Anticipating College Planning May 17, 2017 William Morrison, Ph.D. College Counselor

Agenda Courses / GPA College Entrance Testing Letters of Recommendation Summer Calendars/Timelines Web Resources Outside Resources

Important Factors in Selecting Students IMPORTANCE FACTOR Considerable Moderate Limited No Grades in College Prep Courses 79.2% 13.0% 6.9% 0.9% Grades in All Courses 60.3 31.0 8.7 — Strength of Curriculum 60.2 26.8 10.0 3.0 Admission Test Scores (SAT, ACT) 55.7 32.5 7.9 3.9 Essay or Writing Sample 22.1 39.0 21.6 17.3 Counselor Recommendation 17.3 42.4 27.3 13.0 Student’s Demonstrated Interest 16.9 33.3 26.8 22.9 Teacher Recommendation 15.2 43.5 27.8 13.5 Class Rank 14.0 37.7 32.0 16.2 Subject Test Scores (AP, IB) 7.0 35.2 32.6 25.1 Portfolio 6.6 10.0 30.6 52.8 Extracurricular Activities 5.6 43.3 34.6 16.5 SAT II Scores 5.3 8.4 23.0 63.3 Interview 3.5 23.1 28.4 45.0 SOURCE: 2015 NACAC State of College Admissions

Courses Junior year schedule Senior year schedule Honors vs. College Prep Balance in coursework

HPHS Graduation vs. College Admission Req. Most Colleges Highly Selective Community HPHS & Universities Schools Colleges English 4 Years 4 Years 4 Years 4 Years Math 3 Years 3-4 Years 4 Years 2 Years Science 2 Year 3 Years 4 Years 1-2 Years Soc. Science 2 Years 3 Years 4 Years 2 Years Foreign Lang. None 2 Years* 4 Years None Fine Arts One year of same Fine Art for California state schools

Grade Point Averages (GPA) Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA GPA Distribution

Grade Point Average Distribution Class of 2018 Weighted Unweighted Highest 4.84 3.99 Median 3.43 3.26 Lowest .61 .61 For colleges that require additional information for scholarship consideration, the weighted and unweighted grade point averages for the top 10% and 25% are: Top 10% 4.24 3.80 Top 25% 3.84 3.61

College Entrance Testing ACT SAT SAT Subject Tests Score reporting

ACT – www.act.org Total possible score is 36 (average of the 4 scores) Optional writing test Allows students to choose which test(s) to report Given 6x per year September and October are recommended for seniors December is recommended for juniors wanting to review their answers to prepare for spring tests (extra fee required) February, April and June are recommended for juniors

ACT Cont. Optional Writing Test Comprised of a rhetorical essay written from a paragraph prompt and three distinct perspectives of the issue Students’ Writing Tests are available on-line for colleges to review Score Report includes a separate Writing Score and a STEM and English/Language Arts (ELA) Score Composite score comprised of four main sections

ACT Score Report

SAT – www.collegeboard.org Total possible score is 1600 (800 per section; English/Reading & Math) Writing section is now optional & reported separately (Change!); written from available prompt Writing section uses an essay and multiple choice questions to test standard English Writing samples also available on-line for colleges to review Largely multiple choice questions; no longer penalizes guessing (Change!) Given 8x per year (new August administration)

SAT – Khan Academy Khan Academy offers free test prep for all students Students who have taken the SAT can download their results into Khan and get customized test prep Set up your free account at www.khanacademy.org

SAT Subject Tests One hour, content based exam, primarily multiple choice 5 areas: English, history, math, science, language Tend to be required/recommended by highly selective schools only; only 12 actually require. Pick and choose which to send Typically students take 2 exams (1 is usually math) immediately after course is completed Appropriate for Honors level students in that area, supplemental studying may be required -Chemistry Honors and Math Honors may be appropriate now; June or August administration Visit Compass Prep for good info on Subject Tests: www.compassprep.com/subject-test-requirements-and- recommendations/

ACT vs SAT All colleges accept both For most colleges you can pick and choose which to send, a few highly selective schools require all ACT can get you out of taking Subject Tests at some highly selective colleges & universities Some colleges will “superscore” ACT, most will combine SAT from multiple sittings

Testing Reminders Utilize practice exams/PSAT! Practice ACT given by HPHS end of September PSAT/NMSQT given on alternate day second week of October during school (practice SAT also used as a qualifier for National Merit consideration) We recommend trying hand at both and focusing on one with better results (concordance charts available online) State administered SAT in April

Testing Reminders – PSAT 10 All sophomores took the PSAT 10 this spring, scores are now available To access scores set up an account at www.collegeboard.com When setting up your account use your proper name as it is reflected in Infinite Campus to ensure that records are matched If you have problems matching records contact Counseling Dept. for your registration code

Letters of Recommendations You are going to need letters of recommendation for college applications, use your junior year to develop relationships. -Teachers -Counselors -Activity sponsors, Coaches, etc.

Summer College Visits - Make sure visits are “official”; don’t just self-tour, interest counts! Summer school Summer programs Work Be productive!

Calendars/Timelines Make good use of your summer-visit! Review your academic plan with your counselor Map out a standardized testing calendar Formal college counseling program begins in November; individual appointments with college counselors in January Start utilizing Naviance

Junior Programming Kick-off to College Planning Rumbo a la Universidad Financial Planning for College College Planning 101 & 102 Exploring College Options Navigating the Process

Contact Rob Becker for assistance Naviance College search College visits/contacts College admissions Scholarships Contact Rob Becker for assistance rbecker@dist113.org

College Counseling Website Upcoming programs Student Outcomes Useful links College Counseling Handbook hphs.dist113.org/cc

College Counseling Website www.hphs.dist113.org/cc

“Thinking About College?” Section Affordability Net Price Calculator -visit college websites -may include need-based and merit possibilities EFC Estimator: www.fafsa.ed.gov “Thinking About College?” Section

Outside Services Start with us! HPHS offers myriad services and programs: assist with developing college list and assessing chances for admission provide application and essay support offer mock interviews share financial aid and scholarship information; assist with FAFSA completion Know the background of the individual in regard to training and experience in college counseling Think about student/family needs versus services provided Outside parties cannot communicate with colleges due to federal privacy laws; are not versed in the HP curriculum No one can get a student into college except the student him/herself

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