College Planning for Juniors Newton High School Guidance Department

How Colleges Select Students… They consider the following: ➢ Academic Record ➢ Difficulty of Course Load ➢ SAT Scores ➢ Letters of Recommendation ➢ College Essay ➢ Extra-Curricular Activities ➢ Personal Interview ➢ Neatness of the College Application ➢ Community Service ➢ Special Talents ➢ Demonstrated Interest

Admission Criteria ● Objective ✓ Grades ✓ Types of Courses ✓ Standardized Test Scores ● Subjective ✓ Application Essay ✓ Recommendations ✓ Activities ✓ Special Talent ✓ Interview Objective: admission is based on academic history Subjective: admission is based on personal characteristics

Selecting Schools: REACH- Admission to this school may be possible, but it is not a definite occurrence. TARGET- The majority of previously admitted freshman had scores, grades, and other activities equal to your own. SAFETY- Admission to this college is highly likely and probable due to the strength of your application.

Early Decision ● Early decision allows you to apply early (usually in November) and get an admissions decision well in advance of the usual notification date. But there is a catch. Early decision is binding, meaning if you apply early decision, you agree to attend the college if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package. ● Although you can apply to only one college for early decision, you may apply to other colleges through the regular admissions process.

Early Action ● Early action applications are similar to early decision in that you will be notified early in the admission cycle (usually in January or February). But unlike early decision, most early action applications are not binding, meaning you do not have to commit to that college. You may still apply to other colleges. Usually, you can let the college know of your decision in the late spring.

NCAA Freshman-Eligibility Standards To participate in athletics at the Division I or Division II level athletes must be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. You Must: ✓ Graduate from High School ✓ In a core curriculum of at least 14 to 16 academic courses which were successfully completed during grades Core Units Required for NCAA Certification Division IDivision II English Core4 years3 years Math Core3 years2 years Science Core2 years2 years Social Studies Core2 years2 years From English, Math or Science1 years2 years Additional Core (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign language, Philosophy, Non-doctrinal Religion)4 years3 years Total Core Units Required1614 Other Important Information Division I: GPA sliding scale is between and a SAT range of Division II: GPA is at least 2.0 and a minimum SAT score of 820 For more information: eligibilitycenter.org NCAA.org/playcollegesports

Researching Colleges What Makes a Good College? 1. Fact Finding 2. Reflection 3. Assessment 4. Action ✓ What are the important factors about this college? ✓ What are your impressions? ✓ Could this be a good match for me? ✓ What are the next steps?

Location (Urban, Suburban, Rural) Distance Academic Rigor Size Extra-curricular (i.e. athletics) Field of Study/Major Financial Aid When Choosing a College, Student Should Consider...

What is the best match for you? “College is not a prize to be won, but a match to be made.” Let’s get started…..

Naviance: Family Connection College Search and Applications ●Go to the Newton High School homepage ●Select Guidance ●Click on Naviance link ●Sign in using your username ( ) and password

Naviance - Home page

Naviance - colleges page

colleges I’m thinking about:

colleges I’m applying to:

THE COLLEGE SEARCH PROCESS TIMELINE September Ask for TWO letters October of recommendation November December June SAT/ACT; Narrow your college list May SuperMatch; College Match; Colleges I’m Thinking About July Look at college websites August Colleges I’m Applying To; Senior Brag Sheet; Resume Visit Colleges APPLY NAVIANCENAVIANCE

Test Taking Plans ● May – SAT or ACT ● June – SAT or ACT ● October – SAT or ACT (last date for Nov. deadlines) ** Test dates are also available in Nov. and Dec., but these results will not be available prior to most colleges Early Decision/Action deadlines. **You must register for these tests on their websites: and ** Remember, YOU are responsible for sending your scores to colleges.

●Choices and Challenges class at NHS ● ● ●Kaplan ●Princeton Review ww.princetonreview.comww.princetonreview.com ●Ivy Bound ●Revolution Prep Test Preparation

The College Visit Tips on visiting college campuses

This is how you proceed… ● Make appointments two weeks in advance, if possible ● Tour first ● Go while school is in session ● Pay attention to how you feel on campus ● Take notes and take pictures for comparison ● No more than two a day

What to expect ● Information session and tour ● Eat in the café if possible ● See a FRESHMAN dorm ● See the music/athletic facilities if applicable ● Look for anything else that will be important to you

Remember…You’re the Consumer, don’t be Shy! Ask Students : ● Food ● Weekends ● Popular activities ● Largest class ● Scheduling ● Advisors ● Where else did they apply ● Getting home Ask at Info session: ● Student Health Center ● Dorm rules ● Living off-campus ● Scheduling ● Career center ● Advising process ● Weekend activities

The College Interview The informative conversation. If it is recommended, consider it required.

Be Prepared ● Dress neatly. ● Take the interview seriously. ● Get to know the college. Visit websites, college review books, catalogs, etc. ● Be prepared to talk about yourself and to ask questions about the school. ● Practice interviewing…with anyone.

Be Yourself ● Make a positive first impression. Give firm handshakes, make eye contact and introduce yourself clearly. ● Elaborate…give more details than your application can display. ● Be proud of your accomplishments. ● Do not be afraid to discuss a weakness. ● Pay attention to the questions.

Be Appreciative At the end, thank them for their time and ask for a business card. Remember the interviewer’s name. Make some notes for yourself. Send a thank you note. Your file has been created.

Sample Questions To Ask: ● What is the strongest program on campus? ● What is the most popular department/course on campus? ● How many classes are taught by graduate assistants? ● Given my proposed major, will I be able to study abroad? ● How accessible are faculty? ● What is the most important aspect of a student’s application? ● What improvements are being made on campus?

Sample Questions To Answer: ● What magazines and/or newspapers do you read? ● Which of your activities has given you the most satisfaction? ● Tell me about Newton High School. ● Have you considered a major? ● Is there a weakness in your application? ● What is something about you, that colleges would not find on your application? ● If your friend was asked to describe you, what would he/she say?

Our Final Recommendations: ● Please don’t choose your top choice school for your 1 st interview. ● If unable to interview, meet with the college representatives when they visit Newton High School or college fairs. ● Prepare for each college meeting as if it was a formal interview.