Lawrence High School

1. Lawrence High School The College Admission Process LHS School Counseling Department 2012-2013

2. I don’t know anything about college! Thinking about college is scary. The Barron’s book is way too big They all look the same. Nothing interests me. I’m afraid of getting rejected. I won’t try. My parents didn’t go. My friends aren’t going to college.

4. 3700 Colleges in the U.S. • Community Colleges (Associates Degree) • Two Year Private Colleges (Associates Degree) • NJ State Colleges/Universities • Other State Colleges/Universities (PA, DE, MD, NC, VA, etc.) • HBCU • Liberal Arts Schools • Major Prestige College and Universities & Ivy League Schools • Progressive Colleges • Specialized Institutions (art, music, culinary, arts, technology, etc.)

5. How to Choose? What is important to you? • Location • Academics…is it a good fit? • Entrance Difficulty • Size • Faculty/Class Size • Your major • Campus Setting • Extra-curricular Activities • Athletics • Cost

6. Formulating Your College Search • Begin Early (Use Family Connection College Search) • www.connection.naviance.com/ltps • Be Realistic • Research, visit, and know your resources • Tier your schools • Based on grades, courses taken, and your test scores • Categories • Most Selective • Very Selective • Selective

7. REACH SCHOOLS • Top choice schools – include “long shots” • MATCH SCHOOLS • Schools for which you have the credentials • but there are no guarantees • “Realistic” schools • PROBABLE OR LIKELY SCHOOLS • The probability of admission is “highly likely” to “certain” IDENTIFY 10 SCHOOLS by the end of junior year and begin gathering information about each.

8. What Do Colleges Look For? • Rigorous Schedule (particularly senior year!) • Admission Test Scores • Grades • Level of Courses • Essays/Writing Sample • Community Service • Counselor Recommendation • Teacher Recommendation • Interview • Special Talents, Interests, Skills • Personal Recognition Programs

9. Deadlines ! Regular Decision (April 1) Rolling Admission (reviewed as received) Early Decision*(early application & commitment) Early Action (early application & no commitment)

10. *Early Decision “Binding” – If you get accepted, you MUST go! Must pull all other applications if accepted. Make sure you are a million percent sure this is the right fit!

11. SAT Testing Three Sections: CRITCAL READING: Reading and Reading Comprehension MATHEMATICS: Includes Algebra 1, Geometry, and some Advanced Algebra WRITING: Write a short essay on a given topic Scoring: Either a total of 1600 or 2400 (depends on whether the college uses the writing score)

12. SAT Testing Register Online: www.collegeboard.com CEEB Code: 311487 Official Reports must come from www.collegeboard.com directly LHS does not send scores to colleges Four FREE score reports at the time of registration You can have additional SAT score reports sent to the colleges for a fee after you have taken the test.

13. SAT Score Reports Colleges require official score reports It takes 3-4 weeks for scores to be sent All tests become part of your official testing record Most colleges combine your highest scores Score Choice: Students can select scores by test date for SAT. For more information go to: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/orofdownload/sat-score-choice-juniors-presentation-pdf.pdf

14. SAT Testing Dates May 5, 2012 at LHS (registration deadline April 6th) June 2, 2012 at LHS (registration deadline May 8th) October (TBA), 2012 at LHS November (TBA), 2012 at LHS DON’T MISS THE DEADLINE Get your Practice Test Booklet from the counseling office or online at collegeboard.com

15. SAT Subject Tests 1 Hour length test (can take up to 3 in one day) Required by only some schools Take the tests at the end of the school year in which you have completed the highest level course in the subject you will be tested on (i.e., Math, Biology, etc.) Differentiate the superior students from the super students Cannot take on the same day as SAT

16. ACT – American College Test Register Online : www.act.org Achievement oriented Scores – Range from 1-36 Sections include: Math, English, Reading, and Scientific Reasoning Writing is an optional section Strongly recommended – Sign up for ‘Plus Writing’ Some schools will replace the SAT Subject Test with the ACT score

17. ACT Testing Dates September 8, 2012 at LHS December 8, 2012 at LHS February 9, 2013 at LHS DON’T MISS THE DEADLINE Get your practice book from the counseling office.

18. NCAA Clearinghouse

19. Family Connectionwww.connection.naviance.com/ltps Information specific to each college, compare colleges College Searches Complete surveys, brag sheets, and resumes Track deadlines Produce scattergrams See schedule of college visits

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22. College Visits Campus Tours Open Houses Overnight Stays Visit the actual classes while in session Policy for missing school to visit a college Happy Searching!! Go Visit Colleges!

23. COLLEGE FAIR Sponsored by the Mercer County Professional Counselor Association Tuesday, April 24, 2012 Mercer County Community College 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Over 200 colleges and universities will be present to provide information and answer questions Admission is Free!

24. Interviews Check with schools to see if they offer interviews. Ask intelligent questions. Prepare for the meeting with a copy of your academic record and activities Interview the admission officer – you are learning about them at the same time that they are learning about you

25. Net Price Calculator

26. Net Price Calculator

27. LHS Guidance Facebook

28. Social Networks & Admissions

29. Final thoughts on the college search… From your research, come up with a “short list” of 10 schools that interest you (use Family Connection College Search) Do more extensive research on those schools Trim list down Meet with your counselor Register for August 2012 ‘Application Bootcamp’

30. Good Luck! Remember – there is no perfect school, nor is there just one “right” school for a student. Look for good matches and go with the best fit!

31. Websites fastweb.org finaid.org connection.naviance.comp/ltps ncaa.org/ (National Collegiate Athletic Association) nacacnet.org (National Association for College Admissions Counseling. Offers national college fair information and articles about the college process njsca.org collegeboard.com (information about the SAT test) ACT.org (information about the ACT test) fafsa.ed.gov (government financial aid)

32. Take the Quiz! 1. When is the best time to visit college/ university campuses? a. When schools are in session b. After you have been accepted c. When you can d. Not a priority – you can find out what you need to know from the internet

33. Take the Quiz! 1. When is the best time to visit college/ university campuses? a. When schools are in session b. After you have been accepted c. When you can d. Not a priority – you can find out what you need to know from the internet

34. Take the Quiz! Which year in high school is the most important in the college admission process? a. Senior Year b. Junior Year c. Sophomore Year d. All of the above

35. Take the Quiz! Which year in high school is the most important in the college admission process? a. Senior Year b. Junior Year c. Sophomore Year d. All of the above

36. Take the Quiz! The biggest difference between a college and a university is: a. Universities offer more courses and academic flexibility b. Colleges focus exclusively on undergraduate education c. Universities offer big time athletic programs d. Colleges are not as strong academically as universities

37. Take the Quiz! The biggest difference between a college and a university is: a. Universities offer more courses and academic flexibility b. Colleges focus exclusively on undergraduate education c. Universities offer big time athletic programs d. Colleges are not as strong academically as universities

38. Take the Quiz! 4. The best way to determine whether a college/ university is affordable is to: a. Apply only to schools with low price tags b. Use on-line calculators to determine your family’s financial contribution c. Ask the financial aid officer to provide an early estimate of your family’s expected contribution d. Consult with a financial planner who can help you get the best deal

39. Take the Quiz! 4. The best way to determine whether a college/ university is affordable is to: a. Apply only to schools with low price tags b. Use on-line calculators to determine your family’s financial contribution c. Ask the financial aid officer to provide an early estimate of your family’s expected contribution d. Consult with a financial planner who can help you get the best deal

40. Take the Quiz! 5. Among the following, the biggest reason that capable students might not get into selective schools is: a. They don’t have the right contacts b. The admission committee failed to recognize family’s financial contribution c. They made unwise choices regarding classroom performance d. Their scores were too low

41. Take the Quiz! 5. Among the following, the biggest reason that capable students might not get into selective schools is: a. They don’t have the right contacts b. The admission committee failed to recognize family’s financial contribution c. They made unwise choices regarding classroom performance d. Their scores were too low

42. Take the Quiz! 6. SATs are important in the selection process because: a. They show who can do the work over four years of college b. They are intelligence tests and schools want smart kids c. They get you to focus on developing life-long learning skills d. They are competitive credentials – schools like big numbers

43. Take the Quiz! 6. SATs are important in the selection process because: a. They show who can do the work over four years of college b. They are intelligence tests and schools want smart kids c. They get you to focus on developing life-long learning skills d. They are competitive credentials – schools like big numbers

44. Take the Quiz! The best time to go to college if: a. After you have saved enough money to pay at least 50% of the expense up front b. Right after high school so you don’t lose focus c. Only after you have determined the course of study you want to pursue d. When you are ready

45. Take the Quiz! The best time to go to college if: a. After you have saved enough money to pay at least 50% of the expense up front b. Right after high school so you don’t lose focus c. Only after you have determined the course of study you want to pursue d. When you are ready

46. Take the Quiz! 8. The best college fit is: a. The one that values you for what you do well b. The place that is the closest to home c. The one with the highest ranking d. The place where a lot of your friends will be going

47. Take the Quiz! 8. The best college fit is: a. The one that values you for what you do well b. The place that is the closest to home c. The one with the highest ranking d. The place where a lot of your friends will be going

48. Take the Quiz! What is the most important criteria for determining whether a student should apply Early Decision? a. The student wants to have the best chance of getting into a great school b. The student is convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that the college/university is the absolute best fit and 1st choice. S/he will enroll if accepted c. The student has good connections that will only make a difference in Early Decision d. The student has a great academic record e. The student does not need financial aid

49. Take the Quiz! What is the most important criteria for determining whether a student should apply Early Decision? a. The student wants to have the best chance of getting into a great school b. The student is convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that the college/university is the absolute best fit and 1st choice. S/he will enroll if accepted c. The student has good connections that will only make a difference in Early Decision d. The student has a great academic record e. The student does not need financial aid

50. Take the Quiz! In addition to your guidance counselor, whom should you ask for a letter of recommendation? a. Your neighbor who attended the college b. A religious leader who knows your family well c. A teacher who knows you well d. You state senator or a local politician e. Your employer