The College Planning Process: The Junior Year Timetable

1. The College Planning Process: The Junior Year Timetable Presenter: Mrs. Karen Felber

2. Topics to discuss with your child: • What do I want to do with my life? Who do I want to be? • Stay Home/Go Away • Financial Planning for College • What colleges do I want to visit? • Map it out • What experiences can expose me to opportunities? • Volunteer work, internships, summer research, pre-college programs

3. Who Do I Want To Be? • Choose a Career Path by taking a Self-Assessment Test • Write down some career goals • Think about what interests you the most! • Career Search Websites • Naviance- www.naviance.com • Career Zone- www.nycareerzone.org • Peterson’s- www.petersons.com • Occupational Outlook Handbook- http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ • Mpegasus.com- www.mpegasus.com

4. Factors to Consider • Major • Location • Home • Away • How far? • Urban/Suburban/Rural • Size • # of students • Competitiveness • Cost • Support Services

5. Major Does the college offer a program in your field of interest? Reputation

6. Location Do you want to attend a college near home? Do you want to be in a familiar place? Do you want to go to another section of the country? Do you want to go to a college in a city, suburban or a rural environment? Do you have any preference as to the weather?

7. Housing Do you want to live in a dorm? Would you live with a couple of roommates? How about 5 in a small apartment? If it matters to you, FIND OUT!

8. Size of School Do you want to go to a small, medium-size or large college? Large Colleges vs. Small Colleges

9. Cost • Private/ Public • In State/ Out of State • Financial Aid Opportunities • Do you have specific plans for financing your college? • Are you attending Financial Aid Night to learn more about options?

10. Financial Aid Night • December 5, at Hicksville High School, 7:00 PM • File FAFSA – January of Senior Year • www.fafsa.ed.gov • Best window of time to apply is Jan. 1- Feb. 15

11. Special Interests Do you want to attend a college administered by a particular religious denomination? Are you interested in a college with specific athletic programs? Do you have musical/artistic talents you would like to pursue? Would you like to study abroad?

12. Support Programs • Does the college offer support services or programs? • Support Programs • Academic Enrichment Programs • Office for Students with Disabilities • Testing Accomodations • Student Financial Services • Academic Advisement • Career and Placement Services

13. The College List Safety (1-2) Target (2-4) Reach (1-2)

14. Admissions Criteria Grades in College Preparatory Courses Course Selection Class Rank Test Scores Extracurricular Counselor/ Teacher Recommendations Writing Sample/ Essay Interviews Special Talents/ Interests/ Skills Community Service

15. Applications It is encouraged that students use the common application if possible. • Common Application-www.commonapp.org • SUNY schools- www.SUNY.edu • CUNY schools- www.CUNY.edu • Individual college applications • On-Site Admissions

16. Activity Sheet Include all activities grades 9-12 The Common Application asks for activities to be put in order of importance

17. Recommendation Letters Request 2 letters Relate to choice of major Consider teachers, counselors, coaches, employers, and community leaders who know you best Anything beyond 2 letters, student needs to have recommender send letter directly to colleges.

18. Essay Opportunity for colleges to see who you are Bring to counselor, English teachers for review Write in the first person and from the heart Look at Common Application questions to get a sense of the types of questions.

19. PSAT Exam 11th grade students will take the PSAT on Saturday, October 19, at Hicksville High School.

20. The SAT Exam • Register online at www.collegeboard.com • CEEB Code-332-365 • The SAT measures critical reading, math and writing abilities. • Students must take the SAT Exam at least once, and if taken more than once, most colleges will consider the highest Critical Reading and Math scores in their calculations • www.collegeboard.com • Question of the day • Practice tests

21. SAT Score Report • Colleges require official score reports • Must come from www.collegeboard.com directly • It takes 3-4 weeks for scores to be sent • Most colleges combine your highest scores • Scoring: either a total of 1600 or 2400(depends on the college and whether they use the writing score)

22. SAT II Subject Tests 1 Hour length test(can take up to 3 in one day) Required by only some schools Examples: Math, Biology, Chemistry, etc.

23. SAT Exam Test Dates October 5 – Register by September 5 November 2 – Register by October 3 December 7 – Register by November 8 January 25 – Register by December 27 March 8 – Register by February 7 May 3 – Register by April 4 June 7 – Register by May 9

24. The ACT Exam www.act.org Achievement oriented Scores- Range from 1-36 Sections include: Math, English, Reading, scientific Reasoning, Writing(Optional but strongly recommended)

25. ACT Exam Test Dates October 26 – Register by September 27 December 14 – Register by November 8 February 8- Register by January 10 April 12 – Register by March 7 June 14 – Register by May 9

26. Fee Waivers If you are concerned about finances and are interested in fee waivers for college entrance exams and college applications, please see your counselor to discuss further.

27. Scholarships Naviance.com(college section/scholarship search) Fastweb.com MeritAid.com Google “Scholarship Search” Check with Guidance Office Start looking NOW!

28. How to Research Colleges • Review “Planning your Future” guidebook, which is available on school website. • Discuss your needs with your counselor. • Use available references: • Internet • www.Naviance.com • www.Collegeboard.com • www.princetonreview.com • www.campustours.com • Hicksville High School Guidance Dept. • Admissions Reference Books • College Catalogues • Talk to college representatives at college fairs. • Discuss colleges and costs with parents. • Visit colleges – both an interview and tour are desirable (if offered). • Maintain an ongoing dialogue with your counselor. • Talk to current students in attendance at college.

29. College Visits Campus Tours Open Houses Overnight Stays Visit the actual classes while in session

30. Early Decision Vs. Early Action • “Binding”- If you get accepted, you MUST go! • Must pull all other applications if accepted • Make sure you are a million percent sure this is the right fit. • Not “binding”- you will be notified well in advance of the normal response date • Not required to make a commitment until May 1.

31. Junior Year Timeline October • Take the PSAT exam – October 19, 2013 given at Hicksville High School March/April • Obtain the SAT I – SAT II – ACT – schedules and register for your appropriate test • Attend College Fairs and Visit Colleges • Meet with your counselor for ongoing post-high school planning

32. Junior Year Timeline March/April • Meet with your counselor for a junior interview • Sign up for the appropriate college entrance exams • Review college reference books and/or explore colleges on the Internet and request catalogs from colleges • NCAA Clearinghouse form (See your counselor) • Create a filing system for catalogs, applications and correspondence

33. Junior Year Timeline May/June • Take the appropriate college entrance exams • Begin composing your list of activities • Meet with your counselor to share your college visitation experiences and to amend your list in preparation for fall application process • Request letters of recommendation from teachers

34. Junior Year Timeline July/August • If necessary, begin a new search via the Internet or using college catalogs found at your community library • Start working on college applications • Plan and outline your college essay • Update your activity list

35. Thank you! Any Questions?