Leicester High School

College Information Session

Guidance Counselors

Kathleen S. Warnken A-K

Thomas W. Bowes L-Z

Seminar Topics

• How do I get started with the college search?• How do I decide which colleges to apply to?• What does the application process look like?• How can I put my best foot forward on my

admissions applications?• What do I need to know about financial aid?• What free resources are available to help?

SAT: is a three hour and forty-five minute test that measures critical reading, writing, and mathematical reasoning skills students have developed

SAT SUBJECT TESTS: (formerly SAT II’s): are one hour tests designed to measure students’ knowledge and skills in particular subject areas. They are required only by a select group of colleges.

ACT: assesses high school students’ general educational development in four skill areas. English, mathematics, reading, and science. The Writing test is optional ( but recommended) The Act is accepted in the place of SAT and sometimes SAT Subject Tests.

The SAT

• Critical Reading 200-800• Math 200-800• Writing 200-800

-(Essay sub score 2-12)• Dates available: May, June, October,

November– It is extremely important that you submit a request

to the College Board to have your SAT scores sent directly to the colleges of your choice.

SAT REGISTRATION

• May 2 Test- April 6th Deadline• June 6th Test- May 8th Deadline

Fee Waiver Eligibility Guidelines# in family Annual Income

1 $21,590

2 $29,101

3 $36,612

4 $44,123

5 $51,634

Trends in College Admissions

What are current trends?

Students are applying to a greater number of schools.

Admission to public institutions has become more competitive.

Increasingly become a parent driven process.

The rise of social media.

BEST COLLEGES

• Selectivity: The proportion of applicants who are offered admission.

• Brand Name vs. Fit

Remember: The Goal is not to get ACCEPTED to college but to GRADUATE from college.

Developing your College List

Get to Know Yourself• What are your post-secondary goals?• How do you want college to help you meet

your goals?• What are you most looking forward to about

college?• What do you like doing?• What are you good at doing?

Developing your College List

• Location/Distance from home.• Size-(600 undergrads- 30,00 undergrads)• Setting- Rural/Suburban/Urban • Admissions requirements• Your learning style• Activities/sports/clubs/ weekend adventures• Financial considerations- cost/financial aid• “FIT”-values, goals, social climate

The College Visit

• Informal vs. formal campus visit• Be sure admissions office knows you’re there!• Weekday is best• Look beyond the publications• Be observant• Ask questions of everyone• You can learn something from EVERY visit, even if

it’s not the place for you.• BEGIN THIS PROCESS ASAP!

Timeline

• Plan to visit 5-10 colleges during junior year• Visits while school is in session is always

preferred• Make the most final visits this summer.• Return for fall of your senior year having seen

all or most of your planned list of colleges.

Factors in Admissions Decisions

• Academic Readiness Strength of high school curriculum Grades in college preparatory classes Overall GPA and trends over four years Class rank• Standardized test scores• Test Optional Schools (www.fairtest.org)

Factors in Admissions Decisions

Public vs. Private Institutions• Private institutions tend to assign high value to

qualitative factors such as essay, recommendations, strength of curriculum and demonstrated interest. (Usually a holistic review)

• Public institutions are more likely to place a greater emphasis on quantitative factors such as GPA, test scores, and class rank. (Often more mechanical review process)

Factors in Admission Decisions

More Selective vs. Less Selective Institutions

• The more selective the institution the more value they place on ALL of the pieces of an

application

-A bunch of apples in a barrel…must choose among MANY academically gifted and talented students.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

• Regular and Rolling Admission• Early Action and Early Decision

Junior Year – To DO

• Students –

-Push yourself academically – junior grades are very important

-Prepare for standardized tests

-Get involved

-Explore your college interests

-Meet with your counselor

It is About Finding The RightMatch

• Top factors in the college admission decision

-Grades in college prep courses

-Standardized admissions tests

-Course selection/rigor

-Essay

-Recommendations

-Other ….

FACTORS IN THE COLLEGE ADMISSION DECISION

• Some large universities and some public institutions rely almost exclusively on GPA and standardized test scores

• Often, the more selective the school, the more factors they consider

• “Tipping factors” could include college essay, demonstration of interest level, senior schedule, senior grades, timing of application, interview, and more ……

Making “The List”

Ultimate Goal: Develop final list with college from each category. 6-9 Applications is typical.

% of list

Probable: Chances for admission are very strong: Make sure at least one is

affordab affordable

Target: Chances for admission are likely; you look like a typical student

Reach: Chances of admission are less than 50% difficult to predict.

25%

50%

25%

Predicting your chances of admission

• Average G.P.A., testing, course selection for the applicant pool

• Consult your college counselor• Use the College Board Website

My College QuickStart Tm

• My College QuickStart™• Free personalized feedback, practice, and college planning based on your PSAT/NMSQT

results.• If You're Logging into My College QuickStart for the First Time:• Enter Your Online Access Code• Your Online Access Code is printed on your PSAT/NMSQT paper score report.

If you do not have your access code, skip to Step #2 below. • Sign into Your College Board Account•

See your scores and your projected SAT score• Review questions you got wrong - and why• Practice for the SAT with hundreds of practice questions• Save your college searches• Take a personality test to find majors and careers fit for you• Get feedback on your readiness for 20+ AP® courses• Note About Test-Prep Product Solicitations

Deadlines

• It is each students’ responsibility to keep track of their own deadlines for the college admission process.

• It is each students’ responsibility to request letters of recommendation and transcripts.

• You’ll find the “request for transcript form” in the guidance office.

• Your guidance counselors are here to support you through this fun, exciting, and stressful process.