College Prep Getting ready to take the next step A program for Seniors and their parents

Making decisions that will affect the rest of your life can be overwhelming The world beyond high school is full of opportunity, decisions, and questions. The world beyond high school is full of opportunity, decisions, and questions. Two year or four college? Stay at home or go away? What do I want to major in? How will I afford college? Where do I want to end up? What kind of career am I thinking about? How much money do I want to make? Two year or four college? Stay at home or go away? What do I want to major in? How will I afford college? Where do I want to end up? What kind of career am I thinking about? How much money do I want to make? How do you sort it all out? Careful planning is the key

What are colleges looking for? GPA and class rank GPA and class rank Rigor of curriculum Rigor of curriculum Community service, clubs and activities Community service, clubs and activities Involvement in Athletics, Arts, Music, etc Involvement in Athletics, Arts, Music, etc Standardized test scores (SAT, SAT II, ACT) Standardized test scores (SAT, SAT II, ACT) College Essay College Essay Personal Interview Personal Interview Letters of recommendation Letters of recommendation

Grade Point Average Grade Point Average (GPA) is computed at the end of the junior year. The GPA includes all grades for any high school credit bearing class the student took in grades 8 – 12. Grade Point Average (GPA) is computed at the end of the junior year. The GPA includes all grades for any high school credit bearing class the student took in grades 8 – 12. Courses of higher levels (AP, Honors, Articulated) carry weighting with them for the purpose of computing GPA. AP = 1.10, Honors = 1.05, Regents = 1.0 Courses of higher levels (AP, Honors, Articulated) carry weighting with them for the purpose of computing GPA. AP = 1.10, Honors = 1.05, Regents = 1.0 Students receive GPA in fall of their Senior Year. Students receive GPA in fall of their Senior Year.

Class Rank GPA’s are ordered numerically, and Class Rank is determined. GPA’s are ordered numerically, and Class Rank is determined. Students are grouped according to percentiles. Students are grouped according to percentiles. This rank will indicate to admissions counselors how well the student did in relation to their peers. This rank will indicate to admissions counselors how well the student did in relation to their peers.

Rigor of Curriculum Colleges have ‘suggested’ minimum academic requirements for applicants Colleges have ‘suggested’ minimum academic requirements for applicants Look at college website. They typically have a page outlining these academic or admissions requirements Look at college website. They typically have a page outlining these academic or admissions requirements

Students are always encouraged to achieve more than the minimum of the suggested requirements. We recommend as many academic courses as possible in order to stay competitive. Students are always encouraged to achieve more than the minimum of the suggested requirements. We recommend as many academic courses as possible in order to stay competitive. Don’t forget: AP courses AP courses Articulated courses Articulated courses Other advanced courses or independent studies Other advanced courses or independent studies These all help strengthen your transcript

Register for SAT and/or ACT tests Register for SAT and/or ACT tests SAT – To register: ACT – To register: SAT – To register: ACT – To register: **If you are a special education student planning to take either of these tests, you MUST see your IEP teacher and counselor before you register Standardized Tests

ACT Four parts to the test: math, verbal, science, social studies Four parts to the test: math, verbal, science, social studies There is a writing section as well, which is optional. There is a writing section as well, which is optional. Each section is scored separately, with a total composite score of 36 Each section is scored separately, with a total composite score of 36 The cost of the ACT is $29. The cost of the ACT with The cost of the ACT is $29. The cost of the ACT with the writing section is $43 the writing section is $43 Dates & deadlines: Dates & deadlines: Test date: October 23 Late registration: Sept 18 – Oct 1 Test date: December 11 Registration deadline: November 5

SAT I Three parts to the test: math, critical reading and writing. The writing section is not optional. Three parts to the test: math, critical reading and writing. The writing section is not optional. Each section is 800 points, with a total possible score of 2400 Each section is 800 points, with a total possible score of 2400 The cost of the SAT is $43.00 The cost of the SAT is $43.00 Dates & deadlines: Dates & deadlines: Test date: November 6 Deadline: October 8 Test date: December 4 (Ken East only) Test date: December 4 (Ken East only) Deadline: November 5

SAT II Certain schools will require SAT II scores. Certain schools will require SAT II scores. These are subject tests offered in the following areas: US History, World History, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Latin, Italian, German and modern Hebrew. These are subject tests offered in the following areas: US History, World History, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Latin, Italian, German and modern Hebrew. Recommend that students take these in June of junior year after preparing for AP exams. Recommend that students take these in June of junior year after preparing for AP exams. Please check with college of interest to see if these are required. Please check with college of interest to see if these are required.

Consider Test Prep Use Peterson’s online SAT test preparation – Use Peterson’s online SAT test preparation – Register for E.C.C. SAT prep course. Call Register for E.C.C. SAT prep course. Call Atlas Test Prep: Atlas Test Prep: See KW Guidance website for more suggestions See KW Guidance website for more suggestions

Gather Information about Careers Use at home or school to explore careers, find careers that match your interest, and learn about colleges and universities. Log in to the website with Username: kenmore, Password: west Use at home or school to explore careers, find careers that match your interest, and learn about colleges and universities. Log in to the website with Username: kenmore, Password: westwww.careercruising.com Use Choices Program at school (Career Center, computer lab) to explore careers Use Choices Program at school (Career Center, computer lab) to explore careers

Gathering Information Gather information from Career Center and websites on colleges of your interest Gather information from Career Center and websites on colleges of your interest Attend college fairs and visit colleges of your interest this fall Attend college fairs and visit colleges of your interest this fall Meet with college representatives in Career Center this fall. Meet with college representatives in Career Center this fall. Look online at colleges and universities. Look online at colleges and universities.

First and foremost, BE ORGANIZED! BE ORGANIZED! Use file folders, binders, or spreadsheets to keep information together and adhere to deadlines

Your school counselor will make an appointment for you to discuss your Senior Review Plan in late September or early October. Your school counselor will make an appointment for you to discuss your Senior Review Plan in late September or early October. Students will have the opportunity to review all credits already earned and those that are required still to graduate. Students will have the opportunity to review all credits already earned and those that are required still to graduate. Senior Review

Senior Schedules Some universities will require additional high school coursework in order for a student to enter into a certain major. Senior Review is a great time to make sure you are meeting all requirements! For example, if a student wants to study engineering, it is very important to take Physics in high school. Some universities will require additional high school coursework in order for a student to enter into a certain major. Senior Review is a great time to make sure you are meeting all requirements! For example, if a student wants to study engineering, it is very important to take Physics in high school.

Retake Standardized tests in the Fall Register for SAT and/or ACT ( & Register for SAT and/or ACT ( & SAT cost: $43.00ACT cost: No Writing - $29.00 Plus Writing - $43.00 SAT cost: $43.00ACT cost: No Writing - $29.00 Plus Writing - $43.00 **For SAT and ACT fall dates, visit the KW website or the SAT and ACT websites **For SAT and ACT fall dates, visit the KW website or the SAT and ACT websites

If you have not made a decision on where to apply, continue to gather information… Visit schools – Attend Open Houses hosted by colleges & universities Visit schools – Attend Open Houses hosted by colleges & universities Meet with college representatives in Career Center Meet with college representatives in Career Center Attend WNY and Rochester area College Ken West in October Attend WNY and Rochester area College Ken West in October

SUNY Schools If interested in a SUNY school, attend SUNY College Night at Buffalo Convention Center. Information will be available in the fall at nts.cfm or calling (800) If interested in a SUNY school, attend SUNY College Night at Buffalo Convention Center. Information will be available in the fall at nts.cfm or calling (800) nts.cfm nts.cfm Pick up a SUNY viewbook in the Counseling Center Pick up a SUNY viewbook in the Counseling Center

Applications Obtain college applications by phone, , or online application Obtain college applications by phone, , or online application *Please note: if you are applying to a college online, you MUST request that the Counseling Center sends a transcript to the college

Common Application The Common Application is used by over 400 colleges and universities to simplify the college application and admissions process The Common Application is used by over 400 colleges and universities to simplify the college application and admissions process Complete one Common Application online, and it can be sent to numerous schools that participate Complete one Common Application online, and it can be sent to numerous schools that participate A college application fee is still required for each school you apply to A college application fee is still required for each school you apply to Go to for more information Go to for more informationwww.commonapp.org

College applications must be turned into the Counseling Center by December 1. Please make sure to give us enough time to process the applications.

Online Applications *Please note: if you are applying to a college online, you MUST request that the Counseling Center sends a transcript to the college

Which Admission Process should I use? Non-Restrictive Application Plans Regular decision Regular decision Rolling Admission Rolling Admission Early Action Early Action Restrictive Application Plans Early Decision Early Decision Restrictive Early Action Restrictive Early Action

Letters of Recommendation and Essay Some colleges may require letters of recommendation and an essay. Some colleges may require letters of recommendation and an essay. Ask 1-3 people to write a recommendation for college applications or scholarships and begin working on college application essay. Ask 1-3 people to write a recommendation for college applications or scholarships and begin working on college application essay. Make sure to give your teachers enough notice so that they can write a quality letter Make sure to give your teachers enough notice so that they can write a quality letter

Supplemental Applications Most SUNY schools are now requiring Supplemental (Part II) applications. Most SUNY schools are now requiring Supplemental (Part II) applications. This is an application that is in addition to the general SUNY application. This is an application that is in addition to the general SUNY application. Each individual school has it’s own rules about additional requirements. Each individual school has it’s own rules about additional requirements.

Mid Year Reports Some schools may require a mid year report. These forms can be turned into your counselor at any time and they will be processed after second marking period grades close. These forms can be turned into your counselor at any time and they will be processed after second marking period grades close.

Other application materials: Some schools may require additional materials. Check websites or contact admissions offices for more information. Some schools will mail a letter to the student asking for additional or missing information.

NCAA If you are interested in participating in athletics during college, you must register with NCAA

Scholarships Check the Scholarship file on a regular basis in the Career Center—The Scholarship Bulletin is also available on the Kenmore West website. Check the Scholarship file on a regular basis in the Career Center—The Scholarship Bulletin is also available on the Kenmore West website. Talk to friends and relatives about scholarship opportunities through employers. Talk to friends and relatives about scholarship opportunities through employers. Look online for Scholarship opportunities. Obtain scholarship information through Look online for Scholarship opportunities. Obtain scholarship information through Pay attention to deadlines. Pay attention to deadlines.

Financial Aid Attend Financial Aid Night Attend Financial Aid Night Kenmore West Aud December 2 at 6:30 pm File FAFSA Form after January 1 st You may create a username and password prior to January 1

College Acceptance Letters of acceptance usually are mailed in early spring. Letters of acceptance usually are mailed in early spring. Applicants may either be accepted, wait listed or denied admission. Applicants may either be accepted, wait listed or denied admission. Once all offers are on the table, weigh the pros and cons of each school, together with the financial packages offered and make the best decision for you. Once all offers are on the table, weigh the pros and cons of each school, together with the financial packages offered and make the best decision for you.

We’re here to help… Please feel free to call us at any time with questions or concerns at Mr. Gourlay: A – Gp Grades 10 & 12 Mr. Gourlay: A – Gp Grades 10 & 12 Mr. Panepinto: Gq – O Grades 10 & 12 Mr. Panepinto: Gq – O Grades 10 & 12 Mrs. Flatau: P – Z Grades 10 & 12 Mrs. Flatau: P – Z Grades 10 & 12 Mrs. Blind: A – Gp Grades 9 & 11 Mrs. Blind: A – Gp Grades 9 & 11 Mrs. Serio: Gq – O Grades 9 & 11 Mrs. Serio: Gq – O Grades 9 & 11 Mrs. Handley: P – Z Grades 9 & 11 Mrs. Handley: P – Z Grades 9 & 11 Use our website for additional help: Kenmore West – Services - Guidance