1. Classes of 2014 and 2015 College Planning Night Presented by the NPHS Guidance Department

2. North Penn HS graduates…  90+% - directly to formal post-secondary education  100% - will eventually need/seek some sort of additional training or education

3. ~60% of NPHS grads Four-Year College  Bachelors Degree in a specific major or area of study Most colleges require students to take general courses before choosing a major ~30% of NPHS grads Two-Year College  Community or Junior College; earn general credits and transfer to a 4-year school OR  Associate’s Degree One- or Two-year Specialized Program  Certificates

4. How will you choose a college? Location/Size Academic interests/major(s) Competitiveness “X-factors” Cost Make a Good List: Reach Realistic Match Safety

5. How will the colleges choose you? Factors Considered in College Admissions What do YOU think? (1-7) ____ Essays ____ Test scores ____ Interviews ____ Rigor of high school course Schedule ____ Recommendations ____ Activities, interests, experience ____ Academic Performance

6. According to NACAC and current research…factors that impact admission 1.Academic Performance (grades, GPA, class rank) 2.Rigor of high school course schedule 3.Test Scores (SAT/ACT) 4. Personal statements/Essays 5.Recommendations 6.Activities, interests, leadership/work experience, etc. 7.Interviews

7. Academic Performance… On your NPHS Transcript  All classes, final grades, and credits for 9 th, 10 th, and 11 th grade  Cumulative weighted GPA for 9 th, 10 th and 11 th grade Cumulative non-weighted GPA for 9 th, 10 th and 11 th grade  Cumulative weighted class rank for 9 th, 10 th and 11 th grade  Senior Courses

8. Sophomore Year  Keep your grades up  Involve yourself in activities that interest you Maintain a list and build a resume  Take the PSAT (October) – use PSAT results along with personalized “QuickStart” to prepare for future tests and explore college options.  Preliminary college research College/University Websites College Search engines: Collegeboard.org, PrincetonReview.com College and Career Center (K25)

9. Junior Year All year  Keep grades up  Continue with activities, interests, etc. 1 st Semester Junior Year  Take the PSAT (October)  Continue researching colleges to develop a list of potential schools 2 nd Semester Junior Year  Course Selection for Senior Year  Initiate Teacher Recommendations  Begin visiting campuses  NPHS College Fair – March 7, 2013  Financial Aid Night – March 14, 2013  SAT/ACT

10. SUMMER before Senior Year… Narrow your list of schools by considering: Academics Rigor Housing/Dorm life Campus Life Facilities Technology/web-access Food Safety Transportation options Freshmen Orientation Programs Academic support options

11. S UMMER before Senior Year …(cont.) Determine if you can and/or will apply:  Early Decision - binding  Early Action- non-binding  Regular Decision – specific deadline  Rolling Admission – reviews applications as received

12. S UMMER before Senior Year …(cont.)  Visit campuses  Begin working on… Student portions of application Essays Scholarship search engines

13. FALL of Senior Year  SAT again?  Finalize teacher recommendations  Follow North Penn’s Procedures for Applying to College for the Class of 2014 (will be posted on NPHS guidance website)  Senior College Application Night (Fall 2013- TBD)  Financial Aid Night (Fall 2013- TBD)  NCAA Night (Fall 2013– TBD)  Montgomery County and National College Fairs – (Fall 2013– TBD)

14. Standardized Testing  Spring 2013 SAT Reasoning Test (SAT I) dates: March, May and June  Subject Tests (SAT II), if applicable  Your scores are sent directly from the Collegeboard to the colleges to which you’re applying: www.collegeboard.org (4 free per test) www.collegeboard.org  SAT preparation: PSAT results College QuickStart and MyRoad  Free and reduced lunch program  NPHS’s CEEB code: 392-155  NPHS’s testing site code: 39-370  ACT? www.ACTstudent.org

15. A few words about Financial Aid… Types of Aid  Grants/Scholarships – does not need to be repaid; typically based on need or merit  Loans – must be repaid, plus interest  Federal Work Study – aid student earns through part-time work during college; does not need to be repaid Sources of Aid  Federal/State – www.fafsa.ed.gov – form required to apply for all Federal aid as well as many state and private funds; cannot be submitted until after January 1 st of senior year and requires tax information from previous year.www.fafsa.ed.gov  Private/Independent Scholarships – through companies, organizations, employers, etc. College and Career Center collects information about many local scholarships.  Institutional Aid – speak with financial aid office at your potential schools to learn for which scholarships/aid you may be eligible to apply.

16. Resources  College and Career Center (K025) – by appt. or walk-in  NPHS Guidance Website Counselors’ contact information Course Selection Information NPHS College Application Procedures FAQ: Teacher Recommendations Links and suggested resources for college, military, SAT, etc. Lists and dates of College Representatives visiting North Penn Local and community scholarship announcements New! Career Pathways Planner  www.Collegeboard.org www.Collegeboard.org  www.pheaa.org www.pheaa.org  College Representatives/Fairs  College Admissions Offices and Websites

19. … because knowing your destination increases the chance you’ll get there…