“I believe that we parents must encourage our children to become educated, so they can get into a good

college that we cannot afford.”

Dave Barry

Preparing for CollegeJUNIOR YEAR

Spring 2010• Sign up for SAT’s, ACT’s (May, June)

• Begin College Search• Visit Colleges over Spring Break

Summer 2010• Create your college list

• Begin college application(s) & essay(s)• Work on Transcript Request Packet

• Work on Teacher Recommendation Packet

Preparing for College

SENIOR YEAR

Fall 2010• Begin scholarship search

• Senior Interviews w/Counselor• Request recommendations from teachers

• Complete/Submit Transcript Request Packet

• Finish essays

Tests!

•ACT•SAT•SAT II Subject Tests •AP•TOEFL

What’s the Difference?SAT

• No science section

• No trigonometry questions • Vocabulary emphasized

• Non multiple-choice questions asked

• Guessing penalty 

• No English grammar

• Math accounts for 50% of your score 

• Questions go from easy to difficult

ACT • Science reasoning section

• Math includes trigonometry

• Vocabulary less important

• Entirely multiple-choice

• No guessing penalty

• English grammar tested

• Math accounts for 25% of your score

• Questions are mixed up

Be a SMARTIE!

Stop And Think!

Register today for the May 1st SAT at collegeboard.com. Deadline is March 31st

June 5th SAT---- Deadline is May 5th

The American College TestACT

Actstudent.orgRegister for the June 12th ACT

Deadline is May 7th

210 – 510School Code

COLLEGE VISITS

Colleges visit Howard High School throughout the year!

• See the Student Services website for the College Visit list.

• Students can sign up for a college visit in Student Services

Internet College and Scholarship Searches

– Beware: do not pay money or give a credit card for a college or scholarship search

College Searches Scholarships-Bridges** -Fastweb.com-Princeton Review -Findtuition.com-Peterson -hcpss.org-College Board -Bridges-USnews.com/education -

Collegeanswer.com

Bridges College Search

• See instruction packet: kept in the career center

• www.bridges.com Choices Planner > School Finder

• SiteID: 28513• Password: o6113ps2

Hints• You can narrow or broaden responses to

get a manageable number of colleges • Create portfolio to save search results and

schools• Compare schools to each other

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

• Types of Applications: Common, On-Line, School Application

• Appearance is KEY! • Most schools require a

social security number• Fill out draft copies of

the application and essay before doing the final

• Make copies of anything you send out

• Make sure you send the correct amount in application fees

• Make sure you mail them in a timely manner

Transcript Request Packet

What is the transcript request packet?

– A packet that all students will need to complete.

– A request to the registrar and counselor for transcripts and a counselor recommendation.

**allow at least 30 school days for processing of the Transcript Packet**

Transcript Request Packet

The packet includes:

• A list of required forms to be completed– Transcript Request Form– Sample Student Academic Resume– Counselor Input Form– Optional Parent Questionnaire– Waiver of Right to See School/Teacher Letters of

Recommendation

• Information on what the registrar will compile for your student’s college

• Mid-year Reports and Final Transcript information

Transcript Request Packet

• Forms that will be due by Monday, June 14th– Student Academic Resume– Counselor Input Form– Optional Parent Questionnaire

• Please have your student turn in their completed forms to either Mrs. Prechtl or Mrs. Surdu, the Registrars.

Transcript Example

Teacher Recommendations

• Select two teachers

• Requests for letters should be typed

• Include a resume and input form with your request

• Some colleges require teacher recommendation forms – you must provide the form

• Teachers need at least 30 school days advance notice

• Teachers will submit letters to the Registrar

QUESTIONS?

7:00PM Guest Speaker Chip Saltsman

• Vice-President, Capgemini• MIT Alumni Interviewer

• Parent