1. The College Admissions Process

2. Objectives
To learn how to maximize your student’s chance of finding the “right” college
To learn how to access financial aid resources
To find out what your student can do now to prepare for college, no matter what their grade level
To learn about the opportunities available through Rutgers University

3. Decision Factors Size of school Cost of attendance Location
Distance from home
Activities/Athletics
Public/Private
Entrance requirements
Cost of attendance
Average financial aid award
Reputation of School
Majors available
Campus personality

4. How Many Schools To Apply To
No “right” number
“Diversify” your applications
“Safe” schools
“Match” schools
“Reach” schools
Be sure to adhere to deadlines!
Don’t rule out a school because of cost alone
When requesting transcripts allow at least 10 working days before the due date

5. Naviance
Students can manage their applications through the Family Connection area of Naviance
Complete the Common App., request transcripts and teacher recommendations
Register for the SAT or ACT, FAFSA, and the NCAA Clearinghouse
Log into Naviance on the HS website or at

6. Benefits to Going on a Campus Tour or Interview
Indicates your level of interest
Allows you to get beyond the statistics
Puts a “face” onto the college
Gives the college an opportunity to get to know you on a more personal level

7. “Top 10 Questions” to Ask on a College Visit
Number of years housing is guaranteed
Percentage of students who return after 1 year? Graduate in 4 years (6 years)?
Do professors teach freshmen/undergrads? Adjunct or full-time?
Campus social life?
Career placement services available?
Average GPA/Class Rank?
Average SAT/ACT scores?
Other tests required?
Cost of attendance/average financial aid package (grants, loans, work study)?
Average class size

8. How Colleges Evaluate Candidates:
Course selection- level of rigor through all four years of high school
Grades/GPA
Rank in Class
SAT scores
Take the SAT during the winter/spring of your junior year and the fall of your senior year-
Check schools for SAT Subject Test requirements
Review for the SAT through Khan Academy or take an SAT prep course. Scores will improve with practice (BTHS offers an evening SAT Prep Course three times during the year at a great rate!) Link on the HS Counseling webpage
ACT scores
Accepted by virtually every college in the US in place of the SAT
Tests what you have learned, not your aptitude

9. Evaluation Continued SAT Subject Tests Leadership Positions
Required by some colleges: math, science, etc.
Leadership Positions
Activities- Quality not Quantity
Sports
Clubs & High School activities
Community/church activities
Volunteer community service activities
Part-time jobs

10. Evaluation Continued Essay Recommendations
- Be creative and have someone proof
Recommendations
ask for letters of recommendation from two teachers early in the fall
Supply a résumé
remember to thank them and let them know where you have been accepted
Interview (if offered by the college)
Your preparation and planning

11. Hearing From the Colleges
Regular Decision (April 1)
Rolling Admission (reviewed as received)
Early Decision (early application & commitment)
Early Action (early application & no commitment)

12. Making Your College Decision
May 1st- Commitment Day
Wait-listed
Financial Aid Packages
Selection of courses- why 15 credits a semester is the “magic number”
Watch what you post on social media- 35% of colleges check student social media posts
10 students in the Class of 2021 at Harvard had their admission revoked

13. Financial Aid Sources Three types of financial awards:
1. Scholarships and Grants- Merit and Need based
2. Loans
3. Work-study
Primary Source of Financial Aid is the Federal Government- over $185 billion dollars in grants and scholarships available
Completing the FAFSA the key to accessing financial aid
New Jersey is also an excellent source for scholarships and loans-

14. How To Minimize College Debt
Total College Debt over 1.3 Trillion Dollars
Class of average student debt of $37,000
Mark Kantrowicz, a financial aid expert who has been interviewed on NPR and in US News, recommends the following tips for minimizing student debt:

15. Minimizing Student Debt
1. Save before going to college 2. Apply for scholarships 3. Apply for federal and state loans before applying for private loans- they’re cheaper 4. Think hard about your major- if your starting salary after graduation will not match what you borrowed, consider a less expensive college 5. Double major in a more lucrative field 6. Pay interest on loans while you’re in school 7. Earn college credits while in high school

16. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
FAFSA application for Class of 2018 available beginning on October 1st
2016 Tax Return information will be used (Prior-Prior Year)
Begin the process- Go to
Student and parent/ guardian apply for a FSA ID (no longer a pin)
Critical to meet state and college deadlines

17. FAFSA continued
Use the FAFSA4caster on the FAFSA website-get an estimate of how much financial aid your student may be eligible to receive
great resource for all high school students and families
Bottom line- every family who completes a FAFSA will qualify for some financial aid

18. RCBC CAP Program
Partnership between BTHS and Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC)
Professors at RCBC review the curriculum of BTHS courses to see if they meet the college standards
Students pay a $150 fee per 3-4 credit course(cost comparison- 3 credit course at RCBC- $406.50, Rutgers- $1,122, Rider- $3,540, Villanova- $8,427)
Request a transcript from RCBC when applying to college
Twenty nine BTHS courses currently approved

19. Where To Go From Here http://www.connection.naviance.com/burlingtontwn
Go to schools – click on the High School then click on Guidance
On the guidance page, scroll down to find the following
Testing Information- PSAT, SAT, ACT, and ASVAB
Financial Aid Information- links to sites that will explain how to pay for college, the types of scholarships that are available, scholarship search engines, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Check the BTHS Scholarship Bulletin
College Information- complete a college search, find out what college may be the right match for you, check out college rankings and take virtual campus tours
Complete a scholarship search
Follow the Action Plan that has been set up for each grade level
HS Counseling Facebook page:

20. Seniors Need to Complete By December 2017
Complete applications
Monitor your applications in Naviance
Check to see if the schools you are applying to accept the Common Application
Take the SAT or ACT by December
Take the SAT Subject Test if required by the college
Complete the FAFSA
Check the Scholarship Bulletin regularly and apply for any scholarships that you are eligible for
Register for a scholarship search on a web engine such as Fastweb

21. Students who wish to compete in College Athletics (Division I or II)
Register with NCAA Eligibility Center (
The eligibility center is responsible for certifying all college-bound student-athletes wanting to compete in NCAA college athletics. This is done in two ways:
Academic Certification &Amateur Certification
1. Do you meet the eligibility requirements?
2. Have you kept your amateur status?

22. JUNIORS – Things to Do
Take the PSAT in October (October 11th at BTHS). BOE is paying for all juniors to take the test this year
Take the SAT or ACT one or two times between January and June
Go to your Naviance account and complete the junior activities and junior action plan
Use Naviance, other websites and college guidebooks to begin college search
Begin to visit colleges
Check the Scholarship and Open House information
Complete the FAFSA4caster at fafsa.ed.gov to get an estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid
Register for a scholarship search on a web engine such as Fastweb (
Meet with your Counselor often
Request a fee waiver for the SAT if on free/reduced lunch

23. SOPHOMORES & FRESHMEN Things to do
Take a challenging curriculum and excel in your coursework
Sophomores-consider registering to take the PSAT on October 11th at BTHS ($16 registration for sophomores)
Go to your Naviance account and complete your responsibilities and follow your action plan
Begin to familiarize yourself with colleges, careers and scholarship opportunities through the various websites
Complete the FAFSA4caster at fafsa.ed.gov to get an estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid
Meet with your Counselor often

24. UPCOMING EVENTS
September 26th- National Performing and Visual Arts College Fair in Philadelphia
October 11th- PSAT at BTHS
October 25th- FAFSA/Financial Aid workshop-7pm – joint workshop with Burlington City
November 12th- National College Fair in
Philadelphia- register for both National Fairs at
December 2nd - SAT and SAT Subject Test at BTHS
Winter- Grade 9/10 parent workshop- date TBD

25. Are You – Or Would You Like to be an NJ STAR?
Students in the top 15% of their class at the beginning or end of your senior year may qualify you as an NJ STAR!!
Qualifies you to attend RCBC tuition-free for up to 5 semesters. Program is dependent on state funding
Go to click on the Students/Parents link, then click on the Scholarship link

26. Welcome Mr. Gary Kopchinski - Rutgers University

27. Thank You For Attending
Please remain seated the Back to School Program will begin momentarily