RISING SENIOR COLLEGE NIGHT:

GETTING AHEAD IN THE COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCESS

DECEMBER 18, 2014

Weston High School

Tonight’s Focus

Application Process Timeline: What should

I be doing now through the end of summer?

Researching Colleges

Standardized Testing

Components of the College Application

WHS Application Process

What Should I Be Doing Now ?

Timeline

February - June Schedule Individual Junior Planning

Meeting with your counselor (Starting in March)

Keep Assigned Appointment in CCC

Register / Prepare for AP exams

Register / Prepare for SAT, Subject Tests and ACT

Schedule College Visits

A Good Decision Requires Information

Gather information about yourself strengths, weaknesses, abilities, interests

Gather information about colleges Admission statistics Location Size Majors/ Programs Financial Aid Retention & Graduation Rate

What Resources Are Available?

Naviance

College Guidebooks

Campus Visits

Visits at WHS

College and Career Center

WHS Counseling Newsletter

College and Career Center

Marilyn MoksCCC

Prospective College List

Add Colleges to Prospective List

Video Clip

How should you choose colleges to apply to?

Stephanie Balmer, Dean of AdmissionsDickinson College

Standardized Testing

SAT

SAT II: Subject Tests

ACT

All students should set a goal to have all of their standardized

testing completed by the end of the school year.

Fact or Myth #1

My test score is the most important factor in a college's

admission decision.

#1: Myth

Admission test scores are just one factor colleges consider, along with

grades and classes. While most four-year colleges require tests, the emphasis on the test scores varies

by college.

Fact or Myth: #2

I don't need to take an expensive test-prep course to prepare for an

admission test.

#2: Fact

Free and low-cost preparation works as well as, and maybe even better than, expensive test prep. Try these ideas: •Use practice tests on the test maker's website.

•Take the PSAT/NMSQT or PLAN. These tests cover the same subjects as the SAT and ACT.

•Make it a habit to read and write frequently in and outside of class.

Fact or Myth: #3

I need to take an admission test multiple times to get the best

possible score.

#3: Myth

Studies show that taking tests multiple times won't significantly improve your

score. But if you feel you didn't do your best, you have the option of learning from

your score and taking the test a second time. Taking it spring of junior year gives you that flexibility and can help you start

on your college list and visits.

Fact or Myth: #4

If I get a really high score on an admission test, I can get in

anywhere.

#4: Myth

High test scores won't automatically get you in any college. For example, you may have high scores, but your school record shows that you haven't worked hard in

your classes. Colleges want well-rounded students who have shown good character,

motivation and accomplishments, both inside and outside the classroom.

Fact or Myth: #5

I can choose which colleges see my scores, and I can choose which

scores to send.

#5: Fact

Both the SAT and the ACT allow you to send scores to colleges you choose. And if

you've taken either of these tests more than once, in many cases, you can choose

to share only your best scores. Visit a college's official website to check its

score-use policy, or use College Search to find colleges' SAT score-use policies.

Remaining SAT and Subject Test Dates

Test Date Test Offered Registration Late Fee Deadline

January 24th SAT & Subject Tests Dec 29th Jan 13th

March 14th SAT Only Feb 13th March 3rd

May 2th SAT & Subject Tests April 6th April 21st

June 6st SAT & Subject Tests May 8th May 27th

It is the student’s responsibility to know which tests are required by each college

Remaining ACT Dates

Test Date Registration Late Fee

Deadline

February 7th January 9th Jan 10th

April 18th March 13th March 14th

June 13th May 8th May 9th

Resume – Things to Include

• STUDENT GOVERNMENT

• PERFORMING ARTS ACTIVITIES

• YEARBOOK

• SPORTS: Varsity and any out-of-school clubs or experiences

• COMMUNITY SERVICE

• OUTSIDE of SCHOOL LEARNING EXPERIENCES

• OTHER ACTIVITES (i.e. religious activities, hobbies, clubs, etc.)

• SUMMER or SPECIAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

• EMPLOYMENT

• HONORS and AWARDS

Video Clip

Is participating in a lot of activities important?

Stephanie Balmer, Dean of Admissions Dickinson College

Timeline . . . continued

May/June

Return all necessary processing forms to Mrs. Osinski in Guidance

Parent Brag Sheet – submit online through Naviance

Resume– submit online through Naviance

Transcript Release - Tan

Junior Questionnaire – submit online through Naviance

Begin Journaling Essay Ideas

Continue to Research and Visit Colleges

Ask 2 teachers to write a letter of recommendation for you in the fall

Teacher Recommendations

Two Teacher Recommendations Ask your teachers, in person, prior to

leaving in June.

Follow-up, Thank you notes

Getting Started on the Essay

Brainstorm essay ideas with parents, teachers and friends.

Read the six essay prompt on the Common Application. www.commonapp.org (*new prompts will be released in March)

Think of an interesting story to tell that answers one of the prompt and reveals something about you not already shared in your application.

Work on your story over the summer. Good essays evolve and take many edits.

Check supplemental writing questions for each individual college – do not short change these!

Video Clip

How should you present yourself in an essay?

Jeff Brenzel, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Yale University

WHS College Application Process

• Expectations

• When to Apply

• How to Apply

• Components of the Application

Expectations

WHS uses Naviance exclusively to manage the College Application Process. Students are expected to: Update Prospective & Active Applications

Complete all processing forms

Students - Check Weston email daily and respond.

When to Apply

• Early Action

• Restrictive Early Action

• Early Decision I & II

• Priority

• Regular Decision

• Rolling Admission

How to Apply

Apply Online

Use the Common Application (www.commonapp.org) whenever possible. Check if supplement is required.

Components of the Student Application

Student and Demographic DataAcademic InformationExtracurricular ActivitiesEssay(s)Signature – electronicallyPayment (if required)

Sending SAT and ACT Score

Students must contact the testing agency to request scores to be sent to each college.

WHS does not report SAT or ACT scores on the transcript.

SAT - www.collegeboard.org ACT – www.ACT.org

What Will the Counselor Send?

Transcript

School Profile

Secondary School Report Form

Counselor Recommendation

Teacher Recommendations

Completed Application

Application submitted online by studentSAT or ACT scores requested, by student, to be

sent from testing agencySchool package sent from College Guidance Office

which includes: Teacher recommendation letter(s) Counselor Recommendation School Report Form Transcript School Profile

Follow-Up

Follow-up with each school to be sure everything has arrived and your application is complete.

Timeline . . . continued

Over the Summer… Continue to research and visit colleges

Make all necessary revisions to your main essay

Register on the commonapp website

Begin filling out college applications

Fine tune the list of schools you will be applying to in

the Fall.

Lastly…….

• Keep the process in perspective

• Work together as a family

• Students must take ownership

• Discuss finances openly

• Start early and meet all deadlines

Video Clip

Experts debunk the top college search myths.