1. Bellevue High School Multi-Language Principal’s Coffee
November 16th, 2017

2. What college is right for me?
Picking a college is like picking a new best friend…
How do you pick your friends?
Spending time together ( visit)
Learning about each other & the interests you share ( research)
Overlooking small things that might bug you (i.e. the weather…the fact that the laundry facilities are in the basement & that the whole campus isn’t wireless)
Looking forward in the same direction- having the same goals (having a major that is interesting)
Substance ( the right fit) vs. reputation & status (what is popular or following the crowd)

3. Your best fit should have …
Program/major to meet your academic needs and goals
Level of rigor that meets your level
Learning environment that supports how you learn
Consider campus and living arrangements
Research retention and graduation rates
Apply to 4-6 Schools. Don’t make it a contest!

4. Campus Visits Take a campus tour Speak with an admission counselor
Ask about financial aid opportunities
Sit in on a class of interest
Read the student newspaper
Talk to students and faculty
Participate in overnight stays and attend college preview days

5. Creating Your College List
3 tiers-Reach, Target, and Safety (you know you are getting in)
Based on student profile and college profile: gpa, course rigor, test scores
Take a campus tour or visit similar local schools
UW-large campus, WWU-medium campus, and SU-small campus
Research using Naviance
Size, location, major, athletics/activities, “feel”-right fit
Attend college fairs and BHS college representative visits

6. College Admission Testing Options
Next opportunity to take the SAT will be...
Take the ACT
SAT Subject Tests if needed

7. PSAT/Practice ACT 9th Grade – PSAT 9
Results mid December online/paper copy to follow
Familiarity to the test
10th Grade – PreACT
Students will receive results in school
11th Grade: PSAT Results end of January
NMQT
Get prepared for actual test

8. SAT vs. ACT In the Spring of their Junior Year
Many students take both tests and retake one test in the fall of their senior year before applying to colleges.
SAT or ACT test results are required by most four year colleges
SAT – Reasoning Based – Aptitude-based
ACT – Content Based – Achievement-based

9. SAT ACT How often is it offered? 7x/year 6x/year How long is the test?
3 hours (w/out essay)
3 hours, 50 mins (with essay)
2 hours, 55 mins (w/o essay)
3 hours, 40 mins (w/essay)
Math
Up to trigonometry
Science
None
Charts and Experiments
Reading
5 passages, Sentence completion, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension
4 passages, one each of prose fiction, social sciences, humanities and natural sciences
Writing
1 optional essay, test comprehension of a source text.
1 optional essay, test how well students evaluate and analyze complex issue.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers? No

10. How to Prepare:
SAT and ACT online prep: practice tests with real questions.
SAT and ACT study guides.
Test prep classes
(SAT’s)
(ACT’s)

11. College + Career Center
Work with the counselors:
Meeting with students to discuss college options
Answering questions about college application process
Assisting with Naviance
Testing Resource

12. College + Career Center
College Application Workshops:
Volunteers available to give students one on one college application assistance
October – January
College Visits:
Naviance
BHS Website

13. College + Career Center
Career Exploration:
Career counseling to assist students in identifying potential areas of study in college and future careers
Assisting students in finding and applying to vocational programs
Resume, Cover Letter and Interview guidance
Job search and job boards

14. College + Career Center Resources
College Checklists and planning tools
Financial Aid Information
Links for Student Athletes
Job Board
Volunteer Board
College Visit Schedule

15. Logging on to Naviance Go to: connection.naviance.com/bellevuehs
Your student has a personal log-in. You will need to coordinate with you child to view their Naviance account.
Naviance: A web-based software tool that allows you to:
Take Interest Inventories and Personality Assessments
Explore Careers
Research Colleges and majors
Research Scholarships
Create a resume
Request Letters of Rec and Transcripts

16. Naviance Email In Box Upcoming Events Links and test prep resources
Helpful Documents

17. Naviance Super Match Search Tool

18. Naviance Super Match Search Tool
Search Criteria

19. Naviance Super Match Search Tool

20. Naviance Super Match Search Tool

21. Naviance Super Match Search Tool

22. Naviance Scholarships & Money

23. Components of a College Application
Rank from 1-12 the importance of the following components of a college application:
Admissions Test Scores (SAT/ACT)
Grades in College Prep
Grades in All Courses
AP/IB Test Scores
Student’s Demonstrated Interest
Essay
Counselor Recommendation
Extracurricular Activities
Interview
Class Rank**
Teacher Recommendation
Strength of Curriculum

24. Components of a College Application
Grades in college prep classes
Strength in curriculum
Test scores
Grades in all classes
Essay – Personal Statement
Demonstrated Interest
Rank – * less the 40% of schools rank
Counselor Letter (private school)
Teacher Letter (private school)
AP scores
Interview if required
Extra Curricular
Portfolio if required
SAT II Subject tests

25. AP Classes How many should I take?
How important are grades compared to taking a rigorous class load?
What are college admission officers looking for?

26. High School Transcripts
Things you should know:
All classes taken or attempted must show on the transcript
Some classes can be pulled up from middle school
Language credit can be earned through competency-based testing

27. Academic Support Tutorial Extended Tutorial
Tech Support in the Library
Academic Coaches
Counselors
Credit Retrieval
Graduation Success Coach
Student Health Support