1. College Orientation for the Class of 2019

2. Introduction Ms. Director & Ms. Gluck, College Counselors
Ms. Murdoch, College Office Secretary
Mr. Harper, College Office Assistant
College Office is in Room 445

3. What should I think about when choosing my colleges?
Questions to ask yourself…
Two year or Four year?
Public, Private, SUNY, CUNY?
Religious or non-denominational?
Location – do I want to stay home or go away? How far? Do I want to live on campus or commute?
Setting – Am I looking for a small rural school or a large urban one?
Size – small, medium, large
Is the population diverse? Does that matter to me?
Majors – Do they have the major that I want?
Cost – How much? Do they provide enough financial aid? What are the opportunities for scholarships?
Do my parents agree with my choices?
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
Extracurricular Activities
Personal Essay
Senior year grades
Check college websites for a list of requirements!

5. No penalty for guessing
SAT vs. ACT
SAT
ACT
SAT Subject Test
What is the test structure?
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)
Admissions exams in certain subjects. Can take up to 3 in one day. Cannot take both SAT I & II in the same day.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
No penalty for guessing No
How often is it offered?
7 times per year
6 times per year
**New July exam!!
How long is the test?
3 hours (3 hours, 50 minutes with essay)
3 hours + 30 minutes w./essay
60 minutes
How is it scored?
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
*Not all tests are given on the same day. See Collegeboard.org for more information

6. 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!

7. 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!
*The Common App essay prompts have been ed to you through Naviance

8. 2018-2019 Common Application Essay Prompts 1
Common Application Essay Prompts 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.  2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?  3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?  4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.  5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.  6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? 
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. 

9. Teacher Recommendations
Who will you ask?
Good relationship
Knows you best
Academic subject teacher
How many do I need?
Typically 2, but check your college websites for exact requirements!
When do you ask?
Give at least 4 weeks notice
Show your appreciation – thank your teacher!

10. Academic Profile The Best Fit
Reach
GPA and test scores are lower than the average for admitted students
Appropriate vs. inappropriate
Grades/test scores should not be significantly lower than the college’s requirements
Selectivity of the college/university
Acceptance rate
Target
GPA and test scores match the average for admitted students
Likely
Students’ GPA and test scores are higher than the average for admitted students
Back-up plan college that you would be happy to attend if other options don’t work out

11. Family Connection
Website that assists our students in the college application process
Career Planner
Personality Profile
College Search
Admissions info
Graduation rates
Estimated cost
Scattergrams
All juniors MUST be registered! See your guidance counselor if you lost your code.

12. Completing your College Office File
Components
Three short teacher references
Student Profile Sheet
Student Brag Sheet
List of Senior Classes (fall)
Parent Brag Sheet (optional)
You can start building your college file now, but all materials will be due in the fall
Forms are in Naviance and on the Midwood web site in the College Office page, including a College Handbook (everything you need to know about the college application process) MUST READ!!!

13. 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?

14. A look ahead… 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. 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
Common Application
CUNY Application
SUNY Application
Teacher recommendations
Personal essay
Resume or list of extracurricular activities
Application fee or fee waiver (if eligible)

16. 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

17. College Appointments One Spring or Fall
See Ms. Murdoch to schedule - beginning March 19th, first appointments March 26
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!

18. Important Dates to Remember
March 9 - Last day to register for April ACT without a late fee
March 13 - PA meeting – Junior College Orientation for parents
March 19 – Ms. Murdoch will start scheduling spring appointments! (first appointment March 26)
March 22 – Camp College/College 101
March 21 – SAT day for Juniors at Midwood
April 6 - Last day to register for May 5 SAT without a late fee
May 3 - Last day to register for June 2 SAT without a late fee
May 5 - Last day to register for June 10 ACT without a late fee

19. Resources College Representative visits to Midwood
Stay tuned for schedule
US Government College Score Card
Naviance
Register using code provided by College Office
Collegeboard.org
Khan Academy test prep
Register for SAT
College Search
Actstudent.org
Register for ACT
Test Prep
Like us on Facebook
Midwood High School College and Career Office

20. 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

21. 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, 2016 tax return(s), records of untaxed income and information on cash
The FAFSA application becomes available October 1st, 2017
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