THE ROAD TO COLLEGE

1. THE ROAD TO COLLEGE Presented by Reservoir High Student Services

2. STAFF OF STUDENT SERVICES Counselors: Grades 10-12 A-C Mrs. Trish Sullivan D-H Mr. Craig Alessio I-M Mr. Paul Linkins N-S Mrs. Jill Snyder T-Z/ITL Ms. Veronica Valentine 9th Grade Mrs. Linda Packman Registrar: Mrs. Emily Mandile Secretary: Mrs. Charlie Engelkemier Data Clerk: Mrs. Marian Boring

3. GOALS OF THE EVENING • Learn about factors to consider when researching colleges • Explore criteria involved in the admission decisions of colleges • The Reservoir High transcript process • Other things to consider, including financial aid, scholarships, and NCAA eligibility

4. Post Secondary Options • College 4 year college 2 year college • Employment • Career / Technical School • Military

5. FINDING A COLLEGE • 4 year vs. 2 year college • Size • Location • Campus Culture • Majors • Academic Credentials • Cost • Extracurricular Activities • Special Programs • Student Housing

6. HIT THE ROAD • Visit school’s websites • General Information • Admission Requirements • Deadlines • Academic programs • Attend open houses and tours • Speak to current students • Schedule interview (if offered)

7. DEVELOPING A LIST • Be OPEN MINDED to schools. • Start with a larger list then narrow it when it is time to apply. • 1 Reach school: A school where you fall below the average GPA and SAT’s. • 3-5 50/50 schools: Schools that you meet the SAT and GPA averages. • 1-2Safe Schools: Schools that you are above the average GPA and SAT’s.

8. TYPES OF ADMISSION • Early Decision-- Early deadline, early response, BINDING • Early Action– Early deadline, early response, NON-BINDING • Rolling Admission– Students are accepted/denied as applications are received. • Regular Admission– Apply by regular deadline (usu. Jan 15) and hear a response by April 1

9. Types of Admission Decisions • Admit: You are admitted to the school for the fall semester. • Wait Listed: You are put on a waiting list and notified after May 1st of a decision based on the schools enrollment. • Deferral: You are not accepted or rejected, rather deferred to a later time for a decision. This often occurs during early action or early decision deadlines. • Spring Admit: You are admitted for the spring. Often students are permitted to take restricted courses at the University. • Rejection: You are not admitted to the University.

10. WHAT COLLEGES ARE LOOKING FOR IN STUDENTS

11. FACTORS COLLEGES CONSIDER FOR ADMISSION DECISIONS • Transcript • GPA, Courses, & Grades • SAT I, SAT II or ACT Scores • Essay(s) • Resume • Extracurricular Activities • Letters of Recommendation

12. FACTORS COLLEGES CONSIDER FOR ADMISSION DECISIONS, cont. Maintain a Strong Senior Year Schedule • Colleges want to see students taking courses in all the academic disciplines in their senior year. • Colleges look at grades through the end of senior year. • Students will be more successful when attending a college if they take a strong senior year schedule.

13. University of Maryland, College Park 25,500 applications for a class of 3,975 Average SAT: 1250-1400 (CR and Math) GPA: 4.05 weighted http://www.admissions.umd.edu/admissions/counselor/freshmanprofile.asp Towson University 15704 applicants and 8900 students were admitted Average SAT: 1560-1770 on all three parts (middle 50%) Average GPA: 3.53 http://wwwnew.towson.edu/ir/stats.asp Stevenson University Average SAT: 1380-1710 (middle 50%) ACT average: 22 GPA: 3.3 unweighted LOCAL COLLEGE PROFILES

14. LOCAL COLLEGE PROFILES • Salisbury University • Approximately 8,000 applications received and 4,000 students were admitted • Average GPA: 3.7 • Average SAT: 1720 • Frostburg University • 5,000 applicants with a 58% admission rate • Average SAT: 1010 on verbal and math (SAT preferred school) • Average GPA: 3.2 • UMBC • 8,000 applicants received in 2011 and anticipate admitting 60% of applicants • Average SAT: 1200 (CR and math) or 1800 on all three parts • Average ACT: 27 • Average GPA: 3.6

15. ACT An achievement test based largely on what students have learned in their classes. Four Sections: One English, one math, one reading, one science reasoning, one optional writing section, one experimental. Length of test: Two hours and 55 minutes, plus an additional 30 minutes for writing. Penalty for wrong answers: NO Scoring Method: 1-36 for each subject, which is averaged for the highest possible score of 36. SAT A reasoning test assessing general ability. 10 Sections: Three critical reading, three math, three writing, one experimental. Length of Test: Three hours and 45 minutes Penalty for Wrong answers: Yes Scoring Method: 200-800 per section with 2400 the highest possible score. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ACT AND SAT

16. TAKING THE SAT’S/ACT’S • It is recommended to take the SAT at least once in Junior year (January, March, May, or June) and again in Senior year (October or November). • It is also highly recommended to take ACT at end of Junior year or fall of Senior year.

17. PREPARING FOR THE SAT/ACT • Enroll in a prep class, in school or outside of school. • Study independently. • Read, read, read!!! • Review PSAT and SAT scores. Preparation is the key to being successful.

18. Reservoir High SchoolTranscript Request Process

19. WHAT IS A TRANSCRIPT? A Transcript is an official copy of a student’s academic record. It includes the following: ◦ A certified copy of your high school transcript (grades) ◦ Senior Schedule ◦ Academic Resume ◦ Reservoir High School Profile Note that official transcripts CANNOT be released until October 5th.

20. HOW DO YOU GET STARTED? This is a four part process which includes: 1.) You completing the application for each college to which you plan to apply. 2.) You arranging to have your SAT/ACT scores sent from College Board/ACT org. 3.) Completing the Red Folder Requirements for Student Services. 4.) Completing the Green Folder Requirements for the two teachers from whom you are requesting a letter of recommendation.

21. THE TRANSCRIPT PROCESS Step 1: Complete the Howard County Waiver Form Step 2: Turn the form into the Registrar in Student Services Step 3: Once the Waiver is turned in, the registrar will hand you two Green Folders and one Red Folder The Green Folders are for the teachers who will write your letters of recommendations. The Red Folder is for Student Services

22. THE GREEN FOLDERS Step 4: Think about TWO teachers who know you and would be willing to write a POSITIVE letter of recommendation for you. Verbally ask the teachers! It is recommended that you talk to the teachers PRIOR to the end of THIS school year. DEADLINES ARE getting EARLIER AND EARLIER. Step 5: Once a teacher has verbally agreed to write a letter of recommendation for you, complete the Green Folder Checklist for both teachers located on the outside of each folder. Step 6: Submit completed Green Folder to the requested teachers (one folder to each teacher). This must be turned into your teacher at least 30 school days before your college deadline.

23. THE GREEN FOLDERS In each Green Folder, the following must be included/completed: • Letter to teacher (a sample is enclosed to help you) • Student Input Form (one per folder/teacher) • A copy of your academic resume • Any forms required to be completed by the teacher for colleges to which you are applying. You can find these forms on each college website • Addressed & stamped envelope for each college

24. THE RED FOLDERS Step 7: In each Red Folder, the following must be included/completed: • Transcript Request Form • Counselor Input Form • Academic resume • Parent questionnaire • Any Secondary School Report Forms/Counselor Forms (found in the application)

25. THE RED FOLDERS Step 8: Bring completed Red Folder to the Registrar (Mrs. Mandile) Be sure you have your $$ ($4 per college). You must turn folder in at least 20 school days before your earliest college deadline. Step 9: The registrar will send you a pass when your sealed transcripts are ready. Come to Student Services to retrieve your transcript(s) to mail to your colleges. (Do not open transcript envelopes!) Step 10: Listen to the announcements and look on our website to know when to bring Mid-year (January) and Final transcript (May) requests to the Registrar. These are sent at no charge.

27. Due Dates The last sheet included in your packet is a Due Date sheet which will help you keep track of when you need to turn in your red and green folders in order to meet your college deadline.

28. Other Forms Included in your Red Folder

33. OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER DURING THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

34. FINANCIAL AID • FAFSA • Submit ASAP after January 1st but before March 1st. • www.fafsa.ed.gov • Financial Aid Workshop – Fall 2011 • Scholarships • Local • Regional / National

35. SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships can be found online or through community organizations. A majority of scholarship money will come directly from the COLLEGE. SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITES • http://teacherweb.com/MD/ReservoirHighSchool/StudentServices/apt5.aspx • www.finaid.org • www.fastweb.com • http://www.mhec.state.md.us/ • http://studentaid.ed.gov • www.collegeboard.com • www.srnexpress.com • www.scholarships.com

36. NCAA, National Collegiate Athletic Association • Student athletes intending to play NCAA Division I or II sports must register with the NCAA • It is important to learn about the NCAA requirements early and understand the NCAA rules. • Visit https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common to learn more.

37. CLOSING THOUGHTS • Keep the process in perspective • Work together as a family • Students must take ownership • Discuss finances openly • Start early and meet all deadlines • Communicate!!!! • Communicate with your son/daughter, admission counselors, financial aid officers, teachers, and counselors.