Junior Classroom Presentation 1 November 17 th & 18 th, 2014
Outcomes of Today s Presentation Counselor Interaction and Communication What Colleges Value in the Admissions Process Testing Plan Review of Making the Match Use of Family Connection/Online Resources in the College Search Process
Overview of College Counseling for Juniors When What November 17 & 18 Junior Classroom Presentation 1 February-April Individual Junior Meetings February 25 &26 Junior Classroom Presentation 2 March 19 & 20 Junior Classroom Presentation 3 April 21 & 22 Junior Classroom Presentation 4 April 23th May 7 th Case Studies at Archbishop Mitty High School (evening event) Santa Clara County College Fair at Mission College (evening event)
Communication with Counselor FAQ Answer Also How can I connect with my College Counselor? Email a question. It may take a day, be patient. When will my College Counselor be available? Collaboration, Lunch, and after school. When will my College Counselor see me? Individual appointments will start in February. Counselors have between 50-100 students and it may take several weeks for your counselor to see each junior.
Check Your SFHS Email Daily: Check your Saint Francis email EACH DAY. The Guidance Department will be sending reminders and information updates. This is an important pattern to develop as colleges will also be communicating with you through email. College representatives may also start visiting our campus-so stay informed. Information on summer opportunities may be sent to your email. Missing an email update could eventually cost you an opportunity. I did not read my email is not an excuse. 5
What Do College Care About?
The Four Tenets of College Preparation Mastering Your Academics Activities: Finding Your Passion Spiritual Fulfillment: Being Authentic Communication: Fulfillment in meaningful relationships Colleges are looking for students who have addressed these areas. Evidence is revealed in your: Transcript Activity Section of College Application College Essay Letters of Recommendation
Mastering Academics: What Can You Do Now! Actions Last six weeks of this semester = the final push to raise 5 th Semester Grades. See Teachers during Collaboration. Attend CSF Tutoring during Collaboration. Dump the social networking during study. Build Character Persevere Strive for Personal Best Access Resources Problem solve
Activities: Finding Your Passion Focus on In-Depth involvement in those things you love to do: Colleges prefer significant and sustained involvement in one or two activities as opposed to multiple and meaningless. Colleges looking for: Commitment Talent Leadership Serving Others What Does In-Depth Mean? Become a Board Member/Leader Be involved in Club Activities Build Community-connect with others in your activity. Enrichment/Summer Activity-Is there something that ignites your passion?
Spiritual Fulfillment: Being Authentic What Do I Care About? What Can I Do To Show I Care? Be True to Your Values. Research Shows A Happy Teen is: Grateful (Appreciate what you have.) Healthy (No drugs, alcohol, cigarettes=happier teen) Active (Action is the cure for anxiety.)
Communication: Fulfillment in Meaningful Relationships Connecting with People: Parents and family Friends Classmates and Teachers Positive human interaction is face to face. Communication Skills: Acceptance of self and others Listen intently Walk in the shoes of the other Ask someone to join you or seek out that person.
What Will Colleges Review in the Application Process?
Colleges will Review Your High School Transcript o The transcript is the most important part of the college application. Each college reviews the transcript according to their own criteria. o All colleges review the courses selected, especially those for senior year. The GPA Official SFHS transcript calculates weighted and unweighted GPA Private/ out-of-state public colleges look at weighted GPA at end of 6 th semester UC/CSU calculate their own GPA based on 4 semesters (Grades 10-11)
What is Rigor or Strength of Curriculum? Colleges Qualify These Academic Subjects as Most Rigorous: Math, Science, Foreign Language Social Studies, English Senior Year is a Measure of a Student s Willingness to take on Rigor: Going to the next level. (Especially math, science, FL if appropriate.) Realistic academic stretch. (AP level, if appropriate) Normal course load. (6 courses)
From Santa Clara Admissions: In our admission evaluation of roughly 15,000 applications for a class of 1300, we focus on 5 Power Points : 1. Program 2. Performance 3. Potential 4. Participation 5. Personality
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Plan for Admission Testing Now
PSAT is a Practice for the SAT PSAT is a mini version of the SAT with the same types of questions. SAT= 3 hours 45 Minutes Your Personal Score Report is mailed home in December. What you do with it is extremely important. You will receive an actual copy of the test booklet in the mail. Review the test! 18
1. What are my scores? 2. What are my score ranges? 3. What are my score percentiles 4. How will I do on the SAT? 5. NMSQT information 6. What can I learn from my test about my skills? 19
7. What can I learn from my answers? 8. What are my next steps? Be sure to use your online access code to view important information on your PSAT. 20
PSAT vs. SAT Scores Total Possible PSAT 240 SAT 2400 Critical Reading 80 800 Math 80 800 Writing 80 800 21
Making A Testing Plan Typical Testing Sequence! October of 11th grade PSAT (NMSQT) March/May of 11th grade SAT ACT in April/June May/June of 11th grade Subject Tests if needed Fall of 12th grade Re-test as necessary (SAT, ACT, ST)
SAT vs ACT
Consider the ACT? The ACT with Writing Assessment tests are universally accepted for college admission. The ACT Assessment is accepted by virtually all colleges and universities in the U.S., including all of the Ivy League schools. The ACT Assessment tests are curriculum based. The questions on the ACT are directly related to what you have learned in your high school courses in English, mathematics, and science. However, the ACT math section covers basic Trigonometry, while SAT math section covers Algebra II. Students should have a strong aptitude for scientific reasoning. 24
Subject Tests SAT Subject Tests- Some subjects like math could be taken twice (Math Level 2) Other subject areas could be taken directly after finishing the course. Subject Tests measure your knowledge of a particular subject. If you continue to study the subject and take the test again, your score should reflect your increased knowledge. Subject Tests are Optional for the UC and not required at all by the CSU. Subject Tests can be required for some majors at the UC s. (i.e. Math 2 for Engineering majors.) Two Subject Tests are required by many highly selective colleges. (rarely three required) Check with the college website for Subject Test requirements. 25
Are Prep Classes Helpful? Most students learn testing strategies and seem more comfortable with the tests. A list of test prep providers in our area is available in the Counseling Center. For free practice online go to http://www.collegeboard.com https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat 26
It s not about the name, it s about the match! 27
What to Expect? The decision to choose a college is YOUR decision. Your counselor is here to assist you in understanding your resources and options. You have more informational resources than any previous generation in learning about colleges. You are ultimately the one who will go off to college, not your counselor, your friends, and not even your parents. Make it your process. The more research you do now, the happier you will be with the list of colleges when you apply. 28
Consider You will meet with your counselor, but the research/reflection on the college match takes more time than you can possibly be out of class. You can attend several college workshops during collaboration and lunch to gain more information. Goal for this spring/summer: Research your college list during this fall, spring and summer. Visit colleges if you can. Arrive at school in August with a clear idea about where you would like to apply.
Making the Match Means Looking Beyond the Brand Names Do not judge yourself by how you compare with others. Prestige is over-rated---success is based on how much you grow making a good match means you will thrive at the college you attend. Care about the match be comfortable---authentic self not some projection of excellence that you do not believe you are but feel you have to be. College search should be fun and fulfilling---you ARE GOING TO LOVE YOUR COLLEGE. College is serious work but also lots of fun and adventure.
Be Realistic: Making the Match There may be several colleges that make a good match. There is not just a one and only. More safety and target=more acceptances. More reach-must be prepared for deny or waitlist. How many applications can you handle? Be Flexible: With 3,500 colleges, could there be one you have not considered? Apply broadly-you may change your mind by May 1 of your senior year on where you would like to be in 2016-2017. Be Informed: No regrets, If only I had known 32
Making the Match Activity Using the Priority Board, please rank your top 5 priorities in selecting a college.
Geographic Location California, Mid West, East Coast? Where do relatives live? What type of transportation is necessary to travel to and from home? Size of College The size of the campus: 1 acre or 400 acres? Enrollment: 26 students to 50,000 students? Cost Can range from Community College tuition to $60,000 per year. Do you plan to attend grad school? Sports NCAA sports? Banana slug vs. Trojans? PAC 12 or Patriot League? Division I, II, III, NAIA? Intramural Sports? Club Sports? Academic Programs and Honors Programs What majors? Can you change your major? Is my major featured at this school? Is the academic model more theoretical or practical? Surrounding Community Rural / Suburban / Urban? Weather? Ocean? Mountains? Small college town, big city, opportunities for internships in the local areas? Transportation options? Religious Orientation Holy Cross, Catholic, other religious affiliation-requirements for religion courses? Public/Private/ Specialty Art, Music, Drama, Technical School Social Atmosphere What type of students-can I picture myself among them? Is there diversity? Female/Male? Sororities/Fraternities? Clubs? Service? Academic Atmosphere Are the standards for academic involvement compatible with my goals? Research opportunities? Time most students invest in study? Class size and opportunities to interact with professors? Large classroom, discussion groups, small class size? Very competitive academic environment vs. collaborative environment? What works for you? Community/Housing Is this a residential campus where most of the students come from more than 50 miles away? Will most students be on campus on the weekends? Do students live on campus all four years? OR Is this a college where students commute or go home on weekends? What is there to do outside of class time? Selectivity What would make me distinguished from other equally qualified applicants if this school has a low admission rate? Have I researched my chances for admission at this school? Is my choice based more on ranking than a great match? Is my application realistic or magical 34 thinking?
Reach-Target-Safety REACH: GPA and test score averages are above the student s scores. OR Admission rate may make the probability of getting in more of a gamble: Stanford Top Tier Schools: Admission rate below 20%. Admits students at the top of their high school class. If it is a very selective college, will it spark your competitive side or will it overwhelm you? Is this school a match for you? 35
Highly Selective- Low Admission Rates
Target Student s grades and test scores match the average student admitted, therefore the student is more likely to be admitted. 37
Safety Student s GPA and test scores are above the average student admitted. Admission rate indicates high probability of admission. Each student should apply to at least two safety schools as individual college acceptance rates change each year. 38
Use the LMU Scattergram to identify the status of the following students. Is the college REACH, TARGET, OR SAFETY? Sample Student Weighted GPA SAT Total Newman 4.00 2100 George 3.50 1800 Kramer 3.00 1700 Which student(s) should consider this college? 39
George Newman Kramer 40
Activity: 20-25 Minutes Junior College Planning Questionnaire Your responses to these questions will be discussed in your college planning meeting with your counselor. Write complete and thoughtful responses.
Use of Family Connection and Online Resources in the College Search Process
Family Connection This is the most important online tool you will use. Your counselor will be posting information through this system. You will need to list the colleges you first research, and then apply to, in this system. Login frequently.
Use Junior Class Portal Notice you can access the TABS we will be using this year. Junior Class Portal links to all classroom presentations and documents.
View of Junior Portal
TASKS for Today: A. Create a College Board Account if you have not already done so. A. Use Big Future Search Engine to find five colleges that match. B. List 5 colleges you would like to research in Colleges I m Thinking About in Family Connection under College Tab. A. Review SFHS 2014-15 College Handbook
Why Create A College Board Account? Connect to My College Quick Start, a free college planning kit based on your PSAT/NMSQT results. Start an SAT registration and come back to it later. Choose your test date and test center online. Get immediate registration confirmation. Print SAT admission tickets for test day. View SAT scores online as soon as they're available. Participate in The Official SAT Online Course. Get your AP scores online as soon as they're available. Access AP practice questions.
Create A College Board Account If You Have Not Already Done So. Why:
Complete A College Search with Big Future (College Board tool) You can Save Selections if you login to your College Board Account
Task for Today Are Listed in Your Portal Under What s New Instructions: 1. Open Browser 2. Login to Family Connection Now: Family Connection address (Bookmark It!) http://connection.naviance.com/sfhs
Do Finish These Tasks By December 1st Go to My Planner TAB Go to Tasks Assigned to Me
Colleges I m Thinking About After Completing a Big Future Search, add 5 colleges you would like to research in your Family Connection Portal under Colleges TAB.
Try Other College Search Engines in Your Junior Class Portal
Activity and Questions