SEAFORD HIGH SCHOOL

 Introduction of special guests: Mr. Joseph Benkert, Admissions Counselor, St. Joseph’s College  The college application review process, Mr. Benkert  Chronological preparation for life beyond Seaford High School (Grades 9-12)  Breakdown key elements to a college application (Guidance Staff)  Breakdown key factors in your college search  Discussion  Action!!  More support/Future Plans  Next step….  Q & A

 FRESHMAN YEAR  ADJUST TO NEW ENVIRONMENT  ADAPT TO HIGH SCHOOL STRUCTURE  GAIN UNDERSTANDING OF NEW TEACHING STYLES/METHODS  SEEK COMFORTABLE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (SPORTS/CLUBS/EMPLOYMENT)  DEVELOP RAPPORT WITH FACULTY AND STAFF  MAINTAIN FOCUS ON ACADEMICS/EVERYTHINGS COUNTS STARTING NOW!!  SOPHOMORE YEAR  TAKE ACADEMIC RIGOR TO THE NEXT LEVEL  TAKE EXTRACURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL/SEEK LEADERSHIP ROLE  BEGIN DISCUSSING FUTURE PLANS (CAREERS/COLLEGE MAJOR/COLLEGE SEARCH/PSAT/ETC.)  MAKE STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN OVERALL ACADEMICS FROM FRESHMAN YEAR

 JUNIOR YEAR  THEME OF YEAR: RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!!!!  EXPAND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT (VOLUNTEER/EMPLOYMENT)  SECURE LEADERSHIP ROLE IN CLUB OR SPORT  CONTINUE PROGRESSION OF ACADEMIC CHALLENGES  PSAT/SAT/ACT  FINAL YEAR TO IMPACT TRANSCRIPT BEFORE COLLEGE VIEWS IT  SENIOR YEAR  IMPLEMENT PLAN CREATED DURING JUNIOR YEAR  MAINTAIN ACADEMIC STANDARDS  TAKE SOLID SENIOR COURSES/FILL SCHEDULE  CHOOSE ELECTIVES RELATED TO CAREER/MAJOR INTERESTS  LAST CHANCE TO IMPROVE SAT/ACT SCORES  ASK QUESTIONS…..

 HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT  SAT/ACT  ESSAY  LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS  ACTIVITES RESUME

Transcript- A permanent running record of a student’s academic performance throughout high school. It encompasses ALL completed courses and is updated every year. Transcript- An academic glimpse a college representative will use to determine educational ability and preparation for an admissions decision.

Admissions Office Review INITIAL Decision- 3 years of accumulated high school work (borderline decisions could require 3.5 years). OFFICIAL Decision- 4 years of accumulated high school work and completion of graduation requirements. “Avoid being a ‘GPA protector.’ Don’t play it safe by enrolling in easy classes. An effortless “A” is not as impressive as a hard-earned “B” or “C.” Taking challenging classes throughout high school — including senior year — shows the people reading your application that you’re serious about your education and that you’re ready to thrive in college.” – NY TIMES, 11/30/09 “Don’t be deterred by one bad grade. Colleges understand if you have one grade that’s not reflective of your usual ability. Don’t stress. Refocus and work hard. What’s important is that you’re able to demonstrate that you’re getting back on track.”- NY TIMES, 11/30/09

 Critical Reading, Math, Writing  Three 800 point sections (total 2400)  Aptitude Test  3 hours 45 minutes (10 sections)  English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (Optional)  Four 36 point sections (Composite scoring)  Achievement Test  2 hours 55 minutes (4 sections + Writing) SAT Subject Test  Achievement Tests  When should I take it?  Who requires the Subject Test? ** - List of test optional schools **

1) Your essay will be most effective if you write about something that matters to you. 2) Use your own voice and sound like yourself. Don’t worry about making a special effort to include impressive vocabulary words or overly complex sentences. 3) Select topics that will give the reader an idea of who YOU are.

4) Topic is less important than the connection you have to the topic. o Excellent essays can be on common topics and weak essays can be on highly unusual topics. 5) Your perspective- the lens through which you view your topic- is far more important than the topic itself. 6) Proofread, proofread, proofread! Share your essay with at least one or two people who know you well- parent, teacher, counselor, or friend. Ask for feedback! Always retain your own voice, but others may catch an error.

7) Possible suggestions for topics include: o Ethnicity and culture o Family Situations o School and community events to which they have had strong reactions o People who have influenced them/significant experiences/intellectual interests/personal aspirations

What is a recommendation letter? A written reference designed to offer information about a student’s character, ability, work ethic, etc. How many recommendation letters should a student have? Typically, most colleges require at least one or two letters of recommendation. Who can a student ask? 1)Focus on major subject area teachers (Math, Science, English, Foreign Language & Social Studies) 2)Letters from the dept. of your major is encouraged 3)Can also ask Counselor, Coach, Advisor, Employer, Pastor/Rabbi When should a student ask their teacher? Spring of Junior Year How does a student request a letter of rec? Teacher Request Form/Naviance request. Details to follow in Junior Conferences!

What is an Activities Resume- A detailed and thorough report explaining all extracurricular involvements. Purpose- To demonstrate what interests you have and experiences you can bring to a college setting beyond academics. Sample Categories- Clubs; Sports; Employment; Volunteer/Community Service; Accolades; Educational Conf. Timeframe- Include all involvement in grades *HIGHLIGHT ALL LEADERSHIP ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES*

3 SIMPLE QUESTIONS 1) How far away from home do you want to go? Commute vs. Dorm 2) What environment/setting best fits your interest? Urban vs. Suburban vs. Rural 3) Size of student population? Bigger school = more opportunities/activities Smaller school = more interpersonal relationships

2 FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS 1) Do you know your college Major? 2) Are you determined to participate in college athletics? Answers to these 5 questions will immediately create a list of schools to be considered!

Ways to expand your knowledge/research on a school of interest:  Call Admissions Office or Academic Department of interest  Speak to alumni or current students  VISIT COLLEGE!!!!!! Contact Undergraduate Admissions Office to schedule:  Information Session  Guided Tour

Ways to help students learn more about the college search process:  Naviance/Family Connections website  Literature in College & Career Center  Small group college visits with 10 th & 11 th grade students  Counselor College Recruitment Trips  College Representatives coming to Seaford HS next Fall

College Visitation Program STUDENT: Stony Brook University

The College of New Jersey

Monmouth University

Molloy College

Sacred Heart University

 Senior College Information Night, Fall 2014 o Applications o Deadlines o And more…….  College and Career Center: o Added Computers o Student Workshops 1) College Search 2) Naviance training 3) Commonapp website training  Seasonal Guidance Newsletter o Important deadlines, future programs, upcoming events, and so much more

Set up a Junior Conference with your counselor!! HOW:Print, complete and submit Junior College Planning Packet from school website (Guidance tab). WHO:Student, Parent(s) and Counselor WHEN:Conferences start in March WHY: More personalized conversation about student’s specific plans

Contact your child’s guidance counselor with questions! Thank you for coming! Please drive home safely!