Class of 2016 Junior Parent/Student Info Night Hilary Recknor & Sara Williams Servite Counseling November 12, 2014 SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL

COUNSELING DEPARTMENT Hilary Recknor –A-D x Doreen Moore –E-K x-1133 Megen Anspach –L-Q x-1457 Sara Williams –R-Zx-1174 Debbie Blashaw – Director of Support Services x-1146 Dave Glaudini– Junior Formation Director x-1128 Dr. McDonald – School Psychologist x-1635

WHAT WE WILL BE COVERING: Testing Admission Factors/Junior Focus Extracurriculars Naviance/Family Connection

TESTING Revolution Prep Kelsey McCarthy Servite Contact Aaron Horowitz

SAT VS. ACT

1.Why does testing matter? 2.Introduction to the SAT 3.Introduction to the ACT 4.SAT and ACT: Head-to-Head 5.Next steps: Testing timeline and prep options

Transcript = 8,000 hrs. Other = 1,000 hrs. Standardized Testing = 10 hrs. Small input Standardized Testing Other Transcript Big output

Essay 25 minutes Math 2 25 minutes Writing 1 25 minutes Experimental Section 25 minutes Writing 2 10 minutes Critical Reading 3 20 minutes Math 3 20 minutes Math 1 25 minutes Critical Reading 1 25 minutes Critical Reading 2 25 minutes Total Time: 3 hours, 45 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 55 minutes Total Time with Essay: 3 hours, 25 minutes Science 35 minutes English 45 minutes Math 60 minutes Reading 35 minutes

ADMISSION TESTS BY SYSTEM UC: SAT or ACT + Writing CSU: SAT or ACT Community College: No SAT or ACT Out of State Public/ Private Colleges: SAT or ACT See each college website Subject Test requirements Some colleges are now “Test Optional”

TESTING: SOME COMMON QUESTIONS… A few SAT and ACT myths What is “Score Choice?” What is a “Superscore?” What is a “good” SAT or ACT score? Do schools prefer one test over the other? Do all schools care about test scores?

SAT SUBJECT TESTS Each test is one hour in length Achievement-based tests, measuring knowledge learned from college-level courses in the following areas: ENGLISH: Literature HISTORY: U.S. History, World History MATH: Mathematics Level 1, Mathematics Level 2 SCIENCE: Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics LANGUAGES: Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Japanese, Korean

TEST SCORES…SOME FINAL WORDS One SAT Reasoning Test or ACT with Writing must be completed no later than the December Test Dates for UC and CSU. (November is the better target date) - SDSU requires November - Early Action/Early Decision If seeking Accommodations for SAT or ACT, it is very important to contact Deborah Blashaw, Dir. Support Services, ASAP. -

Grades in College Prep Courses Standardized Admission Tests Grades in All Courses PRIMARY FACTORS IN ADMISSION

EYE OPENING FACTS: UCLA received 80,509 apps last year USC received 47,358 applications last year for 2,922 places – 20% admit rate & Mid -50% SAT Composite score of admits between 1920 – 2230 High School graduating Class of 2014 Acceptance Rates Columbia 7 % Harvard 6 % Yale 7 % Stanford 6 % Vanderbilt 13% Frosh Class at LMU last year had a Mean GPA of 3.62 and a Mean SAT score of 1775

UC SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS (A-G) 15 ONE-YEAR COURSES WITH A GRADE OF “C” OR BETTER a.2 years Social Science/History (including 1year of U.S. History) b.4 years English c.3 years Mathematics (4 recommended; Alg I, Geometry, & Alg II) d.2 years Science w/Lab (3 recommended; Must have 2 of these 3: Biology, Chemistry, Physics) e.2 years Foreign Language/LOTE (3 recommended; same language) f.1 year Visual & Performing Arts (Art, Theatre, Music) g.1 year Elective chosen from the subject areas listed above

CALCULATING UC/CSU ELIGIBILITY INDEX Using SAT Reasoning Scores (Best CR & Math): GPA* x your SAT (CR+Math) Total taken (*GPA in all college prep “a-g” courses taken in 10 th, 11 th, & 12 th grades) Using ACT Scores: taken GPA* x (10 x ACT Composite Score) (*GPA in all college prep “a-g” courses taken in 10 th, 11 th, & 12 th grades) My index is ________

Essay / Personal Statement Counselor Recommendation Teacher Recommendation Extracurricular Activities Community Service Special Talents, Interests, Skills Work Experience Demonstrated Interest FACTORS THAT TIP A DECISION

THE APPLICATION: PRIVATE SCHOOLS Application Essay(s) Letter(s) of Recommendation Secondary School Report Official High School Transcript Interview (sometimes) Test Scores Students send (not Servite) Order From CollegeBoard/ACT

THE ESSAY “ When all else is equal between competing applicants, a compelling essay can make the difference.” …College Board, 2011

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Your extracurricular activities are the most impactful way that you can distinguish yourself as a unique individual and showcase your personal talents, strengths, passions and accomplishments. Quality, not quantity Do what you love and what makes sense Invest in meaningful ways Take on leadership roles There’s no one “right” activity

Naviance/Family Connection (Cal States) (UC) (Private California) (California Community Colleges) (456 Colleges in US) (US Catholic Colleges) COLLEGE SEARCH

NAVIANC E FAMILY CONNECTION A comprehensive software/database that students & parents can use as a tool in planning for college Counselors will use Family Connection to assist students in managing the college application process

NAVIANCE FAMILY CONNECTION Search for Colleges Manage College Applications Career Exploration & Interest Inventory Scattergrams Learning Style Inventory Communicate with Counselor Must use Servite address to register

UPCOMING DATES Rosary Financial Aid Night January 8 th,, 2015 – 7pm Spring Junior Parent/Student College Info Night March 4 th, 2015 – 7pm Theatre Mock Admissions Presentation May 13 th, 2015

THANK YOU FOR COMING!! Questions?? Have a wonderful night!