Preparing for College: A Meeting for Members of the Junior Class Emily Bechtel, M.S. Director of School Counseling Nicole Marchese, M.S. Ed. School Counselor Lauren Spang, M.Ed. School Counselor

The First Step is Research Individual Junior Conferences Find out what fits What are you looking for? College Board - College MatchMaker Career Cruising College Fairs –National College FairNational College Fair »Pittsburgh, David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Feb –Duquesne University College Fair »Duquesne University, beginning of October –Catholic College Fair »Oakland Catholic High School, end of September Representatives College visits

Where to Apply? Consider Academic Performance Safety Schools Target Schools Reach Schools

Safety schools Colleges and universities with flexible admissions standards are often treated as "safety" schools. This term refers to schools whose requirements mean little chance of rejection for that applicant. Your academic profile should place you in the top 25% of incoming freshman class. You should consider two to three schools in this category. Target schools A “target" school is one that you feel will fulfill your needs and one you could happily attend, even though it may not be your first choice. You should fit the general admissions criteria in academic and social arenas. A good rule of thumb is to have two to four target schools under consideration. Reach schools These may be among your top choices, but ones that are less likely to accept you. This may be because your qualifications match or fall slightly short of the school's average, and the competition for the limited places in the freshman class is intense. You should have one or two schools in this category.

When should students apply? Early! Especially to Reach and Target Schools Early Action/Decision & Rolling Restricted Early Action –Examples: Harvard University, Boston College Statistics Examples

Ivy League Statistics – Class of 2015 * n/a = not applicable since an Early Action Policy was in place or an Early Action or Early Decision Policy was eliminated Information retrieved November 2, 2011 from Prevalent College Statistics – Class of 2015 *n/a = Information not available Information retrieved November 2, 2011 from Ivy League Colleges Overall Accept. Rate Regular Decision Accept. Rate Early Decision / Action Accept. Rate Expected Number of Students to Enroll Total Apps Received Total Apps Accepted Brown8.70%7.50%20.60%1,48530,9462,692 Columbia6.90%5.70%19.50%1,39134,9292,419 Cornell18%16.10%35.50%3,15036,3926,534 Dartmouth9.70%8.40%25.20%1,10022,3852,178 Harvard6.20% n/a*1,65534,9502,158 Penn12.30%9.90%26.20%2,42031,6593,880 Princeton8.40% n/a*1,30027,1892,282 Yale7.40%5.70%14.50%1,31027,2822,006 Colleges Overall Accept. Rate Regular Decision Accept. Rate Early Decision / Action Accept. Rate Freshmen Enrollment Total Apps Received Total Apps Accepted Boston College32%29%43%2,30922,4517,178 Carnegie Mellon42%41%53%1,36714,1145,869 Dickinson49%45%52%6064,9982,442 Duquesne85%86%93%1,2143,2212,741 Loyola Maryland71% n/a*9536,9794,969 New York Univ.35%34%42%4,61934,45712,008 Penn State62% n/a*6,49629,90418,423

What Counts Most in College Admissions Course Selection Required Recommended English – 4 Credits Social Studies – 4 Credits Mathematics – 3 Credits Mathematics – 4 Credits Science – 3 Credits Science – 4 Credits Foreign Language – 2 Credits Foreign Language – 3 to 4 Credits Grade Point Average/Class Rank –OC does NOT rank Standardized Test Scores –SAT vs. ACT

SAT vs. ACT SAT Reasoning SAT Reasoning is offered seven times per year –2012 Schedule: January 28, March 10, May 5, June 2 Math (70 min), Critical Reading (70 min) and Writing (60 min) Math: Arithmetic, Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry Critical Reading: Comprehension, Sentence Completion and Short Reading Passages Writing: Grammar and Persuasive Essay All scored on a scale Essay is a subscore of 2-12 Students may signup online at ACT Plus ACT is offered six times per year –2012 Schedule: February 11, April 14, June 9 Math (60 min), Reading (35 min), English (45min), Science (35 min) and Optional Writing (30 min) Math: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry Reading: Passage based on Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities and Natural Sciences English: Sentence Structure, Grammar/Usage, Punctuation and Rhetorical Skills Science: Charts, Graphs, Experiments, Viewpoints Optional Writing: Persuasive Essay All scored on a 1-36 scale Essay is a subscore of 2-12 Students may signup online at

SAT Subject Tests SAT Subject(s) are offered six times per year –Same dates as SAT Reasoning although not all subject tests will be offered at every date Each subject test is a 60 minute exam Students may take up to three exams on any one test date Test options include: –Math: Level I, Level 2 –Science: Physics, Biology, Chemistry –History: US History, World History –English: Literature –Language: Chinese, French, German, Latin, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Modern Hebrew All scored on a scale Varies widely – it is best to take Subject Tests as close as possible to corresponding course work a student may be completing in school Scores are a significant component toward college admission, but are generally only required by Tier I & Tier II schools; or for specific programs at a university Recommended that you check for this requirement EARLY Students may signup online at

Extracurricular Activities Essay Interview and Campus Visit Demonstrated Interest

Application Information School specific applications –Every college or university has their own school specific application. You can locate the application on the school’s website or request a paper copy from the school The Common Application – –456 schools accept the common application; only online –Designed so that you can apply to several colleges with just one application –Three main parts: the application, school report*, teacher evaluation* *ALWAYS REMEMBER TO FILL IN THE TOP PORTION, IDENTIFYING STUDENT INFORMATION, ON THESE FORMS BEFORE HANDING THEM TO YOUR TEACHERS OR YOUR COUNSELOR At this time, please note that secondary school reports can not be submitted online –Schools that accept the common application may require a supplemental form. You can find this information at

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