1. Junior College Planning Night Spring 2010

2. Agenda Guidance News College Selection Factors Family Connection Admission Factors Admission Process Athletics Reminders Question & Answer Session

3. Counseling News To date, the Counseling Department processed 1011applications to 274 different colleges Our class of 2009 graduates can be found on 87 different campuses this year with: 48% attend a 4-year institution 37% attend a 2-year institution 4% other post secondary 3% employment 9% other

4. Most Popular Schools to apply to for the Class of 2010 University of Delaware Rutgers University Penn State University James Madison University The College of NJ Towson University Montclair University Rider University University of Maryland New York University

5. Top 10 Schools the Class of 2009 Attended Rutgers University The College of NJ Rowan Montclair Drexel James Madison University Penn State University Rider University Mercer County Community College Burlington County Community College

6. College Search Process Where do we begin? Communication What is the student looking for? What are the parent expectations? Impt. Topics: Location, Cost, Commuting Initial Research: Websites and View books- College Board & Family Connection Test Drive: Visitations fall, spring, and summer open house, tours and sit in on a class (Schedule)

8. Family Connection College Search Database specified to high school Each student has received a password. Forgot your Password? See your counselor Link to Family Connection can be found on the high school Website Parents and Students receive e-mails via Family Connection

9. Family Connection Counseling Newsletter College search Request transcripts College Application Waiver Schedule college visits Career interest

16. College Selection Factors Size of Campus: Large, Medium, or Small Public or Private Institution Location: Distance from Home Urban, Suburban, or Rural

17. College Selection Factors Athletics: Div. I, II, III Club or Intramural Cost: Tuition: In-State vs. Out of State Financial Aid Support Services: Career Services, Tutoring, Counseling, etc. Special Programs: Study Abroad, Internship Opportunities, Graduate Programs, etc.

18. College Selection Factors Quality & Selection of Programs Quality of Faculty Resident or Commuter Diversity of Student Body

19. Admission Committee Important Factors What are colleges looking for? Types of Courses/Load Grade Point Average Standardized Tests: SAT SAT Subject Test ACT Essay Interviews (not all require/offer) Sample Questions on Counseling Website

20. Admission Committee Important Factors Interest Level Extracurricular/Work experiences Sample Activities Resume on Counseling Website Honors/Awards Letters of Recommendation Waiver

21. Testing Information ACT, SAT I, and SAT II - Spring At least three times (spring time junior year/fall senior year) Institutions will only accept them directly from the CollegeBoard and/or ACT. Reporting: Score Choice for both. AP Exams Students can choose to send or not to send in their official score report only to the institution they are attending SAT II/Subject Test Highly selective schools tend to require SAT II/Subject Tests. Juniors taking an AP course are recommended to take the Subject Test in the spring time of their junior year. Test Optional Schools: www.fairtest.org

22. Differences Between the ACT and SAT SAT 3 Components: Critical Reading Math Writing -Aptitude Test -Max. Score: 2400 -Penalty for wrong answers ACT 5 components: English Mathematics Reading Science Writing -optional - Achievement Test -Max. Score: 36 -No Penalty for wrong answers

23. The Essay – Your Voice Most difficult part of the application for most students Answer the question Brainstorm First 1/3 story – 2/3 about you Use your own “voice” in the process - Don’t write to impress the admission committee

24. Letters of Recommendation Counselor Recommendation - Parent Brag Sheet, Student Brag Sheet, & Student Resume - Have completed forms by June 1 st. First ASK the teacher to write the letter recommendation. If they say yes, then the student must complete the Teacher Recommendation Packet: - Student Questionnaire due by June 1 st to each teacher - List of schools the student is sending the application & with deadlines, addressed and stamped envelopes, signed waiver form to the teacher 3 weeks prior to the application deadline in the fall.

25. Activities Create an Activities Resume Focus on one or two activities Show how you have developed as a leader Quality vs. Quantity

26. College Application Process Do not wait, apply early in senior year! Application Deadlines Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, Early Decision; Regular Deadline & Rolling Admission Types of Applications: Paper, on-line, Common Application (if a school accepts Common App. student should use this application), Universal College Application Letters of Recommendation Ask for these in Spring of Jr. Year! Hand your forms in by June 2010.

27. Athletes NCAA Eligibility Center: https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/ Can be submitted at the beginning of Junior Year Send SAT or ACT to NCAA Eligibility Center directly Send Official Transcript to NCAA Eligibility Center Athletic Scholarships: Div. I or Div. II only Student Athletes Ask Yourself: “If I can not compete, would this still be the right school for me?”

28. Helpful Reminders Change your email addresses to a family account My Space/Face Book Accounts: College Admission Offices do look at your accounts “Best Fit” not “Best School”: Finding the best fit requires visiting and researching How many?: 2 reach, 3-4 target, 2-3 probable Junior and Senior Grades Matter Register for SAT and ACT in Spring of Jr. Year SAT: March, May and/or June ACT: April and/or June *Take them again in Fall of Senior Year

29. Last Minute Thoughts Remember, the college application process is unlike anything you or your sons/daughters have experienced The stress level for applying to colleges is high

30. Tips for Parents Reassure your son or daughter that you will be proud, regardless of the outcome Don’t believe everything you hear – get an objective third party opinion Remember, there is a school out there for everyone