Hosted by: Michelle Wells – School Counselor

1. Welcome to Colonial Beach’s Senior COLLEGE Night! 9/11 Hosted by: Michelle Wells – School Counselor

2. Agenda • College decision process • Senioritis warning • Early Action and Early Decision • Regular and Rolling admissions • SAT and ACT information • Scholarships • Senior application calendar • The Common Application • Student and Counselor responsibilities • Application checklist • Presentation Evaluation

3. The College Decision Process • Explore options • Gather information (consider academics, interests, clubs, sports, etc. of each school) • Select prospective schools (long list), visit if possible, make pro/con list to decide. • Decide which schools to apply to (short list). • Send COMPLETE applications by due date. Wait for responses… • Make the Final Decision and respond to schools. Helpful Websites • www.cappex.com (college search website) • http://ecampustours.com/ (virtual tours of campuses) • www.youniversitytv.com(virtual tours of campuses, given by students) • www.princetonreview.com (college search website)

4. Important “Senioritis” Information Offers of admission are ALWAYS “pending final transcript” Course load could influence scholarship decisions and Honors programs. Maintaining a strong senior year GPA is crucial.

5. Early Action vs. Early Decision Early Action • Application is usually due in November, student hears back about acceptance before January. (only one EA school per student) • The decision is not binding. Early Decision • Student still applies early and college replies before the end of the year but the agreement is binding. (only one ED school per student) • Applicants who are accepted from an Early Decision pool have signed an agreement in their applications promising to enroll at that school if accepted. Usually a deposit is due with the notice of acceptance.

6. Regular vs. Rolling Admissions Regular Admission • Usually due between January 1st and February 15th. • Acceptances selected from total applicant pool, AFTER early decision and early action students have been selected. Rolling Admission • Usually no deadline; the EARLIER THE BETTER! • Students accepted, wait listed, or rejected on first-come, first-served basis.

7. SAT, ACT, & ASVAB Testing Information Test dates and registration forms can be found online: www.collegeboard.com (SAT) www.act.org (ACT) www.asvabprogram.com (ASVAB) Colonial Beach School Code: 470577

8. SATvs. ACT: 10 differences SAT • Ambiguous questions • Multiple choice & fill in blank • Vocabulary heavy • Guessing penalty • No science • Algebra & Geometry • 25 minute essay • 10 separate sections • Section scores more important than overall score • Experimental section* ACT • Straightforward questions • Multiple choice • Less vocabulary, more grammar • No guessing penalty • Science section • Algebra to Trigonometry • Essay is optional • Each subject is one section • Overall score more important than sections • No experimental section

9. Examples: • What is your view of the claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value? • Solve: 2x-60=120 • In your view, should high schools become more tolerant of cheating? • What is the value of x when 2x-60=120? a. x = 20 b. x = 80 c. x = 90 d. x = 0

10. SAT and ACT Question of the Day SAT QOTD • Twitter: @SATQuestion • Smartphones: SAT Question of the Day App • Website: http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-question-of-the-day • Facebook: Many SAT practice question pages plus the official collegeboardfacebook page ACT QOTD • Twitter: @ACTStudent • Website: http://www.act.org/qotd/ • Facebook: Many ACT practice question pages plus the official ACT facebook page • Guide to the ACT: http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf

11. What’s a “good” score? • Three parts: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing. • The scores from each section can range from 200 to 800, so the best possible total score is 2400. • The average score for each section is roughly 500, so the average total score is about 1500. • For the 1.65 million test-takers in the class of 2011, the mean scores were 497 critical reading, 514 math, and 489 reading. • Four parts: English Language, Reading, Mathematics, and Science. Each category receives a score between 1 and 36. Those four scores are then averaged to generate the composite score used by most colleges. • The writing section is scored on a 12-point scale. The average score is between 7 and 8. • The average composite score is roughly a 21. That is, about 50% of test-takers score below a 21.

12. $cholarships Scholarship Websites • www.fastweb.com • www.scholarships.com • www.finaid.org/scholarships • Merit Based: based on achievements • Need Based: based on financial need • Contests: submissions • Awards: usually nominated • Grants: government awarded based on specific criteria APPLY FOR EVERYTHING YOU CAN!!!!

13. Senior Application Calendar September  Review each application process; BE MINDFUL OF ALL DEADLINES! • Register for SAT, ACT, and/or ASVAB (December 10th). • Maintain academic performance and activities participation. • Complete Letter of Recommendation information forms. • Draft long list – list of schools you’re interested in. • Compare schools and finalize short list – the schools and military institutions you will apply to. (make sure you have safety and reach schools) • Begin drafting personal statement or essay. • Begin scholarship search.

14. Senior Application Calendar October • Individual planning appointment with Mrs. Wells. • Request transcripts from counseling office. • Begin asking teachers and other adults to write recommendation letters. (provide information forms) • Have teachers review personal statement. • Maintain academic performance and activities participation. • Continue scholarship search.

15. Senior Application Calendar November • Report ACT and SAT/SAT Subject Test scores to collegesyou are applying to (you can send to 5 colleges for free the day of the test, after the test there is an additional fee). • Send first quarter grades to colleges with Early Action and Early Decision programs. • If applying Early Action or Early Decision, contact school to make sure application is complete. • Register for a FAFSA Personal Identification Number (PIN) at www.fafsa.ed.gov

16. Senior Application Calendar December • Collect Recommendation Letters from teachers/adults; write follow-up thank you notes. • Submit applications before deadline; follow each college’s/university’s procedures. • Contact colleges to make sure all application materials have arrived. • Enjoy your break! 

17. Senior Application Calendar Spring Semester • Maintain academic performance. • Continue with extra curricular activities. • Continue scholarship search. • Reply immediately to any correspondence from schools. • NATIONAL NOTIFICATION DATE: April 1st!! (watch the mail! Come sign the acceptance poster!) • NATIONAL STUDENT NOTIFICATION DATE: May 1st!

18. The Common Application https://www.commonapp.org/Login The 2013 Essay Prompts http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/common-application-essay-prompts.htm • CNU • The College of William and Mary • Emory and Henry College • Hampden-Sydney College • Hollins University • Marymount University • Randolph College • Randolph-Macon College • Roanoke College • Sweet Briar College • University of Mary Washington • University of Richmond • UVA • VCU

19. Student Responsibilities Counselor Responsibilities • Take standardized tests and submit scores to prospective institutions. • Ask teachers for letters of recommendation (at least 2 full weeks prior to due date). • Request transcript. • Complete and submit applications by due date. • Apply for scholarships. • Register with the NCAA to play college sports. • Write letter of recommendation (if asked). • Follow-up with student in individual meetings. • Answer questions from students and parents. • Help guide the student through the application process. • Schedule college representative visits

20. College Application Checklist • College Application • Application Fees • Essays • Activities List/ Résumé • Letters of recommendation • SAT/ACT scores • High School Transcripts • Proof of residency (if applicable) • Immunization Records (if required) • NCAA forms (if applicable)

21. Thanks for coming! I will be reviewing ALL seniors’ graduation requirements and progress individually in October. If you have additional questions, please call 224-0040 to schedule a meeting.