more than four weeks have passed after sending in your FAFSA and you have not received an acknowledgment contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or visit their website at wwwfafsaedgov for more information They will need your name social security number address and date of birth exactly as it was written on your FAFSA

10

Complete scholarship applications You may be eligible for more scholarships than you think so apply for as many as you can

Enjoy your final year in high school but dont catch senioritis

March

Stay focused and keep studying-only a couple more months to go

Visit colleges to which you have been accepted to help you decide on a final choice

April

Review your college acceptances and financial aid awards Be sure to compare financial aid packages in your decision-making process If you are positive you will not enroll at one or more of the colleges which accepted you please notify those colleges that you have selected another college Keeping colleges abreast of your plans might enable those colleges to admit someone else If you know which college you will attend send your tuition deposit and follow all other instructions for admitted students You must decide which offer of admission to accept by May 1 (postmark date)

May

By May 1 decide on the one college you will attend and send in your tuition deposit to that college Notify the other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another college

BE PROUD-you have completed a difficult task

If your first-choice college places you on their waitlist do not lose all hope Some students are admitted off the waitlist Talk with your counselor and contact the college to let them know you are still very interested Keep the college updated on your activities

Take Advanced Placement examinations if appropriate and request that your AP scores be sent to the college you will attend

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

11

PARENTS IN THE PROCESS For many students choosing a college is up to this point in their lives their most major decision Parents know their students better than anyone else and in most cases will be paying the fees

So how much involvement should parents have in the decision

What is the role of parents in this process

The involvement of the studentrsquos parents in choosing a college varies enormously and sometimes causes stress and tension within the family Some parents give absolute freedom to their students to choose a college independently others impose their own suggestion on the child Together students and parents must find the right balance The parentsrsquo role should certainly be more than just driving the student to the college visits but giving support and suggestions to the students in preparing for the visits and asking questions This will be one of the most stressful times for the students and it will be crucial that the parents walk along side to give positive support to them

This is not to say that parents should not play a significant role in the process Parents have the right and responsibility to be involved in the decision and there are several ways to do this Parents can be most helpful by providing a system of checks and balances and keeping the student on task They can make sure that their student is asking perceptive questions and considering all aspects of the school Some families may set limits with their student regarding things like cost size and distance from home

Talk about finances early in the process This will not only avoid disappointment later but it will also help to prepare students for the responsibilities they will face once they enroll Initially cost should not be a limiting factor because of possible financial aid awards However it is often wise to have one to two schools on the list that may be less costly

Overall the adult perspective should not be undervalued in the college selection process but parents should let students take ownership of the process While students should preparing applications calling for interviews and following up independently parents can assist during campus visits by noticing things students may not have ie advising programs campus security availability of on-campus services etc Together families can carefully evaluate possible choices and help their student choose an environment in which heshe will flourish

12

GRADES AND COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL

Your high school record will be the most important factor in admittance to a particular college or university Good grades in all your courses throughout high school show a willingness to work hard and an interest in a variety of subjects

A poor grade or two in high school does not necessarily mean you will not be admitted to a selective college If your grades improve even late in your high school career most colleges will notice Likewise if grades drop later in your high school career most colleges will notice

Colleges also consider the diversity and difficulty of the courses you have taken Success in the tougher courses (higher level math language or Advanced Placement) suggests you will do well in college Colleges want students who are interested in learning and working hard A weak schedule regardless of your grades will not speak well of you Colleges are extremely interested in your senior year course schedule They do not want students who have decided to ldquoslack offrdquo their senior year Research suggests that senior year performance is a good indicator of success in college

SCORES ON STANDARDIZED TESTS

The widely used tests for college admissions are the SAT I the ACT and SAT Subject Tests After your high school record test scores are the next most important aspect of your application

So just how much emphasis do colleges put on test scores That depends on where you apply College guidebooks and admission materials often list the average test scores of students at a particular college or university Keep in mind that this is an average not a minimum The scores of students admitted to the school are in a range extending below as well as above that average An increasing number of colleges list a range that shows the scores of the middle 50 percent of the students who attend the school

College admission officers are fully aware too that some students do not test wellrdquo Slow reading speed unfamiliarity with the test format or simple fear may cause a student to perform poorly on standardized tests For these reasons virtually all colleges also consider other factors when they select students They look at grades recommendations essays and a students special talents and achievements However standardized tests are the great equalizer Though receiving a low score on the ACT or SAT does not automatically eliminate you from attending the college of your choice it is critically important to do your very best possible on these tests

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Most colleges look for students with many interests Colleges notice students involved in theater musical groups special interest clubs (such as Chess Club) student publications athletics or student government If you have ldquodabbledrdquo in a lot of activities you may want to focus only on those that you have put a great deal of commitment toward The new word in college admissions is ldquoangularrdquo An angular student is one who may have only one or two activities outside of academics but they have been committed for four years and demonstrate increased leadership Do what you enjoy Schools do not look favorably upon participation in activities simply for the purpose of resume-building Be sure to include any activity in which you have been elected to or assumed a leadership role If the college asks for you to estimate the number of hours per week you spend on each activity be careful not to overestimate Part-time work interesting summer adventure or unusual experiences may also be important to some colleges

13

COLLECTING INFORMATION COLLEGE GUIDES

There are many fine guidebooks to colleges and universities They are available in the school library public library or at a bookstore These books are good sources for objective information about enrollment major fields of study church affiliation costs and student life There is also a search available through Naviance

Be wary of any guide that claims to rank colleges and universities The quality of your educational experience will depend more on how well the college meets your needs and goals than on any criteria a guide might use to rank colleges

Also no one guide can capture the spirit or strength of a college If you compare several accounts you can better judge a colleges admission literature

GREAT REFERENCE BOOKS

There are some great books out there to help you choose a college and gain admission

Here are just a few

Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope

Looking Beyond the Ivy League by Loren Pope

The 100 Best Colleges For African-American Students by Erlene B Wilson

Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean by Joyce Slayton Mitchell

Presenting Yourself Successfully to Colleges by Howard and Matthew Greene

COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVES

During the school year admission representatives from a number of colleges and universities will visit our school Be sure to seek out representatives from the colleges you are considering This is a good opportunity to have your questions answered You may even want to talk to representatives of colleges you havenrsquot considered It will give you a sense of what a variety of colleges offer Most of these representatives will be here during the school day Use Naviance to sign up for these visits If you are unable to miss class that day please at least come to the conference room introduce yourself to the representative and complete an information card Please remember that the person you meet is likely to be the individual who will read your application Make a good impression Listen ask good questions and be attentive

REQUEST INFORMATION FROM COLLEGES

As you compile a list of colleges and universities you might be interested in contact them for information You can find the addresses and phone numbers in the college guidebooks or directly from the collegesrsquo websites Most colleges allow you to request information on their website usually located on the admissions page It may take colleges several weeks to send you the information or an application do not wait to request the information If you want to find out about particular majors sports or activities ask for that as

14

well Most colleges allow you to download and print an application directly from their website This may be the most efficient method

GET ORGANIZED

To make the best use of all the information you gather from colleges get organized One good way is to keep a folder for each college Keep all information you receive and notes on any conversations you have with representatives from each college As the materials arrive read them carefully with a pencil at hand Note the things you like about a particular college and the things you dislike Make sure you note the deadline for each application

Ask yourself these questions

1 Does the college have the major or program I want

2 Does the college have the activities andor sports I want

3 Do I meet the colleges admission requirements

4 Will the college help me achieve my educational and personal goals

5 Does the college provide the environment I am looking for

The idea is not to make a final decision now Instead read and think about each college as carefully as possible then figure out what other information you need to gather Look at this as a research project Collect as much information as possible from as many sources as possible

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

1 Most of your questions should be answered in this manual It is designed to give you the necessary specifics about the college application process Please keep this in a location convenient for you and refer to it often

2 We recommend that you limit your college applications by applying to 3-5 colleges We encourage you to apply to 1-2 reach or dream schools 1-2 colleges where you have a better than 50 chance of acceptance and 2 schools that are pretty much guaranteed acceptance ALL of these schools should be schools you have an interest in attending

3 Students are allowed the opportunity for college visits junior and senior year as long as they are pre-arranged absences You are required to submit to the school a note from the visiting college stating date and time of visit written on official school letter head

4 If you want to participate in athletics on the college level in either a Division I or II school you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse determines athletic eligibility If you think there is even the most remote possibility that you might play in college register with the Clearinghouse

5 Students with DIAGNOSED learning disabilities may be eligible for extended-time testing on the ACT and SAT The documentation must be on file at the school must be recent (three years is the longest it may be used without needing a re-evaluation) and the school must be making similar modifications for you in order to qualify It is very difficult to receive non-standard administration of the tests for a newly diagnosed learning disability

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

10

Complete scholarship applications You may be eligible for more scholarships than you think so apply for as many as you can

Enjoy your final year in high school but dont catch senioritis

March

Stay focused and keep studying-only a couple more months to go

Visit colleges to which you have been accepted to help you decide on a final choice

April

Review your college acceptances and financial aid awards Be sure to compare financial aid packages in your decision-making process If you are positive you will not enroll at one or more of the colleges which accepted you please notify those colleges that you have selected another college Keeping colleges abreast of your plans might enable those colleges to admit someone else If you know which college you will attend send your tuition deposit and follow all other instructions for admitted students You must decide which offer of admission to accept by May 1 (postmark date)

May

By May 1 decide on the one college you will attend and send in your tuition deposit to that college Notify the other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another college

BE PROUD-you have completed a difficult task

If your first-choice college places you on their waitlist do not lose all hope Some students are admitted off the waitlist Talk with your counselor and contact the college to let them know you are still very interested Keep the college updated on your activities

Take Advanced Placement examinations if appropriate and request that your AP scores be sent to the college you will attend

Attained from the National Association for College Counseling

11

PARENTS IN THE PROCESS For many students choosing a college is up to this point in their lives their most major decision Parents know their students better than anyone else and in most cases will be paying the fees

So how much involvement should parents have in the decision

What is the role of parents in this process

The involvement of the studentrsquos parents in choosing a college varies enormously and sometimes causes stress and tension within the family Some parents give absolute freedom to their students to choose a college independently others impose their own suggestion on the child Together students and parents must find the right balance The parentsrsquo role should certainly be more than just driving the student to the college visits but giving support and suggestions to the students in preparing for the visits and asking questions This will be one of the most stressful times for the students and it will be crucial that the parents walk along side to give positive support to them

This is not to say that parents should not play a significant role in the process Parents have the right and responsibility to be involved in the decision and there are several ways to do this Parents can be most helpful by providing a system of checks and balances and keeping the student on task They can make sure that their student is asking perceptive questions and considering all aspects of the school Some families may set limits with their student regarding things like cost size and distance from home

Talk about finances early in the process This will not only avoid disappointment later but it will also help to prepare students for the responsibilities they will face once they enroll Initially cost should not be a limiting factor because of possible financial aid awards However it is often wise to have one to two schools on the list that may be less costly

Overall the adult perspective should not be undervalued in the college selection process but parents should let students take ownership of the process While students should preparing applications calling for interviews and following up independently parents can assist during campus visits by noticing things students may not have ie advising programs campus security availability of on-campus services etc Together families can carefully evaluate possible choices and help their student choose an environment in which heshe will flourish

12

GRADES AND COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL

Your high school record will be the most important factor in admittance to a particular college or university Good grades in all your courses throughout high school show a willingness to work hard and an interest in a variety of subjects

A poor grade or two in high school does not necessarily mean you will not be admitted to a selective college If your grades improve even late in your high school career most colleges will notice Likewise if grades drop later in your high school career most colleges will notice

Colleges also consider the diversity and difficulty of the courses you have taken Success in the tougher courses (higher level math language or Advanced Placement) suggests you will do well in college Colleges want students who are interested in learning and working hard A weak schedule regardless of your grades will not speak well of you Colleges are extremely interested in your senior year course schedule They do not want students who have decided to ldquoslack offrdquo their senior year Research suggests that senior year performance is a good indicator of success in college

SCORES ON STANDARDIZED TESTS

The widely used tests for college admissions are the SAT I the ACT and SAT Subject Tests After your high school record test scores are the next most important aspect of your application

So just how much emphasis do colleges put on test scores That depends on where you apply College guidebooks and admission materials often list the average test scores of students at a particular college or university Keep in mind that this is an average not a minimum The scores of students admitted to the school are in a range extending below as well as above that average An increasing number of colleges list a range that shows the scores of the middle 50 percent of the students who attend the school

College admission officers are fully aware too that some students do not test wellrdquo Slow reading speed unfamiliarity with the test format or simple fear may cause a student to perform poorly on standardized tests For these reasons virtually all colleges also consider other factors when they select students They look at grades recommendations essays and a students special talents and achievements However standardized tests are the great equalizer Though receiving a low score on the ACT or SAT does not automatically eliminate you from attending the college of your choice it is critically important to do your very best possible on these tests

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Most colleges look for students with many interests Colleges notice students involved in theater musical groups special interest clubs (such as Chess Club) student publications athletics or student government If you have ldquodabbledrdquo in a lot of activities you may want to focus only on those that you have put a great deal of commitment toward The new word in college admissions is ldquoangularrdquo An angular student is one who may have only one or two activities outside of academics but they have been committed for four years and demonstrate increased leadership Do what you enjoy Schools do not look favorably upon participation in activities simply for the purpose of resume-building Be sure to include any activity in which you have been elected to or assumed a leadership role If the college asks for you to estimate the number of hours per week you spend on each activity be careful not to overestimate Part-time work interesting summer adventure or unusual experiences may also be important to some colleges

13

COLLECTING INFORMATION COLLEGE GUIDES

There are many fine guidebooks to colleges and universities They are available in the school library public library or at a bookstore These books are good sources for objective information about enrollment major fields of study church affiliation costs and student life There is also a search available through Naviance

Be wary of any guide that claims to rank colleges and universities The quality of your educational experience will depend more on how well the college meets your needs and goals than on any criteria a guide might use to rank colleges

Also no one guide can capture the spirit or strength of a college If you compare several accounts you can better judge a colleges admission literature

GREAT REFERENCE BOOKS

There are some great books out there to help you choose a college and gain admission

Here are just a few

Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope

Looking Beyond the Ivy League by Loren Pope

The 100 Best Colleges For African-American Students by Erlene B Wilson

Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean by Joyce Slayton Mitchell

Presenting Yourself Successfully to Colleges by Howard and Matthew Greene

COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVES

During the school year admission representatives from a number of colleges and universities will visit our school Be sure to seek out representatives from the colleges you are considering This is a good opportunity to have your questions answered You may even want to talk to representatives of colleges you havenrsquot considered It will give you a sense of what a variety of colleges offer Most of these representatives will be here during the school day Use Naviance to sign up for these visits If you are unable to miss class that day please at least come to the conference room introduce yourself to the representative and complete an information card Please remember that the person you meet is likely to be the individual who will read your application Make a good impression Listen ask good questions and be attentive

REQUEST INFORMATION FROM COLLEGES

As you compile a list of colleges and universities you might be interested in contact them for information You can find the addresses and phone numbers in the college guidebooks or directly from the collegesrsquo websites Most colleges allow you to request information on their website usually located on the admissions page It may take colleges several weeks to send you the information or an application do not wait to request the information If you want to find out about particular majors sports or activities ask for that as

14

well Most colleges allow you to download and print an application directly from their website This may be the most efficient method

GET ORGANIZED

To make the best use of all the information you gather from colleges get organized One good way is to keep a folder for each college Keep all information you receive and notes on any conversations you have with representatives from each college As the materials arrive read them carefully with a pencil at hand Note the things you like about a particular college and the things you dislike Make sure you note the deadline for each application

Ask yourself these questions

1 Does the college have the major or program I want

2 Does the college have the activities andor sports I want

3 Do I meet the colleges admission requirements

4 Will the college help me achieve my educational and personal goals

5 Does the college provide the environment I am looking for

The idea is not to make a final decision now Instead read and think about each college as carefully as possible then figure out what other information you need to gather Look at this as a research project Collect as much information as possible from as many sources as possible

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

1 Most of your questions should be answered in this manual It is designed to give you the necessary specifics about the college application process Please keep this in a location convenient for you and refer to it often

2 We recommend that you limit your college applications by applying to 3-5 colleges We encourage you to apply to 1-2 reach or dream schools 1-2 colleges where you have a better than 50 chance of acceptance and 2 schools that are pretty much guaranteed acceptance ALL of these schools should be schools you have an interest in attending

3 Students are allowed the opportunity for college visits junior and senior year as long as they are pre-arranged absences You are required to submit to the school a note from the visiting college stating date and time of visit written on official school letter head

4 If you want to participate in athletics on the college level in either a Division I or II school you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse determines athletic eligibility If you think there is even the most remote possibility that you might play in college register with the Clearinghouse

5 Students with DIAGNOSED learning disabilities may be eligible for extended-time testing on the ACT and SAT The documentation must be on file at the school must be recent (three years is the longest it may be used without needing a re-evaluation) and the school must be making similar modifications for you in order to qualify It is very difficult to receive non-standard administration of the tests for a newly diagnosed learning disability

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

11

PARENTS IN THE PROCESS For many students choosing a college is up to this point in their lives their most major decision Parents know their students better than anyone else and in most cases will be paying the fees

So how much involvement should parents have in the decision

What is the role of parents in this process

The involvement of the studentrsquos parents in choosing a college varies enormously and sometimes causes stress and tension within the family Some parents give absolute freedom to their students to choose a college independently others impose their own suggestion on the child Together students and parents must find the right balance The parentsrsquo role should certainly be more than just driving the student to the college visits but giving support and suggestions to the students in preparing for the visits and asking questions This will be one of the most stressful times for the students and it will be crucial that the parents walk along side to give positive support to them

This is not to say that parents should not play a significant role in the process Parents have the right and responsibility to be involved in the decision and there are several ways to do this Parents can be most helpful by providing a system of checks and balances and keeping the student on task They can make sure that their student is asking perceptive questions and considering all aspects of the school Some families may set limits with their student regarding things like cost size and distance from home

Talk about finances early in the process This will not only avoid disappointment later but it will also help to prepare students for the responsibilities they will face once they enroll Initially cost should not be a limiting factor because of possible financial aid awards However it is often wise to have one to two schools on the list that may be less costly

Overall the adult perspective should not be undervalued in the college selection process but parents should let students take ownership of the process While students should preparing applications calling for interviews and following up independently parents can assist during campus visits by noticing things students may not have ie advising programs campus security availability of on-campus services etc Together families can carefully evaluate possible choices and help their student choose an environment in which heshe will flourish

12

GRADES AND COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL

Your high school record will be the most important factor in admittance to a particular college or university Good grades in all your courses throughout high school show a willingness to work hard and an interest in a variety of subjects

A poor grade or two in high school does not necessarily mean you will not be admitted to a selective college If your grades improve even late in your high school career most colleges will notice Likewise if grades drop later in your high school career most colleges will notice

Colleges also consider the diversity and difficulty of the courses you have taken Success in the tougher courses (higher level math language or Advanced Placement) suggests you will do well in college Colleges want students who are interested in learning and working hard A weak schedule regardless of your grades will not speak well of you Colleges are extremely interested in your senior year course schedule They do not want students who have decided to ldquoslack offrdquo their senior year Research suggests that senior year performance is a good indicator of success in college

SCORES ON STANDARDIZED TESTS

The widely used tests for college admissions are the SAT I the ACT and SAT Subject Tests After your high school record test scores are the next most important aspect of your application

So just how much emphasis do colleges put on test scores That depends on where you apply College guidebooks and admission materials often list the average test scores of students at a particular college or university Keep in mind that this is an average not a minimum The scores of students admitted to the school are in a range extending below as well as above that average An increasing number of colleges list a range that shows the scores of the middle 50 percent of the students who attend the school

College admission officers are fully aware too that some students do not test wellrdquo Slow reading speed unfamiliarity with the test format or simple fear may cause a student to perform poorly on standardized tests For these reasons virtually all colleges also consider other factors when they select students They look at grades recommendations essays and a students special talents and achievements However standardized tests are the great equalizer Though receiving a low score on the ACT or SAT does not automatically eliminate you from attending the college of your choice it is critically important to do your very best possible on these tests

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Most colleges look for students with many interests Colleges notice students involved in theater musical groups special interest clubs (such as Chess Club) student publications athletics or student government If you have ldquodabbledrdquo in a lot of activities you may want to focus only on those that you have put a great deal of commitment toward The new word in college admissions is ldquoangularrdquo An angular student is one who may have only one or two activities outside of academics but they have been committed for four years and demonstrate increased leadership Do what you enjoy Schools do not look favorably upon participation in activities simply for the purpose of resume-building Be sure to include any activity in which you have been elected to or assumed a leadership role If the college asks for you to estimate the number of hours per week you spend on each activity be careful not to overestimate Part-time work interesting summer adventure or unusual experiences may also be important to some colleges

13

COLLECTING INFORMATION COLLEGE GUIDES

There are many fine guidebooks to colleges and universities They are available in the school library public library or at a bookstore These books are good sources for objective information about enrollment major fields of study church affiliation costs and student life There is also a search available through Naviance

Be wary of any guide that claims to rank colleges and universities The quality of your educational experience will depend more on how well the college meets your needs and goals than on any criteria a guide might use to rank colleges

Also no one guide can capture the spirit or strength of a college If you compare several accounts you can better judge a colleges admission literature

GREAT REFERENCE BOOKS

There are some great books out there to help you choose a college and gain admission

Here are just a few

Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope

Looking Beyond the Ivy League by Loren Pope

The 100 Best Colleges For African-American Students by Erlene B Wilson

Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean by Joyce Slayton Mitchell

Presenting Yourself Successfully to Colleges by Howard and Matthew Greene

COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVES

During the school year admission representatives from a number of colleges and universities will visit our school Be sure to seek out representatives from the colleges you are considering This is a good opportunity to have your questions answered You may even want to talk to representatives of colleges you havenrsquot considered It will give you a sense of what a variety of colleges offer Most of these representatives will be here during the school day Use Naviance to sign up for these visits If you are unable to miss class that day please at least come to the conference room introduce yourself to the representative and complete an information card Please remember that the person you meet is likely to be the individual who will read your application Make a good impression Listen ask good questions and be attentive

REQUEST INFORMATION FROM COLLEGES

As you compile a list of colleges and universities you might be interested in contact them for information You can find the addresses and phone numbers in the college guidebooks or directly from the collegesrsquo websites Most colleges allow you to request information on their website usually located on the admissions page It may take colleges several weeks to send you the information or an application do not wait to request the information If you want to find out about particular majors sports or activities ask for that as

14

well Most colleges allow you to download and print an application directly from their website This may be the most efficient method

GET ORGANIZED

To make the best use of all the information you gather from colleges get organized One good way is to keep a folder for each college Keep all information you receive and notes on any conversations you have with representatives from each college As the materials arrive read them carefully with a pencil at hand Note the things you like about a particular college and the things you dislike Make sure you note the deadline for each application

Ask yourself these questions

1 Does the college have the major or program I want

2 Does the college have the activities andor sports I want

3 Do I meet the colleges admission requirements

4 Will the college help me achieve my educational and personal goals

5 Does the college provide the environment I am looking for

The idea is not to make a final decision now Instead read and think about each college as carefully as possible then figure out what other information you need to gather Look at this as a research project Collect as much information as possible from as many sources as possible

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

1 Most of your questions should be answered in this manual It is designed to give you the necessary specifics about the college application process Please keep this in a location convenient for you and refer to it often

2 We recommend that you limit your college applications by applying to 3-5 colleges We encourage you to apply to 1-2 reach or dream schools 1-2 colleges where you have a better than 50 chance of acceptance and 2 schools that are pretty much guaranteed acceptance ALL of these schools should be schools you have an interest in attending

3 Students are allowed the opportunity for college visits junior and senior year as long as they are pre-arranged absences You are required to submit to the school a note from the visiting college stating date and time of visit written on official school letter head

4 If you want to participate in athletics on the college level in either a Division I or II school you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse determines athletic eligibility If you think there is even the most remote possibility that you might play in college register with the Clearinghouse

5 Students with DIAGNOSED learning disabilities may be eligible for extended-time testing on the ACT and SAT The documentation must be on file at the school must be recent (three years is the longest it may be used without needing a re-evaluation) and the school must be making similar modifications for you in order to qualify It is very difficult to receive non-standard administration of the tests for a newly diagnosed learning disability

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

12

GRADES AND COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL

Your high school record will be the most important factor in admittance to a particular college or university Good grades in all your courses throughout high school show a willingness to work hard and an interest in a variety of subjects

A poor grade or two in high school does not necessarily mean you will not be admitted to a selective college If your grades improve even late in your high school career most colleges will notice Likewise if grades drop later in your high school career most colleges will notice

Colleges also consider the diversity and difficulty of the courses you have taken Success in the tougher courses (higher level math language or Advanced Placement) suggests you will do well in college Colleges want students who are interested in learning and working hard A weak schedule regardless of your grades will not speak well of you Colleges are extremely interested in your senior year course schedule They do not want students who have decided to ldquoslack offrdquo their senior year Research suggests that senior year performance is a good indicator of success in college

SCORES ON STANDARDIZED TESTS

The widely used tests for college admissions are the SAT I the ACT and SAT Subject Tests After your high school record test scores are the next most important aspect of your application

So just how much emphasis do colleges put on test scores That depends on where you apply College guidebooks and admission materials often list the average test scores of students at a particular college or university Keep in mind that this is an average not a minimum The scores of students admitted to the school are in a range extending below as well as above that average An increasing number of colleges list a range that shows the scores of the middle 50 percent of the students who attend the school

College admission officers are fully aware too that some students do not test wellrdquo Slow reading speed unfamiliarity with the test format or simple fear may cause a student to perform poorly on standardized tests For these reasons virtually all colleges also consider other factors when they select students They look at grades recommendations essays and a students special talents and achievements However standardized tests are the great equalizer Though receiving a low score on the ACT or SAT does not automatically eliminate you from attending the college of your choice it is critically important to do your very best possible on these tests

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Most colleges look for students with many interests Colleges notice students involved in theater musical groups special interest clubs (such as Chess Club) student publications athletics or student government If you have ldquodabbledrdquo in a lot of activities you may want to focus only on those that you have put a great deal of commitment toward The new word in college admissions is ldquoangularrdquo An angular student is one who may have only one or two activities outside of academics but they have been committed for four years and demonstrate increased leadership Do what you enjoy Schools do not look favorably upon participation in activities simply for the purpose of resume-building Be sure to include any activity in which you have been elected to or assumed a leadership role If the college asks for you to estimate the number of hours per week you spend on each activity be careful not to overestimate Part-time work interesting summer adventure or unusual experiences may also be important to some colleges

13

COLLECTING INFORMATION COLLEGE GUIDES

There are many fine guidebooks to colleges and universities They are available in the school library public library or at a bookstore These books are good sources for objective information about enrollment major fields of study church affiliation costs and student life There is also a search available through Naviance

Be wary of any guide that claims to rank colleges and universities The quality of your educational experience will depend more on how well the college meets your needs and goals than on any criteria a guide might use to rank colleges

Also no one guide can capture the spirit or strength of a college If you compare several accounts you can better judge a colleges admission literature

GREAT REFERENCE BOOKS

There are some great books out there to help you choose a college and gain admission

Here are just a few

Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope

Looking Beyond the Ivy League by Loren Pope

The 100 Best Colleges For African-American Students by Erlene B Wilson

Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean by Joyce Slayton Mitchell

Presenting Yourself Successfully to Colleges by Howard and Matthew Greene

COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVES

During the school year admission representatives from a number of colleges and universities will visit our school Be sure to seek out representatives from the colleges you are considering This is a good opportunity to have your questions answered You may even want to talk to representatives of colleges you havenrsquot considered It will give you a sense of what a variety of colleges offer Most of these representatives will be here during the school day Use Naviance to sign up for these visits If you are unable to miss class that day please at least come to the conference room introduce yourself to the representative and complete an information card Please remember that the person you meet is likely to be the individual who will read your application Make a good impression Listen ask good questions and be attentive

REQUEST INFORMATION FROM COLLEGES

As you compile a list of colleges and universities you might be interested in contact them for information You can find the addresses and phone numbers in the college guidebooks or directly from the collegesrsquo websites Most colleges allow you to request information on their website usually located on the admissions page It may take colleges several weeks to send you the information or an application do not wait to request the information If you want to find out about particular majors sports or activities ask for that as

14

well Most colleges allow you to download and print an application directly from their website This may be the most efficient method

GET ORGANIZED

To make the best use of all the information you gather from colleges get organized One good way is to keep a folder for each college Keep all information you receive and notes on any conversations you have with representatives from each college As the materials arrive read them carefully with a pencil at hand Note the things you like about a particular college and the things you dislike Make sure you note the deadline for each application

Ask yourself these questions

1 Does the college have the major or program I want

2 Does the college have the activities andor sports I want

3 Do I meet the colleges admission requirements

4 Will the college help me achieve my educational and personal goals

5 Does the college provide the environment I am looking for

The idea is not to make a final decision now Instead read and think about each college as carefully as possible then figure out what other information you need to gather Look at this as a research project Collect as much information as possible from as many sources as possible

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

1 Most of your questions should be answered in this manual It is designed to give you the necessary specifics about the college application process Please keep this in a location convenient for you and refer to it often

2 We recommend that you limit your college applications by applying to 3-5 colleges We encourage you to apply to 1-2 reach or dream schools 1-2 colleges where you have a better than 50 chance of acceptance and 2 schools that are pretty much guaranteed acceptance ALL of these schools should be schools you have an interest in attending

3 Students are allowed the opportunity for college visits junior and senior year as long as they are pre-arranged absences You are required to submit to the school a note from the visiting college stating date and time of visit written on official school letter head

4 If you want to participate in athletics on the college level in either a Division I or II school you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse determines athletic eligibility If you think there is even the most remote possibility that you might play in college register with the Clearinghouse

5 Students with DIAGNOSED learning disabilities may be eligible for extended-time testing on the ACT and SAT The documentation must be on file at the school must be recent (three years is the longest it may be used without needing a re-evaluation) and the school must be making similar modifications for you in order to qualify It is very difficult to receive non-standard administration of the tests for a newly diagnosed learning disability

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

13

COLLECTING INFORMATION COLLEGE GUIDES

There are many fine guidebooks to colleges and universities They are available in the school library public library or at a bookstore These books are good sources for objective information about enrollment major fields of study church affiliation costs and student life There is also a search available through Naviance

Be wary of any guide that claims to rank colleges and universities The quality of your educational experience will depend more on how well the college meets your needs and goals than on any criteria a guide might use to rank colleges

Also no one guide can capture the spirit or strength of a college If you compare several accounts you can better judge a colleges admission literature

GREAT REFERENCE BOOKS

There are some great books out there to help you choose a college and gain admission

Here are just a few

Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope

Looking Beyond the Ivy League by Loren Pope

The 100 Best Colleges For African-American Students by Erlene B Wilson

Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean by Joyce Slayton Mitchell

Presenting Yourself Successfully to Colleges by Howard and Matthew Greene

COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVES

During the school year admission representatives from a number of colleges and universities will visit our school Be sure to seek out representatives from the colleges you are considering This is a good opportunity to have your questions answered You may even want to talk to representatives of colleges you havenrsquot considered It will give you a sense of what a variety of colleges offer Most of these representatives will be here during the school day Use Naviance to sign up for these visits If you are unable to miss class that day please at least come to the conference room introduce yourself to the representative and complete an information card Please remember that the person you meet is likely to be the individual who will read your application Make a good impression Listen ask good questions and be attentive

REQUEST INFORMATION FROM COLLEGES

As you compile a list of colleges and universities you might be interested in contact them for information You can find the addresses and phone numbers in the college guidebooks or directly from the collegesrsquo websites Most colleges allow you to request information on their website usually located on the admissions page It may take colleges several weeks to send you the information or an application do not wait to request the information If you want to find out about particular majors sports or activities ask for that as

14

well Most colleges allow you to download and print an application directly from their website This may be the most efficient method

GET ORGANIZED

To make the best use of all the information you gather from colleges get organized One good way is to keep a folder for each college Keep all information you receive and notes on any conversations you have with representatives from each college As the materials arrive read them carefully with a pencil at hand Note the things you like about a particular college and the things you dislike Make sure you note the deadline for each application

Ask yourself these questions

1 Does the college have the major or program I want

2 Does the college have the activities andor sports I want

3 Do I meet the colleges admission requirements

4 Will the college help me achieve my educational and personal goals

5 Does the college provide the environment I am looking for

The idea is not to make a final decision now Instead read and think about each college as carefully as possible then figure out what other information you need to gather Look at this as a research project Collect as much information as possible from as many sources as possible

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

1 Most of your questions should be answered in this manual It is designed to give you the necessary specifics about the college application process Please keep this in a location convenient for you and refer to it often

2 We recommend that you limit your college applications by applying to 3-5 colleges We encourage you to apply to 1-2 reach or dream schools 1-2 colleges where you have a better than 50 chance of acceptance and 2 schools that are pretty much guaranteed acceptance ALL of these schools should be schools you have an interest in attending

3 Students are allowed the opportunity for college visits junior and senior year as long as they are pre-arranged absences You are required to submit to the school a note from the visiting college stating date and time of visit written on official school letter head

4 If you want to participate in athletics on the college level in either a Division I or II school you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse determines athletic eligibility If you think there is even the most remote possibility that you might play in college register with the Clearinghouse

5 Students with DIAGNOSED learning disabilities may be eligible for extended-time testing on the ACT and SAT The documentation must be on file at the school must be recent (three years is the longest it may be used without needing a re-evaluation) and the school must be making similar modifications for you in order to qualify It is very difficult to receive non-standard administration of the tests for a newly diagnosed learning disability

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

14

well Most colleges allow you to download and print an application directly from their website This may be the most efficient method

GET ORGANIZED

To make the best use of all the information you gather from colleges get organized One good way is to keep a folder for each college Keep all information you receive and notes on any conversations you have with representatives from each college As the materials arrive read them carefully with a pencil at hand Note the things you like about a particular college and the things you dislike Make sure you note the deadline for each application

Ask yourself these questions

1 Does the college have the major or program I want

2 Does the college have the activities andor sports I want

3 Do I meet the colleges admission requirements

4 Will the college help me achieve my educational and personal goals

5 Does the college provide the environment I am looking for

The idea is not to make a final decision now Instead read and think about each college as carefully as possible then figure out what other information you need to gather Look at this as a research project Collect as much information as possible from as many sources as possible

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

1 Most of your questions should be answered in this manual It is designed to give you the necessary specifics about the college application process Please keep this in a location convenient for you and refer to it often

2 We recommend that you limit your college applications by applying to 3-5 colleges We encourage you to apply to 1-2 reach or dream schools 1-2 colleges where you have a better than 50 chance of acceptance and 2 schools that are pretty much guaranteed acceptance ALL of these schools should be schools you have an interest in attending

3 Students are allowed the opportunity for college visits junior and senior year as long as they are pre-arranged absences You are required to submit to the school a note from the visiting college stating date and time of visit written on official school letter head

4 If you want to participate in athletics on the college level in either a Division I or II school you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse determines athletic eligibility If you think there is even the most remote possibility that you might play in college register with the Clearinghouse

5 Students with DIAGNOSED learning disabilities may be eligible for extended-time testing on the ACT and SAT The documentation must be on file at the school must be recent (three years is the longest it may be used without needing a re-evaluation) and the school must be making similar modifications for you in order to qualify It is very difficult to receive non-standard administration of the tests for a newly diagnosed learning disability

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

15

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST One of the key goals of the college planning conference is the creation of a college list This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks you are looking for in a school be it size location quality of particular academic or extracurricular program etc Naviance will also provide information on how past students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admissions process As time progresses we will constantly work to revise this list taking into account your reactions after visiting or researching particular schools your changing interests and ideas and your testing and academic scores

Even if you have outstanding credentials you may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which you apply The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept with several now accepting less than 12 of their applicants Some may factor in your level of interest which they ascertain by whether you have visited interviewed or remained in contact with the school throughout the admission process

The final goal is to come up with a balanced group five to seven schools which fall into three categories The terms we use ndash reach possible and likely ndash are relative and not absolute In determining whether a school is a reach possible or likely for any individual student we factor in our best judgment based on experience over the years with the trends we are now seeing at that particular school If we feel that certain reach schools are unrealistic we will tell you so We offer this to assist you in evaluating your chances at a particular school and not as a judgment of your performance during your time at The First Academy In an ideal world we would like each student to be admitted to hisher first choice school In reality we know that some of you will not be admitted to your top choice We are here to support you in any way possible and to serve as an advocate on your behalf at each school to which you apply

We define each of these groups in this manner

REACH There are two definitions of reach First your credentials are not as strong as those of students who are typically admitted Second the percentage of admitted applicants to this school is extremely small thereby affecting the chances of admission for anyone

POSSIBLE Your credentials for admission are truly competitive and you are qualified for admission We would see this as a school where you might have a 50-50 chance of admission as former students with similar credentials have often been admitted yet sometimes denied This may also be a school where factors beyond pure academics may be factored into the decision

LIKELY These are schools where your credentials are very competitive and we are confident that you will be admitted assuming that your application has been well done and interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview andor a campus visit We consider it extremely important for students to find the likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive

Final Thoughts It is important to remember that our groupings are estimates this is not an exact science These estimates assume continued strong course work and a thoughtful well-presented application In creating these lists for each of you we are looking at you as an individual and not in the context of the rest of your classmates Your ldquopossiblerdquo may be a classmatersquos ldquoreachrdquo Most students have little difficulty identifying ldquoreachrdquo schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs However identifying schools for the ldquopossiblerdquo and ldquolikelyrdquo categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on their part of this process Developing a well-balanced informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

16

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS VISITS

No publication no matter how thorough can give you a complete picture of a college or university A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like

Advance planning with the collegersquos admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit Most colleges encourage campus visits and many publish special brochures to help you plan one

To schedule a college visit

Call the college and let them know what date you plan to visit They should receive your call at least two weeks prior to your visit October is usually a busy month so phone well in advance Phone numbers are available in any college handbook or the college website

Let the college know what major(s) and special interests you would like to pursue Ask them to set up a visit with a professor or sit in on a class

Ask them what time you need to be there to receive a tour of their campus Some schools have set times for tours

If you need financial assistance to pay for college you will want to meet with someone in the financial aid office

If this is an institution that requires interviews you will want to arrange for this to happen as well

If this institution does not require an interview you may want to still stop in the admissions office and introduce yourself to the director of admissions or the representative for your region Remember you want them to associate a name with a face

Many colleges assist families with overnight arrangements If you need assistance please ask Friday and Saturday nights are usually NOT an option

Be sure to ask them what time you need to be on campus where you need to go when you arrive and how to reach any destination you are unsure of finding Many colleges will send you a map with a confirmation letter prior to your visit

Arrange to meet with students and talk with them They can give you the best perspective on a college

Eat in the cafeteria It gives you not just a taste of the food but of the culture of the school

Helpful hints

Be prompt

Dress appropriately (You need not be in your Sunday best but please do not wear your shortest shorts worst jeans or skimpiest of tops If you do you will be discussed and remembered in ways that will not be to your advantage)

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

17

Have your list of questions ready

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what is attracting you to the college

Pay attention on the visit Imagine if you can actually see yourself fitting in the environment

Generate a list of questions about things that are important to you and that you need to know to choose a college Take the list with you on every visit Write the answers to the questions down You will never remember all of the information later

Be prepared to ask questions and engage in conversation with the individuals with whom you come in contact

INTERVIEWS

Some colleges require an interview though many do not If the college requires or recommends one see if you can schedule it during your campus visit

As with any interview be on time If you know you will be delayed call ahead Also review the information and notes you have on the college and prepare a list of questions ahead of time Take the list along so you are sure to cover everything you wanted to know

In your interview you will probably be asked about your background interests hobbies goals and why you are applying to the college Mentally prepare answers to those types of questions It is natural to be a little nervous Try to see it as a conversation in which you ask questions too If you do that you will be more likely to relax and enjoy the experience

Remember whether this is a formal interview or just a brief conversation put your best foot forward Avoid the use of slang and the word ldquolikerdquo Speak in complete expanded sentences Avoid answering with just a yes or a no Regardless of how difficult it is for you to carry on a conversation with a stranger ndash force yourself Practice Most of the admissions reps you will be dealing with may not be too much older than yourself They are likely to be recent graduates of the college Many interviews will be conducted by alumni of the school who live in the area Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me a little bit about yourself

How did you become interested in our college

What do you plan to study at our college

Tell me about some of your extra-curricular activities Which ones did you enjoy the most

What did you likedislike most in high school

What strengths do you feel you have that will help you in college

How do you picture yourself ten years from now

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

18

What extra-curricular activities are you interested in pursuing

Why do you want to be a student at our college

What is your greatest accomplishment

What is your favoriteleast favorite subject Why

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

19

CONTACTING COLLEGES

One of the most important things is to get your name in front of the college admissions officers as often as possible Of course you want to always make a good impression so letters are a great way to achieve both goals

Write a note thanking the admissions director or representative for a college visit tour or interview

Write a note thanking an alumnus for an interview

Thank-you notes should be sent within a few days of the visit or interview

Thank-you notes should be hand written

Be certain there are no spelling errors (especially in the name of the addressee) or grammatical errors and be sure that your handwriting is legible

THANK YOU FOR THE COLLEGE VISIT

SAMPLE

[Please hand-write these]

Dear (Use name not title)

Thank you for spending time with me when I visited your campus I especially appreciated your arranging time for me to see (name of activity or interest) The students I met with were great and gave me good insight into life on (name of collegeuniversityrsquos) campus I enjoyed sitting in on (name of class) It was extremely interesting

The visit increased my interest in (name of collegeuniversity) I am excited about the opportunity to attend (name of college)

Once again thank you

Sincerely

Signature

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

20

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHOICES OF SENIORS Many college handbooks show how the colleges rank themselves ndash by percentage of applicants accepted high school class rank and test scores Do not confuse the level of admissions difficulty with how difficult it is to stay in that particular college or how competitive the students are with each other Often it is more difficult to get into these highly competitive schools than it is to stay in It is also quite possible for one program at a university to be extremely selective while another program at the same university is much less competitive Typically there are three levels of difficulty regarding college admissions These levels are listed below These are to be used as a guideline only because admission standards are subject to change on an annual basis

MODERATELY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites range from 21-25 combined SAT scores are 1050-1200 and students have at least a 30 grade point average (many are higher) The acceptance rate is usually above 65

VERY DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 26 combined SAT scores are over 1230 and students have at least a 35 grade point average The acceptance rate is usually 60 or lower

MOST DIFFICULT

These are schools where the average ACT composites are over 30 the combined SAT scores are over 1350 and more than 75 of the students are in the top 10 of their class or have a grade point average of at least a 38 The acceptance rate is usually 30 or lower

For current college admission standards check the college website under ldquoFreshmen Profilerdquo

TYPES OF APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision

Early decision a plan offered by a select number of colleges and universities allows a student to apply to only one school for an early admission judgment usually in October or early November The student will usually receive the decision of the college by mid-December This is a binding decision and if accepted the student is obligated to attend The student may submit other applications during this period but only one can be Early Decision The student must also withdraw these applications if he or she is accepted to his Early Decision institution Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is often a higher acceptance rate from the early decision pool Cons you cannot change your mind and you cannot compare financial aid packages Please check the college website for the exact date the application is due

Early Action

Early Action is a plan offered by schools that invites early application but is non-binding and does not require the student to attend if accepted The student can file as many Early Action applications as heshe wants Application deadline is usually October or early November with decisions announced in mid-December Pros you are notified of the admissions decision earlier and there is sometimes a little higher acceptance rate from the early action pool Cons None noted

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

21

Regular Decision

The deadline for regular decision will vary from school to school but usually falls between December 15th and January 15th All supporting information should be sent to the admissions office by the given deadline Generally admissions decisions are mailed from mid-March to the National Notification Date of April 1

Rolling Admissions

The college will notify the student of the decision as soon as the application has been processed (usually in four to six weeks) and the file is complete It is to the studentrsquos advantage to apply early before the admissions office gets busy with late winter applications Some colleges will delay a decision pending seventh semester grades Please pay attention to priority filing dates for scholarships or special programs A university might continue accepting applications even though several of its premier programs are full Please allow the Guidance Office three weeks to process the application

Open Admissions

Students are accepted upon application in Open Admissions (usually community colleges)

Waitlist

This is a decision by a college where a student is neither rejected nor accepted The college waits to see the yield from the accepted students to begin taking students off of the waitlist Please work closely with the Guidance Office if you are placed on a waitlist

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Step 1

When you receive an application immediately check the due date You need to give any teacherpastor recommendation forms to the person you have asked to write a letter for you Not all applications will have such a form Do not turn these in to the Guidance Office

Step 2

Complete the application Colleges prefer receiving applications online If you are completing hard copy applications be certain to fill them in neatly either by typing or printing legibly in black ink Do not use pencil You may want to photo copy the application and write out your ldquorough draftrdquo on the photocopy and then transfer the information to the real application Double check for spelling errors and have someone proofread for errors and missing information Remember this is going to be the collegersquos first impression of you Make it a good one After you have completed all parts of the application bring a College Application Checklist and a Transcript Request form to the Guidance office with a copy of anything that needs to be sent hard copy to the college If you are completing the application online (strongly encouraged) you may turn in the checklist to the office before you have completed the application That way we can both be working on it at the same time You may also want to be sure that someone has proofed it before you hit ldquosubmitrdquo Be certain that you print a copy of your application to keep in your file Submit the counselorrsquos form and any teacher recommendation requests through Naviance Nothing will be sent from the Guidance Office without a written request including correct name and address of college and details of what should be sent You do not need to include any envelopes or postage

Step 3

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

22

Your application will be processed and mailed as a complete application packet This will include the following

1 Your completed application and fee (unless submitted online)

2 Your transcript

3 The completed Secondary School Report (if there is one)

4 The counselor letter of recommendation

5 Any faculty letters of recommendation

6 Your resume (unless submitted online)

7 Your personal statementessay (unless submitted online)

8 Your SATACT scores (if requested)

9 A school profile

USEFUL TIDBITS FOR APPLICATIONS

The Guidance Office will process applications in order by the date they have been received (Please allow approximately 2 weeks)

Save yourself some time by using the Common Application for as many of your schools as possible The Common Application is available online and is accepted at many colleges and universities Double check to see if the school you are applying to has a supplement

Feel free to apply online Just make sure you complete the appropriate requests for the Guidance Office through Naviance More and more colleges are favoring this mode of applying some are even refusing to accept paper applications

Be sure to follow directions Examplemdash If the application requests that the information given needs to be in all capshellipbe sure to comply with that request

Be certain to sign and date the application

Be sure to pull out all teacher recommendation forms and give them to the teacher to complete

Be sure to fill out all parts of every page that needs to have your name address social security number etc

Make sure your name and social security number are on EACH page you attach and your check Do not trust that the college admissions staff will not accidentally tear off pages Please remember that they are getting thousands of applications

Pay attention to details Meeting deadlines and providing specifics you need for your applications are your responsibility

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

23

WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION

If you are like most students you see the college essay as another hurdle that must jump on the way to being accepted at the college of your choice In fact the essay is not a hurdle but a rare opportunity it is a chance for you to ldquotalkrdquo directly to the collegersquos admissions committee and to help them ldquoseerdquo you as a thinking and feeling person rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics Except for the interview it is your only chance to share your thoughts insights and opinions to highlight your accomplishments and to convey your maturity and outlook on life If you see the college essay in this way ndash as an opportunity ndash then it is clearly worth the efforts to put some extra time thought and energy into writing it

PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY

The college essay is extremely important for two major reasons

1 It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your communication skills Through your essay they can assess the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey your thoughts in written form

2 It enables the admissions office to learn more about you as a person beyond what grades and SAT scores can convey A well-written essay can speak worlds about your attitudes feeling personal qualities imagination and creativity For the admissions staff it adds another important piece to the puzzle because it distinguishes you as an individual different from any other student who is applying

CHOOSING A TOPIC

The choice of a topic is frequently not an issue because many colleges and universities will either give you a topic or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose Other colleges may simply ldquosuggestrdquo broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests or concerns you Regardless of whether you must respond to a prescribed topic or come up with one of your own here are a few general hints about the most effective way to approach your topic

Narrow your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as possible

The easiest topic to write about is yourself No one knows more about you than you Since one important purpose of the essay is self-revelation it is no place to be shy or modest although you should not exaggerate If you choose to write about yourself remember that little incidents and facts are often the most revealing of character and outlook

Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little different A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to a college admissions officer who has been reading applications all day Further an unusual or off-beat essay is an excellent way to show your creativity

PREPARING TO WRITE

Before actually sitting down to write a first draft of your essay spend some time organizing your thoughts Develop a framework for your essay so it will have a smooth and logical progression from one idea or

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

24

incident to the next Consider your purpose in writing what you want to convey and the tone that you think is most appropriate for the topic Decide on a style that is comfortable for you not one that you think the college admissions committee prefers Finally remember that organizing your thoughts and deciding on a framework does not mean you must be overly rigid at the start leave room for flexibility and creativity as you actually begin writing

WRITING THE ESSAY

You do not have to get it right the first time Instead write the first draft of your essay with the main focus on content ndash communicating your thoughts Then set it aside for a day or two reread it with a fresh perspective and make any necessary changes This is also the point at which you should consider matters of organization style grammar spelling and tone Once you have rewritten your first draft you may wish to try it out on your family friends an English teacher or a guidance counselor While the final product and final ldquovoicerdquo should be yours they may be able to offer helpful suggestions for technical or other improvements

Within this general outline for actually writing the essay there are some ldquodorsquosrdquo and ldquodonrsquotsrdquo to highlight

Do

Do think ldquosmallrdquo and write about something that you know about

Do reveal yourself in your writing

Do show rather than tell By giving examples and illustrating your topic you help bring it to life

Do write in your own ldquovoicerdquo and style

Donrsquot

Donrsquot write what you think others want to read

Donrsquot exaggerate or write to impress

Donrsquot use a flowery inflated or pretentious style

Donrsquot neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar spelling sentence structure)

Donrsquot ramble ndash say what you have to say and conclude

Your college essay along with your high school record standardized test scores and extracurricular involvements will provide the bases upon which the college makes its admissions decision A thoughtful well-written essay can affect in a very positive way that final decision Keep this in mind and take full advantage of the opportunity which the college essay affords you

John Conkright Dean of Admissions Randolph-Macon College (Reproduction Granted)

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

25

Sample College Application Essays

Here are some helpful websites to utilize

httpswwwbigfuturecollegeboardorgget-in

httpcollegeappsaboutcomodessaysaessay_tipshtm

httpcollege-admission-essaycom

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

26

TESTING INFORMATION

The First Academyrsquos ACTCEEB School Code Number is 101-316 This number will be necessary when registering for standardized tests STANDARDIZED TESTS

There are two different standardized tests used for college admission The ACT consists of four parts - English math reading and science reasoning As of June 2014 there is an optional writing sample Please register to take the writing sample at least once as many colleges will require it for admission An average of the four subtests is reported as a composite score The scores on the ACT range from a low of 1 to a high of 36 on each subtest as well as the composite

The SAT consists of three parts ndash verbal math and writing The scores for each section range from a low of 200 to a high of 800 with a combined high score of 2400 The Writing section will include a writing sample in which students will write a 25-minute essay to a prompt The essay will be scored on a rubric scale of 2 ndash 12 and will be calculated as approximately 40 of the overall writing score

The more competitive colleges will also require three SAT Subject Tests Check with each college to see which tests they will require The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and the score range is also 200 to 800 You may take as many as three SAT Subject tests on a designated test date or one SAT test You may not take both the SAT and the SAT II on the same test date

ACT Test Dates

All current ACT Test Dates are available online at httpactstudentorg

SAT Test Dates

All current SAT Test Dates are available online at httpsatcollegeboardorghome

There are fees associated with scheduling and registration for both the ACT and SAT tests These fees are subject to change from year to year

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

27

USEFUL TIDBITS OF TESTING INFORMATION

There is great variance between colleges on how they will use the new SAT Writing section Some colleges will use it only for research purposes for the first few years while others are using it for admission Check with each college to find out their intended use of the writing score At this time there is no historical data on the writing section so it is safe to assume that a collegersquos expectations for a writing score will be similar to that of their expectations for Critical Reading and Math scores

Many colleges will use your best-combined score Generally schools will take your best scores on different SAT tests and combine them This is called the Super Score Do not panic if they see a score that is not your best

Virtually all but a handful of collegesuniversities will accept either ACT or SAT scores Go for your best We recommend that students take both tests initially and then focus on their best test for retakes You should take both tests at least once before the end of your junior year The best time to take the SAT Subject tests is as close to the end of the related class The latest ACT or SAT test is December of your senior year for most students Even this will be too late if you are applying for early action or early decision at any institution

You are responsible for sending your test scores from the testing center to your colleges Remember that you can specify the date you want for SAT and ACT and only the score of that date will be sent If you do not code your test results to be sent to a college it will cost you additional money to have them sent later

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score More information regarding the Clearinghouse and athletic eligibility is included later in this booklet

Both ACT and SAT registration materials are available online or in the Guidance Office You may register for both tests online The SAT website is wwwcollegeboardcom and you must be able to pay with MasterCard Visa or American Express The ACT website is wwwactorg and you must be able to pay with MasterCard or Visa In both cases you will be given a confirmation number or a receipt page It will take them approximately three days to establish your record Once you have registered you may not cancel your registration however you can change test dates Traffic on these websites is extremely heavy on the last days to register so you may have difficulty if you wait until the last minute Students requesting a non-standard testing format may not register online

ACTSAT TEST PREPARATION

The First Academy does not endorse or support any of the following programs However parents often have questions regarding extra assistance in preparing for the ACT andor SAT tests Free or purchased self-help materials may be all that is necessary for a determined student working on hisher own

Natalie Holter (TFA) - SAT (PSAT) Test Prep natalieholterthefirstacademyorg (407) 206-8817 Wise Owl Tutoring - SAT ACT PSAT etc wwwwiseowltutoringnet (407) 678-4945 A+ Tutoring of Central Florida ndash SAT ACT wwwaplustutoringnet (407) 678-8847

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

28

Advanced Learning Centers Inc ndash SAT ACT wwwthinkALCcom (407) 645-2111 CORE Test Preparation ndash PSAT SAT wwwcoretutorscom (407) 494-2673 Elite Tutoring ndash SAT ACT AP httpr_fikarhomempinetnet (407) 851-5073 Huntington Exam Prep Center ndash ACT ACT wwwhuntingtonlearningcom (407) 644-0456 Kaplan Test Prep amp Admissions ndash PSAT SAT ACT AP wwwkaptestcom 1-800-KAP-TEST Master Scholars ndash Tutoring SAT wwwmasterscholarscom (352) 895-8092 Princeton Review ndash PSAT ACT SAT wwwprincetonreviewcom (888) 955-4600 Sylvan Learning ndash PSAT SAT ACT wwwsylvanlearningcom (888) 338-2283 UCF Test Prep wwwtestprepucfedu (407) 882-8378 ONLINE SAT ACT Prep Resources

FREE ACT amp SAT Prep httpwwwnumber2comindexcfms=0

FREE ACT amp SAT Practice Tests httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=13

httpwww4testscomexamsexamdetailaspeid=6

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomact_practicehtm

httpwwwtestprepreviewcomsat_practicehtm

FREE SAT Prep httpwwwproprofscomsat

SAT Resource httpwwwsaaborgsaab_orgcgi

SAT amp ACT Prep wwwstudyworkscom

Official ACT Sites

ACT Test Agency httpwwwactstudentorgtestprepindexhtml

Official ACT Online Course httpwwwactstudentorgonlineprepindexhtml

FREE Sample ACT Test httpwwwactstudentorgsampletestindexhtml

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

29

Official College Board Sites

FREE College Board SAT Practice Test wwwcolleboardcomsatpracticetest

The Official College Board SAT Online Course

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRloginActiondo

Information on Scoring the SAT

httpssatonlinecoursecollegeboardcomSRdigital_assetspdfseriscoring_2009-2010pdf

Advantages

The student becomes familiar with the test and style of questions

The student receives practice with the tests

The student will feel more confident during the test

Disadvantages

The programs are usually quite costly

They demand time and energy from the student

If a student is not motivated or is participating against hisher will scores tend not to increase that significantly

Questions to Ask

Cost of the program

Length of time and dates of the program

Success of the program

Qualifications of the staff

Length of time they have provided this program

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

30

FREE SELF-HELP OPTIONS

Several options exist for students who wish to improve their scores without enrolling in a formal program The best preparation is a strong academic program throughout high school Use your PSAT scores to help review for the SAT Tutorials and other self-help materials are available online at the SAT and ACT websites College Board (the people who bring you the SAT) offers the SAT question of the day on their site It not only tells you if you are right or wrong it also gives you an explanation of the question and how they expected you to reason through it

All students may take sample test booklets when they pick up their registration packets We encourage students to take the practice test following the timed format and then score them and see how they do Teachers are available to clear up any confusion students may have about questions they could not answer

Study books and computerized programs are also available at any bookstore These will have actual tests students can practice taking and scoring There are some study materials available in the Guidance Office

Often the key to success is simply becoming familiar with the test format style and timing Do not go into these tests unprepared

TEST INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT

Many colleges will want an official copy of your scores sent directly from either the ACT or SAT testing center This means that if you do not code the school to receive your test score at the time you take the test you will need to request that ACTSAT send the score to the college at a later date This will cost approximately $800-$1000 per school

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

31

LEARNING DISABILITIES AND COLLEGE GUIDANCE

Juniors and seniors are often confused about the college process as it relates to their learning disability This is especially true in the area of college admissions testing Often the concept of timed tests is a stressful one In an attempt for all of us to work together and for students and their parents to have the necessary information we need to be using the same guidelines

Students wishing to have extended time on the ACT or SAT test must adhere to the following criteria

Students must have a DIAGNOSED learning disability

Testing must be within the last three years

Students must be receiving the same accommodations at TFA that they are asking the testing enter for (ie extra time on tests)

Students may be put in rooms with other students to be tested at the test site

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

32

FINANCIAL AID The best source of financial aid will come from the college you choose to attend Be sure to meet all due dates and complete all forms to ensure eligibility for any and all scholarships or financial aid awards There are two types of financial aid merit-based and need-based Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on academic performance SATACT scores community service leadership athletic talent special talents or special circumstances and financial need is not taken into consideration Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile Need-based aid is often packaged based on academic merit considerations In other words better students will have more of their financial need met

All students whether you believe you will be eligible or not should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 at the latest This form will be completed based on the previous yearrsquos financial records This form is filed with the federal government who uses a very ldquoblack and whiterdquo formula to determine the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC remains the same regardless of the college of attendance As an example if the EFC is $22000 and the collegersquos Total Cost of Attendance is $30000 then the student has an $8000 Demonstrated Need Colleges will work to meet that need through merit-based scholarships grants loans and work-study If the student chooses a college with a $19000 Total Cost of Attendance then the student has no Demonstrated Need and the college will feel no obligation to offer need-based aid However this student could still be eligible for thousands of dollars in merit-based aid

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RESOURCES TFA does not take responsibility for any pop-ups or advertisements College Information wwwcollegeboardcom wwwpetersonscom wwwcollegenetcom wwwcollegeviewcom wwwncesedgovipedscool (links to college home pages) wwweCampusTourscom wwwprincetonreviewcomcollege Financial Aid and Scholarship Information wwwfastwebcom wwwedgovfinaidhtml wwwfinaidorg wwwsrnexpresscom wwwstudentsgov wwwstudentaidedgov wwwirsgov (tax relief information) wwwfafsaedgov (FAFSA on the web) Helpful Publications

Paying for College Without Going Broke The Princeton Review The Scholarship Book Prentice Hall Getting Financial Aid Handbook The College Board College Money Handbook Petersonrsquos Scholarships Grants and Prizes Petersonrsquos Scholarship Handbook The College Board

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

33

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Only Division I and Division II colleges and universities can offer athletic scholarships

Division III schools have intercollegiate sports but cannot officially offer athletic scholarships Although the Ivy League colleges are considered Division I they cannot offer athletic scholarships since they award money on a need-basis only If you are interested in playing for a Division III school they can often find ldquoattractiverdquo financial aid packages to encourage you to attend their school

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

The NCAA Clearinghouse needs to have all test scores for students on file It will save you time and money to code them in when you register to take each test It is best to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse directly from the testing center The NCAA Clearinghouse code is 9999 Test scores are needed for eligibility reasons students should not fear a low test score

You will need to register for the Clearinghouse online at wwwncaaclearinghousenet You must pay a $50 fee via a MasterCard or Visa Be sure to download print and bring in the forms that the school needs to complete We will mail the form your transcripts and your test scores to the Clearinghouse and in June we will mail your final transcript The ideal time to complete this form is at the end of your junior year or in the first month of your senior year

If you have attended more than one high school you will need to request a transcript be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from each school The Clearinghouse will not accept another schoolrsquos information on our transcript Make copies of your application form to send to the other high school

You should check in once a month to make sure the Clearinghouse has received the information

If you have a learning disability and are taking extended time ACTSAT tests be sure that all the necessary paperworkdocumentation is sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse Even though the College Board and ACT required students to submit paperwork in order to have a nonstandard test and learning accommodations the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept reports from College Board andor ACT as official documentation

You must choose a four digit PIN for purposes of identification when you file your application Keep that number handy as this is the only way to access your file with the Clearinghouse You can check to see how many or what coaches have asked for information on you from the Clearinghouse Please give your PIN to the Guidance Office so that we may check with the Clearinghouse that all is okay with your eligibility

NCAA 301 ACT Drive Box 4043 Iowa City IA 52243-4043 Division III

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Contact your Division III college regarding its policies on financial aid practice and competition

Download complete guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete at wwwncaaclearinghousenet

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

34

RECRUITING

College coaches cannot contact you in person until July 1 after completion of the junior year However a student can initiate a call or letter to a college coach Students interested in participating in college athletics should contact the appropriate college coaches by sending an introductory cover letter and resume including the following

Personal information

Academic informationachievements

Athletic participation and achievements

Names of high school coaches

Names of references

OFFICIAL CAMPUS VISITS

During their senior year student athletes may take up to 5 official college visits (invited by and paid for by the college) This restriction applies even if you are being recruited in more than one sport Students may take as many unofficial visits as they desire

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

35

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE ENTRANCE TERMS ACT Separate scores are given in English math reading and science reasoning with a composite score The scores range from 1 to 36 on each subtest as well as the composite score The national average composite score in recent years has been about 207 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS National examinations given in May to high school students who complete AP courses These tests are rated from 1 to 5 (superior) and sent to the college of the students choice the college itself deciding whether it will grant credit for work done in high school BASIS FOR SELECTION Essentially every college is looking for evidence of the individuals promise as a student and as a person Rank in class total school record SAT or ACT scores grade point average counselors recommendation and the student essay are among the usual criteria but no two colleges weigh them alike and the emphasis will vary from time to time CEEB (COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD) A group of colleges secondary schools and educational bodies whose function it is to supervise the SATs the SAT Subject tests the AP Exams and other projects CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) A test program sponsored by the College Board that allows students entering college to obtain credit for knowledge learned in a non-college situation EARLY ACTION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is not binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) EARLY DECISION A student may apply to a college by October or early November and be notified of admission by December 15 The decision is binding on the part of the student (Dates for some colleges may vary) ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION The amount that the Federal government believes that your family can contribute to the studentrsquos education This is determined by the FAFSA The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the EFC is the demonstrated financial need ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE) The organization in Princeton NJ that writes and administers the College Boardrsquos tests FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID A free form by which students may apply for financial aid in college Some colleges may also require the CSS Profile You can file the FAFSA in January of the senior year online at wwwfafsaedgov FINANCIAL AID Money to help pay college costs GRANT Cash given for need rather than for record IVY LEAGUE Yale Harvard Princeton Dartmouth Brown Cornell Columbia and University of Pennsylvania These are institutions which are old wealthy well-established and most difficult to get into JUNIOR COLLEGE (COMMUNITY COLLEGE) An institution of higher education extending two years beyond high school

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

36

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE An institution of higher education whose course of study is essentially four years long and leads to the BA or BS degree It gives a broader base of courses than those dealing specifically with your major Such a course of study does not prepare for a specific occupation though it is often a prerequisite for postgraduate students in law medicine and theology LOAN Cash which has to be repaid after graduation MAJOR Properly the field of specialization of a college undergraduate The student normally does from one quarter to one third of hisher total undergraduate work in hisher major field MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST A high school senior who has successfully survived the first two rounds of the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) in hisher junior year and the SAT later PSATNMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TESTNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST) A test administered to high school juniors in October The test is in three partsmdashverbal writing and math The scores range from 20 to 80 on each part National Merit Semi-Finalists are determined by the Selection Index which is the Verbal Score the Writing Scores and the Math Score Normally one-half of one percent of the juniors in the state obtain this status SAT A four-hour assessment test yielding scores for critical reading mathematical ability and writing including a writing sample The scores range from 200 to 800 on each part SAT Subject Tests attempt to measure what a student has already learned in the subject tested such as English Math and Chemistry SCHOLARSHIP Cash grant for academic promise WORK STUDY Provided by the college to help earn part of expenses

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

37

The First Academy Graduation Requirements

Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits

Algebra I and above Science 3 credits

Biology Chemistry Beyond Chemistry

Social Studies 3 credits World HistoryEuropean

HistoryHuman Geography

American History American Government amp Economics

Physical Education 1 credit

Physical Fitness 5 credit Physical Education elective 5 credit

Foreign Language 2 credits Christian Studies 25 credits

Spiritual Formation Foundation of Theology World Religion Worldview Apologetics

PracticalFine Art 1 credit Electives 45 credits Total 25 credits

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

38

Bright Futures Scholarship Information This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbf

Florida Academic Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffasrequirehtm

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

This Florida Resident Scholarship program changes from year to year Be sure that you are aware of the requirements and guidelines for eligibility based on student graduation year

Information is available at wwwfloridastudentfinancialaidorgssfadbffmsrequirehtm

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

39

Sample

Resumes

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

40

Address City State Zip

Name Home Phone Email Address Education The First Academy Orlando Florida Bilingual English and Spanish Academic Honors and Awards Honor Roll (9-10) National Honor Society (11-12) National Spanish Honor Society (11-12) NSHS President (12) Florida State Spanish Competition Superior and Excellent (10) Hugh OrsquoBrian Youth Leadership Award (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship Princeton University (10) AIU High School Diplomats Program Scholarship to Japan (11) Christian Character Award (9-11) Fine Arts Varsity Pep and Concert Bands Alto Sax (9) ACSI Concert Band Festival ndash Superior (9) Killarney Baptist Church Orchestra (10) Extracurricular Activities -Student Government Class Chaplain (9) Class Homeroom Representative (10) Student Government Association Chaplain (11) SGA Service Before Self Award (11) Student Government Association Vice President (12) -Clubs Spanish Club (10-12) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (10-12) FCA Officer (10-12) -Athletics Varsity Baseball (9 ndash Lettered 10 ndash Lettered 11 ndash Lettered) Most Improved Player Award (10) Captain Varsity Team (11) Most Valuable Player Award (11) Fall Leagues Rollins College (9-10) UCF (11) O-Town (12) Top Prospect Perfect Game Academic Showcase (12) -Community Service

Member of SERVE ndash Students Engaged in Recreation and Volunteer Efforts working with underprivileged children during community activities and interacting with children at the Lily House a short term foster home (10)

-Work Experience Altamonte Animal Hospital Kennel Technician (summer before 11th grade)

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

41

Leia Smith 1234 Bayside Drive Orlando FL 32819 Leiagmailcom

EDUCATION High School The First Academy Orlando 2007 to 2010

EXPERIENCE Child Care Have been babysitting children of all ages on a regular basis since 2006 in Central Florida

Travel Have traveled internationally on a regular basis since I was an infant Since 2006 I have journeyed unescorted each summer to and from India to visit relatives Regularly travel unescorted by bus on weekends tofrom Montreal to visit my Father

Study Trip In February 2007 participated with two teachers and 15 classmates in an eight-day eco-excursion to the tropical island Belize Business Since 2006 I have assisted my Father with various aspects of his business in Orlando including marketing bookkeeping and financial management activities

Retail In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a sales representative for Bass Pro Shop a local sporting goods and fishing equipment store

Volunteering Two years as Camp Counselor for three weeks at First Baptis Church of Orlando working with children from 4-years to 12-years old

ACHIEVEMENTS Public Speaking Award Orlando 2008 Graduating Class Valedictorian The First Academy 2008 Piano Grade Four Royal Conservatory 2005 2008 Track and Field Competed successfully in preliminary meets and qualified for the State finals Academic Honor Roll All four years in high school

INTERESTS Long-distance running playing piano roller-blading traveling creative writing reading viewing films

LANGUAGES English is my first language Am functional in speaking reading and writing French

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

42

COLLEGE VISIT amp FAIR QUESTIONNAIRE

Questions to ask college students

What are the more popular extracurricular activities (or ask specifically about the activity you are interested in)

Are you able to study in your dorm room Do many students go home or away on weekends Are professors accessible outside of class Are campus jobs available Were you able to register for all the classes you wanted If you were to do it again would you choose this college Did you receive financial aid What is the social life like at this school

Questions to ask an Admissions Officer

What are your most populardistinguished programs What type of student would be happy in this college How many students will be in my first year courses Are those courses taught by full-time faculty or by

graduate assistants Describe the colleges resources for first-year students - computers library access to special equipment such as

in labs etc What kinds of work-study jobs are available What are the midrange GPA amp test scores of students accepted Am I likely to be admitted (show your transcript amp test scores) What percentage of students receives financial aid and what does the typical package provide Are there academictalent scholarships available

Questions to ask yourself on campus

Could I live in one of the dorm rooms I visit Is there a campus ministry or a worship service I can attend Are the buildings on campus in good shape Are the computers and lab equipment plentiful and new Are common areas of dorms comfortable and do the facilities meet demand Are the grounds attractive Is the campus close enough - or far enough away - from the city for me How is it getting around campus

Questions to ask yourself in the classroom

Do students appear to be interested in the material Do students participate in discussion Do the students seem to have a relationship with the professor Would I feel comfortable as a student in this setting Is the material challenging enough for me

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

43

Recommendation Letter Request Form

Student Name ______________________

Date requested ______________________

(allow 2 weeks for completion)

CollegeUniversity

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Teachers Use this form as a tool in completing the recommendation letters for the students Feel free to pick up TFArsquos letterhead stationary at the Upper School or the Guidance office Students will provide you with the addressed amp stamped envelopes If you leave a signed copy with us we can make copies and send it out to additional institutions per request

Students Please complete this form and provide an addressed stamped envelope to the teachers THIS IS A MUST You must give teachers two weeks from the time of the request to complete your recommendation

Adjectives that describe you amp explain This will give insights to the teachers to help write letters about YOU aside from the test scores and grades This section should also help the teachers to explain what you have brought to the classroom the TFA andor the community

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

44

Godrsquos Plan of Salvation Admit ldquoFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of Godrdquo (Romans 323) Pray Lord I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior Believe ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting

liferdquo (John 316) Pray Lord I believe that Jesus died and shed His blood for my sins I believe this in my heart and not just in my head Call ldquoFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be savedrdquo (Romans 1013) Pray Lord I call upon You to save me from my sins I confess and repent of my sins I know that Your Son Jesus paid my debt on the cross a

debt I could never pay despite all my good works and I thankfully accept Your gift of eternal life in Heaven that His death makes possible

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 BRUTON BOULEVARD

ORLANDO FLORIDA 32805

wwwthefirstacademyorg