1. JFK High School
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS 101

2. College Admissions 101 Application Process Timeline
Researching Colleges
Standardized Testing
Components of the College Application
JFK Application Process

3. What Should I Be Doing Now ?

4. 1. Get Academically Ready
Work especially hard this year! Take advantage of any and all help/resources – get to know your teachers, ask questions, seek tutoring help if needed.
Reason:
As a part of your college application, you’ll be forwarding your transcript during the fall of your senior year. The transcript will be a record of how you’ve done during six semesters of high school. Put another way, you have the control during this year to determine the outcome of one-third of your high school record!
Consider meeting with your counselor to discuss class choices for senior year. Your transcript that you forward to colleges will also reflect which classes you’re taking senior year. Colleges want to see that you’re continuing to challenge yourself through the types of classes you take and how well you do in them.

5. Timeline February - June
Schedule Individual Junior Planning Meeting with your counselor
Register / Prepare for AP exams
Register / Prepare for SAT, Subject Tests and ACT
Schedule College Visits

6. Timeline, cont. September – December
October is considered Application Month
Apply to your top 3-5 choices
Watch for application deadlines
Request letters of recommendation from 2 teachers AND your counselor
Complete your college essay-PROOFREAD!
Create a resume-list of activities, community service, leadership positions
Fill out transcript request form in guidance
Set a goal to have all applications submitted before the winter break.

7. A Good Decision Requires Information
Gather information about yourself
strengths, weaknesses, abilities, interests
Gather information about colleges
Admission statistics
Location
Size
Majors/ Programs
Financial Aid Oct. 1 Prior/Prior
Retention & Graduation Rate

8. What Resources Are Available?
College Guidebooks
Campus Visits
Visits at JFK/On-sites
GOOGLE
Guidance Counselor
College Fairs
Naviance

9. Another recommended exploration tool/site:
Big Future by CollegeBoard:
Go to Amazing collection of college/career planning tools!
Through Naviance or Big Future, explore the educational programs that match up with your career interests – they may involve a 1 year training program, a 2 year associates degree, a bachelors degree or more. This will also determine where you go to school, i.e., community college, tech school, 4-year university, etc.
Explore the job outlook when you research career areas. It’s important to know where the jobs will and will not be when you’re an adult.

10. ????????
How should you choose what colleges to apply to? -Major -Location and Size -$$$$$$

11. Prospective College List
-Make a list of colleges with the DEADLINES!
-You are responsible for ALL DEADLINES.
-Have the family discussion, be honest.
-Research the college profiles
-Avg. GPA, Rank, and SAT/ACT scores
-Find the match
-Distance from home??????

12. Get College Ready Explore! VISIT COLLEGES
Go while school is in session
Students-take notice
Bring a notebook and/or a camera
No more than two a day
Eat in the café if possible….
See a FRESHMAN dorm
See the music/athletic facilities if applicable…
Look for anything else that will be important to you

13. Standardized Testing SAT SAT II: Subject Tests (Engineering) Math II
ACT
Fee waivers available for SAT/ACT
See your counselor if you’re on free/reduced lunch
All students should set a goal to have all of their standardized testing completed by the end of junior year.

14. Remaining SAT and Subject Test Dates
Test Date Test Offered Registration Late Fee Deadline March 9th Sat & Subject Tests Feb. 8th Feb. 27th May 4th SAT April 5th April 24th June 1st SAT & Subject Tests May 3th May 22th It is the student’s responsibility to know which tests are required by each college ***The remaining tests are available at JFK!!!

15. Remaining ACT Dates Test Date Registration Late Fee Deadline
April 13th March 9rd March 15th
June 8th May 4th May 18th
July 13th June 15th June 28th

16. Sending SAT and ACT Score
Students MUST contact the testing agency to request scores to be sent to each college.
JFK does not report SAT or ACT scores on the transcript.
SAT -
ACT –
*SAT will allow you to send scores after the test date (10 days). ACT, do it before you register!!

17. Register for College Fairs
• Register for college fairs ahead of time at gotocollegefairs.com
• Make a list of “must-see” colleges
• Visit at least 3 colleges you haven’t heard of before.
• Have a few questions ready!

18. Registering for College Fairs

19. Resume – Things to Include
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
PERFORMING ARTS ACTIVITIES
YEARBOOK
SPORTS: Varsity and any out-of-school clubs or experiences
COMMUNITY SERVICE
OUTSIDE of SCHOOL LEARNING EXPERIENCES
OTHER ACTIVITES (i.e. religious activities, hobbies, clubs, etc.)
SUMMER or SPECIAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
EMPLOYMENT
HONORS and AWARDS

20. Teacher Recommendations
Two Teacher Recommendations
Should pertain to your MAJOR
Ask your teachers in person-complete recommendation form from guidance and provide them with information you would like included in letter
Follow-up, Thank you notes

21. Getting Started on the Essay
Brainstorm essay ideas with parents, teachers, and friends.
Read the six essay prompts on the Common Application. (*new prompts will be released in March)
Think of an interesting story to tell that answers one of the prompts and reveals something about you not already shared in your application.
Work on your story over the summer. Good essays evolve and take many edits.
Check supplemental writing questions for each individual college – do not short change these!

22. Admissions Decisions Early Action Early Decision I & II Priority
Regular Decision
Rolling Admission

23. How to Apply Apply Online
Naviance will be the MAIN tool when applying to schools. Link the Common Application to Naviance!
Apply directly to the school through the school website.
Communicate with your counselor through Naviance.

24. Components of the Student Application
Student and Demographic Data
Academic Information
Extracurricular Activities
Essay(s)
Signature – electronically
Payment (if required)

25. What Will the Counselor Send?
Transcript
School Profile
Secondary School Report Form
Counselor Recommendation (Naviance) About Me
Teacher Recommendations (Naviance)

26. Completed Application
Application submitted online by student
SAT or ACT scores requested, by student, to be sent directly from testing agency
School package sent from Guidance Office once transcript request form is received includes:
Teacher recommendation letter(s)
Counselor Recommendation
School Report Form
Transcript
School Profile

27. Financial Considerations
• April 2012, student loan debt surpassed credit debt for the first time in our history.
• ‘Paying for college’ is often the last topic discussed by families when investigating colleges.
• Student loan debt should be weighted with the same importance as other ‘fit’ factors when selecting a college.

28. College is generally paid for by:
5. Get Money Ready
College is generally paid for by:
* Private funds, i.e., the Bank of Parents/Relatives
* Grants – based upon financial need
* Loans
* Work-Study
* Scholarships

29. Examine Net Price Calculators
• As of November 2011,
• universities were required to provide a Net Price Calculator on their websites.
• Net Price Calculators were mandated by the U.S. Government to provide families with a ‘Good Faith’ estimate of what the ‘COA’ would be for students.
• Net Price Calculators now allow families to ‘shop’ for a financial fit.

30. Follow-Up
Follow-up with each school to be sure everything has arrived and your application is complete.
Check status of application online
Do not PANIC is something is MISSING, mass s generally go OUT!

31. Lastly……. Keep the process in perspective Work together as a family
Students must take ownership
Discuss finances openly
Start early and meet all deadlines
GOOD LUCK!