CENTRAL BUCKS HIGH SCHOOL EAST CLASS OF 2017 WALT SANDSTROM (A-LA) MELANIE JONES(LE-Z) College Planning

OVERVIEW Junior Year Timeline Standardized Test options Admissions Factors Naviance - Career & College Search Process Counselor letter of recommendation Application Timeline Program Planning Process

Junior Year Timeline FALLWINTER/SPRINGSUMMER √Revisit Naviance, update resume and game plan to include potential major. Course selection for senior year (Portal opens January) Call ahead to set up campus tours and visit schools of interest. √Meet with college admission reps who visit East. Visit College Campuses and Attend District College Fair on March 16 th 6:30pm at South. Register for fall SAT/ACT/SAT Subject tests if necessary. √PSAT’s on October 14 th √Student Athletes register with NCAA Take the SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Tests, AP exams. Start looking at/working on college applications. √Attend Financial Aid Night on November 11 th at CB South. Naviance - college search process, enter colleges of interest, complete “college recommendation questionnaire” Revisit college application essay written in English 11 for Career Plan and fine-tune existing activity resume. Complete Career Plan Essay in English Class Request teacher recommendations from 11 th grade teachers. Participate in an enrichment program, get a job or internship

There are HOW many colleges in the US? Approximately 4,646 colleges in the US Consider all options Narrow down the list to 1o-15 by end of 11 th grade Apply to approximately 4-8 in senior year

Types of Post-Secondary Schools PA State Colleges/Universities Private Colleges/Universities “Ivy League” Schools Military Academies Specialized Institutions (art, music, culinary arts, technical/trade, etc.) Community Colleges (Transfer Programs) Two-Year Private Colleges

Decision Factors Entrance Requirements Selectivity Public vs. Private Majors Available Specialized programs Final Cost and Expenses

More Decision Factors Finding the perfect match…. Size of school/classes Geographic location Distance from home Type of campus Surrounding community Campus personality Diversity Athletics/Extracurricular Activities Facilities and housing

Resources for the College Search Naviance (Counselor can re-set password) Websites such as: College Click TV, Studentsreview.com, College Confidential Facebook, twitter Traditional guidebooks, college brochures, reference books – Fisk Guide Ask around. Neighbors, teachers, family members, etc… College Fair- March 16, 2016, 6:30p.m. at CB South

East data College data

Campus Visits… What makes their college unique? Campus Tour Open Houses- spring or next fall. Overnight stay with sibling/friend Visit an actual class in session Interview, if requested or required “Chat” with current students Visit before applying, and again after acceptance. Students can take up to 3 excused absences in both 11 th and 12 th grade for college visits.

Most Important Factors in College Admissions Grades  GPA  Trend of grades Rigor of schedule  Stays the same or increases Standardized Testing (SAT, ACT, SAT Subject)  Varies in importance at each college  Test optional - Fairtest.org

Student Transcript

Sample Senior Year Schedule

Most Important Factors in College Admissions (Continued) √ Grades  GPA  Trend of grades √ Rigor of schedule  Stays the same or increases Standardized Testing (SAT, ACT, SAT Subject)  Varies in importance at each college  Test optional - Fairtest.org

The Testing Timeline Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June PSAT (New) SAT (Old) SAT (New) ACT SAT Subj SAT Subj SAT Subj SAT Subj SAT Subj SAT Subj AP Exams

College Admissions Old SAT, New SAT, & ACT Most Colleges Admissions Representatives have stated that they will accept the Old SAT, New SAT, & ACT o However, a few colleges posted on their website and/or verbally stated that they would only accept the New SAT and ACT for the Class of This includes: University of Delaware (verbal) Virginia Tech (website) o We recommend to check with the college website or their admissions office if you have a concern

Worried About Your SAT & ACT Scores? Consider applying to colleges that are Test Optional The National Center for Fair & Open Testing maintains a list at FairTest.org American University College of New Jersey Dickinson College Connecticut College Fairfield University Franklin & Marshall George Mason George Washington Ithaca College Gettysburg College Loyola University Muhlenberg College Saint Joseph’s Uni. Temple University Susquehanna Wake Forest Test Optional for certain GPA/Major Arizona State University, Duquesne University, Elizabethtown College Test Flexible SAT/ACT not required if other exams such as SAT Subject Test or AP Exam Scores are submitted Middlebury College, Hamilton College, NYU

Other Admission Factors Essays Extracurricular Activities/Leadership  Athletics, Work, Clubs, Volunteering, Music Recommendations  Teachers  Counselor Audition/Portfolio (If applicable) Demonstrated Interest  Campus visit, Interview, College rep visits at East, Communication with admissions

Communication Tips Create a college-appropriate address   Online presence  Student contact with Admissions Officer  Prepare with questions before visiting: lication-process/interviews/questions-for-you/ lication-process/interviews/questions-for-you/

Counselor Letter of Recommendation o “Counselor Recommendation Questionnaire” survey on Naviance o Optional “Parent Recommendation Questionnaire” o Print survey and submit to guidance office beginning February 2, o Sent with transcript and standardized scores o Request made as part of the Transcript Request Form (Allow at least 15 school days for processing).

Counselor Letter of Recommendation

College Application Deadline Overview Rolling  Apply early because colleges make their decisions as applications come in  Once the class is full they will stop taking applications  Schools like PSU have a priority deadline, we recommend your application be complete by Halloween Early Decision (ED 1 and ED2) November & January  Binding, usually notified of decision by winter break  Only can apply to one school Early Action (EA) November  Non-binding  Sometimes this is restricted to one school but usually can apply to more Regular January - March  Apply by deadline set and usually find out in March/April

The College Application Timeline Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June SAT (New) ACT Transcript Processing begins early September. Must submit a minimum of 15 days prior to deadline Regular Decision Common App Open Date 8/1 FAFSA Review/ Write College Essays Early Decision (Binding) Decision Day Rolling Admission & Priority Deadlines Early Action (Non Binding) CSS Profile ACT SAT (New) ACT

Program Planning for 12 th Grade Enter courses in portal January 8 – February 7. Counselor classroom visits. Make sure you and your student can access portal. Maintain rigor and/or add challenge. Early Release/Late Arrival privileges & provisions.

Join us again…. Late Spring Summer activities, introduction to transcript/application process, financial aid process, looking ahead to senior year. Fall 2016 Senior timeline, transcript request process, sending teacher/counselor recommendations, financial aid & scholarships, final decisions. Follow us on Twitter Questions?