1. College Orientation for the Class of 2017

2. Introduction Ms. Director & Ms. Koeppel, College Counselors
Ms. Murdoch, College Office Secretary
Mr. Harper, College Office Assistant

3. How to choose a college What’s your best fit? Two year vs. Four year
Public, Private, SUNY, CUNY
Location
Setting – urban, suburban, rural
Size – small, medium, large
Majors
Cost – financial aid, scholarships
Distance from home – commuter or dorm?
Gut feeling – what’s the campus “vibe?”
What’s your best fit?

4. What are colleges looking for?
Transcript
Cumulative Average - GPA
Types and difficulty of classes
Grades, strengths, trends
Standardized Test Scores
SAT/SAT II
ACT Plus Writing
Extracurricular Activities
Personal Essay
Senior year grades
Check college websites for a list of requirements!

5. What are Colleges Looking For?
Extracurricular activities
In school
Clubs, sports, monitor, etc.
How long did you participate?
List any achievements/recognitions
Out of school activities
Clubs & Organizations
Internships
Volunteer Experiences
Employment
Give details!

6. Academic Profile The Best Fit
Reach
Students’ GPA and test scores are lower than the average for admitted students
Target
Students’ GPA and test scores match the average for admitted students
Likely
Students’ GPA and test scores are higher than the average for admitted students

7. Academic Profile The Best Fit
Reach schools
Appropriate versus inappropriate
Grades/test scores should not be significantly lower than the college’s requirements
Selectivity of the college/university
Percent of students accepted
Likely schools
Have a back-up plan college that you would be happy to attend if other options don’t work out

8. Family Connection
Comprehensive website that assists our students in managing the college application process
Students and parents can use it as a tool in planning for college
Career Planner
Personality Profile
College Search
Scattergrams

9. Completing your College Office File
Components
Three short teacher references
Student Profile Sheet
Autobiographical Essay
Senior Course Outline
Parent Brag Sheet (optional)
Materials are due 4 working weeks before college application deadline
Forms will be available on Midwoodhighschool.org in the College Office section, including a College Office Guide Book (everything you need to know about the college application process) PLEASE READ!!!

10. The Application Process
What’s included in a college application?
Official Transcript
Sent directly from the College Office
SAT/ACT scores
Submitted by the student
Application form
Common Application
CUNY Application
SUNY Application
Teacher recommendations
Personal essay
Resume or list of extracurricular activities
Application fee or fee waiver (if eligible)

11. The Application Process
Teacher recommendations
Who will you ask?
Good relationship
Knows you best
Academic subject teacher
When do you ask?
Give at least 4 weeks notice
Show your appreciation – thank your teacher!

12. SAT vs. ACT SAT “New” SAT ACT What is the test structure?
Critical Reading (3 sections; 70 min),
Math (3 sections; 70 min), Writing (3 sections; 60 min), One unscored section that tests critical reading, math, or writing.
Reading 52 questions, 65 min., Writing and language, 44 questions, 35 minutes, 1 essay (optional), 50 minutes,
Math, 58 questions, 80 minutes
Eng (75 Q, 45 min)
Math(60 Q, 60 min), Reading (40 Q, 35 min), Science (40 q, 35 mins), Optional essay (30 min)
Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
Yes, wrong answers will cost you ¼ of a point
No penalty for guessing No
How often is it offered?
7 times per year
6 times per year
How long is the test?
3 hours, 45 minutes
3 hours (3 hours, 50 minutes with essay)
3 hours + 30 minutes w./essay
How is it scored?
for each section, added together for a combined score ranging from
Scale ranging from
for evidence based reading, for math, 2-8 for essay
Essay results reported separately
1-36 for each section, averaged together for a composite score ranging from 1-36

13. The Application Process
Writing the College Essay
How do I get started?
Positive characteristics
Best qualities
What makes you stand out?
Tell YOUR story!
Tips
Start early
More time, less stress
Be honest - plagiarism is a no-no
Trust us, they’ll know!
Proofread and edit
A well-written essay makes your application come to life!

14. The Application Process
Admission Plans
Early Action/Early Decision
Early Decision – Binding
Early Action – non-binding
Regular Decision
Apply by the deadline, and the college will let you know by a specified date.
Rolling Admissions
Schools review applications as they are submitted
Decisions made usually within 4-6 weeks
Apply early; classes do fill up
Opportunity Programs
EOP/HEOP/SEEK/College Discovery

15. Other things to consider…
Know your Social Security Number if you have one
Most schools request senior mid-year reports
In other words, SENIOR YEAR COUNTS!
It is your responsibility to ask the College Office to submit mid-year grades
Create a Professional address (if you don’t have one)
Social media presence
Brand yourself appropriately!
Application fees
Fee Waivers
See Mr. Harper in the College Office

16. The College Visit

17. The College Visit How/when to visit? Envision yourself as a student
Schedule a tour
Use the web to become familiar with the campus
Visit when classes are in session
Eat the food, visit the dorms
Envision yourself as a student
Can you see yourself there?

18. Financial Aid
Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
First get FSA ID (user name and password) for student and a parent
Gather social security numbers, 2015 tax return(s), records of untaxed income and information on cash
The FAFSA application becomes available October 1st, 2016
Fill out the TAP(New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program)
After completing the FAFSA, there will be a link to the TAP
If you miss it apply online at
First create a HESC user ID and pin

19. College Appointments One Spring or Fall
See Ms. Murdoch to schedule one ASAP!
Beginning March 10th
Choose either counselor
Come by yourself (1/2 period) or with parent (full period) let Ms. Murdoch know!
We will make you a personalized college list of Reach/Target/Likely
You MUST bring your completed Student Profile to the appointment!

20. Resources College Representative visits to Midwood
Stay tuned for schedule
US Government College Score Card
Naviance Family Connection- connection.naviance.com/Midwood
Register using code provided by College Office
Collegeboard.org
Register for SAT
College Search
Actstudent.org
Register for ACT
Test Prep
Like us on Facebook
Midwood High School College and Career Office

21. Most Important… Plan Ahead Stay Organized and Focused Relax
Utilize the summer months
Stay Organized and Focused
Relax
Don’t forget to enjoy yourself
Life is a balance
Avoid burnout