Welcome to College Information Night

1. Welcome to College Information Night LinganoreHigh School September 18, 2013 Kathy Becker – Grades 10-12 Last Names A-G Paula Larson – Grades 10-12 Last Names H-P Renata Emery – Grades 10-12 Last Names Q-Z Ilana Blum – Grade 9 Last Names A -Z

2. Minimum Graduation Requirements For College Entry English - 4 credits Mathematics - 4 credits including Algebra 2, and Geometry Laboratory Science - 3 credits including Biology Social Studies - 3 credits World Languages - 2 credits of same language, 3 recommended Health - .5 credit Physical Education - .5 credit Fine Arts - 1 credit Technology Education (FOT or IED) -1 credit Career Pathways - 3 credits General Electives - 3 credits Total 25 Credits

3. FCPS Unweightedvs Weighted GPAs • Colleges and scholarship services use GPAs to determine eligibility for admission or award. GPAs are determined by adding all quality points for all courses taken and dividing by the number of courses • Unweighted – Students are ranked using final course grades; all course work is included • Weighted – Students who have taken honors, advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or accelerated academic courses receive this ranking. • Comparison of the two types of rankings

4. University System of Maryland Bowie State University Coppin State University Frostburg State University Morgan State University Salisbury University Towson University University of Baltimore University of Maryland, Baltimore University of Maryland Baltimore County University of Maryland, College Park University of Maryland Eastern Shore University of Maryland University College St. Mary’s College of Maryland

5. Private and Independent Colleges Goucher College Hood College The Johns Hopkins University Loyola College Maryland Institute College of Art McDaniel College Mount Saint Mary’s University Notre Dame of Maryland University Saint John’s College Stevenson University Washington College

6. What Do 4 Year Colleges Consider? Primary Factors • Rigor of Academic Courses • Academic Performance/ Grades • College Admissions Test Scores Additional Factors • Extra-curricular Activities • Essay (s) • Letters of Recommendation • Demonstrated Interest

7. College Admissions Testing SAT • Time: 3 hours, 45 minutes • Subjects Covered: Critical Reading, Math, Writing (includes essay), Experimental (unscored) • Science: Not covered • Math accounts for 1/3 of overall score (includes Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra 1, & Algebra 2 ACT • Time: 3 hours, 25 minutes • Subjects Covered: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (optional) • Science: Analysis, Interpretation, Evaluation, Basic Content, & Problem Solving • Math accounts for ¼ of overall score (includes Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, & Trigonometry Scoring: total out of 2400Scoring: total composite of 1-36

8. SAT averages for USM* College Park: 1190 – 1410 (not incl. writing) Frostburg: 1300 -1590 Salisbury: 1600 - 1830 (optional w/ 3.5 gpa) Towson: 1490 - 1770 UMBC: 1660 – 1960 *Midrange scores for incoming 2013 freshmen according www.collegeboard.org

9. SAT Subject Tests • May be required/recommended for some private and/or Ivy League schools • Two subject tests in two different subject areas: History, Literature, Math, Science or Language other than English

10. Campus Visits • Take a campus tour • Speak to an admissions counselor • Determine actual costs • Ask about financial aid opportunities • Audit a class of interest • Read the student newspaper • Talk to current students and faculty • Tour student housing • Investigate academic programs

11. What To Consider In Selecting A College Do’s • Size/Diversity of Student Body • Location, Location, Location • Academic Programs (majors) • Campus Life – Athletics, Activities, Housing, Food • Graduation/Retention Rates • Financial/Scholarship Opportunities Don’t’s • Where your best friend or boy/girl friend are going • The “name brand” of the school • Admissions Policy • Limit yourself based on financial reasons

12. Application Deadlines ( What do they mean?) • Early Decision – allows students to apply early and learn their admissions decision early in exchange for a commitment to attend that college and withdraw all other applications. Student can apply early decision to only one college, but may apply regular decision to other schools. Early decision acceptance is binding so it may not be a good option for a student unsure about his/her first choice college. • Early Action – similar to early decision but if accepted student is not obligated to notify the college of his/her decision to attend until spring. • Single-Choice Early Action – Student may not apply early (decision or action) to any other school. The student can still apply regular decision to other schools and does not have to give a final answer of acceptance until the regular admissions deadline.

13. Community Colleges Each year, nearly 500,000 Marylanders attend one of Maryland’s 16 community colleges, in both credit programs, and continuing education and workforce development courses. Allegany College of Maryland Anne Arundel Community College Baltimore City Community College Community College of Baltimore County Carroll Community College Cecil College Chesapeake College College of Southern Maryland Frederick Community College Garrett College Hagerstown Community College Harford Community College Howard Community College Montgomery College Prince George's Community College Wor-Wic Community College

14. Community College Requirements * Must be 18 years old or high school diploma (transcript required) * Admissions deadline: rolling * Transfer Programs: recommend consulting school you wish to transfer to. *Assessments: Reading, Writing, Math

15. Why Community College? • 2nd chance to get into your 1st choice • Unsure about major • Maturity reasons • Financial reasons • Not ready for total independence

16. Transfer Programs • Complete 60 transferable credits • Transfer to 4 year university • Community Colleges have contracts with many universities which guarantee admission • With transfer program can earn Associates (AA) Degree • May be limit on transfer credits • May be limit on major credits • To find out what courses transfer to USM schools go to www.artweb.usm.edu

17. Steps to enroll at FCC • 3 ways to apply 1. Complete online application form 2. Mail hardcopy of application to FCC 3. Take your application to the Welcome & Registration Center • 3 ways to place 1. Take FCC assessment tests in reading, writing, and math 2. Present transcript with “B” or higher in upper level math and/or English 3. Use qualifying SAT (550), ACT (21) scores, AP Exam (3+) • Set up an appointment with an advisor 1. Meet with your advisor 2. Review assessments 3. Register for classes • Pay your bill

18. NCAA Eligibility – www.ncaa.org • To register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, go online to • www.eligibilitycenter.org and click the link to enter as an NCAA • College-Bound Student-Athlete. • To create an account, either click • on the “New Account” button at the top right of the screen or the • cell phone on the left side of the screen. • Note: If you fail to submit all the documents required or if no NCAA • school requests your eligibility status, your incomplete file will be • discarded after five years, requiring you to pay a new fee if certification • is requested after that time. • You will need to provide a valid email address to create an account

19. Senior Timeline - Fall • Early September: Register for SAT or ACT if planning to retake. • September: Begin the application process online. • Attend college information programs and college fairs. • Visit college campuses , attend open houses. • Ask teachers for letters of recommendation, provide resume.

20. Senior Timeline – Fall – For Linganore High School • Complete and return to the Student Services office the “Senior Information” and “Transcript Release” forms (given in advisment on Sept 9thand/or located at http://education.fcps.org/lhs. • Request transcripts using “Transcript RequestForm – also part of September 9 packet. Complete application to Common Application colleges first . See a list of participating colleges, go to www.commonapp.org, then click on Member Colleges and Universities) All forms can be found in the Student Services office or online at http://education.fcps.org/lhs(click Parents & Students, then School Counseling, then Transcript Info).

21. Senior Timeline - Spring • January: complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. FAFSA provides financial aid opportunities, eligibility information, and can calculate an estimated financial aid package. • Frequently check the LHS website for scholarships awarded by schools, local companies, and community groups. • Additional sources for scholarship searches: www.schoolsoup.com, www.fastweb.com, www.finaid.org, http://www.nasfaa.org/Default.aspx • Notify Student Services of any financial aid or scholarships you are offered. • May 1: deadline for final choice notification to colleges. • Take AP exams: have scores sent to your final choice college. • Send thank-you notes to teachers who wrote recommendation letters. • Have final transcripts sent to your college (these requests are done at graduation practice). • July: notify the financial aid office of the college you will attend about any scholarships you have received.

22. Facts about FAFSA • Available January 1 of senior year – link is available on our website at http://education.fcps.org/lhs. • Must be completed by March 1 for eligibility for merit based aid • Form must be submitted every year • Requires pin # for student and parent (www.pin.ed.gov) • Use FAFSA4caster to calculate student’s eligibility for federal student aid to include grants and loans @ StudentAid.gov • The FAFSA website can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov

23. Thank you for attending tonight’sCollege Information Night The Counselors are now available to answer your questions