RHS Guidance Department

1. Junior College Planning Night RHS Guidance Department

2. Alphabet Breakdown Class of 2015 Mrs. Rotondo: A – Cl Mr. Saleem: Co-Ke Ms. Richard: Kh- M Mr. Green: N– Z

3. Agenda • Guidance News • College Selection Factors • Family Connection • Admission Factors • Admission Process • Athletics • Reminders • Questions?

4. Guidance News To date, the Guidance Department processed 1460 applications to 253 different colleges The class of 2013 graduates can be found on 87 different campuses this year: 80% attend a 4-year institution 17% attend a 2-year institution

5. Top 10 Schools the Class of 2013 Attend Drexel University Monmouth University Montclair University Penn State University Rutgers University Saint Joseph’s University The College of NJ University of Delaware University of Maryland University of Tampa

6. Most Popular Schools to apply to for the Class of 2014 Drexel University James Madison University Penn State University Rowan University Rutgers University The College of NJ Towson University University of Delaware West Chester University

7. College Search Process • Where do we begin? • Communication: • What is the student looking for? • What are the parent expectations? • Impt. Topics: Location, Cost, Commuting • Initial Research: • Websites and View books- • College Board & Family Connection • Test Drive: • Visitations fall, spring, and summer • open house, tours and sit in on a class (Schedule)

8. College Selection Factors • Size of Campus: • Large, Medium, or Small • Public or Private Institution • Location: • Distance from Home • Urban, Suburban, or Rural • Quality & Selection of Programs • Quality of Faculty • Resident or Commuter • Diversity of Student Body

9. College Selection Factors • Athletics: • Div. I, II, III • Club or Intramural • Cost: • Tuition: In-State vs. Out of State • Financial Aid • Support Services: • Career Services, Tutoring, Counseling, etc. • Special Programs: • Study Abroad, Internship Opportunities, Graduate Programs, etc.

10. Family Connection • College Search Database specified to RHS • Each Junior received a password. • Forgotten Passwords: See your counselors • Link to Family Connection can be found on the RHS Website • Parents and Students receive e-mails via Family Connection

17. Impt. Factors for the Admission Committee • What are colleges looking for? • Types of Courses/Load • Senior Year: 4 Academic Courses minimum • Grade Point Average (computed at the end of each year) • Standardized Tests: (SAT/ACT; SATII) • Essay • Interviews (not all require) • Sample Questions on Guidance Website • Interest Level • Extracurricular/Work Experiences • Sample Activities Resume on Guidance Website & in Counselor Recommendation Packet • Honors/Awards • Letters of Recommendation

18. Testing Information Juniors take the ACT, SAT I, and SAT II during the spring time. Students tend to take either the ACT, SAT I, or combination of three times (spring time junior year/fall senior year). SAT/ACT: Institutions will only accept them directly from the college board and/or ACT. Reporting: Score Choice for both. SAT II: Highly selective schools tend to require SAT II or Subject Tests. Juniors taking an AP course are recommended to take the Subject Test in May of their junior year. AP Exams: Students can choose to send or not to send in their official score report only to the institution they are attending. Test Optional Schools: www.fairtest.org Test Prep: Kaplan, Princeton Review, Huntington, Private Tutors

19. Differences Between the ACT and SAT SAT - Has 3 Components: Critical Reading, Math, & Writing - Aptitude Test Highest Maximum Score: 2400 (each section 800) Penalty for wrong answers ACT - Has 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, & Writing (optional) - Achievement Test Highest Maximum Score: Composite of a 36 No Penalty for wrong answers

20. The Essay – Your Voice • Most difficult part of the application for most students • Answer the question • Brainstorm First • One third about the situation and two thirds about you • Use your own “voice” in the process - Don’t write to impress the admission committee

21. Letters of Recommendation Counselor Recommendation Packet: - Parent Brag Sheet, Student Brag Sheet, & Student Resume - Have completed forms into your counselor by June 3rd. □ Students must first ask the teacher to write the letter of recommendation. If they say yes, then the student must complete the Teacher Recommendation Packet: - Part I: Student Questionnaire due by June 3rdto each teacher - Part II: Students will be given instructions at Sr. College Planning Night in September 2013 Recommendation Packets can be accessed online via the Guidance Website. Click “College Planning” then click “Forms.”

22. Activities • Create an Activities Resume • Focus on one or two activities • Show how you have developed as a leader • Quality vs. Quantity

23. College Application Process Do not wait, apply early in senior yr! • Application Deadlines • Early Action, Early Decision, Restrictive Early Action, Regular Deadline, & Rolling Admission • Types of Applications: • Paper, on-line, Common Application (if a school accepts Common App. student should use this application), Universal College Application • Letters of Recommendation Hand in your brag sheets to Mrs. Quick by June 3, 2013.

24. Athletes • NCAA Eligibility Center: • https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/ • Can be submitted at the beginning of Junior Year • Send SAT or ACT to NCAA Eligibility Center directly • Send Official Transcript to NCAA Eligibility Center • Athletic Scholarships: Div. I or Div. II only • Student Athletes Ask Yourself: “If I can not compete, would this still be the right school for me?”

25. Helpful Reminders • Change your email addresses to a family account • Facebook Accounts: College Admission Offices do look at your accounts • “Best Fit” not “Best School”: Finding the best fit requires visiting and researching • How many?: 2 reach, 3-4 target, 2-3 probable • On average 8 total • If student applies to highly selective schools, 12 total • Junior and Senior Grades Matter • Register for SAT and ACT in Spring of Jr. Year/Fall Sr. Year • SAT: January, March, May or June • ACT: February, April or June

26. Last Minute Thoughts Remember, the college application process is unlike anything you or your sons/daughters have experienced The stress level for applying to colleges is high

27. Tips for Parents Reassure your son or daughter that you will be proud, regardless of the outcome Don’t believe everything you hear – get an objective third party opinion Remember, there is a school out there for everyone

28. Upcoming Dates • Starting January 13th: Individual Student Meetings with Counselor for Course Selection and Future Planning • February 22nd: Free Practice Test ½ SAT & ½ ACT (Pre-register through Kaplan by February 18th) • March 7th: College Admission Panel at RHS at 7pm Panel of Experts From: Mercer County Community College, Rider University, Rutgers University, University of Delaware • April 6th : NYC National College Fair at Jacob Javits Center from 11am – 4pm • April 22nd:Mercer County Community College sponsored college fair from 6pm – 8:30pm • April 23rd & 24th: NJ National College Fair at Meadowlands Expo Center • April 23rd: 9am – 12:00pm & 6:00pm – 9:00pm • April 24th:9am – 12noon • Late August: Attend Mrs. Rotondo’s College Workshop at RHS • June 3rd: Letter of Recommendation Packets Due • September 2014: Senior College Planning Night

29. Questions?