1. College Jump Start Night
Shawnee High School
March 28, 2018

2. Tonight’s Agenda Review the college process.
Discuss transcripts, standardized testing, college visits, Naviance, and letters of recommendation.
Learn about the college admission process from college admissions representatives.

3. Things to do...NOW!! Research & visit colleges
Finish Junior year strong (grades)
Take standardized testing
Naviance-research colleges/SAT & ACT practice tests/career search
Ask teachers for recommendation letters (2) and request through Naviance
Fill out brag sheets in Naviance
Register with NCAA Eligibility Center
Course changes by August 1st
Sign & submit parental release for transcripts (leave on back table)

4. College Visits Visits Take campus tour Visit library, cafeteria, dorms
Talk with students
Think about major, location, size, setting (rural/urban/suburban), extracurricular activities.
Realistic evaluation of each college’s admission requirements (grades, standardized test scores, required high school courses).

5. GPA/Rank Students will receive their Rank and GPA in September.
Transcript reflects weighted & unweighted GPA & Rank
Unweighted is on a 4.0 scale
Weighted is on a 6.0 scale

7. Standardized Tests SAT’s-www.collegeboard.org (SAT Reasoning Test)
ACT’s- (ACT with writing)
SAT Subject Tests are specific one hour content area tests used by a small percentage of colleges. Be sure to confirm if the colleges to which you are applying require these tests and plan accordingly.
Send scores to Shawnee High School & colleges of your choice-Free when you register, but fee later
You must send Standardized Test scores to colleges directly from the testing agency:
College Board (SAT’s)-
ACT-

8. ACT vs. SAT Test Length Test Sections Scoring Wrong Answers Test Fee
3 hours, 35 minutes (with optional essay)
3 hours, 50 minutes (with optional essay)
Test Sections
4 sections-English, Math, Reading, Science; plus optional essay
4 sections-Evidence-based Reading, Writing, Math without a calculator, Math with a calculator; plus optional essay
Scoring
Composite of 1-36 based on average scores from the 4 test sections.
4 scores of 1-36 for each test. Optional essay score of 0-12
Score is out of 1600: 800 for Math, 800 for Evidence-based Reading & Writing. Optional essay receives a separate score.
Wrong Answers
No penalty for wrong answers
Test Fee
$62.50 (including essay), $46 (without essay)
$60 (including essay), $46 (without essay)
Registration

9. Test Dates SAT’s- at Cherokee HS
May 5, 2018 (deadline 4/6) October 6, 2018
June 2, November 3, 2018
August 25, December 1, 2018
ACT’s
June 9, 2018 (Seneca) September 8, 2018
July 14, October 27, 2018 (Seneca) December 8, 2018

10. Family Connection Powered by NAVIANCE
Create a resume
Personality/learning style inventories
Explore careers/career profiler
Search colleges
Full length SAT practice tests
Apply for scholarships
Track transcripts and letters of recommendation
Username:
Click forgot password if needed

13. Teacher Recommendations
Ask two teachers politely in person. Give teachers at least two weeks notice. One should be from an academic teacher.
Put teacher recommendation request in Naviance
1. Click on Colleges
2. Click on Letters of Recommendation (under My Colleges)
3. Click Add Request
4. Select teacher’s name from drop down box
5. Select all Current & Future Colleges
6. Click Submit Request
Check Naviance to see when letters have been completed.
When teachers write you a letter, they will also fill out the common application teacher form electronically.
**Teacher letters should be completed when you are requesting transcripts**
Counselors will automatically fill out all required forms electronically.
If you have any outside letters, you will need to send them on your own.

15. Brag Sheets
Students & Parents must fill out brag sheets in Naviance: Student Brag Sheet-for Counselors
Parent Brag Sheet-for Counselors
Student Brag Sheet-for Teachers
Brag sheets can be found on Naviance:
Click on About Me
On Left, Surveys to Take
Student Brag Sheet, Parent Brag Sheet, Student Brag Sheet for Teachers
Answer questions for each and click Update

17. RCBC Spring Ahead Program
Fall-Attend RCBC informational meeting at Shawnee & fill out free application-
January-Transcript request form due to Counseling Center
February-RCBC placement tests at Shawnee. Can be exempt with SAT/ACT PARCC scores (Must have applied and sent transcript by January in order to take test at Shawnee)
April/May-Trip to RCBC to register for classes (Must have applied, sent transcript & taken placement test in order to attend)

18. College Athletics Students who are planning to play in a
Division I, II sport need to complete the following:
Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center:
Send official test scores from College Board/ACT to NCAA
Send high school transcript to NCAA-submit a transcript request form to the Registrar.

19. Summer Programs
College Essay Writing SAT Prep More information will be sent out. Info will be posted at:

20. Things to do...in September
Counselor will meet with seniors to review college application process
Sign up in Counseling Center for college visits-listed on counseling website & daily announcements
Know where you plan to apply
Submit parental release of academic records (if not already submitted)
Fill out required Naviance information for college applications
Finish standardized testing
APPLY-**pay attention to deadlines**
Early action/decision deadlines are October and early November

21. Counseling Center Events
Senior Parent College Application Night
September 2018
Shawnee Auditorium
Financial Aid Night
October 2018
Visit the counseling center’s website:

22. Counselor Contact Information
Counselor Last Names Phone
Mrs. Michelle Scheffer A-B x4416
Mr. Kevin Looney C-Dr x4408
Mr. Gary Hill Du-Ham x4419
Mrs. Janae Zechman Han-Lee x4411
Ms. Julie McGrory Len-Mort x4417
Mr. Darren Welsh Mot-Ri x4451
Mrs. Erin O’Neill Ro-S x4402
Mr. Matt Catinella T-Z x4413
Shawnee
@ShaHSCounseling

23. College Panel
RCBC-Theresa Mehall: NJ Stars, Guaranteed Admission Program, Transfer Agreements
The College of New Jersey-Jennie Sekanics: Choosing a College Wisely, Choosing a Major (Declared vs. Undeclared)
Drexel Univeristy-Mary Catalfamo: Test Optional
Rowan University-Jessica Syed: Financial Aid, Public vs. Private, In-State vs. Out-of-State
Rutgers University-Brittany Echt: Different Ways to Apply, Self-Report Transcripts, Standardized Testing/Academic Performance
St. Joseph’s University-James Jackson: Recommendation Letters, College Essay and Activities
West Chester University-Emily Runzer: New Trends in College Admissions, Social Media