College Jump Start Night Shawnee High School March 30, 2017

Purpose of Presentation Review the college process. Discuss transcripts, standardized testing, college visits, Naviance, and letters of recommendation. Learn about the college admission process from college admissions representatives.

GPA/Rank Students will receive their Rank and GPA in homeroom in September. Unweighted is on a 4.0 scale Weighted is on a 6.0 scale Transcript reflects weighted & unweighted GPA & Rank

Standardized Tests SAT’s-www.collegeboard.org (SAT Reasoning Test) ACT’s-www.actstudent.org (ACT with writing) SAT Subject Tests are specific one hour content area tests used by a small percentage of colleges. Be sure to confirm if the colleges to which you are applying require these tests and plan accordingly. Send scores to Shawnee High School & colleges of your choice-Free when you register, but fee later You must send Standardized Test scores to colleges directly from the testing agency: College Board (SAT’s)- www.collegeboard.org ACT- www.actstudent.org

ACT vs. SAT Test Length Test Sections Scoring Wrong Answers Test Fee 3 hours, 35 minutes (with optional essay) 3 hours, 50 minutes (with optional essay) Test Sections 4 sections-English, Math, Reading, Science; plus optional essay 4 sections-Evidence-based Reading, Writing, Math without a calculator, Math with a calculator; plus optional essay Scoring Composite of 1-36 based on average scores from the 4 test sections. 4 scores of 1-36 for each test. Optional essay score of 0-12 Score is out of 1600: 800 for Math, 800 for Evidence-based Reading & Writing. Optional essay receives a separate score. Wrong Answers No penalty for wrong answers Test Fee $56.50 (including essay) $54.50 (including essay) Registration www.actstudent.org www.collegeboard.org

Test Dates SAT’s- at Cherokee HS May 6, 2017(deadline 4/7) October 7, 2017 June 3, 2017 November 4, 2017 August 26, 2017 December 2, 2017 ACT’s June 10,2017 (Seneca) September 9, 2017 October 28, 2017 (Seneca) December 9, 2017

College Visits Visits Take campus tour Visit library, cafeteria, dorms Talk with students Think about major, location, size, setting (rural/urban/suburban), extracurricular activities. Realistic evaluation of each college’s admission requirements (grades, standardized test scores, required high school courses).

Shawnee is GREEN… With the College Application Process Online applications Online teacher recommendation letters Electronic submission of transcripts and letters

Family Connection Powered by NAVIANCE Create a resume Personality/learning style inventories Explore careers/career profiler Search colleges Full length SAT practice tests Apply for scholarships Track transcripts and letters of recommendation http://connection.naviance.com/shawneehs Username: StudentID#@lrstudents.org Click forgot password if needed

Teacher Recommendations Ask two teachers politely in person. Give teachers at least two weeks notice. Put teacher recommendation request in Naviance 1. Click on Colleges 2. Click on Letters of Recommendation (under My Colleges) 3. Click Add Request 4. Select teacher’s name from drop down box 5. Select all Current & Future Colleges 6. Click Submit Request Check Naviance to see when letters have been completed. When teachers write you a letter, they will also fill out the common application teacher form electronically. **Teacher letters should be completed when you are requesting transcripts** Counselors will automatically fill out all required forms electronically. If you have any outside letters, you will need to send them on your own.

Brag Sheets Students & Parents must fill out brag sheets in Naviance: Student Brag Sheet-for Counselors Parent Brag Sheet-for Counselors Student Brag Sheet-for Teachers Brag sheets can be found on Naviance: Click on About Me On Left, Surveys to Take Student Brag Sheet, Parent Brag Sheet, Student Brag Sheet for Teachers Answer questions for each and click Update

Ways to Apply School Application Go to the individual college website. You will create a username and password. Fill out the entire application online. Common Application- www.commonapp.org Fill out once for multiple schools Some schools have supplemental forms as well Coalition Application (Fall 2016)- www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org ** If a college accepts the Common Application & also has its own online or VIP/Priority application, you MUST apply using the Common Application for us to be able to send electronic documents**

Types of College Admissions Early decision is a contract between you and the college. You can only apply to 1 school early decision. If you are accepted, you MUST attend. BINDING contract! Early action is more flexible. You do not have to commit to the college if you are accepted. You can apply to multiple schools. NON-BINDING contract! Rolling Admission-Applications are evaluated as they are received. Regular Decision- decisions are made once ALL applications have been received by deadline.

RCBC Spring Ahead Program Fall-Attend BCC informational meeting at Shawnee & fill out free application- https://www.bcc.edu/forms/adm January-Transcript request form due to Counseling Center February-RCBC placement tests at Shawnee. Can be exempt with SAT/ACT PARCC scores (Must have applied and sent transcript by January in order to take test at Shawnee) May-Trip to RCBC to register for classes (Must have applied, sent transcript & taken placement test in order to attend)

Military ASVAB-Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (Military entrance exam) Each branch has required entrance score ASVAB administered in April & September at Shawnee

College Athletics Students who are planning to play in a Division I, II sport need to complete the following: 1. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center: http://eligibilitycenter.org Send official test scores from College Board/ACT to NCAA Send high school transcript to NCAA-submit a transcript request form to the Registrar.

Summer Programs College Essay Writing SAT Prep More information will be sent out. Info will be posted at: http://www.lrhsd.org/Summer

Things to do...NOW!! Research & visit colleges Take standardized testing Naviance-research colleges/SAT practice tests/career search Register with NCAA Eligibility Center Ask teachers for recommendation letters (2) and request through Naviance Fill out brag sheets in Naviance Course changes by August 1st

Things to do...in September Counselor will meet with seniors to review college application process Sign up in Counseling Center for college visits-listed on counseling website & daily announcements Know where you plan to apply Submit parental release of academic records Fill out required Naviance information for college applications Finish standardized testing APPLY-**pay attention to deadlines** Early action/decision deadlines are October and early November Rutgers-early action deadline of November 1st; Regular decision deadline of December 1st

Counseling Center Events Senior Parent College Application Night September 2017 Shawnee Auditorium Financial Aid Night Visit the counseling center’s website: http://www.lrhsd.org/shacounseling

Counselor Contact Information Counselor Last Names Phone Email Mrs. Michelle Scheffer A-B x4416 mscheffer@lrhsd.org Mr. Kevin Looney C-D x4408 klooney@lrhsd.org Mr. Gary Hill E-Ha x4419 ghill@lrhsd.org Mrs. Janae Zechman He-Man x4411 jzechman@lrhsd.org Ms. Julie McGrory Mar-Pi x4417 jmcgrory@lrhsd.org Mr. Darren Welsh Pl-So x4451 dwelsh@lrhsd.org Mrs. Erin O’Neill Sp-Z x4402 erinoneill@lrhsd.org Mrs. Heidi Krihak SAC x4413 hkrihak@lrhsd.org Shawnee-609-654-7544 @ShaHSCounseling

College Panel RCBC-Jeannine Baumgartner: Guaranteed Admission Program/Transfer Agreements The College of New Jersey-Kaitlin West: Standardized Testing, Social Media, New Trends in College Admissions Drexel University-Mary Catalfano: Academic Performance, Choosing a Major (Declared vs. Undeclared) Rowan University-Jessica Prach: Financial Aid, Public vs. Private Schools, In-State vs. Out-of-State Schools Rutgers University-Gary Kopchinski: Different Ways to Apply, Self-Report Transcripts West Chester University-Hilary Pyo: Choosing a College Wisely, Recommendation Letters, College Essay and Activities