The College admissions Process

Decision Factors Size of school Location Distance from home Activities/Athletics Public/Private Coed/Single sex Entrance requirements Entrance difficulty Reputation of School Majors available Commitment to major by school Cost Campus personality

How Many Schools To Apply To No “right” number “Diversify” you applications “Safe” schools “Match” schools “Reach” schools Be sure to adhere to deadlines When requesting transcripts allow at least 10 working days before the due date

Benefits to Going on a Campus Tour or Interview Indicates your level of interest Allows you to get beyond the statistics Puts a “face” onto the college Gives the college an opportunity to get to know you on a more personal level

“Top 10 Questions” to Ask on a College Visit 1.Average GPA/Class Rank? 2.Average SAT scores? 3.Other tests required? 4.Cost of attendance/average financial aid package (grants, loans, work study)? 5.Average class size for major 6.Number of years housing is guaranteed 7.% of students who return after 1 year? Graduate in 4 years (6 years)? 8.Do professors teach freshmen/undergrads? Adjunct or full-time 9.Campus social life 10.Career placement services available?

How Colleges Evaluate Candidates: Course selection (difficulty, extended languages, extended math & science, honors & AP courses) Grades/GPA Rank in Class Sat scores –Take the SAT in the spring of your junior year and the fall of your senior year –Check schools for SAT Subject Test requirements –Review for the SAT or take an SAT prep course. Scores will improve with practice (free after school/evening SAT prep lessons available/Kaplan SAT Prep Course available at a great rate!) –Rank in Class ACT Option –Accepted by virtually every college in the US in place of SAT –Tests what you have learned, not your aptitude –

Evaluation Continued SAT Subject Tests –Required by some colleges: math, science, etc. Leadership Positions Activities –Sports –Clubs & High School activities –Community/church activities –Volunteer community service activities –Part-time jobs

Evaluation Continued Essay Recommendations –ask for letters of recommendation from two or three teachers early in the fall –Supply a résumé –remember to thank them and let them know where you have been accepted Interview Your preparation and planning

Hearing From the Colleges Regular Decision (April 1) Rolling Admission (reviewed as received) Early Decision (early application & commitment) Early Action (early application & no commitment)

Where To Go From Here College Open Houses Career/ College/ Financial Aid Web Sites Check out the BTHS Scholarship Bulletin under “Scholarship Information” Check out links for “College Information”, Application Essay Guide” & Tips for Applying to College –COIN 3 for college & career information – –Click on the GREEN “go” button - Career Community (BTHS Site ID: NJ17056) –Username = Student ID # –Password = Student ID # - Then UPDATE –Begin your scholarship search Go to schools – click on the High School then click on Counseling On the counseling page, scroll down to find the following

Where To Go From Here Continued Attend the College Fair at BCC on October 14 th Attend the National College Fair in Philadelphia on October 17 th - register at Visit colleges during our Fall break- Nov. 1-5 If you can’t visit schools this fall, plan on spring tours Meet with your counselor often

Seniors Need to Complete By December 2010 Complete applications on the schools to which you plan to apply Check to see if the schools you are applying to accept the Common Application Take the SAT or ACT by December Take the SAT Subject Test if required by college Check the Scholarship Bulletin regularly and apply for any scholarships that you are eligible for Register for a scholarship search on a web engine such as Fastweb

TRANSCRIPT REQUEST NAME:_________________________ DATE REQUESTED: ______________ APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT LEAST TWO (2 WEEKS PRIOR TO DEADLINE 1. NAME AND ADDRESS OF COLLEGE OR SCHOLARSHIP: ____________________________________________________________ DATE APPLICATION DUE: If submitted online, check here: ___________ Essay Required: YES____ NO:____ If Essay was submitted on-line, check here: ___________ List all Teacher Recommendations to be included: ____________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ List all other forms to be included with your transcript: ________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ 2. NAME AND ADDRESS OF COLLEGE OR SCHOLARSHIP: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Etc. Etc. Students are responsible for requesting letters of recommendation from teachers. Be sure to give teachers sufficient time to return their letters of recommendation to the counseling office *APPLICATIONS WILL BE RETURNED IF ANY ITEMS ARE MISSING* THERE IS A $3.00 CHARGE FOR ALL TRANSCRIPTS SENT OUT CERTIFIED MAIL

FAFSA Get started on applying for financial aid by: Going to You and your parent/ guardian apply for a pin number Download the FAFSA on the web worksheet

Students who wish to compete in College Athletics (Division I or II) Register with NCAA Eligibility Center ( The eligibility center is responsible for certifying all college-bound student-athletes wanting to compete in NCAA college athletics. This is done in two ways: Academic Certification & Amateurism Certification Do you meet the eligibility requirements Have you kept your amateur status?

JUNIORS – Things to Do Take the PSAT in October (October 16 th ) Register in the Counseling Office- $20 fee Take the SAT or ACT one or two times between December and June Use COIN site, other websites and college guidebooks to begin college search Check the Scholarship and Open House information Register for a scholarship search on a web engine such as Fastweb ( Meet with your Counselor often

SOPHOMORES & FRESHMEN Things to do Take a challenging curriculum and excel in your coursework Begin to familiarize yourself with colleges, careers and scholarship opportunities through the various websites Consider taking the PSAT on October 16th Meet with your Counselor often

UPCOMING EVENTS October 14 th - College Fair at BCC-Pemberton October 16 th – BTHS – 8:00 AM October 17 th – National College Fair in Philadelphia December 2 nd – “Ultimate Money Skills-College Funding” presentation at BTHS – 7:00 PM Cafetorium December 4 th - SAT and SAT Subject Test at BTHS January – FAFSA Workshop – Date TBD

Are You – Or Would You Like to be an NJ STAR? Students in the top 15% of their class at the beginning of Senior year may qualify you as an NJ STAR!! Qualifies you to attend BCC at a greatly reduced cost!! Program is dependent on state funding Go to click on the Students/Parents link, then click on the Scholarship linkwww.hesaa.org

Welcome to Mr. Jason Jankowski Admissions Counselor, Rutgers University, Camden