Post Secondary Planning

1. Post Secondary Planning Presented by The Counseling Department

2. Post Secondary Options • Employment • Career / Technical School • Military • College • 4 year college • 2 year college

3. About the College Process • Keep the process in perspective • Work together as a family • Students must take ownership • Discuss finances openly • Start early and meet all deadlines • Meet often with your counselor

4. Finding a College • Evaluate: • 4 year vs. 2 year college • Size • Location • Campus Culture • Majors • Academic Credentials • Dormitories • Cost • Extracurricular Activities • Special Programs

5. Hit the Road • Visit school’s websites: • General Information • Requirements • Deadlines • Attend open houses and tours • Many colleges track student interest • Speak to current students • Schedule interview (if offered)

6. Evaluating an Application • Transcript • GPA, Courses & Grades (including senior grades ) • SAT I, SAT II or ACT Scores • Essay(s) • Resume (extracurricular activities) • Letters of Recommendation • It is recommended you apply electronically! Instant submission & confirmation

7. The Common Applicationwww.commonapp.org • May be completed online and sent electronically to approximately 400 schools • May be used to save time from having to complete each college’s individual application • Allows counselor and teacher to submit recommendations electronically to all common application schools

8. What to Give Your Counselor! Please complete by June 2011: • Parent Brag Sheet • Senior Questionnaire • Resume • Transcript Release Form

9. What Will the Counselor Send? • Transcript • Secondary School Report Form • Letter of Recommendation • River Dell School Profile • Counselors will send the above materials electronically or through the mail

10. Teacher Recommendations • Two Teacher Recommendations • Speak with your teachers about recommendations by June • Then, login to Naviance and request a letter of recommendation from each teacher after you have spoken to him/her personally • Be sure to follow up with your teachers in September and update your teachers regarding your application list and deadlines

11. College Admissions - Testing • Students must register to take the SAT I and/or ACT • SAT II’s are required for some colleges, usually more competitive schools (check with each school) • River Dell Regional High School CEEB Code: 311054

12. SAT Test Dates (register at www.collegeboard.com)

13. ACT Test Dates (register at www.actstudent.org)Offered for the first time at RDHS in April and June

14. Types of Admission & Other Terms • Early Decision (Binding) • Early Action (Non-Binding) • Rolling Admission • Regular Admission • Deferred • Waitlisted

15. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) • Student athletes intending to play NCAA Division I or II sports must register with the NCAA • www.ncaa.org • Students in the Class of 2012 must complete 16 core courses in order to meet NCAA requirements.

16. Rutgers University • Rutgers requires your NJ SMART ID for application- see your counselor • You must complete the SRAR (Student Reported Academic Record) in lieu of sending an official transcript • Obtain copy of unofficial transcript to complete SRAR • Do not put in a transcript request into Naviance for Rutgers

17. NAVIANCE connection.naviance.com/riverdell

18. Review of Naviance • Open your internet browser to the following page: connection.naviance.com/riverdell • Please login • Your username is your school e-mail (riverdellj12@student.riverdell.org) • Type in password