College Selection Process How to navigate the often confusing world of college admissions

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? You are looking for the right fit Where a student is happy socially and academically Where they feel they belong

COLLEGE ADMISSION TRENDS Competition is increasing 80% - 20% Rule Hot Schools More Early Decision/Early Action/Waitlist Greater use of technology Tuition increases Financial Aid packages at expensive schools are improving Percentage of financial need met varies from school to school Federally funded Financial Aid Programs are intact The SAT has changed—More students are taking ACTs Colleges are looking for diversity and talent Increased enrollment at Community Colleges International students/Global brands

Admission Requirements Strength of Transcript G.P.A. Class Rank Extra Curricular Activities SAT/ACT Scores

Academic Requirements for College 4 years of English Three to Four years of Social Studies Three years of Math Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Two years of a lab science Two years of a World Language 16 Carnegie Units SAT and/or ACT Test

Types of Admissions Rolling Admissions Early Admissions Early Action Early Decision Regular

Decisions/Decisions Major Geographic Location Setting Urban Suburban Rural Size Cost

Admission Policy Open Less Competitive Competitive Very Competitive Highly Competitive Most Competitive

Open Admissions CUNY Neumann College Shenandoah University West Virginia State College Wilmington College

Less Competitive Below C average, below 500 on the SAT’s, top 65% of the class Cabrini College Chestnut Hill College Colby Sawyer College Davis & Elkins College Georgian Court University New Jersey City University St. Leo’s University

Competitive B- or better, 500+ SAT Scores, top 50% of the Class Coastal Carolina University Hofstra University Kutztown University Monmouth University Quinnipiac University Roger Williams University

Very Competitive B average, top 35% to 50% of the class, 573 to 619 on the SAT’s Bennington College Dickinson College Elon University Marist College Michigan State University Penn State St. Joseph’s University University of Delaware

Highly Competitive B+ average, top 20% of the class, 620 to 625 on the SAT’s Clemson University College of New Jersey Gettysburg College James Madison University Loyola College Muhlenburg College Providence College

Most Competitive Even superior students will find it difficult to gain admission to these colleges. Boston College College of William & Mary Johns Hopkins Ivy League Georgetown University Stanford University Washington & Lee Service Academies

New Jersey Colleges/Universities Bloomfield College Caldwell College Centenary College College of New Jersey College of St. Elizabeth Drew University Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Georgian Court Univ Kean Uiversity Monmouth University Montclair State Univ New Jersey City Univ NJ Inst. Of Tech Princeton University Ramapo College Richard Stockton Coll Rider University Rowan University Rutgers University St. Peters College Seton Hall Univ Stevens Inst of Tech William Paterson Univ

Class of 2015 The Application Process

Application Options Common Application Single, comprehensive application Used at over +500 schools Institutional Applications On-Line Applications Increasingly popular More efficient Traditional paper applications

Components of the Application for the student The Application Form 1. Biographical information 2. Extra curricular and personal activities 3. Honors and awards 4. Essay 5. Supplemental forms for the Common Application for specific schools 6. Standardized test scores sent officially from the College Board or ACT by the student 7. Payment

Additional Components of the Application 1. Teacher recommendations 2. The transcript – request card/Naviance 3. School report, mid-year school report 4. School profile 5. Final Transcript: requested by the student

Discover Your Resources Find Colleges that Match Complete Applications Communicate with your Counselor NAVIANCE SUCCEED

Family Connection by NAVIANCE SUCCEED What can students do using Family Connection? View Guidance News/ Bulletins Complete Learning Styles Inventory Complete Personality Assessment Complete a Career Search Complete a College Search Compare Colleges Develop a Prospective College List Develop a Resume Access Scholarship Search Engines (Local & National) Select Links to Third Party Sites (Collegeboard, NCAA, FAFSA) Complete Graduation Survey

Family Connection by NAVIANCE SUCCEED Completing the Application Process in Naviance 1. Sign onto the Common Application website and create an account using an and password 2. Complete the Education Section Add at least 1 college Go to “Assigned Recommenders” Sign the FERPA (Release of Authorization) 3. Go back to Naviance Family Connection 4. Match your Common Application account with your Naviance account 5. Add the colleges to which you are applying (both Common App & Non- Common App colleges) 6. Request transcripts both in Naviance and in Guidance 7. Send a teacher “Thank You” 8. Monitor the status of applications

College Testing Schedules SAT ACT

TEST DATES October 11, 2014 November 8, 2014 December 6, 2014 January 24, 2015 March 14, 2015 May 2, 2015 June 6, 2015 Registration deadline September 12 October 9 November 6 December 29 February 13 April 6 May 8 REGISTER ONLINE NOW SAT

ACT testing dates TEST DATES October 25, 2014 December 13, 2014 February 7, 2015 April 18, 2015 June 13, 2015 Registration deadline September 19 November 7 January 9 March 13 May 8 REGISTER ONLINE NOW

SCHOOLS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE TEST SCORES FOR ADMISSION CONSIDERATION

WHO WANTS FREE MONEY? APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! Go to “HIGH SCHOOL” Go to “STUDENT SERVICES-GUIDANCE”  Click on “SCHOLARSHIPS” OUTSIDE SITES FOR SCHOLARSHIPS (NATIONAL): NAVIANCE account

FINANCIAL AID NIGHT December 4, pm in the Auditorium

COLLEGE NIGHT Wednesday, October 8 th, :30pm – 8:30pm MHS Gymnasium Over 100 Colleges and Universities Trade Schools Military/Service Academies

GOOD ADVICE Relax, don’t panic, stay sane Avoid perfect college syndrome Look at overlaps, second tier schools Keep an open mind Be patient Take some chances Talk to kids on the campus Find out about social life Check housing, food Check if you can graduate in 4 years Watch deadlines!!! Go to a school you can afford Rely on your Guidance Counselor for help