The College Search Process Welcome eco etot the ejourney! College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.
100% 75% Bonner-Prendie Class of 2010 3% Other 26% 2-Year College 97% 71 % 50% 4-Year Go on to College Formal Postor Secondary 25% University Education 0% Class of 2010
Factors to Consider in this College Search Process What you will use to choose a college What colleges will use to choose
Factors to Consider Location (How Far from Home, State, Climate, City/Suburb/Rural) Size College Major (Program of Study) Selectivity (Admission Competitiveness) Cost / Financial Aid Extracurricular Activities / Sports State School or Private School Support Systems / Services Social Life Diversity / Make-Up of Student Population
Factors Colleges Will Consider Academic Performance (Transcript) G.P.A., Class Rank, Courses Taken, Grades, etc. Rigor of High School Courses ~ including Senior Year Test Scores (SAT/ACT) Activities/Talent/Leadership/Service iti t/l /S i
What else may they consider? When you apply to colleges Senior Year Roster 1 st Quarter / 1 st Semester Grades Test Scores (SAT/ACT) The Application Essay (if required) Recommendations (if required) Interview (if required)
SATs & ACTs Both are nationally administered tests & are used to help colleges evaluate applicants How Often to Take ~ 2 to 3 Times (but unlimited) Spring of Junior Year Early Fall of Senior Year Make Sure You Know: When Offered & How To Register SAT s ~ How Scored & What Scores Looked At (CR + M + W) How Do Colleges Receive the Scores FYI ~ the SAT Subject Test High School / CEEB Code is 391048!
SAT & ACT Example of Differences ACT SAT Essay Science Section Scoring Sections Wrong Answer Penalty Optional ~ Last thing you do; 30 minutes Science reasoning (analysis, interpretation, evaluation, and problem solving) Total composite score of 1-36 (based on average of 4 tests) 4 Sections (plus optional Writing Test): English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing NO wrong answer penalty Required ~ First thing you do; 25 minutes Science NOT included Total score of 2400 (3 scores of 200-800 for each section) 10 Sections: 3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing (including Essay), 1 Experimental (not scored) Yes, ¼ point per wrong answer (except for Math student-produced response questions)
The Internet t Research College View www.collegeview.com Princeton Review www.princtonreview.com College Board www.collegeboard.com Individual Colleges /Universities Websites Visit ~ Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring Visit the College via the Admissions Office tours, open house, etc. Go to College Fairs Spring ~ Main Line Regional College Fair, Villanova University on Tuesday, April 12 th from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in the Pavilion Fall ~ At Bonner s Gym, October 2011 Fall ~ National College Fair, Pennsylvania Convention Center Visit the Bonner & Prendie Guidance Center Meet with your Guidance Counselor Boys Mr. Izzi or Ms. Rowe Girls Sr. Anne or Mrs. Traywick Junior Year Look at Books & Magazines College Representatives Visit to Bonner-Prendie
The NCAA Clearinghouse If plan on playing Division I or II sport in college Must complete an application online to be cleared Cleared Academically Cleared Amateur Status Complete the application End of Junior Year or Beginning of Senior Year Go to www.eligibilitycenter.org Ask for transcripts to be sent from ALL high schools you attended Send SAT or ACT scores from the test organizations Not from high school transcripts Clearinghouse code is 9999 Factors to academic eligibility - varies between DI to DII Approved core course Cumulative GPA - based on core courses SAT or ACT scores
Financial Aid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Must complete right after January 1, 2012 To determine financial need www.fafsa.ed.gov www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov Be Aware of Other Forms ~ i.e. the CSS Profile Scholarship searches don t wait!!! www.fastweb.com (experts recommend) www.collegeboard.com www.collegenet.com com www.finaid.org www.scholarships.com www.fedmoney.org Bonner & Prendie Website Scholarship List (under Academics ~ Guidance)
Spring of Junior Year Register for Senior Year classes Attend College Fairs ~ i.e. Villanova University (+300 colleges) Make a checklist of what you want in a college (i.e. programs, size, location) Research colleges Start visiting schools you are interested in Take the SAT (or ACT) Register for the NCAA Clearinghouse Look into scholarships Ask teachers for letters of recommendations Keep working hard in school
Summer of Senior Year Continue to visit colleges Make a list of colleges you want to apply ppy to Average is 5 7 schools Know their admission standards Know their application procedures Know the type of admission (deadlines) Regular Decision or Rolling Admission Early Decision or Early Action Plan on taking the SAT (or ACT) again in early Fall Start applying for scholarships Start to get yourself ready to apply Start to get yourself ready to apply to schools
Continue to visit colleges Fall of Senior Year Fill out applications for admission EARLY Get Teacher Recommendations Research and apply for scholarships Retake the SAT or ACT (if needed d / early) Attend College Fairs (Bonner, National, and Delaware County) Meet with college representatives es at high school visits Attend Information Nights at Bonner-Prendie Senior College Application Night Financial Aid Night Meet with Senior Counselor ~ schools applying to Check accuracy of high school transcripts Check if teachers did recommendation letter Start thinking about the Financial Aid Process
#1. College Access Center of Delaware County 400 E. 21st St. Chester, PA (610) 499-1391 #2. #3. Widener University Campus Six Delaware County colleges and universities joined forces to address the educational needs of county residents. The center provides free college preparation services to high school students and adults, with plans to expand services to middle school students in the near future... HOURS OF OPERATION: Mon. - Fri. 10:00am - 6:00pm www.collegeaccessdelco.org Mayor Nutter s Initiative Philly Goes 2 College http://www.phillygoes2college.com The School District of Philadelphia Scholarship Clearinghouse www.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/scholarships
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