Junior College Planning Night Randolph High School

Fall/Winter Timeline Log-in to Naviance Take the PSAT Register for Spring SAT and/or ACT Test Complete College Search on Naviance Begin to visit Colleges! Develop a broad list of colleges Earn excellent grades Take on leadership positions in your clubs and activities Schedule College Conference with your Counselor

Spring Timeline Sign Transcript Release Form and return to your Counselor Take SAT and/or ACT and send scores to Colleges Use Naviance for College /Interest Searches Ask 2 Teachers for Letters of Recommendation Complete Student/Parent Brag Sheets and Resume Visit Colleges!

Summer Timeline Register on Common Application (commonapp.org) Refine College List Begin to Complete Applications Online Work on Essay Visit Colleges!

Transcript Your transcript is the most important document in the application process - Grades - Rigor - Improvement

Scheduling Considerations Meet all graduation requirements - 140 Credits STRONGLY ENCOURAGED - Four years of math, science, foreign language, social studies and English Maintain high performance and rigor Final college acceptances contingent upon successful senior year

Marty O'Connell - Executive Director Colleges That Change Lives

College Size Private vs. Public Urban and Suburban Penn State University— 37,000 + Undergraduate Students Muhlenberg College— Less than 3000 Undergraduate students Private vs. Public Urban and Suburban

Visitation Considerations Size Geographic Location Campus setting (urban, suburban, rural) Areas of study Facilities: Library, Research Labs, etc. Social Atmosphere, Campus Life, Sports, Arts Religious affiliation Support services

College Visits Attend College Fairs at RHS Attend regional College Fairs such as CCM Visit College Campuses Demonstrate Interest Virtual Tours Interview whenever possible The most valuable experience is one where you can actually experience the college first hand!

Naviance  Must utilize Naviance for application process. Documents are sent through Naviance electronically  College Search Scattergrams College Compare College Rep Visits Scholarships  Career and Interest and Personality Inventory

College Admissions Testing Take the PSAT as a junior PSAT Score Report – Coming in December

College Admissions Testing ACT vs. SAT Take Spring of Junior Year Send directly from College Board or Educational Testing Service SAT Subject Tests

College Admissions Testing Students must contact the testing agency to request scores to be sent to each college. RHS does not report SAT or ACT scores on the transcript. SAT - www.collegeboard.org ACT – www.ACT.org

Components of the Application to be completed by student Student and Demographic Data Academic Information Extracurricular Activities Essay(s) Signature – electronically Payment (if required)

What will the School Counselor Send? Transcript School Profile Secondary School Report Form Counselor Recommendation Teacher Recommendations

The College Essay Common Application – 5 Essay Choices Unique and Individualized – with Supporting Details Essay Length Proofread your essay!

Resume In Naviance Update annually Include: Extra Curricular Activities Athletics Honors and Awards Outside Activities Volunteer/Community Service Meet with your school counselor to review

Letters of Recommendation Counselor Letter “Brag Sheets” and Resume to your counselor by April Teacher Letter Ask teacher in person Request through Naviance “Request for Teacher letter” form to teacher by April

Deadlines Important! Completing applications by Early Decision—Binding Early Action—Non Binding Preference/Priority Deadline Rolling Admission Regular Admission Guidance requires 2 weeks notice to process all paperwork!!! Check the deadlines on each college website Completing applications by Thanksgiving is a good goal!

Financial Aid & Scholarships Plan to file the FAFSA October 1st of the senior year CSS Profile is required by some schools. Check CollegeBoard Attend our Financial Aid Workshop in early fall of senior year

Final Thoughts… Encourage student to stay in contact with the RHS Counseling Office. Communication is essential. Allow ample time for essay writing (summer, 2 months) Record all requirements of your list early Standardized testing requirements, supplements, essays, deadlines, etc.

Junior College Planning Night Thank You for Coming!