RHS Guidance Department  Junior College Planning Night

Alphabet Breakdown Class of 2014 *Mrs. Rotondo: A – Go Mr. Saleem: Gr-Mal Ms. Richard: Mam - Ste Mr. Green: Sto – Z *Mrs. Fisher will work with Mrs. Rotondo’s students through February 26 th. Mrs. Rotondo will return to RHS on February 27 th.

Agenda  Guidance News  College Selection Factors  Family Connection  Admission Factors  Admission Process  Athletics  Reminders  Questions?

Guidance News  To date, the Guidance Department processed 1460 applications to 253 different colleges  The class of 2012 graduates can be found on 87 different campuses this year: 81% attend a 4-year institution 17% attend a 2-year institution

Top 10 Schools the Class of 2012 Attend  Drexel University  Monmouth University  Montclair University  Penn State University  Rutgers University  Saint Joseph’s University  The College of NJ  University of Delaware  University of Maryland  University of Tampa

Most Popular Schools to apply to for the Class of 2013  Drexel University  James Madison University  Penn State University  Rowan University  Rutgers University  The College of NJ  Towson University  University of Delaware  West Chester University

College Search Process  Where do we begin? Communication:  What is the student looking for?  What are the parent expectations?  Impt. Topics: Location, Cost, Commuting Initial Research:  Websites and View books- College Board & Family Connection Test Drive:  Visitations fall, spring, and summer open house, tours and sit in on a class (Schedule)

College Selection Factors  Size of Campus: Large, Medium, or Small  Public or Private Institution  Location: Distance from Home Urban, Suburban, or Rural  Quality & Selection of Programs  Quality of Faculty  Resident or Commuter  Diversity of Student Body

College Selection Factors  Athletics: Div. I, II, III Club or Intramural  Cost: Tuition: In-State vs. Out of State Financial Aid  Support Services: Career Services, Tutoring, Counseling, etc.  Special Programs: Study Abroad, Internship Opportunities, Graduate Programs, etc.

Family Connection  College Search Database specified to RHS  Each Junior received a password. Forgotten Passwords: See your counselors  Link to Family Connection can be found on the RHS Website  Parents and Students receive s via Family Connection

Impt. Factors for the Admission Committee  What are colleges looking for? Types of Courses/Load  Senior Year: 4 Academic Courses minimum Grade Point Average (computed at the end of each year) Standardized Tests: (SAT/ACT; SATII) Essay Interviews (not all require)  Sample Questions on Guidance Website Interest Level Extracurricular/Work experiences  Sample Activities Resume on Guidance Website Honors/Awards Letters of Recommendation

Testing Information  Juniors take the ACT, SAT I, and SAT II during the spring time.  Students tend to take either the ACT, SAT I, or combination of three times (spring time junior year/fall senior year).  SAT/ACT: Institutions will only accept them directly from the college board and/or ACT. Reporting: Score Choice for both.  SAT II: Highly selective schools tend to require SAT II or Subject Tests. Juniors taking an AP course are recommended to take the Subject Test in May of their junior year.  AP Exams: Students can choose to send or not to send in their official score report only to the institution they are attending.  Test Optional Schools:

Differences Between the ACT and SAT SAT - Has 3 Components: Critical Reading, Math, & Writing - Aptitude Test -Highest Maximum Score: 2400 (each section 800) -Penalty for wrong answers ACT - Has 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, & Writing (optional) - Achievement Test -Highest Maximum Score: Composite of a 36 -No Penalty for wrong answers

The Essay – Your Voice  Most difficult part of the application for most students  Answer the question  Brainstorm First  One third about the situation and two thirds about you  Use your own “voice” in the process - Don’t write to impress the admission committee

Letters of Recommendation  Counselor Recommendation Packet: - Parent Brag Sheet, Student Brag Sheet, & Student Resume - Have completed forms into your counselor by June 3 rd. □ Students must first ask the teacher to write the letter of recommendation. If they say yes, then the student must complete the Teacher Recommendation Packet: - Part I: Student Questionnaire due by June 3 rd to each teacher - Part II: Students will be given instructions at Sr. College Planning Night in September 2013

Activities  Create an Activities Resume  Focus on one or two activities  Show how you have developed as a leader  Quality vs. Quantity

College Application Process Do not wait, apply early in senior yr! Application Deadlines Early Action, Early Decision, Restrictive Early Action, Regular Deadline, & Rolling Admission Types of Applications: Paper, on-line, Common Application (if a school accepts Common App. student should use this application), Universal College Application Letters of Recommendation Hand in your brag sheets to Mrs. Quick by June 3, 2013.

Athletes  NCAA Eligibility Center: Can be submitted at the beginning of Junior Year Send SAT or ACT to NCAA Eligibility Center directly Send Official Transcript to NCAA Eligibility Center  Athletic Scholarships: Div. I or Div. II only  Student Athletes Ask Yourself: “If I can not compete, would this still be the right school for me?”

Helpful Reminders  Change your addresses to a family account  Facebook Accounts: College Admission Offices do look at your accounts  “Best Fit” not “Best School”: Finding the best fit requires visiting and researching  How many?: 2 reach, 3-4 target, 2-3 probable  On average 8 total  If student applies to highly selective schools, 12 total  Junior and Senior Grades Matter  Register for SAT and ACT in Spring of Jr. Year/Fall Sr. Year SAT: January, March, May or June ACT: February, April or June

Last Minute Thoughts  Remember, the college application process is unlike anything you or your sons/daughters have experienced  The stress level for applying to colleges is high

Tips for Parents  Reassure your son or daughter that you will be proud, regardless of the outcome  Don’t believe everything you hear – get an objective third party opinion  Remember, there is a school out there for everyone

Upcoming Dates  Starting January 18 th : Individual Student Meetings with Counselor for Course Selection and Future Planning  February 23rd: Free Practice Test ½ SAT & ½ ACT (Pre-register through Kaplan by February 18 th)  March 7th: College Admission Panel at RHS at 7pm Panel of Experts From: Mercer County Community College, Rider University, Rutgers University, University of Delaware  April 23 rd : Mercer County Community College sponsored college fair from 6pm – 8:30pm  April 24 th & 25 th : NJ National College Fair at Meadowlands Expo Center April 24 th : 9am – 12:00pm & 6:00pm – 9:00pm April 25th: 9am – 12noon  April 28 th : NYC National College Fair at Jacob Javits Center from 11am – 4pm  Late August: Attend Mrs. Rotondo’s College Workshop at RHS  June 3 rd : Letter of Recommendation Packets Due  September 2013: Senior College Planning Night

Questions?