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Your College Search and the Application Process …. Types of Post Secondary Schools. Selective – typically 4 yrs or more: State Universities – 11 in FL. Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctoral Degrees Private Colleges & Universities – more than 200 in FL. 2yr Programs:
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Types of Post Secondary Schools • Selective – typically 4 yrs or more: • State Universities – 11 in FL. Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctoral Degrees • Private Colleges & Universities – more than 200 in FL. 2yr Programs: • Fl. College System – 28 state and community colleges . Open to everyone, no minimum GPA or SAT/ACT scores for admission!
Things to Consider when searching for Colleges: • Major – Area of study • Size • Location • Cost • Athletics and extracurricular • Admission Requirements
What is the Planned Course of Study? • Choosing a major can be difficult…. • Research and use resources. • www.floridashines.org – college info, transcript evaluation, bright future GPA. careers and interest exploration • www.MyMajors.com– major quiz, careers and jobs • www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org – college search and planning, compare colleges and scholarships • www.NextStepU.com - free download find college scholarships and careers.
What are the Admission Requirements for a Florida Public University?
Minimum College Admissions Requirements • The SUS will no longer use a sliding scale. Beginning with summer 2011 admits and thereafter, the minimum requirements are: 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (as recalculated by the university) + SAT or ACT score OR 2.5-2.99 recalculated GPA or higher + at least the minimum scores on all 3 sections of SAT or ACT as outlined below: • SAT Reading >= 460 or ACT – Reading >= 19 • SAT Math >= 460 or ACT – Math >= 19 • SAT Writing >=440 or ACT English/Writing >= 18 • All students must have completed minimum 18 academic units: 4 credits in English – 3 with substantial writing 3 credits in Natural Science – 2 with a substantial lab 3 credits in Social Science 2 credits same Foreign Language 4 credits Math, algebra I and above 2 academic electives Per Fl. DOE website.
STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF FLORIDA INSTITUTIONAL MATRIX AS OF AUGUST 2015
What does a typical freshman need to get into a college like FSU? • 2015 Applicants Accepted to FSU • Fall – GPA mid range 3.9-4.4 • SAT - composite mid range 1790-1980 • ACT- composite mid range 26-32 • Summer – GPA mid range 3.5-4.1 • SAT – mid range 1680-1860 • ACT – mid range 24-28 • Over 86% were enrolled in accelerated curriculum and over 52% had or were enrolled in Calculus! • It is very competitive to get into college – you need rigor, a high GPA & good test scores!
Average Number of Academic Units for Accepted Students at FSU • English- 4.5 credits • Math-5.5 credits • Natural Science- 4.5 credits • Social Science- 5 credits • World Languages- 3.5 credits • Total: 23 credits
General Tips for applying to colleges: • Visit a variety of types of schools (big, small, private, public, different geographical locations) during the summer so you'll know what kind of school you want to go to. • Organize your application materials. Investigate the application requirements of the colleges you are considering as soon as possible. Keep a list of your schools and what you have to send them so you don't miss any deadlines. • Make copies of everything!!!!! • Start early and reduce stress! Apply to rolling admission schools as early in the fall as possible- it makes you feel good to know you're in somewhere, and you have a better chance of being accepted. • Give teachers and counselors at least 2 weeks notice when asking for a letter of recommendation • Visit prospective colleges before applying and definitely before accepting an offer of admission.
How Many Schools to Apply to: • Apply to at least 3 – 6 schools • Reach – A student‘s top choice schools – dream schools. Your academic credentials fall below the school’s range for the average freshman. These are long shots. (ex. If you have a 2.0 – Harvard is a “dream”) • Realistic- Schools that students match the profile of a typical freshman or even slightly better. • Safety- Schools that have most of the features a student desires and at which the probability of admission is highly likely to certain when compared to the previous year’s freshman class.
How to find the Right Fit • Visit Colleges in person – Schedule Tours & Open Houses • Virtual Tours- visit college websites! • District & Local College Fairs- • South Florida Fairgrounds – October • NACAC Fort Lauderdale - November • Sign up college visits with representatives when they come to Park Vista (Fall)
Keep Track of Applications & Deadlines:www.cappex.com/media/collegeApplicationChecklist.pdf
The Application • Online Application • Common Application-www.commonapp.com • Terms: • Early Decision • Early Action/First Priority • Rolling Admissions • Regular Decision
The Essay…. • What do I need to know about application essays? • Many college applications ask questions requiring short answers and also ask one or two essay questions, requiring longer answers. Frequently, you will be able to choose from several topics for your longer essay. You should read more on this subject, either online or from one of the books available in the guidance office. The most important things to remember when writing your application essays are: • Answer the question! Do not use one essay for every application, unless the question asked is exactly the same. • Show, don’t tell! Write in a way that let‘s the reader see your great qualities. Don‘t just say ―I love chocolate. I really love chocolate.‖ Write about how you love chocolate so much that you called twelve levels of managers at Hershey before you found one who would agree to your doing a summer internship in Research and Development at their headquarters, and then lived with your mother‘s crazy Aunt Sally in Pennsylvania for 8 weeks while you learned everything you could about inventing new chocolate confections! • Pick a topic that lets the reader know you. Your grades and SAT scores are one side of who you are, but your essays need to show your qualities and personality. A school cheerleader who started coaching a Special Olympics cheer squad after neighbors asked her to babysit their handicapped 8 year-old daughter has something different to write. The math/science guy who plays bass in a retro-punk band all over the region on weekends has a unique story to tell. • Make it personal. This is about you, be the star of the story! Don‘t write about global warming or immigration reform, unless those are issues you have been actively working to solve. • Start with a catchy first sentence. Admissions officers read so many essays; keep them interested and reading. Make them want to know more about you. • Keep it short. Read the directions carefully! If the application says you may attach an extra sheet of paper, if necessary, only attach ONE extra sheet. • DON’T underestimate the importance of good grammar. Proofread! Typos, using the name of a different college by accident, or spelling mistakes overlooked by your spellchecker (using ‗there‘ for ‗their,‘ for example) are unacceptable. Readers are looking at grammar and writing ability, in addition to your topic and what you reveal about yourself. • DON’T use gimmicks, clichés or foul language. • DON’T write confessions of kleptomania, pyromania, or sexual activity. • DON’T try to be funny, unless that is truly part of your personality. Humor, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
SAT vs. ACT • Most schools will accept either one- check colleges’ websites to be sure…. • Most colleges will use your highest composite score for the SAT this is called Super scoring. • Most colleges do not super score the ACT, however this is changing. UF does not super score, but FSU, UM, FAU, USF, as well as some elite schools such as MIT, Penn State, Brown, do. • Most students test more than once – average 2 to 3 times! • SAT– College Readiness Test-Reading, Math, & Essay(optional) • ACT – Achievement Test – English, Reading, Math, Science, & Writing (optional)
SAT Essay Policy by State and College • https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/college-essay-policies
Test Prep Resources: • SAT/ACT Test Prep Class at Park Vista • Books from libraries or book stores. • Act website – www.actstudent.org/testprep - test prep & ACT “Question Of the Day”, practice tests, etc. • Brain Prep – www.brainprep.net • SAT Website www.collegeboard.com– analyze your scores, free tool available to explore and practice. Also sign up to get the “SAT Question of the Day” • www.fau.edu/testprep • Kaplan – www.kaptest.com • Princeton Review – www.princetonreview.com • Revolution SAT/ACT Prep – www.revolutionprep.com (877)738-7737 • SAT Advantage -561-625-5287 Private tutors
SAT/ACT scores • Official scores are only accepted by colleges/universities from testing agency • SAT: www.sat.colleboard.com • ACT: www.actstudent.org
Letters of Recommendation • Not needed for most Florida State Colleges & Universities • If needed: • Should ask early – give at least 2 weeks notice • Supply a resume • Provide addresses for the college or university
Application Fee • Applications fees are generally between $35-$50 • Fees are nonrefundable and must be paid if you wish your application to be considered. • Fee waivers
Additional Informative websites • www.collegeprowler.com – students compare colleges, get an insiders viewpoint • www.kiplinger.com/money/college- see ranking of best college values and financial aid information • www.collegeboard.com/quick - useful tool for students who took the PSAT, can search for colleges, study for the SAT, & take tests to see what majors may be right for you! • www.MyCollegeOptions.org – college matching service and scholarship search. SAT/ACT prep and info on your college search. It is free!
Great Resources– • www.pvchs.com • Guidance tab –resources for financial aid, colleges, scholarships, testing information, websites, summer programs, etc. • College resources – click College Admission Handbook - Easy Q & A Format designed to guide you through the process step by step
