THE COLLEGE PROCESS

1. THE COLLEGE PROCESS Preparing for the next step

2. OBJECTIVES • Students will understand the criteria colleges use for admission • Students will explore factors they should consider when selecting a college • Students will learn about the transcript process

3. ASSESSING WHERE YOU ARE • What have you done? • What do you need to do? • Check off where you are in the process: • Identified schools you like • Visited schools • Narrowed down your list • Take SATs or ACTs • Signed up for prep class for SAT or ACT • Talked to teachers about letters of recommendation • Handed in Waiver of Rights form • Everyone must start NOW

4. WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

5. THE TOP 5 MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS

6. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SAT AND ACT SAT ACT • A reasoning test assessing general ability • 10 Sections: three critical reading, three math, three writing, one experimental • Length of Test: three hours and 45 minutes • Penalty for Wrong answers: Yes • Scoring Method: 200-800 per section with 2400 the highest possible score • An achievement test based largely on what students have learned in their classes • Four Sections: one English, one math, one reading, one science reasoning, one optional writing section, one experimental • Length of test: two hours and 55 minutes, plus an additional 30 minutes for writing • Penalty for wrong answers: NO • Scoring Method: 1-36 for each subject, which is averaged for the highest possible score of 36

7. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

8. LOCAL COLLEGE PROFILES as reported for Class of 2011 University of Maryland, College Park • 25,500 applications for a class of 3,975 • Average SAT: 1250-1400 (CR and Math) • GPA: 4.05 weighted Towson University • 15,704 applicants; 8,900 students were admitted • Average SAT: 1560-1770 on all three parts (middle 50%) • Average GPA: 3.53 Stevenson University • Average SAT: 1380-1710 (middle 50%) • ACT average: 22 • GPA: 3.3 unweighted

9. LOCAL COLLEGES PROFILES cont. Salisbury University • Approximately 8,000 applicants; 4,000 students were admitted • Average GPA: 3.7 • Average SAT: 1720 Frostburg University • 5,000 applicants with a 58% admission rate • Average SAT: 1010 on verbal and math (SAT preferred school) • Average GPA: 3.2 UMBC • 8,000 applicants; admitted about 60% of applicants • Average SAT: 1200 (CR and math) or 1800 on all three parts • Average ACT: 27 • Average GPA: 3.6

10. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?? • Work hard to identify colleges that are a good academic match • Study for your SAT’s and ACT’s • Be realistic about creating a list of schools where you will be accepted • Visit schools to narrow down your list

11. WHAT CRITERIA STUDENTS USE • Size • Location • Distance from home • Location of campus (suburb, city, rural) • Academic programs • Special programs • Cost • Reputation • Dorms, food, culture of campus • Extra Curricular Activities i.e. athletics, theater, music, art

12. HOW DO I KNOW WHAT I LIKE IN A SCHOOL? • VISIT! VISIT! VISIT! VISIT! VISIT! • Take a tour • Talk to students on campus • Watch an athletic event or academic event • Talk to admissions counselors • Visit with the admissions rep that come to Reservoir (may sign up for up to five) • ASK YOURSELF: HOW DO I FIT INTO THIS CAMPUS?

13. MAKING A LIST • 1-2 Reach Schools • Long shot for admission; your academics are below admission averages • 3-5 50/50 Schools • Good candidate; your academics are exactly within admission averages • 1-2 Likely Schools • Strong candidate; your academics are above admission averages Be sure to have safe schools academically and financially on your list!

14. TYPES OF ADMISSIONS • Early Decision • Early deadline, early response, BINDING • Early Action • Early deadline, early response, NON-BINDING • Priority Deadline • Students apply by an earlier deadline, and receive priority over students who do not meet the deadline. Decisions are also made earlier • Rolling Admission • Students are accepted/denied as applications are received. • Regular Admission • Apply by regular deadline (usu. Jan 15) and hear a response by April 1

15. THE TRANSCRIPT PROCESS College application checklist Waiver of rights Transcript request Counselor letters of recommendation Teacher letters of recommendation Parent input Timeline

16. COLLEGE APPLICATION CHECKLIST

18. WAIVER OF RIGHTS

19. WAIVER OF RIGHTS NAVIANCE STUDENT SERVICES Home Page  Document Library  College Application Documents  Find “Waiver 2.14” and click “View”  Print Page  Complete  Return to Student Services Pick up a paper form in Student Services  Complete  Return to Student Services Form needs to be signed by both your parent/guardian and you

20. Complete and return to Student Services before you invite teachers on Naviance!

21. TRANSCRIPT REQUEST

22. TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM NAVIANCE STUDENT SERVICES Home Page  Document Library  College Application Documents  Find “Student Records_Transcript Request” and click “View”  Print Page  Complete  Return to Student Services Pick up a paper form in Student Services  Complete  Return to Student Services Due Date: 20 school days prior to your first college application deadline

23. Transcript Request Form Return to Student Services with $4 per transcript!

24. COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATION

25. COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATION INPUT FORM NAVIANCE Home Page  About Me tab  Surveys To Take (left hand side)  Reservoir High School Counselor Input Form Due Date: JUNE 20, 2014 (last day of school)

26. 2 1 3

27. Please answer with great DETAIL!!

28. TEACHER RECOMMENDATION

29. INVITING TEACHERS ON NAVIANCE Colleges tab  Colleges I’m Applying To  Under “Teacher Recommendations” use drop down menu to select teacher(s)  Click “Update Requests” button

30. TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONINPUT FORM NAVIANCE Home Page  About Me tab  Surveys To Take (left hand side)  Reservoir High School Teacher Input Form Maximum of 2 teachers Due Date: 20 school days prior to your first college application deadline

31. 2 1 3 3

32. Please answer with great DETAIL!!

33. TEACHER RECOMMENDATION REQUEST FORM NAVIANCE STUDENT SERVICES Home Page  Document Library  College Application Documents  Find “Teacher Recommendation Request Form” and click “View”  Print Page  Complete  Return to Student Services Pick up a paper form in Student Services  Complete  Return to Student Services Due Date: 20 school days prior to your first college application deadline

34. Complete & return to each of your teachers

35. PARENT INPUT

36. PARENT INFORMATION FORM NAVIANCE Parent Home Page  About Me tab  Surveys To Take (left hand side)  Parent Information Form *This is optional but strongly encouraged Due Date: JUNE 20, 2014 (last day of school)

37. TIMELINE

38. TIMELINE REMINDERS • Counselor Recommendation Input Form • Parent Input Form DUE JUNE 20, 2014 (last day of school)

39. TIMELINE REMINDERS • Transcript Request Form • The registrar will add all colleges listed on request form to “Colleges I’m Applying To” in Naviance • Teacher Recommendation Input Form • Teacher Request Form DUE 20 DAYS PRIOR TO 1ST COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINE

40. MOST COMMON REQUEST DUE DATES

41. CLOSING THOUGHTS • It is imperative to find the balance between a rigorous schedule and being successful • Colleges want to see that you have challenged yourself across curriculums and maintained success • Use multiple resources when researching colleges • Cross reference different websites and utilize print publications • Even if you don’t think you want to apply to HCC • Apply to HCC by February so you can be considered for scholarships and Honors programs. • It is important to keep all your options open!

42. ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS • Admissions counselors caution families from using the term “safety school” • Entrance requirements are become more demanding • There is no such thing as the “perfect college” • There are over 3000 colleges and with effort and guidance you can find multiple colleges where you will be happy and successful. • Be realistic when you are creating your list of schools • Be sure to include an appropriate range of schools and an appropriate number.

43. QUESTIONS?? Visit Reservoir Student Services website for up to date information about college, forms, scholarship, information and more Student Services website can be found: www.rhsgators.com  Quick Links  Student Services