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North Hunterdon High SchoolNorth Hunterdon High SchoolJunior College WorkshopJunior College Workshop

Guiding Your Child Through Guiding Your Child Through College AdmissionsCollege Admissions

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““The College Process”The College Process”

Topics to be covered this evening:Topics to be covered this evening: Welcome & Introduction….Welcome & Introduction….

College Essay Writing & Teacher College Essay Writing & Teacher Recommendations – Irene DolanRecommendations – Irene Dolan

College is Different for Every Family…College is Different for Every Family…

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•Roles of the parent and student in the Roles of the parent and student in the college processcollege process

•Tcci/Naviance – Family Connections &Web Tcci/Naviance – Family Connections &Web based resourcesbased resources

•ASVAB TestingASVAB Testing

•College Admissions TestingCollege Admissions Testing SAT vs. ACTSAT vs. ACT

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College VisitationsCollege Visitations

College Recommendations & Junior College Recommendations & Junior PacketsPackets

Applications Procedures, Transcripts & Applications Procedures, Transcripts & the School Profilethe School Profile

QuestionsQuestions

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Everything you see here tonight Everything you see here tonight can be accessed on our webpage!can be accessed on our webpage!

www.nhvweb.netwww.nhvweb.net/NHHS/Guidance/NHHS/Guidance

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Feeling Confused, Worried, Feeling Confused, Worried, Anxious?Anxious?

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College is a Family Decision.College is a Family Decision.

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You’re a Great Coach!You’re a Great Coach!

Discuss your values, expectations and concerns Discuss your values, expectations and concerns about collegeabout college

Assist your child in determining critical factors Assist your child in determining critical factors when looking for schoolswhen looking for schools

Help your child map out a plan that includes Help your child map out a plan that includes searching, visitations, applications, scholarships searching, visitations, applications, scholarships and decision makingand decision making

Encourage your child to take ownership of the Encourage your child to take ownership of the processprocess

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Parent No-No’sParent No-No’s

Searching for the school of Searching for the school of youryour choice choice Filling out your child’s applicationFilling out your child’s application Writing your child’s college essayWriting your child’s college essay Taking over the process when your child Taking over the process when your child

isn’t willing to do the workisn’t willing to do the work

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http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALThttp://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/family/02/04/hm.helicopter.parH/family/02/04/hm.helicopter.parents/index.html#cnnSTCVideoents/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

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Communication is KEY!Communication is KEY!

Preparation for college requires Preparation for college requires communication and planning between you, communication and planning between you, your child and your school counseloryour child and your school counselor

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PlanningPlanning is Important! is Important!

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Be careful to get accurate Be careful to get accurate information!information!

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Three Pieces of Information You Three Pieces of Information You and Your Child Needs to Know To and Your Child Needs to Know To

Get Started.Get Started. Student’s Cumulative GPA Student’s Cumulative GPA

PSAT,SAT or ACT scoresPSAT,SAT or ACT scores

Academic Units Academic Units

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Have an open discussion about Have an open discussion about what factors are important to what factors are important to

you and your child.you and your child.

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Individual Parent & Student Individual Parent & Student AppointmentsAppointments

Wednesday, Feb 27Wednesday, Feb 27thth -Evening hours -Evening hours Wednesday, March 5Wednesday, March 5thth – Evening hours – Evening hours March 11 – March 14 – Daytime appointments March 11 – March 14 – Daytime appointments

from 8:30am to 1:00pmfrom 8:30am to 1:00pm March 19March 19thth – Evening hours – Evening hours Wednesday, March 9Wednesday, March 9thth – Evening hours – Evening hours

Please contact the guidance secretary to set up a Please contact the guidance secretary to set up a meeting!meeting!

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Using TCCi / Family Using TCCi / Family ConnectionConnection

On-line Resource for Planning On-line Resource for Planning & Advising& Advising

Overview for ParentsOverview for Parents

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OverviewOverview

What is Family Connection?What is Family Connection? How do I access it?How do I access it? How do you register?How do you register? What can I do with it?What can I do with it? How does it help career and college How does it help career and college

planning?planning?

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What is it?What is it?

Web-based resource that supports course, Web-based resource that supports course, career, and college planningcareer, and college planning

Specific to our schoolSpecific to our school Linked with Counselor’s Office, a service Linked with Counselor’s Office, a service

that we use in the counseling officethat we use in the counseling office

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How is it accessed?How is it accessed?

Family Connection is on the WebFamily Connection is on the Web– http://connection.naviance.com/NHHShttp://connection.naviance.com/NHHS

Student accounts were issued last year to all Student accounts were issued last year to all studentsstudents

Don’t know your username or forgot your Don’t know your username or forgot your password?password?-Password can be reset on your own-Password can be reset on your own

-See your counselor for help-See your counselor for help!!

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What can it do?What can it do?

Share plans between parent, child & Share plans between parent, child & counselor.counselor.

Complete surveys.Complete surveys. Compare colleges.Compare colleges. Links to selected third-party resources.Links to selected third-party resources. Track deadlines.Track deadlines. Produce scatter grams.Produce scatter grams. Show schedule of college visits.Show schedule of college visits.

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Main PageMain Page

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After Sign inAfter Sign in

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College ProfileCollege Profile

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SurveysSurveys

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College ComparisonCollege Comparison

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ScattergramScattergram

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Visitation ScheduleVisitation Schedule

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How does it help?How does it help?

Shared resource linking home to school.Shared resource linking home to school. On-line tool for collaboration among On-line tool for collaboration among

counselors, students, and parents.counselors, students, and parents. Accurate, complete records about student Accurate, complete records about student

choices from our school.choices from our school. Realistic assessments of your child’s Realistic assessments of your child’s

chances of admission at colleges where chances of admission at colleges where prior graduates have applied.prior graduates have applied.

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Other ResourcesOther Resources

www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com

www.petersons.comwww.petersons.com

www.collegeview.comwww.collegeview.com

www.gocollege.comwww.gocollege.com

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ASVAB TESTINGASVAB TESTINGMarch 31, 2008March 31, 2008

ARMED SERVICES VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERYARMED SERVICES VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY

Available to Sophomores, Juniors and Available to Sophomores, Juniors and SeniorsSeniors

It is important to note that signing up for It is important to note that signing up for this test does not imply that a student is this test does not imply that a student is interested in the military and is interested in the military and is not not obligated to any of the armed servicesobligated to any of the armed services for taking the test!for taking the test!

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The ASVAB is a comprehensive career test that includes The ASVAB is a comprehensive career test that includes the most widely used multiple aptitude test battery in the the most widely used multiple aptitude test battery in the world.world.

EXCELLENT TEST THAT EVALUATES SKILLS & EXCELLENT TEST THAT EVALUATES SKILLS & INTERESTSINTERESTS

The ASVAB consists of eight tests containing 200 items The ASVAB consists of eight tests containing 200 items and requires three hours to complete.  The sections include and requires three hours to complete.  The sections include the following:  General science, Arithmetic reasoning, word the following:  General science, Arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, mathematics knowledge, paragraph comprehension, mathematics knowledge, electronics information, and auto/ shop knowledge, electronics information, and auto/ shop information, mechanical comprehension. information, mechanical comprehension.

Estimates their performance in academic and vocational Estimates their performance in academic and vocational endeavors and will identify potentially satisfying careers endeavors and will identify potentially satisfying careers

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Concerns about the military Concerns about the military contacting you???contacting you???

Students are under no obligation to speak to Students are under no obligation to speak to the military and will not be pressured by the the military and will not be pressured by the military branches assisting us with the military branches assisting us with the ASVAB.ASVAB.

We are required by the NCLB law to provide We are required by the NCLB law to provide the military with “directory information” for the military with “directory information” for any student who has not opted out of any student who has not opted out of directory list in writing. For more directory list in writing. For more information, see the District Websiteinformation, see the District Website

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Want to sign up for the ASVAB?Want to sign up for the ASVAB?

Sign ups will be in early MarchSign ups will be in early March Sign up in the Guidance OfficeSign up in the Guidance Office Test will be in the large gym – 3 hoursTest will be in the large gym – 3 hours Over 150 students were tested last year.Over 150 students were tested last year. EXTREMELY POSITIVE FEEDBACK EXTREMELY POSITIVE FEEDBACK

FROM OUR STUDENTS AND PARENTS FROM OUR STUDENTS AND PARENTS Contact Susan Miranda for any additional Contact Susan Miranda for any additional

questions. (smiranda@nhvweb.net)questions. (smiranda@nhvweb.net)

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SAT vs. SAT vs. ACTACT

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Admissions Testing CollegeAdmissions Testing College

SAT or ACT?SAT or ACT?

Most students will need to take one of these Most students will need to take one of these teststests

Schools that do not require standardized Schools that do not require standardized test scores:test scores:

Fair TestFair Test

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SATSAT

Three sections: 800 points eachThree sections: 800 points each VerbalVerbal MathMath Writing- New Writing- New

Writing sectionWriting section How they use it depends on the schoolHow they use it depends on the school

Offered in May and June at North, and again in Offered in May and June at North, and again in OctoberOctober

It is offered elsewhere other monthsIt is offered elsewhere other months It is OK to take SATs more than once, but there is no need to It is OK to take SATs more than once, but there is no need to

become excessive!become excessive!

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SAT IISAT II

Subjects:Subjects: LiteratureLiterature Math level 1 & 2Math level 1 & 2 Physics, Bio, ChemistryPhysics, Bio, Chemistry Foreign LanguagesForeign Languages American HistoryAmerican History World HistoryWorld History

Should take a math and a second one of your Should take a math and a second one of your choicechoice

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SAT II continuedSAT II continued

Each test is 1 hour longEach test is 1 hour long Given the same days as the SAT, can take up to 3 in Given the same days as the SAT, can take up to 3 in

a day (not recommended!)a day (not recommended!) Also scored 200-800Also scored 200-800 Who should take these?Who should take these?

– Students applying to colleges that want them- Students applying to colleges that want them- Check each school you want to apply to!Check each school you want to apply to!

– Students with strengths they wish to high light.Students with strengths they wish to high light.– Taking an AP class, perhaps schedule the SAT II Taking an AP class, perhaps schedule the SAT II

around the same time.around the same time.– Some colleges will use good scores even if they Some colleges will use good scores even if they

are not requiredare not required When? …..When? …..This spring and next fall (Oct, Nov)This spring and next fall (Oct, Nov)

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ACTACT

SAT’s competition, accepted universallySAT’s competition, accepted universally

You do not You do not NEEDNEED to take it, just another option to take it, just another option INSTEAD of the SATINSTEAD of the SAT

Make sure you sign up for the writing test.Make sure you sign up for the writing test.

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SAT VS. ACT??SAT VS. ACT??

Who should take ACT?Who should take ACT? English language learnersEnglish language learners

Students curious about scienceStudents curious about scienceStrong readersStrong readers

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Who should take SAT?Who should take SAT?

– Strong vocabularyStrong vocabulary

– Despise scienceDespise science Take a practice test and decide which Take a practice test and decide which

test you want to prep for: do not take test you want to prep for: do not take both! When?both! When?

April, June, & OctoberApril, June, & October

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Where do I take the test?Where do I take the test?

Location is only a convenience- you can Location is only a convenience- you can take it anywhere. take it anywhere.

Register early to have your first preference!Register early to have your first preference! North offers SATs in May, June, & OctNorth offers SATs in May, June, & Oct Bridgewater-Raritan & Hunterdon Central Bridgewater-Raritan & Hunterdon Central

(among others), offer ACT’s(among others), offer ACT’s

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Where do I register?Where do I register?

www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com www.act.orgwww.act.org At least 6 weeks in advance!At least 6 weeks in advance! You will need our school code: You will need our school code: 310005310005 Be sure to request scores to be sent to Be sure to request scores to be sent to

colleges at time of test registration- save colleges at time of test registration- save you moneyyou money

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Test Prep CoursesTest Prep Courses

Who should take them? Who should take them? Anyone who will take them seriously! We Anyone who will take them seriously! We

have a list of resources in the guidance have a list of resources in the guidance office- it’s of no help to take a prep class and office- it’s of no help to take a prep class and not do the work!not do the work!

When should you take them?When should you take them? Just before the test will be taken.- too far in Just before the test will be taken.- too far in

advance and you forget the informationadvance and you forget the information

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College VisitationsCollege Visitations

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Before Planning a VisitBefore Planning a Visit

Assess YourselfAssess Yourself– Academic Areas of InterestAcademic Areas of Interest

(Possible Majors)(Possible Majors)– PSATPSAT– Interest InventoriesInterest Inventories– Talent and Skills AssessmentsTalent and Skills Assessments

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Before Planning a VisitBefore Planning a Visit

Develop a Profile of Develop a Profile of YOUR CollegeYOUR College– Large or SmallLarge or Small– Urban, Suburban or RuralUrban, Suburban or Rural– What part of the country?What part of the country?– Price RangePrice Range

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Before Planning a VisitBefore Planning a Visit

Gather InformationGather Information– Talk to your family and friendsTalk to your family and friends– College Web SearchCollege Web Search– Request Viewbooks and Materials Request Viewbooks and Materials

from colleges of interestfrom colleges of interest– Register for SAT or ACTRegister for SAT or ACT

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Before Planning a VisitBefore Planning a Visit

Get Organized!Get Organized!– Put together a college resumePut together a college resume– Get transcripts togetherGet transcripts together– Develop a college portfolio or chart Develop a college portfolio or chart

(checklist)(checklist)– Look at possible interview questionsLook at possible interview questions

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Start PlanningStart Planning

What schools should I visit?What schools should I visit?– Schools that offer your major of Schools that offer your major of

interestinterest– Schools that fit your profileSchools that fit your profile– Schools where you can beSchools where you can be

–Successful AcademicallySuccessful Academically–Stimulated IntellectuallyStimulated Intellectually–Happy SociallyHappy Socially

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Start PlanningStart Planning

When should I visit?When should I visit?– Best when classes are in Best when classes are in

sessionsession– President’s WeekendPresident’s Weekend– Spring Recess: March 21-28Spring Recess: March 21-28– Late Summer if classes start Late Summer if classes start

earlyearly– Summer OrientationsSummer Orientations

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Start PlanningStart Planning

Typical scheduled visits last 2 Typical scheduled visits last 2 to 3 hoursto 3 hours

Try not to do more than 2 per Try not to do more than 2 per dayday

Overnight visits can give you a Overnight visits can give you a much better perspectivemuch better perspective

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Before the VisitBefore the Visit

Call to schedule a visit at least Call to schedule a visit at least 2 weeks ahead of time2 weeks ahead of time

Make sure you get clear Make sure you get clear directions so you get there on directions so you get there on time (first impression)time (first impression)

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Before the VisitBefore the Visit

Make arrangements to see Make arrangements to see specific people or areas you specific people or areas you want to seewant to see

Ask about Open HouseAsk about Open House If you need to cancel, call ASAPIf you need to cancel, call ASAP

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During Your VisitDuring Your Visit

Be a Good DetectiveBe a Good Detective– Ask people questionsAsk people questions– Listen in on conversationsListen in on conversations– Take notesTake notes– Visit your area of interestVisit your area of interest

Labs, classrooms, facilitiesLabs, classrooms, facilities

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During Your VisitDuring Your Visit

Sit in on a classSit in on a class Look at the housingLook at the housing Look at bulletin board postingsLook at bulletin board postings Read the school newspaperRead the school newspaper Look at the athletic facilitiesLook at the athletic facilities

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During Your VisitDuring Your Visit

Show you are INVESTEDShow you are INVESTED– Arrange for an interviewArrange for an interview– Plan a second visit (possibly Plan a second visit (possibly

overnight)overnight)– Ask specific questionsAsk specific questions– Tell them what you like about Tell them what you like about

the schoolthe school

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Be Ready If You Have an Be Ready If You Have an InterviewInterview

Purpose:Purpose:– To gather information about youTo gather information about you– To evaluate how you and the To evaluate how you and the

school match upschool match up– To recruit you by showing off the To recruit you by showing off the

schoolschool

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Prepare some possible answers to Prepare some possible answers to questionsquestions

Don’t be afraid to show your Don’t be afraid to show your weakness, it makes you more weakness, it makes you more interesting and believableinteresting and believable

Show how you will be good for the Show how you will be good for the institutioninstitution

Be Ready If You Have an Be Ready If You Have an InterviewInterview

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Before You LeaveBefore You Leave

Say Thank YouSay Thank You Drive or walk around the entire Drive or walk around the entire

campuscampus– Beyond the tour routeBeyond the tour route

Check out the surrounding Check out the surrounding town/ citytown/ city– Social LifeSocial Life– SafetySafety

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After Your VisitAfter Your Visit

Write a note of appreciation to Write a note of appreciation to admissions staffadmissions staff

Make sure you have contact Make sure you have contact information information

Stay in contact with the schoolStay in contact with the school Share your visit with your Share your visit with your

teachers and counselorteachers and counselor

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Open House: What to ExpectOpen House: What to Expect

Large Group meeting with all Large Group meeting with all prospective studentsprospective students

Small group guided tours highlighting Small group guided tours highlighting specific featuresspecific features

Return to the large group for follow up Return to the large group for follow up informationinformation

Take time to fill out the forms or cards- Take time to fill out the forms or cards- colleges track student visitations!colleges track student visitations!

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Good Luck School Shopping!Good Luck School Shopping!

If you can’t get there in If you can’t get there in person, take a virtual tourperson, take a virtual tour

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A Word of Caution….A Word of Caution….

Questions, concerns and road blocks will come up Questions, concerns and road blocks will come up throughout the admissions process. This is throughout the admissions process. This is natural and can be frustrating for parents and natural and can be frustrating for parents and students.students.

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Please contact your school Please contact your school counselor if you have questions counselor if you have questions

or concerns! We are here to help.or concerns! We are here to help.

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Questions or Concerns???