1. Central bucks high school south
College Planning
Central bucks high school south
Class of 2015
Taryn barrett (A-K)
Laura ladley (L-Z)
Part Two

2. OVERVIEW Program Planning Process Junior & Senior Year Timelines
Standardized Testing
Finding the “best fit”
Upcoming College Planning and Financial Aid Sessions

3. Program Planning Timeline
Currently Counselors meeting with juniors:
*reviewing course selections
*answering questions
*Scholars Diploma
Early March Verification report on Portal &
Deadline for all changes
August Schedules posted Student Portal

4. Junior Year Timeline WINTER/SPRING SPRING/SUMMER Take SAT and/or ACT,
SAT Subject Tests (only if necessary)
Register for AP exams (taken in May)
Call ahead to set up campus tours & visit schools of interest. Check dates of campus “Open Houses”.
District College CB South March 19th, 6:30 pm .
Register for Fall SAT and/or ACT, if necessary.
Naviance: College Search and
“colleges I’m thinking about”
Review online college applications.
Complete “Request for Counselor Recommendation”. Required parent component.
College application essays – Career Plan 11.
Save graded writing sample.
Teacher recommendations.
Update resume in Naviance.

5. Senior Year Timeline FALL WINTER/SPRING
Complete applications and formally request
recommendations from teachers.
Apply for Financial Aid using
& CSS Profile (if necessary).
Take SAT/ACT/Subject Tests and have
scores sent directly, if required.
Mid-year grades will automatically be sent
to colleges based on transcript requests.
Submit transcript request forms to Senior
House Office.
Make final decision regarding
school selection. Send housing deposit.
Attend Financial Aid Night
in November, 2014.
FAFSA workshop in Winter.
Complete Senior Survey in Naviance
indicating college of choice; prompts final/official transcript mailing.
Request to have 1st marking period grades
sent to college, if required.
Keep a rigorous academic schedule and maintain grades to remain eligible for merit scholarships and acceptance offers! 

6. Standardized Tests
ACT/SAT Spring of Junior Year Fall of Senior Year *If testing in Fall of Senior Year- scores should be sent directly to colleges from ACT and/or CollegeBoard.* AP First 2 weeks of May; same year as AP course SAT Subject Tests Immediately following related coursework 

7. When is South a testing site?
ACT’s
April 12, Spring Junior Year
October 25, Fall Senior Year
SAT’s
March 8, Spring Junior Year
May 3, Spring Junior Year
June 7, Spring Junior Year
October & November 2014 / Fall Senior Year
South CEEB code is
Other High Schools/districts may host SAT/ACT on additional test dates 

8. Top Factors in College Admission
Grades/GPA in college prep classes.
Rigor of transcript/course selection.
Standardized test scores.
Demonstrated interest in attending.
Application essay.
Teacher and/or Counselor Recommendations.

9. College Search Process

10. Resources: The College Search
Internet, Naviance, PASSHE, CollegeBoard, etc,
Specific college websites
College brochures and view books
Meet with college representatives who visit South each fall; sign up on Naviance next fall.
College Fairs

13. Types of Post-Secondary Schools
In-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 

14. Decision Factors Entrance Requirements Selectivity Majors Available
Specialized Programs
Final Cost and Expenses 

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

16. Campus Visits It’s really all about FIT…
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!

17. Types of Applications The Common Application www.commonapp.org
*Over 300 Colleges/Universities currently use the Common App
PA State System of Higher Education
School Specific Application

18. Types of Application Deadlines
Regular Decision
Rolling Admissions
Early Action
Early Decision

19. Counselor Letter of Recommendation
Request made as part of the Transcript Request Form
“Request for Counselor Recommendation” survey on Naviance – will be available this spring
Add potential major if known under “Game Plan”
Sent with transcript and standardized scores
Allow 15 school days when requesting recommendation 

20. Wrapping up Junior Year
Develop/update your Resume in Naviance and indicate what your potential major might be under “game plan”.
Review application essay from Career Plan 11.
From your research, develop a list of schools and do extensive research.
Trim the list of 10 colleges to 3-7 by September of senior year…be sure to consider varying degrees of competitiveness.
Consider and contact teachers for letters of recommendation!!!
Complete “Counselor Recommendation Request” form on Naviance. (Only some schools require a letter from counselors.) 

21. Upcoming College Planning and Financial Aid Sessions
College Fair- March 19th- CB South
College Planning Session 3- May 14th- CB South
College Planning Session 4- Sept CB South
Financial Aid Night- November CB South
FAFSA Workshop- Winter CB East 

22. Guidance website
Guidance Homepage Class of 2015 Guidance Updates We will post PowerPoint presentations and updates to both sites. There are also links to Naviance, Portal, E-Prep, Resources and Counselor contact information. 

23. Please join us again…
MAY 14, 2014
&
SEPTEMBER 2014 