Navigating the College Admissions Process: SAT/ACT, Transcripts, Recommendations, Essays, Timelines, Scholarships

1. The Path To College Part II: The College Admissions Process

2. College Admissions Process SAT/ACT Transcripts – HS GPA Recommendations Essays Timelines Scholarships Extra-Curricular Activities

3. SAT • 3 Sections: Math, Critical Reading, and Writing (includes Essay) • Each Section graded out of 800, total 2400 • Critical reading has two 25 minute sections and one 20 minute section • Math has two 25 minute sections and one 20 minute sections • Total Time: 3 Hours and 45 Minutes

4. ACT • Four sections: math, reading, science, and English section with an optional essay (most colleges require this essay) • Each section is out of 36, then averaged to create a composite score. Essay is graded from 2-12. • Math section has 60 questions in 60 minutes. • Reading section has 40 questions in 35 minutes. • Science section has 40 questions in 35 minutes. • English section has 75 questions in 45 minutes. • Total time is 2 hours and 55 minutes or 3 and 25 minutes is student chooses to write the essay.

5. High School Grade Point Average Colleges see academic strengths and weaknesses Trend in grades Good indicator of performance Upward trend in grades is preferable Taking difficult classes looks good Junior year is most important, but other years matter as well

6. AP Credit • Advanced Placement Program is a way to get a head start on college curriculum and earn college credit while in high school! • Then! You can take more upper-level courses in college, or have the opportunity to study abroad. • You can show the admissions committee at almost any university that you’re ready for college. • These classes will help you prepared for the courses you take in college.

7. Dual Enrollment credits • Opportunity to get college credit while taking college classes in high school... Great way to get ahead! • Classes include- English, Math, Foreign Languages, Science, Gen Ed’s

8. Letters of Recommendation P.S.: Make sure they like you • Get Rec. letters from guidance counselors, teachers, coaches, etc • Places of community service and internship provide great letters

9. Extra-Curricular Activities Inside of School Outside of School Work Experience Community Service Internships • National Junior Honor Society • School Organizations DO SOMETHING!

10. Employment- Part-Time/Full Time Community Service- Helping Others Internships- Mostly Done in College, But Good Way To Find Job Interest Hobbies- Things that you enjoy doing Work Experience, Volunteering, and Internships

11. Essays Write a personal statement Essays can also be written for scholarships Express yourself through the writing because this is the biggest chance to impress colleges

12. Example topics for essay’s • Best way to show schools who you are as a person, and how you would contribute to the student body on campus • Could be personal experiences regarding school, work, sports, volunteering, and overall life experiences that were important to you!

13. Timeline Be on top of your deadlines for everything: college applications, scholarship applications, and volunteer applications. Being on time prevents you from missing various opportunities and portrays a good image, making yourself a favorable candidate.

14. Example timeline • Juniors: • Take SAT’s/ACT’s/AIMS/entrance exam’s early, just incase you need to retake it • Make list of desired schools • Focus on improving/maintaining GPA • Start looking/applying for scholarships and different schools, earlier the better especially for scholarships • See potential letters of recommendation writers • Speak to councilors about potential careers • Senior year: • Apply for colleges and scholarships early (complete essays/ letters of recommendations, etc.) • Figure out living situations (dorm, transportation) for freshman year! • Look into jobs and possible internships, volunteering, and Greek life if interested! • Very important to not slack off in school, no senioritis! colleges can revoke your acceptance if you drop off

15. Scholarships • Easy way to make free money and finance your college education. • Develop a chain of networking so that you can meet new people and learn of places to volunteer, where you can make a difference.

16. AIMS, PSAT, and FAFSA • AIMS Scholarship • Aka. Regents High Honors Endorsement Award- Full state university tuition scholarship • Fixed amount that is awarded for all 4 years • Must exceed all three sections of the AIMS test • Reading, Writing, and Math • Must have a B or higher in all sixteen core classes

17. PSAT and FAFSA • PSAT • Good practice for the SAT • Qualify for different scholarships/national recognition programs • National Merit Scholarship Award • National Hispanic Recognition Program • FAFSA • Free Application for Student Federal Aid • Schools use this information to prepare financial aid packages to meet students’ financial needs

18. FastWeb • www.fastweb.com • Leading Internet scholarship search used by 1 out of 3 college bound high schools students • Contains scholarship opportunities, helps with the college application process, and has financial aid tips • Apply for as many scholarships as you can! You will be surprised with how many opportunities are out there!

19. FastWeb: Example of scholarships and internships www.suessville.com/ohtheplaces: $5000 scholarship, write an essay to apply from a given prompt www.freshbrain.org/scholarship/share-your-best-music: Submit your own music piece/album cover and you can win up to $2500 www.fitnessexercises.tv/scholarships.php: Could win $5000 for writing an essay about why healthy living is important www.minorityacess.org/intern_program_04.htm: Internship for minorities to experience work in the federal government, make $400 a week

20. University of Arizona Scholarships • Regents High Honors Endorsement Award • Scholarships for incoming freshman include: • Wildcat Excellence Award • Awards $2,500-8,500 to incoming freshmen • Awarded for all 4 years • Based on high school performance • National Hispanic Scholarship • Awards $15,000 to incoming Hispanic students

21. Arizona State University Scholarships • Regents High Honors Endorsement Award • President’s Scholarship • $9,000 based on outstanding high school performance • Provost’s Scholarship • $7,500 based on outstanding high school performance • University Scholarship • $2,500 based on outstanding high school performance

22. Northern Arizona University Scholarships • Regents High Honors Endorsement Award • President’s Award • $3,750 per year • Dean’s Award • $2,500 per year • Merit Award • $1,750 per year

23. Federal Work Study Program • Provides part time job opportunities to students who show financial need • Earnings from these jobs are removed from FAFSA and therefore do not count when designating a student’s financial need • Offers opportunities to work in your field of study with flexible hours so as not to interfere with classes • Enhance your resume while gaining work related experience!

24. “To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.”Chinese Proverb

25. Thank You