Presented by: Paula Horton, Delphian School College Counselor

Transcription

1 Presented by: Paula Horton, Delphian School College Counselor

2 1. To help students align their high school programs with their long-range plans. 2. To put students in full control of getting successfully launched into the higher-education landscape.

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4 To prepare for the college application process, many students take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test /National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). It is a diagnostic assessment for all high school juniors, but some sophomores also take it. Some students start studying for PSAT/SAT's and ACT's the summer before their junior year.

5 The SAT, ACT and SAT II exams are all tests colleges use to evaluate your academic readiness for their programs. SAT stands for Scholastic Assessment Test. Its current official name is the SAT Reasoning Test. The ACT is a competitor. It stands for American College Testing assessment. Almost all schools will now accept either the SAT or the ACT.

6 Difference between SAT and ACT: SAT - On the SAT you will get penalized for guessing at answers you don't know. This is done by subtracting.25 points for every wrong answer put down. ACT - The ACT doesn't do this. The wrong questions simply count as 0.

7 SAT II exams, also called SAT Subject Tests, are shorter exams on particular subject areas including math, biology, chemistry, physics, U.S. history, world history, literature and various foreign languages. Scores on the SAT, ACT and SAT II college entrance exams are one piece of data schools use to evaluate students; they also use high school transcripts, student essays and/or portfolios, a student s extra-curricular record and other factors.

8 1. Take practice tests for the PSAT or SAT or ACT to become more familiar with how they work. 2. Review the results with your Academic Supervisor/College Counselor. 3. Sign up for the fall tests you wish to take and get any information you need about them. Register early for any SAT with Listening tests.

9 Take the PSAT, ACT or SAT. (Students should come to the tests well-rested and wellfed. This can positively influence performance on the tests.)

10 1. Review the scores of the tests taken and discuss them with your Supervisor/College Counselor. 2. Discuss with your Academic Supervisor/College Counselor when you should take additional SAT, ACT or SAT II exams. Discuss any needed preparation.

11 1. Inform parents and Academic Supervisor/College Counselor of the test results. Discuss further test scheduling and preparation. 2. Attend the National College Fair and talk with representatives from different colleges. Get information on what types of schools and programs are available, admission requirements, costs, financial aid options, etc.

12 Over winter break discuss your future with your parents and update your plans fully.

13 If appropriate to your plans and personal goals, arrange to attend a professional college entrance exam preparation course during a school break.

14 1. No later than May, take your first (or second) college entrance exam (SAT or ACT). 2. If English is your second language and you need to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), see your College Counselor to help you set this up.

15 1. Look for an internship or apprenticeship in your interest area. 2. Talk to professionals in your interest area. Gather information you need and want from them, including any of the following applicable to you: Information of interest on their career or related careers Recommendations for higher education Successful actions for getting rolling in their career as rapidly as possible

16 1. As needed, continue to research colleges and scholarships. 2. If possible, tour some colleges in person, or talk to people at the colleges for more information. Visit financial aid offices and ask questions about scholarships, search engines they recommend and any other tips they can give you to help you prepare for the financial planning needed.

17 For the application process: Make a list of the colleges you will be applying to and find out the date the application is due for each college. University of Maryland November 1 U.C. Berkeley November 30 Stanford November 1

18 Many of the colleges you are applying to will accept the Common Application.

19 1. If any or all schools require SAT II subject tests, sign up for those as early in the year as possible. 2. For art, film, music or dance schools, find out exactly what is expected in terms of a portfolio or audition, and plan how to get this done.

20 ( ) When you get a copy of your draft transcript, meet with the college counselor to ensure it is correct and suitable for your purposes before entering the information into your applications.

21 List honors and activities you participated in List letters of recommendation that you need Request all the letters you need

22 1. Get all your applications submitted at least a week early to avoid possible problems. 2. As soon as each application is submitted, the person in charge of transcripts with the mailing address of each college.

23 Periodically check the status of your applications online to ensure everything has arrived to the schools on time.

24 1. Discuss the subject of financing your higher education with your parents. 2. Look online for scholarships and list out which ones you will apply for. 3. Fill out scholarship applications and submit them on time. 4. As soon as college applications are submitted, begin contacting financial aid offices for any additional help in getting financial aid.

25 1. By the first part of January, go online to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) site to get a pin number. 2. As soon as you have the pin number, give it to your parents and ensure they submit all of the data on their section of the FAFSA early enough so you can complete the submission several days before January 31st to avoid getting caught up in a jammed website the last day or two.

26 Submitting FAFSA application after January 31st can significantly reduce available aid.

27 1. Inform your parents and Academic Supervisor/College Counselor of any communications received from colleges. 2. Make your final decisions about the college you wish to attend.

28 1. If any deposit is due, such as for admission to a college, ensure you find out the exact date and plan for getting it in on time. 2. the person in charge of transcripts with the name and address of any place you need a transcript sent to, such as a college you may be attending.

29 In late June, after graduation, you should contact the college to ensure they have received your transcript, as they can be lost or misfiled. In such an instance, the place reserved for you can be given away to another applicant.

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