Let’s get ready for College with The Princeton Review

1. Let’s get ready for College with The Princeton Review

2. Introductions • Natalie Segura NSegura@review.com • Alexandria Kless AKless@review.com Office Phone number: 504-865-1060 800-2-REVIEW www.PrincetonReview.com

3. Who We Are • The Princeton Review helps students at every stage of their educational careers. • Classroom courses in 41 states and 21 countries. • Private and Small Group Tutoring programs. • We provide PSAT, SAT, SAT subject tests, ACT, AP subject, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, USMLE, and TOEFL preparation. • We publish a series of test preparation books, including the best-selling Cracking the SAT and Best 371 Colleges. • New software technologies such as handhelds, iPhone applications and podcasts.

4. What do you need to get into college? HS Transcript / GPA SAT/ACT Application Essay Extracurricular Activities Recommendations Interviews

5. HS Transcripts- reveals all the academic work that you’ve completed from freshman year to senior year; answers the question, “Have you consistently challenged yourself academically?” Have you taken regular courses? Honors classes? AP classes? GPA is critical. Focus on your GPA and getting good grades! Standardized Test Scores - The SAT / ACT are necessary evils in the eyes of most admissions counselors. It’s important for you to understand why those test scores are such a useful tool to so many admissions counselors. College Essay -An exceptional college application essay shares something about yourself that your transcript might not reveal. Extracurricular/Achievements – What you do outside of school should all be included on your application because all of those activities tell a clear story about your commitments, your interests – quite simply, it tells your story. Recommendations– letters of support are needed from school councelors, teachers, principals, community leaders. Ask for these as early as possible. Interviews - Admissions counselors allow students to interview because, again, it allows them to learn a little bit more about you.

6. A New Approach Step 1: Collect a long list of schools. DO NOT disqualify yourself Step 2: Try our college search at princetonreview.com/collegesearch. Step 3: Know your academic credentials. Step 4: Eliminate any schools that do not meet your basic needs.

7. College Admissions Tests

8. SAT vs. ACT

9. What do ACT and SAT Scores Really Measure? How well you take the test.

10. Don’t take your scores personally. • SAT and ACT scores are NOT a measure of your intelligence. • Anybody, with the proper coaching, can learn how to increase their scores.

11. SAT/ACT Optional Schools • Over 815 colleges and universities across the United States admit a substantial number of students without regard to test scores. • This list of schools includes colleges and universities that deemphasize the use of standardized tests by making admissions decisions about substantial numbers of applicants who recently graduated from U.S. high schools. • Some schools exempt students who meet grade-point average or class rank criteria while others require SAT or ACT scores but use them only for placement purposes or to conduct research studies. • Please check with the school's admissions office to learn more about specific admissions requirements, particularly for international or non-traditional students. • For a complete listing of SAT/ACT optional schools visit www.fairtest.org.

12. Which test should I take? • There is NO downside to taking both tests. We encourage it! • Free Practice Tests (SAT, ACT) • Princeton Review Assessment (PRA)

13. Questions? 1-800-2-REVIEW www.princetonreview.com