1. Kingwood High School May 15, 2017
College Night 2017
Kingwood High School
May 15, 2017

2. College Representatives are available in the Commons all evening
Tonight’s Agenda
Speaker
Topic
Nancy Cozad –
Assistant Principal,
Advanced Academics
Welcome
Senior Panelists Video
Harleigh Jones –
District Coordinator,
ACT, SAT or Both?
Kay Farris –
KHS Counselor
College Planning Tips & Tools
Ann Crane and Lisa Walton –
CRC Coordinators
College Resource Center
Breakout Sessions
Navigating the Scholarship Process
Student Panel – Seniors share “lessons learned”
Parent-To-Parent Q&A
NCAA Clearinghouse – Div 1 Athletes
College Representatives are available in the Commons all evening

3. National Merit Scholarship Competition
Finalists
Luke Barrett
Matthew Cavnar-Johnson
Samuel Cavnar-Johnson
Ryan Elo
Jackson Fua
Gaurav Gawankar
Ronan Padhye
Andrew Wambaugh
Riley Wilson
National Merit NMSQT
Commended – Top 2%
Semifinalists – Top 1%
Finalists – all KHS
Merit Scholars - $2,500 Scholarship Recipient
Corporate-sponsored and College-sponsored awards
Automatic Admission – In state = Top 10% (UT – Top 7/8%)
Most colleges and universities also offer guaranteed admission for those NOT in the Top 10 based upon rank, GPA and scores on ACT/SAT
Scholarships – some, not all, offer money based upon academic achievement, which is quite often measured by ACT/SAT scores
State of Texas Academic Achievement Distinctions – comparison group, top 25% = top 10 schools, academic measures which include participation and performance on AP and SAT/ACT
Test Dates, Registration Information, etc. – KHS Testing Web Page, Ms. Audra Boney

4. ACT, SAT or Both?
Mr. Harleigh Jones, Advanced Academics Coordinator

5. College Entrance Exams…
When should I take them?
PSAT 8/9
PSAT/NMSQT
SAT
ACT
Grade 9
Fall
Grade 10
Grade 11
Spring
Grade 12

6. Similarities & Differences…
The SAT and ACT test almost identical material- with a few key exceptions
The SAT no longer emphasizes challenging vocabulary words.
The ACT test slightly more complex, more advanced math.
The ACT and the SAT require identical grammar and writing skills.
The essays are different.
The ACT has a “science” section that has nothing to do with science.
The ACT is fast-paced and “time – intensive” than the SAT.
ACT English: 75 problem in 45 mins.
ACT Math: 60 problems in 60 mins.
ACT Reading: 40 problems in 35 mins.
SAT Writing + Language: 44 problems in 35 mins.
SAT Reading: 52 problems in 65 min.
SAT Math: 58 problems in 80 mins.

7. Should you take the SAT or the ACT?
College do NOT prefer one test over the other!
Use your PSAT results!
Consider your areas of strength…(Math?)
Look at sample test questions for each test...
Is the ACT doable, or does it look horrific?
If both look doable, try a scientific approach…
Set aside at least 3 hours on two consecutive weekends.
Weekend 1- complete an entire reading section of the ACT and SAT.
Weekend 2- complete sections 3 & 4 of the SAT and all of the Math on ACT.
Score the sections taken and compare your results… Use the results to help you make a decision.

8. Score Reports… Both reports give detailed information…
Results by section with percentile ranks.
Benchmarks (Are you on track for college?)
Online assistance
Score reports
Sending your scores
Retesting information
Online test preparation
College Board: Khan Academy (FREE)
ACT: Kaplan (Week & Month Subscriptions)

9. College Planning Tools & Tips
Presented by the Kingwood High School Counselors

10. Visit the counselor link on the KHS website

11. WHERE DO I START? www.applytexas.org www.commonapp.org

12. ACT VS SAT

13. UPCOMING SAT DATES

14. UPCOMING ACT DATES

15. SUPERSCORING

16. PRINCETON REVIEW SAYS

17. WHO SUPERSCORES?

18. Apply Texas-Admissions: Biographical Information

19. Apply Texas-Admissions: Extracurricular and Volunteer Activities
Talent, Awards, Honors

20. Apply Texas-Admissions: Extracurricular and Volunteer Activities
Community or Volunteer Service

21. Apply Texas-Admissions: Extracurricular and Volunteer Activities
Extracurricular Activities

22. BREAKING NEWS - THIS JUST IN

23. COMMON APP ESSAY PROMPTS

24. CONT.

25. EACH COLLEGE IS UNIQUE
SO ALWAYS CHECK THE COLLEGE WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE COLLEGE FOR WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING.

27. College Day Visits
May take two days during their 11th grade year and two days during their 12th grade year (Students may not carry over college days that are not used)
These absences do not count against exemptions
Note from the Admissions Office stating the student’s name and date of visit should be taken to the House Office upon returning to KHS

28. COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATIONS
Counselors will begin making senior appointments for recommendations in September after school starts.
- In September go by your house office to schedule a lunch appointment
if you need your counselor to write you a recommendation.
- Not all colleges require a counselor or teacher recommendation, so be sure that a
recommendation is needed before you ask for it.
-You will need to bring your completed Senior Information Sheet or Resume with
you at that time along with information about how your counselor should submit
that recommendation.
- At the beginning of your senior year, counselors will talk with you more specifically about how to request a recommendation.
Any recommendation request we get during the summer or prior to our beginning September date will not be written until you have come in for your scheduled appointment.

29. APPLICATION DEADLINE – DEC. 1

30. SPRING 2017 JUNIOR TIPS
Review course selections for the fall so you have no “easy” senior year schedule.
-Fall grades are important to mid-year reports.
If you are considering playing college sports, check out the NCAA or NAIA websites
Begin looking at “Apply Texas” and “Common Application” websites
Start composing your essays
Set up your testing schedule – SAT,ACT, SAT Subject Tests.
-Check with colleges to verify which tests are required for admission and/or placement purposes

31. SPRING 2017 JUNIOR TIPS Set up college visits and interviews.
-Remember you get 2 days this year and 2 days next year.
Begin talking with your parents about financial aspects of college
Look through scholarship source books.
-Check out the College Resource Center on the KHS website
-Visit the College Room.
Attend the College/Parent Night May Mini college fair providing a good opportunity to ask specific questions

32. AKA The College Room Room 4405
College Resource Room
AKA The College Room
Room 4405

33. Our Purpose
Answer any questions related to the college search and admissions process
College Room open every day during one lunch and staffed by PTSA volunteers
Our web site is available at the KHS site under Information and then College Resource Center

34. Main questions we answer
What college is right for me?
How to I register and/or prep for the ACT or SAT?
Can you help me with admissions?
Can you help me with my admissions essay?
How do I pay for college?

35. What college is right for me?
Geography
Programs offered
Size
Costs

36. What college is right for me?
Cappex

37. What college is right for me
Cappex

38. Can you help me with admissions?
Making sure you meet the requirements
Submitting applications
ApplyTexas
The Common Application
Directly to the school

39. Can you help me with admissions?

40. Can you help me with my admissions essay?
Online Examples
Senior Level Teacher, Mrs. Julian
Meets with students Mondays and Thursdays in College Room
Students should make appointments in the College Room
Students should be prepared for the appointment

41. How do I pay for college? Government aid Scholarships College specific
National
Local

42. Questions?

43. Dates to Note . . . Optional Sessions:
Navigating the Scholarship Process – Ms. Christina Spears will share her experiences and insight into the world of scholarships; how to find them and how to win them. Auditorium (immediately following general meeting)
NCAA Eligibility Center – Coach Bob Barrett will present information relevant to high school athletes with plans on participating in Division I athletics in college Classroom 2700 (opposite side of Commons, behind the staircase)
College Fair – Representatives from over 25 colleges and universities are on hand to answer questions Commons (ongoing, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm)
Student Panel – Senior students will share their experiences regarding the college search process. Classrooms 2402, 2403, 2404
Parent-To-Parent Q&A – Parents will have the opportunity to ask questions of “experienced” parents who have been through the process of college applications, acceptance and graduation Choir Room 1200
Dates to Note . . .
Final Exams: May 31-June 2
Last day of classes – June 2
Stang Camp – August 23
First Day of School Year – August 28
Parking Registration – Application is available online.
STAAR/EOC Scores – Mid June
AP Scores – Mid July