COLLEGE PLANNING GUIDE

Transcription

1 COLLEGE PLANNING GUIDE Guidance Department West Windsor - Plainsboro Regional Schools WWPHS North WWPHS South

2 TIMELINE TO THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS SPRING OF JUNIOR YEAR Begin to research colleges. Create a primary list. Continue concentrating on establishing the best record possible. Talk with college friends about their college experiences. Attend sessions with college representatives to familiarize yourself with the process. Sign up for Spring SAT s and/or ACT s. Review information you receive and compare colleges, weighing the pros and cons for each school as they relate to your needs. Which ones look best in the areas most important to you? Compile them in the order of your choices: first, second, third, etc. Visit a variety of schools different sizes, different locations, and different levels of admission difficulty. It may not be possible or necessary to interview at some schools, and further visits in the summer or fall of senior year will be necessary. Continue researching colleges and universities. Attend local college fairs in New Jersey and visit school websites for further information. Sit for AP exams and standardized tests. Continue to develop college interest lists. Take ACT, SAT Reasoning exam and/or SAT II exams. SUMMER Continue to refine your college lists. Visit colleges (make appointments for interviews and tours). Look for applications on-line at the school s website. If your spring SAT scores reveal any weaknesses, plan a program of self-improvement. Contact specialized people at colleges, such as Coaches, Music and Drama Directors, Department Heads, etc. Register for Fall SAT s and/or ACT s. Research scholarships from outside sources and schools to which you are applying. Set-Up Common Application Account starting August 1 st. Begin drafts of college essays. SENIOR YEAR MEET DEADLINES FOR POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND WWPHS. Register for the SAT I, Subject Tests or ACT, as needed. Early Decision Applications must be completed and ready for submission during October. Deadlines are typically November 1 st or November 15 th. Check with the college. Continue visitations to colleges and/or visits to web sites. Meet with reps in your school. Research scholarships from outside sources, schools you are applying to and complete application form for community scholarships. Parents/Guardians should attend Sr. College Planning night in September. Attend WW-P Financial Aid night in December.

3 WHAT SCHOOLS LOOK FOR IN PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS Some of the anxiety you may feel during the application phase most likely stems from your uncertainty surrounding the process post-secondary schools use when reviewing your credentials. The following is an informative guide to give you an idea of how decisions are made for admission. The Procedure Admission Offices generally follow different procedures when reviewing applications; however, a common process may include the following steps: Once all application materials are received, the student s file is assigned to a specific Admissions Officer. The assignment may be based on geographic region, alphabetic section or who conducted the student s interview. A decision is made by the assigned Admissions Officer, often in consultation with the Director or Dean. If a decision is not made immediately, the file will be decided upon by a committee review process. The assigned officer acts as a spokesperson for the student during the meeting. Some schools place more emphasis on or make all decisions by committee review while others, particularly colleges which receive large numbers of applications, may place more emphasis on objective criteria (test scores, grade point average, overall transcript). If the student has the opportunity, it is suggested the school be asked how its review process works. Academic Record The primary element in the decision process is your academic record in high school and consequently, your potential for academic success in a post-secondary school. Your high school transcript is evaluated to determine: The overall performance in courses from Grades 9 through 12 How well did you perform? Is there evidence of a trend in your performance? Are you showing strength in a specific area that you intend to study in the post-secondary school? If your earlier grades were weak, have you shown improvement? The challenge and strength of the student s course load Evidence of a challenging academic program is an advantage in applying to any post-secondary school. At more selective colleges, the Admission Officer will look for indication of Honors and Advanced Placement courses as well as the comprehensiveness of your course selections: academic units, electives, etc. The Grade Point Average Allows admissions to compare your performance relative to that of your classmates. Standardized Tests The degree to which standardized tests (SAT/ACT s) are used in the admission process differs by college. The results provide the Admission Officer with an opportunity to determine how you compare on a national level with your peers. However, it is safe to say that your test results will not be the single most important factor in the admission decision. They will be used as one element in the overall assessment of your academic strength and promise. Most institutions use your highest scores. Be advised that the most selective institutions will require the SAT II subject tests. Check the college admissions web site for

4 specific standardized tests requirements. Arrange to have your SAT, Subject Test, ACT scores sent directly to the college by the testing company. Application The application is your opportunity to impress the Admission Officer with your personal qualities, values, background, interests and experiences. It is your chance to set yourself apart from other applicants. The application is expected to be neat, legible and accurate. While the application itself contains much information about you, there are three personal components that are evaluated most heavily; your school and/or community extra-curricular and personal activities, your personal essay (if required) and honors and awards. Extra-Curricular and Personal Activities The key to the evaluation of your extra-curricular and personal activities is quality not quantity. Activities are evaluated not only to find out the manner in which you spend your time outside the classroom, but also to determine: (a) the extent of your involvement and commitment to an activity, (b) positions of leadership and responsibilities, (c) any distinctions you may have received and (d) the degree to which you intend to continue your involvement in activities, once in the post-secondary school. Be honest. The Admission Officer will gain additional information about your activities, from your transcripts and recommendations. Whether your time has been spent in school activities, community activities, hobbies or part-time employment, what you do and how well you do it can have an impact on evaluating your personal side. Personal Statement/College Essay This is an opportunity to express yourself, your viewpoints, to be creative, to demonstrate your writing ability and to distinguish your application from the many others that the Admission Officer will read. The essay can provide the Admission Officer with insight into at least three of your personal qualities: (a) how well you think; (b) how well you write and (c) who you are. It is an important part of your application packet. An outstanding essay can have a very positive influence on the decision. Likewise, a poorly-written, hastily done or sloppy essay can have a negative influence. It is worth your time to produce your best work. Make sure it sounds like you rather than your Language Arts teacher. Honors and Awards This space on the application affords you the opportunity to let the Admission Officer know of any honors/awards you have received during high school. The Admission Officer is interested in learning about academic or activity-related distinctions, scholarships and special high school achievements. Recommendations Usually colleges ask to see recommendations from your school counselor and one or two teachers. Additional recommendations of your choosing are also typically acceptable. Recommendations provide an understanding of your personal qualities, motivation, ambitions and successes. Choose with care the individuals who will write your recommendations. They should be able to provide information that is not available elsewhere in your application and that only they can offer. Each writer should know you well. It is worth your time to meet with each writer to update them on your activities and experiences. You may want to provide them with a personal resume.

5 Demonstrated Interest Colleges want to know you have a legitimate interest in attending the University of XYZ. Students who are on the admissions bubble will be evaluated in this regard. Have you been on campus? Have you taken a campus tour? Have you met with a dean, professor or a college representative? These are all sample questions admissions officers will ask themselves when making their final decision. HOW TO RESEARCH COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Step One: Self Analysis Decide what you seek from your college experience. You must determine your strengths and weaknesses, preferences and biases, secondary-school experiences you wish to duplicate and new experiences you wish to explore. Once you know what you want, even if it is in the most general terms, then you may set out to find the colleges and universities that best match your interests and goals. Both Collegeboard.com and your Naviance account have several tools, including interest inventories and college/career searches, to assist in this process. Step Two: Parent Input Since parents are an integral part of the selection process, they must be involved and informed. It is the applicants who will have to live with the decision; therefore, their role is primary. Parents should be included in first visits, given the opportunity to have questions answered, and serve as sounding boards for the students reactions, but be secondary in the process. One suggestion is that the student and parent(s) go on separate campus tours, and then compare notes and reactions. Step Three: Research Some general reading about colleges precedes in-depth reading about individual colleges. Since no two colleges are exactly the same, you must learn what variations and combinations exist (such as the difference between a college and a university), and within each category, such as large versus small, urban or rural, activist or traditional. This stage of research is usually satisfied by reading the commercial guidebooks about colleges and universities and visiting the college and university websites. You can also do a college search via CollegeBoard ( and using your Naviance account. To accomplish this step, you should select 10 to 20 schools to research. The process itself will introduce you to some of the differences and variations. Remember that the more you learn and know, the better you can make decisions. Step Four: Analyzing Materials You should read information provided by colleges such as catalogues, view books, and reports. Read cautiously as they are informative and written to enhance the image of the college. Certain factual/statistical information about an institution can be obtained and compared. Size and location (on and off campus environment) Level of competition (highly competitive, easy) Admissions requirements and procedures (deadlines, fees, required tests, courses, degree of selectivity) Graduation requirements and degrees awarded Costs (tuition, room, board, books, fees, travel, incidentals)

6 Types of academic programs (core curriculum, innovative programs, majors, interdepartmental programs, independent study, off-campus and overseas programs, co-op study plans) Graduate placement (graduate schools, career counseling) Curriculum (flexibility, course availability, core curriculum) Recreational facilities and availability Faculty (level of degrees, accessibility to undergraduates) Student body composition (size, academic level, geographic origins, social/ethnic/economic diversity, graduate vs. undergraduate, commuting or residential) Honor Societies (Phi Beta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi, etc.) Campus organization/activities (suitcase school, role of Greek life, clubs, concerts, guest speakers) Housing (variety, availability for all four years, comfort, can you study there?) Rules (cars, parties, visitation, attendance, etc.) Student government and administrative role Calendar (quarters, trimesters, semesters special requirements) Health and counseling services. Safety issues Step Five: The Campus Visit and Tour The visit must be considered as serious research. Before ever setting foot on a campus, you should have thoroughly researched it and have established in your mind certain items of information to be confirmed or determined. Keep a journal or notebook of all visits in which to record your reactions-positives, negatives, highlights, and names of people with whom you spoke. Months later, when memories tend to blur, your comprehensive journal could be invaluable! The campus tour should have two components. Informal wandering, chatting with people, and the formal, guided tour. The following suggestions will make your tour as complete and useful as possible. Visit the library. Is it accessible, quiet or noisy, fully computerized, comfortable? What are the hours? Get a copy of the school newspaper. What are the controversial issues on campus? Look at the announcement boards and posters. What performers and speakers are coming to campus? What clubs and organizations are promoting their activities? Visit the bookstore and dining areas. What are students talking about? Is the campus climate conservative or liberal? How multi-cultural is the campus? Is safety an issue? Ask questions about workload, methods of instruction (lecture, small group recitation, technology) and methods of evaluation. Ask about professors and teaching assistants (T.A. s). Are they available for office hours and one-on-one assistance? Visit the best and worst dorm on campus. Is special interest housing available (language house, quiet floors, alcohol-free dorms, etc.?) Locate the fitness center or sports center. How technologically advanced is the campus? Seek out students to ask your questions to get a different perspective from the tour guide.

7 You should take a conducted campus tour, and then take time to wander the campus in order to acquaint yourself with the institution as thoroughly as possible. When possible, stay overnight in a dorm, attend classes, eat with the students, and generally experience the daily life. Step Six: Review and Reflect Review and scrutinize the information you received and compare the schools, weighing the pros and cons for each school as they relate to your needs. Which ones look best in the areas most important to you? Compile them in the order of your choices: first, second, third, etc. If you visited schools during the summer, you may want to revisit during the school year to see the school in full swing. Make sure to have a list of at least 4 schools ready upon your return to school in September. THE INTERVIEW If an interview is required, the college or university will contact you. Interviews are typically required for highly competitive schools. Most colleges state that the interview is to be an information exchange session wherein the applicant (and parents) may have questions answered and learn about the institution, while the interviewer may learn something about the applicant. Students should know in advance that the interview is evaluative and informative. Preparation is essential for a worthwhile interview. The student should have researched the institution and come ready with specific questions and issues. Your counselor can assist you in developing a list of questions prior to your interview. Appointments should be made for interviews and tours as early as possible, since schedules fill very quickly. Interview hints: Dress is important. (no jeans) Be relaxed, friendly, and on time. Shake hands firmly, keep good eye contact, and maintain good posture/body language. Be familiar with the general facts about the college. Have a list of questions ready. Get a business card from your interviewer and write a follow-up thank you letter. Precision of speech is important. Don t be remembered for your like, you know, yeah s, and shoulder shrugs. Think before you speak. Review your grades, activities, and interests at WW-P High School and don t be afraid to accentuate the positive. The interview is not a place for humility. Be prepared to discuss any special or unusual circumstances of your life-travel experiences, artistic or athletic talent, community service, and entrepreneurial endeavors. Share with the interviewer your excitement about trying something new at college, for example, going out for crew; studying astronomy; learning a new language. On your interview day, arrange to meet with the coach, activity advisor, or other special area people. Potential interview questions: How do you spend your time? Tell me about your family. Where did you grow up? Who is your role model and why? How would your best friend describe you?

8 Describe your perfect day-what would you do? What have been your most memorable summer experiences through high school? Describe a difficult event or experience in your life and how were you changed? How would you describe your ideal college? What are your strengths? Weaknesses? How have you turned weaknesses around? What motivates you? What one word best describes you? What have been your favorite books and why? What unassigned books do you enjoy? Do you identify with any fictional characters in TV, literature, or movies? Who and why? What have been your favorite and best academic subjects in school? What do you like and dislike about this college and how do you see yourself fitting in here? Understand that these questions may vary, but there are some basic discoveries these interviewers have been asked by their respective institutions to make. TYPES OF COLLEGE APPLICATIONS Rutgers University: has a self-reported transcript as a part of their online application, this must be filled out to have your application packet complete!! Rutgers does not require any letters of recommendation and you do not need to submit a transcript request form to Guidance. When you meet with your counselor in the fall you can ask for an unofficial copy of your transcript to use as a guide when you fill out the selfreported transcript for RU. Our unofficial transcript can also be accessed through Infinite Campus. Please note the Rutgers application requires an NJ Smart ID for in state students. This is posted on all WW-P Naviance accounts. Common Application: provides a standard online admissions application that students may submit to more than 400 colleges and universities. Supplemental application materials (secondary school report, recommendations, transcripts etc.) are sent through your Naviance account. Regular Decision: Applications are completed online by a specific deadline though usually not until at least mid-january. Early Decision: A binding application typically due November 1 st or 15 th. You may only apply to one school. Only to be used for your absolute dream college. Check with your counselor if you are considering this option. Early Action: A non-binding application typically due December 1 st or December 15 th. This is the 1 st cycle of admissions candidates for colleges. These candidates will be considered before those applying after the deadline. Rolling Admission: Applies to colleges with no specific deadline. Applicants are evaluated by admissions as they arrive on a first come, first serve basis. NCAA REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES Students interested in playing sports in college at the Division I or Division II level must qualify academically. In order to do so there are certain requirements that should be reviewed by their school counselor and coach. Additionally there are certain procedures that must be followed. Failure to do so could result in a student athlete being ineligible to receive a scholarship and/or play at the Division I or II level. Please visit for complete details and notify your counselor.

9 504 / SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS Many schools provide specific programs and support services for students with disabilities. For a list of schools, please visit For commonly asked questions and additional resources, please visit Classified students should consult with their case manager regarding college and post-secondary options. SAT PROGRAM TEST SCHEDULE Go to for information on the SAT I, Subject Tests. Please note that it is your responsibility to have results of standardized tests (SAT I, Subject Tests) sent to the colleges and scholarships to which you are applying. These scores will not be sent as a part of your transcript. You can send scores to colleges and scholarship programs for $9.50 each by visiting: WEST WINDSOR - PLAINSBORO HIGH SCHOOL CODES SOUTH NORTH SAT SCORE CHOICE OPTION Score Choice is a new SAT Score-Reporting feature offered by College Board. Score Choice gives you the option to choose which scores (by test date for the SAT and by individual test for SAT Subject Tests ) you send to colleges at no additional cost. Score Choice is optional, and if you don t decide to use it, all of your scores will be sent automatically. Students may select scores only by test date for the SAT and by individual test for the SAT Subject Tests. You will not be able to select scores by section of the SAT. Score Choice applies only to the score reports that you send to colleges. All scores will continue to go to you and your high school; however, WW-P will not release any standardized test scores. Remember to take advantage of the four free score sends during registration. As part of your registration fee, these can be used to send scores to colleges, universities or scholarship programs. They will not be available for use after the test. For a complete explanation of this new program, visit the College Board website at: ACT PROGRAM TEST SCHEDULE Go to for information on ACT tests. Little known fact about the ACT: it is accepted at more colleges nationwide than the SAT! It is a subject based test for English, math, reading and science with an optional writing component. Please note that it is your responsibility to send your test results to colleges and scholarships for which you are applying. INTERNET RESOURCES We have extensive College and Career Planning links posted on our District web page: Once at the district homepage go to Guidance. You will then see several useful links. Try the various college, career, and scholarship searches available. WW-P families should

10 also sign up for the E-Guidance Newsletter and make sure their Naviance account has a working address to receive regular college planning updates. College web sites will give you general information, sports activities, curriculum, teachers class sizes, etc. Many college sites give extensive financial aid information useful for students going to any college. A directory can be found at: The link to Canada s universities is: All schools are required to provide yearly crime statistics. You can obtain these stats on the internet. A good site to research security issues can be found at: NAVIANCE FAMILY CONNECTION For North students: For South students: These links can also be found on our website under the Guidance. TEST PREPARATION There are many options to choose from when preparing for standardized testing. First, review your PSAT results through My College Quick Start on collegeboard.com; detailed information can be found on your PSAT report. This will allow you to concentrate on areas needing the most work. We have several options for classes available through our community education program and hosted in our high schools. Call the Community Education Office at # X 5034 for detailed information. WWPHS students have free access to an on-line test preparation service called Student Edge which can be accessed through our district website and Naviance using the passwords below. The link is: The pass codes are: North students: BLYRYBTF South students: MLTYJWCN There are also a variety of tutoring options within the community. Please check with the guidance office for details.

11 WEST WINDSOR-PLAINSBORO HIGH SCHOOLS NORTH AND SOUTH Recommendation Waiver Form Waiver: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of This form is to be used as a reference for college admissions purposes. As currently interpreted by the Department of Education, the Act provides that students and parents have a right to inspect and review the evaluation it is retained by the school unless that right is waived in writing. Sign your name below only if you wish to waive your right of access. I request that this reference be sent to the colleges to which I am applying and that it may be used in the admissions process. I understand that I may not read this reference and I will not seek to do so in the future. Applicant s Signature Date Parent s Signature Date Transcript (School Record) Release West Windsor-Plainsboro High Schools North and South have always honored student requests to forward transcripts. Effective November 15, 1974, Federal and State Law prohibit the release of pupil records without parent or adult student written authorization. The school cannot release records without this written permission. Ref. New Jersey Administrative Code #6:3-6.1 et seq. states, Organizations, agencies and persons from outside the school shall have access to pupil records if they have written consent of parent or adult pupil (age 18). I have read the above statement and pursuant to the law- I hereby authorize the release of a copy of the transcript (school record) concerning the student named below, to the following outside school agencies that bear my signature. Student: Purpose: College Admission/ Financial Aid Consideration Parent or Pupil (age 18) Signature: Date Note: Any other organizations, agencies, and persons from outside the school will have to secure written authorization for the release of such transcripts. A Photostatted copy of this authorization shall be considered as effective and as valid as the original. In order to ensure the integrity of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North and South s permanent records, as a matter of practice, we will not release official transcripts directly to students and parent/guardians. If there are extenuating circumstances, the following message will appear on the transcript This official transcript has been released directly to the parent/guardian.