Cocalico School District HS Counseling Department

1. Cocalico School DistrictHS Counseling Department College Planning Seminar for Students & Parents March 5, 2009

2. Where to Begin? • The process of applying to colleges can be an overwhelming task for families. With countless possibilities for post-secondary enrollment, it is difficult to know where to begin. • The college process begins with self-evaluation. Students need to examine their academic, personal, and social needs. • The following criteria can help students to narrow their focus:

3. Making the Match… Things to Consider… • Size • Location • Campus Climate & Make up of the Student Body • Distance from Home • Facilities • Majors and Activities

4. Planning Calendar for Junior Year • Take the PSAT test in October. Attend the CHS College Fair!! • Review results of the PSAT in December. • Study for the SAT using on-line resources, results from the PSAT, and prep booklets. CHS also offers an elective SAT Prep course in the Fall semester. • Sign up for a spring SAT or ACT test date. • Meet with your counselor to compile a list of colleges for you to researchand visit. • Pay close attention to the admission and testing requirements of the colleges you are most interested in by accessing their individual web sites. • Plan on taking the SAT or the ACT test again in October of senior year (or twice in the Spring). • College representatives visit CHS throughout the school year to meet with interested students. This is a great opportunity for students to make a personal contact with the school. • The following lists of books and websites are helpful with the college search:

5. Useful Books Peterson’s College Guide Barron’s Profile of American Colleges The College Board Handbook Rugg’s Recommendation on the Colleges Index to Majors and Graduate Degrees (CEEB) Four-Year College Databook Vocational School Manual Two-Year College Databook

6. Useful Websites www.collegeboard.com www.petersons.com www.princetonreview.com www.educationplanner.com www.aessuccess.org www.talbotsbook.com www.cocalico.org/hs http://community.coin3.com www.careercruising.com

7. Some Interesting Facts…. • There are about 2000 4-year institutions of higher learning in the United States and about 1700 vocational or technical schools to pick from. • There are over 850 in this time zone alone. • They range from 300 students to 30,000++. • In the past three years, graduates of Cocalico have enrolled at over 70 different 4-year colleges and 28 different 2 –year or technical schools across the nation.

8. The Transcript • The most important factor in the college admissions process is the student’s academic record called a transcript. Cocalico’s transcript covers all courses taken from freshman to senior year. • Cumulative GPA (grade point average), class rank, standardized test scores (SATs, ACTs, AP, etc…), and extracurricular school activities are included. • Colleges will evaluate students’ GPAs and the rigor of their program of study. Did the student take challenging college preparatory courses? What classes does Cocalico offer and what did he or she choose to take? • Standardized testing such as the SAT or ACT will also be evaluated.

9. Sample Transcript

10. Transcript page two

11. The PSAT • The Pre-SAT test is given in October only and is directed at students in their junior year, although any student can sit for the exam. • Tests students in three core areas: Math, Critical Reading, and Writing. Scores are typically back to the student by December. • The NMSQT is a scholarship program which is available to 11th grade students who score at a certain level on the PSAT. PSAT scores are not reported to colleges! • Scores will range from 20 to 80 in each section. The PSAT provides an estimate of the expected SAT score range. • PSAT scores are NOT included on the transcript.

12. The SAT Reasoning Test • Used by colleges to help predict student success at the post-secondary level. • We recommend that a junior take the SAT after receiving the results of the PSAT and/or after having completed Geometry. • Tests students in three core areas: Math, Critical Reading, and Writing. • Most colleges will take the highest set of scores and students are encouraged to take the test at least two times. • Scores will range from 200 to 800 per section.

13. Cocalico Classes of 2006, 2007, & 2008 SAT and GPA ranges by College Temple University Average SAT score = 1604 Average GPA = 3.58

14. Continued... Lebanon Valley College Average SAT = 1646 Average GPA = 3.61

15. Continued… Penn State Main Average SAT = 1700 Average GPA = 3.85

16. Continued… Kutztown University Average SAT = 1396 Average GPA = 3.23

17. The ACT • The ACT is a curriculum-based test. • It measures students’ general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. • Students are tested in four core areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Students can choose to take an optional 5th section in Writing. • Scores range from 1 to 36 per section. An average score for the ACT is 21. • Most colleges will accept either the SAT 1 or ACT for admission purposes.

18. Average ACT Composite Scores by University • Gettysburg College28 • Johns Hopkins University29 • Penn State, Main Campus26 • Pitt, Main Campus26 • Bucknell University29

19. Other Testing Options… • AP Tests – or Advanced Placement testing is available for students in specific content areas. Cocalico offers 8 AP courses for students. • SAT II Subject Tests – highly selective colleges and universities may require students take subject tests in addition to the SAT1 Reasoning Test. • CLEP Tests – the College Level Examination Program. Students can gain credit towards their undergraduate degree by taking these exams. Examples include: Accounting, Marketing, Literature, History, Precalculus, Psychology, etc…

20. Application Checklist • 1.) What is the application deadline? • 2.) What are the testing requirements? SAT, SATII, or ACT? • 3.) Is there an essay? • 4.) Are letters of recommendation required? • 5.) Do I need to schedule an interview? • 6.) Are any supplemental materials required (i.e. art portfolio, musical performance tapes, etc..)? • 7.) Can I apply online or must I submit a hard copy? ** Anything that a college indicates as “optional” should always be completed. For example, if an essay is optional, students should go the extra mile and complete it!! This tells the college that the student is truly interested and is willing to put forth that extra effort!!!

21. Applications and Deadlines • Rolling Admission– indicates that the college does not have a set deadline, rather, they will review the application once all materials have been received. The sooner students apply, the sooner they will know if they have or have not been accepted. • Early Decision – a binding admissions option that allows students to apply earlier in their senior year and learn of the decision before the standard April notification date. In doing so, the student agrees to withdraw all other applications if accepted. Students should apply ED only if they have thoroughly researched the college and are certain of their decision. • Regular Deadline – students must submit their application by this date in order to hear by the April notification date (typically around April 15th). • Early Action – a non-bindingoption which allows students to apply and be notified earlier without having to commit to the college. There is no real risk to applying Early Action.

22. Application Procedures for the Counseling Office • 1.) Completed applications with all supplemental materials should be given to the Counseling Office. Please give us 5 business days to process the paperwork. • 2.) If applying online, a transcript request form must be completed and returned to us along with any supplemental materials. • 3.) SAT and ACT scores are recorded on the transcript, but certain colleges want scores sent directly from the CollegeBoard (i.e. Penn State, Temple, University of Pittsburgh, etc…). It is the student’s responsibility to contact the testing agency to have their scores forwarded to the appropriate colleges.

23. For Student-Athletes • Students who wish to play a sport at the Division I or II level in college, must submit an application to the NCAA Eligibility Center (Formerly known as Clearinghouse). • The NCAA is an organization which regulates eligibility and recruitment by colleges and universities. • Students should begin this application process at the completion of 11th grade. • Applications must be submitted on-line at https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/student/index_student.html • Students must also submit their SAT or ACT scores directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center their code is 9999.

24. Financing your child’s Education • The FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the starting point for any student interested in applying for financial aid. • The FAFSA cannot be filed before January 1st of senior year but parents are encouraged to file as soon as possible after January 1. • The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.govand in hard copy form. • A FAFSA must be resubmitted each year a student will be enrolled in college, as the data is based on your prior year’s income. • All loans and grant monies are processed through PHEAA, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

25. Demonstration Site • PHEAA has created a practice site for students and parents to complete a sample FAFSA, make corrections, and check the status of the application. • http://fafsademo.test.ed.gov • The user name is eddemo, and password is fafsatest.

26. Grants • Available only by filing the FAFSA form • The maximum grant amount for full-time undergraduate students is $4120 and $2060 for part-time students (amounts from 2008/2009 school year) • Maximum award amounts will be given to students attending school in PA • The FAFSA must be filed before May 1st in order to be eligible for any grant money • To avoid missing out on any institutional awards, students should file their FAFSA by the earliest school deadline to which they have applied

27. Loans • Available by filing the FAFSA form • The Stafford Loan is the primary student loan. There are two types of Stafford Loans: Subsidized and Unsubsidized. • Loan amounts vary by year: $5500 for freshman year, $6500 for sophomore year, and $7500 for junior and senior years. • Students have a 6 month grace period to begin repayment upon graduation from college. • Parent Loans or PLUS loans are available for parents to borrow in addition to or instead of the Stafford Loan.

28. Helpful Tips • CHS hosts a yearly financial aid night in January. • Questions regarding the FAFSA form can be directed to the following number: 1-800-433-3243. • Certain colleges require an additional financial aid form called the PROFILE to be filed in the addition to the FAFSA. Check with your schools to verify which forms they accept. • Specific questions about financial aid can be directed towards the regional PHEAA director, Mr. Bruce Diefenderfer. His contact # is: 717-720-2042.

29. Cocalico High School Counselors Mr. Drew Shimko (Hb-O) Mrs. Krystal Waltman (P-Z) Mr. Shawn Clicquennoi (A-Ha)