Getting Into College A Basic Timeline

Things to Consider when Choosing a College GPA SAT/ ACT Scores Major Geographic location Size

GOOD RESOURCES NAVIANCE FISKE GUIDE TO COLLEGES/COLLEGE BOARD THE K&W GUIDE TO COLLEGES FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

COLLEGE VISITS Never too early to start! Junior Year is most popular time to visit. Senior year is less desirable as some deadlines for applications are as early as Oct 1. Try to visit when college is in session and try to stay overnight to get a true feel for the campus and immediate area. Take the tours Take advantage of the days we have off from school, but colleges are open. Visit on Columbus Day, Martin Luther King, Election Day, Teacher’s Convention. Your student will get the “true college experience, without missing a day of school(they won’t like this suggestion). If you plan to visit during the Spring, make sure your visit doesn’t coincide with the school’s Spring Break. The most popular month for Spring Break is March.(aaahhh those were the days) Believe it or not your child will know pretty quickly if a college feels right or wrong.

SAT VS ACT

THE SAT IS CHANGING SPRING 2016 Will feature evidence based reading and writing sections with an optional essay that is scored separately. New math section will be predicated on research that shows that there are “a few areas of math that are a prerequisite for a wide range of college courses” and careers. Scored on the old 1600 point system. Visit opportunity/sat/redesign for more important information on these changeshttps:// opportunity/sat/redesign

SAT / ACT PREP COURSES: Most do not teach content they teach strategy and your child can raise their score this way. With huge changes in the SAT format coming, many specifically aimed at eliminating the unfair advantage prep courses offer to those who CAN afford it, you will want to watch and research this area very closely.

When Is A good Time To Take The SAT Or ACT? When To Take Exams? Most students take them junior year and some in the Fall of their senior year. Be aware of your child’s extracurricular responsibilities and time constraints that may prevent preparing for the exams. Visit the College Board website for SAT dates for the upcoming year Normally January, March, May, June, Oct, Nov, and Dec / ACT Sept, Oct, Dec, Feb, April, and June. If you don’t take the exams until Senior year be aware that there are NO September SAT dates. This could be a problem if you need to know your scores in advance in order to choose appropriate schools. Some schools have early decision and early action dates of Oct 1 and regular decision as early as Nov and Dec. When To Take Exams? Most students take them junior year and some in the Fall of their senior year. Be aware of your child’s extracurricular responsibilities and time constraints that may prevent preparing for the exams. Visit the College Board website for SAT dates for the upcoming year Normally January, March, May, June, Oct, Nov, and Dec / ACT Sept, Oct, Dec, Feb, April, and June. If you don’t take the exams until Senior year be aware that there are NO September SAT dates. This could be a problem if you need to know your scores in advance in order to choose appropriate schools. Some schools have early decision and early action dates of Oct 1 and regular decision as early as Nov and Dec.

More On Testing Superscoring: Some colleges allow you to accept the highest sub-scores from different test dates. Most student’s take the same exam two to three times Remember it is just a score on “A” test. There are so many other ways to define your child. Superscoring: Some colleges allow you to accept the highest sub-scores from different test dates. Most student’s take the same exam two to three times Remember it is just a score on “A” test. There are so many other ways to define your child.

Test Optional Schools Many colleges do not use test scores for many reasons such as limiting of applicant pools, giving unfair advantage to students who can afford test prep courses, and the tests don’t measure the type of skills they require ie….technical and musical There are approximately 850 test optional schools including Johnson and Wales, Wake Forest, California State, Drew University and Connecticut College. Some are test- optional only for students who meet certain GPA or class rank requirements.

2 Year and Community Colleges Brookdale’s Communiversity program offers students the ability to obtain a B.A. or M.A. close to home. Upon receiving your Associate Degree you have a seamless transition into colleges like Rutgers and Georgian Court and you can take classes at either school or at certain Brookdale locations. For more information visit Brookdale’s Communiversity program offers students the ability to obtain a B.A. or M.A. close to home. Upon receiving your Associate Degree you have a seamless transition into colleges like Rutgers and Georgian Court and you can take classes at either school or at certain Brookdale locations. For more information visit

Making Your List of Colleges Just Right Challenge Safety 6 To 8 is average Don’t make the mistake of only applying to 1 or 2

Teacher Letters of Recommendation Many schools ask for at least one letter of recommendation Ask for two as early as possible….the end of junior year if you can. Some teachers set a limit on how many they will write each year. Many teachers will ask your student what they enjoyed most about their class and their favorite assignments so be prepared with that information.

What Is Early Action? Apply to a college by a special Early Action deadline instead of regular deadline. You have a better chance of getting into the college this way. Shows you are very interested in the school. It is a non-binding contract and student can apply to other colleges early and regular action and wait until spring deadline to reply.

Early Decision A binding contract. Student must apply and withdraw all other applications or else forfeit a sizeable enrollment deposit. Often have to commit before knowing what financial package will look like.. Be sure your student definitely 100% wants to attend this college.

Rolling Admission Apply throughout the year and receive a response back in a timely manner. Usually starts in early fall and can continue into the early summer. Don’t wait too long bc there are deadlines for scholarships, housing etc… Rutgers and Penn State both have rolling admission.

Senior Packet You will find this on the Guidance Department website. Start this in the summer of your junior year. Some guidance counselors will not meet with students to process or discuss college applications until it is finished. Includes a resume, parent brag sheet, letter of recommendation request forms…. Etc. Do yourself a big favor and have this completed by September.

Work And Extra-Curricular Activities Keep a log or grid of your child’s athletic, club, volunteer and work experience. Colleges are interested in how many hours a week, month or year your child engages in these activities. Work experience, musical lessons, skiing, all of these things are important and should be listed on the application.

Thank Goodness For the Common Application! Over 400 colleges and universities on one application! Each has their own supplement and can request additional items like essays, letters of recommendation etc. Get started on this early, it is time consuming! Comes out late August.

The Short Essay Usually asking about work or extra-curricular activities. No longer required on Common Application unless specifically required by a particular college. Usually between 150(Harvard) to 250 (USC) words.

The Long Essay 5 choices to choose from on Common Application and you can preview them the summer before Senior year on the Guidance Website. Usually 500 to 650 words. Certain colleges will ask for an additional essay on the Common Application. Get started on these as early as possible especially if your child is busy in the Fall. English teachers will be working on and revising these in class Fall of senior year. 5 choices to choose from on Common Application and you can preview them the summer before Senior year on the Guidance Website. Usually 500 to 650 words. Certain colleges will ask for an additional essay on the Common Application. Get started on these as early as possible especially if your child is busy in the Fall. English teachers will be working on and revising these in class Fall of senior year.

The College Grid Making a grid of all colleges applied to with columns for Application Deadlines, Common App, Additional Essay, letters of recommendation etc….will help keep you and your child organized.

Congratulations Your Thick Envelope or Welcome Has Arrived! Rolling Admissions you find out pretty quickly after you apply. Early Admission/Decision: Most in December Regular Decision: March 1 st is when majority are sent out.

WAIT LIST? Many student’s will be placed on a wait list. Some student’s will eventually be offered a slot if they are on it. Some offer admission for the following semester or at a satellite campus. Make sure you have a back up plan! Enroll in a school your child has been accepted to and sign up for orientations housing etc. You can get your deposit back for a many of these items should that wait list spot open up for you. Many student’s will be placed on a wait list. Some student’s will eventually be offered a slot if they are on it. Some offer admission for the following semester or at a satellite campus. Make sure you have a back up plan! Enroll in a school your child has been accepted to and sign up for orientations housing etc. You can get your deposit back for a many of these items should that wait list spot open up for you.

Orientations Leave your senior spring and summer open for orientation programs that can be up to a week long. June through August

Sit Back And Relax/ Dorm Shopping Is Right Around The Corner!!!! Michele Shields