words of wisdom relax… there is a program for you! 75% of colleges accept an average of 67% of...
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Words of WisdomRelax…There is a program for you!
75% of colleges accept an average of 67% of their applicants.
PW’s acceptance rate was 83.7%
Class of 2014- Attending70% to 4-year schools23% to 2-year schools
Accepted to colleges in 34 different states
APPLYING TO COLLEGE
The application process needs to begin in your junior
Go to college visits and take standardized tests
Finish applications by THANKSGIVING of your senior year!
Types of CollegesType Description Tuition Admission
Requirements
Four year
Profit
Not-for-Profit
Degrees offered: Bachelors and beyond
Provides: A well-rounded college experience that includes an academic area of study.
Selectivity- can range from a 95% DENIAL rate to a 100% acceptance rate
State: PA $22,000/year
Private: Typically more than $30,000/year
•Transcripts*a few self- reported•GPA•SAT or ACT
•Essay•Extracurricula
r activities•Letters of Recommendati
on
Types of Colleges
Type Description Tuition Admission Requirements
Two yearTrade/Tech
Certification
Accreditation
Degrees offered: Associates
Provides: A way to ease into college / take general college classes for credit.Typically have agreements with four year colleges to transfer credits.Often less than one year
Regional Career
Public/typically around $4,000/year
Private/typically above $20,000
Can be Open-door admission policy
May have stated admission guidelines
Other Options
Apprenticeship- skilled work on the job training
Gap year/Volunteer programs
United States Military
Did You KnowThere are many wonderful programs that
are two years or less that can prepare you for a great paying career?Paramedic -Medical Coding Specialist-
Licensed Practical Nurse- Security Management- HVAC-Engineering Technology- Phlebotomy- Surgical Technology- Automotive Technology- Plumbing-
Surveying Technology- Renewable Technology-Heavy Construction Equipment- the list goes on!
Preparing for a College Search
College Choice is About FIT:Social- is it a good match? Will I be happy outside of class?
Academic- Does it offer what I want? Do I meet admission requirements?
Financial- Can I afford it?
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Thinking Forward
Know YourselfValuesAmbitionsAchievementsAcademic StrengthsInterestsYour Standout Talents
WHERE DO I BEGIN??There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in
the United States
Think about Yourself – What matters to you Size, Location, Cost, Sports or Activities, Major,
Admissions Criteria, Faculty There is a college or post secondary program for
everyone!
Collegeboard.orgzinch.comCappex.com princetonreview
Narrowing ChoicesPayscale.comCollegenavigator.govCollege Websites
College VisitsAcademicshttp://www.today.com/video/t
oday/50795355#50795355
What information do college admission officers review?
•Grades / Overall GPA•Strength of high school course selections
•Admission Test Score
•Essay
•Teacher and counselor recommendations
•Class rank
•Student’s demonstrated interest
•Personal accomplishments•Personality characteristics•Courses in progress in Senior year
Admission PlansRegular decision- apply by a specified date and
receive a decision at a specified date.Under Regular Decision you may see:Early Decision- Apply by a stated date and if
admitted must attend this school. A student can may apply to other schools but only one ED. (binding)
Early Action- Apply by a stated date and receive a decision well before the college’s regular response date. Not obligated to attend. (non-binding)
Restrictive Early Action- you may not simultaneously apply for Early Action or Early Decision to any other school.
AdmissionsRolling Admission No stated deadline date. This really means First Come, First
Served. Sometimes you will see a PRIORITY
deadline date!
Open Admissions- Students are accepted upon applying.Placement tests are used to select
courses.
Admission TestsPSAT - Expect results in December – be sure
to use www.collegeboard.org/quickstart.
Students register on their own to take the SAT, SAT Subject tests or the ACT.
www.collegeboard.org and www.actstudent.org
SAT optional listing www.fairtest.org.
TESTING 1…2…3SAT vs. ACT What are subject tests?Sending Scores – the “Cumulative Report”
and “Official” test scores.What does Splitting Scores mean?Fee Waivers –
Do you qualify? How do you get them? What does using a fee waiver mean?
SAT vs. ACTSAT
Critical Reading, Math, and Writing.
There is a penalty for wrong answers.
Test is scored:200- 800 each section.
Cumulative record but does have score choice.
ACTEnglish, Reading, Math,
Science Reasoning and writing (says it is optional but take it).
No guessing penalty so don’t leave blanks.
Scored from 1 – 36.Each test date is
separate.
SAT SUBJECT TESTSAre required at only about 29 schools (e.g.
Carnegie Mellon, MIT, PENN).
Tests in specific subjects (English Literature, Math Level 1 & 2, US History, World History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and languages).
Can not take SAT and SAT Subject on the same day.
Check college websites- some accept ACT in lieu of SAT Subject tests.
Score Reporting PoliciesScore Choice offered by the College Board
means that students can select what test DATES to send for the SAT and what individual test for the SAT Subject tests.
Colleges really want students to send all of their scores because most “split” test dates.
Students should take advantage of the “free” reports the last time they take a test!
NOTE: Fee waivers if on free/reduced lunch
TO-DO List for StudentsRegister for an SAT and an ACT test.Do college searches:
collegeboard.orgconnection.naviance.com
educationplanner.org nacacnet.orgcappex.com collegeprowleryouniversitytv.com
collegeconfidentialUse PWHS website under “College
Information” (scholarships, etc.)Get on college websites!!!!!!!!!!!Ask two teachers to write letters of
recommendation- form is in College Counseling.
Save graded junior year paper.Facebook and email address-appropriate?Choose wisely when choosing senior year
courses.Attend the College Information session on April
9 at 6:30pm.Attend the PACAC College Fair at Villanova
University on April 29 from 6:30pm – 9:00pm.Div 1 & 2 athletes register with the NCAA
Eligibility Center.Contact coaches, band directors, etc. this
spring and over the summer.Visit colleges THIS YEAR! Know the school and
the requirements for admission and/ your major.
HOW TO GET RECOMMENDATIONS
Ask two teachers from junior year.Give them a Teacher Recommendation Form
(found in College Counseling).Complete Student Profile/Brag sheet over the
summer and return it to college Counseling when school begins.
When completing Naviance add teacher/counselor requests as you list colleges “you’re Applying To”.
All recommendations are CONFIDENTIAL!
What about a counselor recommendation?
Counselors will write recommendations for students only when requested.
Students MUST complete the Student Profile and MAY have parents complete the Parent Brag Sheet.
Counselors use the information to give a
better picture of the student to the college.
The recommendations are CONFIDENTIAL!
COURSE SELECTION FOR SENIOR YEAR
Colleges WILL see you senior year course selections!
Courses should match your potential. Take the strongest classes you can without going crazy!
Electives Choose Pathway electives based on possible majors.
Understand individual college requirements!!
Components of the Completed
ApplicationStudentRESPONSIBILITIES:
Application - on-line (usually) Possibly on the Common Application
Essay
Short Answer/Personal Statement
Transcript Request Form to College Counseling
Teacher Recommendation
Give Student Profile/brag sheets
Test Scores- send from testing company
Colleges listed on Naviance
Mid-Year Grade Report request
Final Transcript request
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Finally…In School Stay focused on academics Do not lighten your academic load for senior year Meet with your school counselor Stay involved in school activities
Standardized Testing Prepare for and register for ACT / SAT tests
College Exploration Explore colleges on the Web Visit colleges this year Meet with college representatives in the fall Attend college program on April 9at 6:30pm at PWHS