1. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS NIGHT SPONSORED BY THE BELVIDERE HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT VICTORIA SKOOG (GRADES 10 & 12) JESSICA MCKINNEY (GRADES 9 & 11) 1

2. COLLEGE PREPARATION FRESHMAN YEAR Build GPA Join Activities JUNIOR YEAR Take Oct PSAT Take SAT 2X Visit Colleges Senior Year Oct SAT? (Option) Send apps early Senior Year Oct SAT? (Option) Send apps early 2 Sophomore Year Take Academic Challenges Research Careers

3. SAT Reasoning Test Three Sections: Critical Reading, Math, Writing Scores: 200 – 800 range for each subtest National Average in 2013: CR 496 /M 513/WR 487 ) 3 SophomoresOct PSAT Popular Option JuniorsOct. PSAT Nov – June SAT Strongly Recommend Recommended to take Test 2X Seniors Oct SAT If trying to reach a cut-off score Send directly from College Board.org

4. How are admissions decisions made? GPA/Class rank SAT scores Rigor of courses on transcript Timing of Applications College Essays and letters of recommendation Strength of senior schedule Extra-curricular activities Leadership Special Talent 4

5. How do I search for a college? POPULAR SEARCH ENGINES Naviance (BHS website access) www.collegeboard.com www.princetonreview.com www.colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com 5

6. Your College List REACH SCHOOL i.e. the “Dream School” REALISTIC SCHOOLS i.e. the “Fit” schools SAFETY SCHOOL i.e. the “Sigh of Relief” school 6

7. “If all other things are equal, the deciding factor is how EARLY the application is submitted.” “As a college fills seats, they become more selective over time.” 7

8. INTERNET APPLY ONLINE ELECTRONIC TRANSCRIPTS DOCUMENTS UPLOADED COLLEGE SEARCH 8

9. COMMON APPLICATION www.commonapp.org www.commonapp.org TO APPLY REQUEST TEACHER LETTER OF REC VIA NAVIANCE YELLOW TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM 9

10. REGULAR APP APPLY VIA COLLEGE WEBSITE TEACHER REC BY LINK OR MAIL Yellow Transcript Request Form 10

11. COMMUNICATIONISKEYCOMMUNICATIONISKEY 11

12. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! Early Admission (junior year) Early Decision (legally binding) * Please discuss with Guidance Early Action (non-binding) Rolling Admissions (First come, first serve) Regular Admission (Deadline) Hint-still apply AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE Early Admission (junior year) Early Decision (legally binding) * Please discuss with Guidance Early Action (non-binding) Rolling Admissions (First come, first serve) Regular Admission (Deadline) Hint-still apply AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE 12

13. Financial Aid Through College College Financial Aid Webpage FAFSA (Opens Jan 1) Online Scholarships www.fastweb.com Regional & Local Scholarships Within Naviance ATTEND THE BHS FINANCIAL AID NIGHT JANUARY 2014 13

14. Down to the wire! Acceptance offers Rejection letters Waitlist offers May 1 DEADLINE for Deposit! Enjoy Your College Experience!!! 14