College Information Night Getting Connected to the College Application Process Presented by SHS Counseling Mrs. Finley, Mrs. Vander Veen, Ms. Cheatum-Wilson

Where should I be now?!? Juniors: Take the PSAT (10/14) Researching potential majors and schools. Attend JR. Conference Compiling a short list of schools. Research requirements for school and major. Go on College Visits. Attend JR. Seminar (Q3) Prepare for ACT/SAT. Strong Junior year! Seniors: Sr. Seminar Complete application process. Go on College Visits. Take or retake ACT/SAT. Request Transcripts. Arrange for Letters of Recommendation. Apply for Scholarships and Financial Aid. STAY ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS!

After High School Education Options Public vs. Private Four-year Colleges – offers programs leading to a bachelor’s degree but have few (if any) programs at the graduate level. Typically smaller than a university. Universities – usually have separate colleges or schools within their system and will offer degrees at both undergrad and grad level. Two-year Colleges- known as junior college or community colleges, offering programs requiring one to two years of study. Usually less expensive. Military Academies – highly selective, have the special purpose of educating career officers for service in the armed forces. No cost to students Technical/Trade Colleges

Self Assessment What school subjects do I enjoy? What are my interests? Skills? Passions? Achievements? Talents? Abilities? How do I make use of my time outside of school? What are my study habits? How do I learn best?

General College Admission Criteria High School Rigor High School GPA ACT / SAT scores Insights from written essays Community Service involvement Well Rounded Student Recommendations from Teacher/Counselor

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College Admission Tests Practice Tests: ASPIRE – gives indicator score for ACT. Also helps with Career Planning. Maybe given in the Spring. PSAT – gives indicator score for SAT. Also enters students into NMSQT. Optional test for 11 th graders. (10/15) Both Tests Predict outcomes, Identify strengths/weaknesses, Match interests and Provide database for colleges.

College Admissions Testing Admission Tests: ACT – Measures student achievement in 4 subject areas – Reading, English, Math & Science. SAT - Critical reasoning, measures your potential to learn in Reading, Writing and Math. National testing dates. (Redesigned for 2016) SAT Subject Tests – required by elite level schools in addition to the SAT or ACT. Most colleges accept both ACT or SAT; check with the schools to which you are applying to see if there is a test preference. We recommend students prepare to take both.

College Admission Test Scoring ACT  Scored on a scale of 1 to 36  National Composite Average in 2015: 21  Colorado Composite Average in 2015: 20.6  SHS in 2015: 21.5  No penalty for wrong answers SAT  Scored in sections: Math and Critical Reasoning on a scale of 200 to 800 per section for a combined score of 400 to (Redesigned for 2016)  Colorado Mean Scores: CR 502, Math 515  No penalty for wrong answers

ACT vs. SAT ACT is required for Juniors in the state of Colorado. State test is TBD Students need to register on-line for nat’l dates SHS is not a nat’l testing site. Possibly state test in Spring Retakes: Colleges look at your best scores SAT and SAT Subject tests are held on national test dates only. SAT scoring is a little more rigorous than ACT. Must register online.

Admission Test Resources ACT : SAT and SAT Subject : Preparation for tests can be found online in Naviance (free – Prep Me) or through testing facilities in the county. (Club Z, CLC, Sage etc.)

College Considerations Location Cost Size of College Prestige Academic Programs Admission Requirements Sports Social Atmosphere Religious Orientation Student Body Extra-curricular Opportunities Fraternities/Sororities Safety

Compare, List and Visit THE List: Picking schools can be difficult! Dream Schools vs. Reality Schools Reach Attainable Safety Utilize the Colorado Higher Education Eligibility Index

List, Compare and Visit Resources for College Search Naviance College in Colorado US News Ranking College Websites

Campus Visits Call the admissions office 2 weeks before your visit. Research and gather questions! General campus appearance Details about the admission process Information related to financial aid Residence hall life & facilities Opportunities to participate in my interest areas Classroom experience Would you be happy with this college as your home for the next 4 years? Go to as many campus ‘events’ as you can at your top choice schools. TIP FACTOR: Let the Admissions office know that you’ve visited their campus; make a point to meet with admissions representatives when they visit your school.

College Applications Types of Applications Online – Virtually 100% of Colorado colleges offer an online application Paper – Most schools have limited access to paper applications Common Application – 1 application for over 600 schools. Holistic approach.

College Application Options Non Restrictive Applications Rolling Decision – review applications as they are submitted. Regular Decision – applications are submitted by a specified date. Early Action – apply early and receive a decision quickly. Restrictive Applications Early Decision – commitment is made to a first choice school, where, if admitted, they will definitely enroll. Restrictive Early Decision – Same as ED but they are restricted from applying to other universities early.

College Application Timeline First semester of senior year students decide on the colleges they want to attend. Application due dates (Nov. 1 to Feb. 15) College considerations vary most respond by April or earlier Deposit deadline or “No thank you” response due: May 1. Colleges tally returns and adjust the size of their incoming class by accepting students on the wait list.

Financial Aid Facts Check college scholarship deadline. Local Scholarships workshop for seniors in December, applications due end of January. FAFSA opens up January 2, online only, based upon 2015 taxes. Explore scholarship websites

Questions? Kelly Finley (A-F) Erin Vander Veen (G-M) Jody Cheatum-Wilson

Thanks for Coming! Keep in Touch! ‘Like’ SHS Counseling on Facebook Tiger Times Counseling Department Website Be sure to attend the Financial Aid Presentation and College Fair on Thursday September 18 th !