Central bucks high school south College Planning Central bucks high school south Class of 2015 Taryn barrett (A-K) Laura ladley (L-Z) 2.20.14 Part Two

OVERVIEW Program Planning Process Junior & Senior Year Timelines Standardized Testing Finding the “best fit” Upcoming College Planning and Financial Aid Sessions

Program Planning Timeline Currently Counselors meeting with juniors: *reviewing course selections *answering questions *Scholars Diploma Early March Verification report on Portal & Deadline for all changes August Schedules posted Student Portal

Junior Year Timeline WINTER/SPRING SPRING/SUMMER Take SAT and/or ACT, SAT Subject Tests (only if necessary) Register for AP exams (taken in May) Call ahead to set up campus tours & visit schools of interest. Check dates of campus “Open Houses”. District College Fair @ CB South March 19th, 6:30 pm . Register for Fall SAT and/or ACT, if necessary. Naviance: College Search and “colleges I’m thinking about” Review online college applications. Complete “Request for Counselor Recommendation”. Required parent component. College application essays – Career Plan 11. Save graded writing sample. Teacher recommendations. Update resume in Naviance.

Senior Year Timeline FALL WINTER/SPRING Complete applications and formally request recommendations from teachers. Apply for Financial Aid using www.fafsa.gov & CSS Profile (if necessary). Take SAT/ACT/Subject Tests and have scores sent directly, if required. Mid-year grades will automatically be sent to colleges based on transcript requests. Submit transcript request forms to Senior House Office. Make final decision regarding school selection. Send housing deposit. Attend Financial Aid Night in November, 2014. FAFSA workshop in Winter. Complete Senior Survey in Naviance indicating college of choice; prompts final/official transcript mailing. Request to have 1st marking period grades sent to college, if required. Keep a rigorous academic schedule and maintain grades to remain eligible for merit scholarships and acceptance offers! 

Standardized Tests ACT/SAT Spring of Junior Year Fall of Senior Year *If testing in Fall of Senior Year- scores should be sent directly to colleges from ACT and/or CollegeBoard.* AP First 2 weeks of May; same year as AP course SAT Subject Tests Immediately following related coursework 

When is South a testing site? ACT’s April 12, 2014 Spring Junior Year October 25, 2014 Fall Senior Year SAT’s March 8, 2014 Spring Junior Year May 3, 2014 Spring Junior Year June 7, 2014 Spring Junior Year October & November 2014 / Fall Senior Year South CEEB code is 394992 Other High Schools/districts may host SAT/ACT on additional test dates 

Top Factors in College Admission Grades/GPA in college prep classes. Rigor of transcript/course selection. Standardized test scores. Demonstrated interest in attending. Application essay. Teacher and/or Counselor Recommendations.

College Search Process

Resources: The College Search Internet, Naviance, PASSHE, CollegeBoard, etc, Specific college websites College brochures and view books Meet with college representatives who visit South each fall; sign up on Naviance next fall. College Fairs

Types of Post-Secondary Schools In-State Colleges & Universities Private Colleges & Universities “Ivy League” Schools Military Academies Specialized Institutions: art, music, culinary arts, technical & trade, etc. Community Colleges / Transfer Programs Two-Year Private Colleges 

Decision Factors Entrance Requirements Selectivity Majors Available Specialized Programs Final Cost and Expenses 

Finding the perfect match…. More Decision Factors Finding the perfect match…. Size of school/classes Geographic location Distance from home Surrounding community Campus personality Diversity Athletics/Extracurricular Activities Facilities and housing 

Campus Visits It’s really all about FIT… Campus Tour Open Houses- spring or next fall. Overnight stay with sibling/friend Visit an actual class in session Interview, if requested or required “Chat” with current students Visit before applying, and again after acceptance!

Types of Applications The Common Application www.commonapp.org *Over 300 Colleges/Universities currently use the Common App PA State System of Higher Education www.passhe.edu School Specific Application

Types of Application Deadlines Regular Decision Rolling Admissions Early Action Early Decision

Counselor Letter of Recommendation Request made as part of the Transcript Request Form “Request for Counselor Recommendation” survey on Naviance – will be available this spring Add potential major if known under “Game Plan” Sent with transcript and standardized scores Allow 15 school days when requesting recommendation 

Wrapping up Junior Year Develop/update your Resume in Naviance and indicate what your potential major might be under “game plan”. Review application essay from Career Plan 11. From your research, develop a list of 7-10 schools and do extensive research. Trim the list of 10 colleges to 3-7 by September of senior year…be sure to consider varying degrees of competitiveness. Consider and contact teachers for letters of recommendation!!! Complete “Counselor Recommendation Request” form on Naviance. (Only some schools require a letter from counselors.) 

Upcoming College Planning and Financial Aid Sessions College Fair- March 19th- CB South College Planning Session 3- May 14th- CB South College Planning Session 4- Sept 2014- CB South Financial Aid Night- November 2014- CB South FAFSA Workshop- Winter 2015- CB East 

Guidance website Guidance Homepage Class of 2015 Guidance Updates http://www.cbsd.org/Page/1277 We will post PowerPoint presentations and updates to both sites. There are also links to Naviance, Portal, E-Prep, Resources and Counselor contact information. 

Please join us again… MAY 14, 2014 & SEPTEMBER 2014 