1. Preparing for College! Neshaminy High School March 12, 2019 Intro self
Give short overview
Why we need to start ASAP

2. What do colleges look for?
GPA
Class Rank
Standardized Test Scores
High School Curriculum
Community Service
Activities & Athletics
Letters of Recommendation
College Essay
Different colleges emphasize different things

3. Where do I begin preparing?
9th GRADE
GPA and Rank
Get Involved (clubs, sports, and community)
Begin to think about post-secondary options
Create 4-year Academic Plan
Be Responsible & make Good Choices!
Establish good study habits
NCAA eligibility
Get to know your school counselor
Use Naviance/Family Connection to start exploring careers and building a resume
9th grade is where momentum begins
Need to set self up for most success

4. Pennsylania Career Readiness Standards
All students in Grades 9-11 will complete 6 Career readiness tasks as part of the state requirements
9th grade
Complete a Future Plans Survey with the counselor
Watch a video about post secondary options and write a reflection
10th grade
Complete the Strengths Explorer in Naviance
Complete a survey about the Habits of Mind
11th Grade
Meet with Counselor and discuss plans for post graduation and complete a survey
Entrepreneurship activity

5. Set a goal & work backwards!
Write your goal down and set smaller benchmarks
What courses should you take to reach your goal?
How can you improve your GPA?
What activities should you be involved with?
Where can you complete community service?
Set up a profile on Naviance

6. Keep a log of EACH, INDIVIDUAL activity
Community Service
Hospitals
Nursing Homes
Red Cross
Interact Club & Service Learning Club
(Click on “Volunteer Opportunities” under “Community”)
Religious Organizations
Keep a log of EACH, INDIVIDUAL activity

7. 10th Grade GPA and Rank Get Involved (clubs, sports, community)
Keep your Grades up
Career Exploration in Naviance
PSAT’s (October)
Challenge yourself

8. 11th Grade The Most Important Year!
Take the PSAT in October (NMSQT)
Start compiling a Resume
Register for and take the SAT’s (Spring)
Consider taking the ACT
Meet with colleges that visit your high school
Visit, Visit, Visit!!
Attend a college fair

9. 11th Grade Factors to Consider The College Search
Location (Close to home or far away)
Size (# of students)
Cost (Public vs. Private)
Majors Offered
Interests / Activities / Athletics

10. Standardized Test Options
SAT
ACT Test (with writing)
SAT II Subject Tests
So… what’s the difference and which is right for me?

11. 40

12. ACT SAT Math 1 test 1 test, 2 sections Reading
2 tests: Reading Test, Writing & Language Test
Science
Cross-test score reported using results from Math, Reading & Writing tests
Essay
Optional
Scoring
4 answer choices
No penalty for wrong answers
Math Emphasis
Application of knowledge
Problem solving & application of knowledge
Calculator
Yes No
Math skills
Basic trigonometry
Pre-Calculus
Reading Emphasis
Comprehension
Comprehension and analysis
Reading Content
Grammar, usage, mechanics and rhetoric
Grammar, usage, mechanics and “expression of ideas
Writing
Construct an argument
Analyze a passage’s argument

13. SAT Subject Tests
Not required by all schools but becoming more popular with more competitive schools
3 subject tests can be taken at one test date
Can NOT take subject tests and reasoning test on the same day
Ideally should be taken at end of course

14. More information available at www.collegeboard.org
SAT Subject Tests
French
German
Spanish
Modern Hebrew
Italian
Latin
Chinese
Japanese
Korean
Literature
US History
World History
Math Level 1
Math Level 2
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
More information available at

15. REGISTRATION DEADLINE
SAT Test Dates
TEST DATE
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
SCORE RELEASE
May 4, 2019
April 5, 2019
6 weeks after test
June 1, 2019
May 3, 2019
August 24, 2019
July 26, 2019
2 weeks after test
October 5, 2019
September 6, 2019
2 weeks after tests
Nov 2, 2019
October 4, 2019
December 7, 2019
Nov 8, 2019
March 14, 2020
Feb 14, 2020
May 2, 2020
Apr 3, 2020
June 6, 2020
May 8, 2020

16. Registration Deadline
ACT Test Dates
Test Date
Registration Deadline
Score Release
April 13, 2019
March 8, 2019
April 23, 2019
June 8, 2019
May 3, 2019
June 18, 2019
July 13, 2019
June 14, 2019
July 23, 2019
Sept 14, 2019
Aug 16, 2019
Oct 10, 2019
Oct 26, 2019
Sept 27, 2019
Nov 26, 2019
Dec 14, 2019
Nov 8, 2019
Jan 7, 2020
Feb 8, 2020
Jan 10, 2020
Mar 3, 2020
Apr 4, 2020
Feb 29, 2020
Apr 28, 2020
June 13, 2020
May 8, 2020
July 7, 2020
July 18, 2020
June 19, 2020
Aug 11, 2020

17. 12th Grade
Meet with your Guidance Counselor to go over procedures and expectations!
- How do I request transcripts?
- Review application deadlines and transcript request deadlines
- How much time should it take?
- Are any colleges planning to visit the school?
- What scholarships are offered?

18. 12th Grade Narrow down college choices to 4-7
Safety - exceed all application requirements
Comfort – meet all application requirements
Reach - meet only some of the admission criteria
**Can apply to Financial Aid expectations as well

19. Letters of Recommendation
12th Grade
Become familiar with the specific application requirements of the colleges you wish to apply, including deadlines!
Common Application
SAT/ACT scores
Letters of Recommendation
Essay(s)

20. Types of Admission
Early Decision (Binding): Deadline in October or November, if accepted, you must attend
Early Action (Non-Binding): Deadline in October or November, not required to attend school if accepted
Rolling: Applications reviewed upon receipt and responses sent; usually 6-8 weeks
Regular: Fixed deadline for applications, all applications reviewed after that date and all decision letters are sent at one time

21. Letters of Recommendation
At least one should be from an academic teacher from a high school course.
Others can come from anywhere- manager, coach, tutor, Clergy, Activities Supervisor
Give at least 4 weeks notice
Complete the Recommendation Data Sheet in Naviance

22. 12th Grade
Now that my applications are submitted, I can just sit back and wait for the acceptance letters to start rolling in, right?
WRONG

23. 12th Grade FOLLOW UP Contact schools to discuss your applications
Send thank you notes (not s) to anyone you meet with or talk to on campus
Schedule campus visits

24. 12th Grade Financial Aid & Scholarships
OCTOBER- Fill out the FAFSA online
Look for Scholarship Opportunities
Don’t let a big price tag scare you away!

25. Breaking down the numbers
School
Tuition
(room & board)
Up to $30,000
$30, ,000
$48, ,000
Penn State
$29,000
$19,268
 $21,229
 $25,028
Ursinus College
$58,000
$17,7590
$20,585
$25,254
Kutztown University
$19,000
$14,850
$16,066
$19,800
Swarthmore College
$60,750
$10,800
$14,362
$18,174
Join us this Fall for
Financial Aid Night

26. Application “Bootcamp”
AUGUST 2019
Overview of Naviance and how to request transcripts and submit applications
Opportunity to have counselor assistance while completing Common App or other college applications
Limited seats available- Sign Up Information Coming Soon!

27. Helpful websites College Research NAVIANCE/Family Connection
SAT Registration
ACT Registration
Financial Aid (FAFSA)
Scholarships
NAVIANCE/FAMILY CONNECTION
NCAA Athletic Eligibility
College Reviews / Info
Career Exploration
NAVIANCE
Pennsylvania Schools
Community Service
Naviance/Family Connection- Enrichment Programs