1. North Hunterdon High School Junior College Workshop
Guiding Your Child Through College Admissions

2. “The College Process” Topics to be covered this evening:
Welcome & Introduction….
College Essay Writing & Teacher Recommendations – Irene Dolan
College is Different for Every Family…

3. Roles of the parent and student in the college process
Tcci/Naviance – Family Connections &Web based resources
ASVAB Testing
College Admissions Testing
SAT vs. ACT

4. College Visitations
College Recommendations & Junior Packets
Applications Procedures, Transcripts & the School Profile
Questions

5. Everything you see here tonight can be accessed on our webpage!

6. Feeling Confused, Worried, Anxious?

7. College is a Family Decision.

8. You’re a Great Coach!
Discuss your values, expectations and concerns about college
Assist your child in determining critical factors when looking for schools
Help your child map out a plan that includes searching, visitations, applications, scholarships and decision making
Encourage your child to take ownership of the process

9. Parent No-No’s Searching for the school of your choice
Filling out your child’s application
Writing your child’s college essay
Taking over the process when your child isn’t willing to do the work

10. http://www. cnn. com/2008/HEALTH/family/02/04/hm. helicopter

11. Communication is KEY!
Preparation for college requires communication and planning between you, your child and your school counselor

12. Planning is Important!

13. Be careful to get accurate information!

14. Three Pieces of Information You and Your Child Needs to Know To Get Started.
Student’s Cumulative GPA
PSAT,SAT or ACT scores
Academic Units

15. Have an open discussion about what factors are important to you and your child.

16. Individual Parent & Student Appointments
Wednesday, Feb 27th -Evening hours
Wednesday, March 5th – Evening hours
March 11 – March 14 – Daytime appointments from 8:30am to 1:00pm
March 19th – Evening hours
Wednesday, March 9th – Evening hours
Please contact the guidance secretary to set up a meeting!

17. Using TCCi / Family Connection
On-line Resource for Planning & Advising
Overview for Parents

18. Overview What is Family Connection? How do I access it?
How do you register?
What can I do with it?
How does it help career and college planning?

19. What is it?
Web-based resource that supports course, career, and college planning
Specific to our school
Linked with Counselor’s Office, a service that we use in the counseling office

20. How is it accessed? Family Connection is on the Web
Student accounts were issued last year to all students
Don’t know your username or forgot your password?
-Password can be reset on your own
-See your counselor for help!

21. What can it do? Share plans between parent, child & counselor.
Complete surveys.
Compare colleges.
Links to selected third-party resources.
Track deadlines.
Produce scatter grams.
Show schedule of college visits.

22. Main Page

23. After Sign in

24. College Profile

25. Surveys

26. College Comparison

27. Scattergram

28. Visitation Schedule

29. How does it help? Shared resource linking home to school.
On-line tool for collaboration among counselors, students, and parents.
Accurate, complete records about student choices from our school.
Realistic assessments of your child’s chances of admission at colleges where prior graduates have applied.

30. Other Resources www.collegeboard.com www.petersons.com

31. ASVAB TESTING March 31, 2008
ARMED SERVICES VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY
Available to Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
It is important to note that signing up for this test does not imply that a student is interested in the military and is not obligated to any of the armed services for taking the test!

32. The ASVAB is a comprehensive career test that includes the most widely used multiple aptitude test battery in the world.
EXCELLENT TEST THAT EVALUATES SKILLS & INTERESTS
The ASVAB consists of eight tests containing 200 items and requires three hours to complete.  The sections include the following:  General science, Arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, mathematics knowledge, electronics information, and auto/ shop information, mechanical comprehension.
Estimates their performance in academic and vocational endeavors and will identify potentially satisfying careers

33. Concerns about the military contacting you???
Students are under no obligation to speak to the military and will not be pressured by the military branches assisting us with the ASVAB.
We are required by the NCLB law to provide the military with “directory information” for any student who has not opted out of directory list in writing. For more information, see the District Website

34. Want to sign up for the ASVAB?
Sign ups will be in early March
Sign up in the Guidance Office
Test will be in the large gym – 3 hours
Over 150 students were tested last year.
EXTREMELY POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM OUR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
Contact Susan Miranda for any additional questions.

35. SAT vs. ACT

36. Admissions Testing College
SAT or ACT?
Most students will need to take one of these tests
Schools that do not require standardized test scores:
Fair Test

37. SAT Three sections: 800 points each Writing section
Verbal
Math
Writing- New
Writing section
How they use it depends on the school
Offered in May and June at North, and again in October
It is offered elsewhere other months
It is OK to take SATs more than once, but there is no need to become excessive!

38. SAT II Subjects: Literature Math level 1 & 2 Physics, Bio, Chemistry
Foreign Languages
American History
World History
Should take a math and a second one of your choice

39. SAT II continued Each test is 1 hour long
Given the same days as the SAT, can take up to 3 in a day (not recommended!)
Also scored
Who should take these?
Students applying to colleges that want them- Check each school you want to apply to!
Students with strengths they wish to high light.
Taking an AP class, perhaps schedule the SAT II around the same time.
Some colleges will use good scores even if they are not required
When? …..This spring and next fall (Oct, Nov)

40. ACT SAT’s competition, accepted universally
You do not NEED to take it, just another option INSTEAD of the SAT
Make sure you sign up for the writing test.

41. SAT VS. ACT?? Who should take ACT? English language learners
Students curious about science
Strong readers

42. Strong vocabulary Despise science Who should take SAT?
Take a practice test and decide which test you want to prep for: do not take both! When?
April, June, & October

43. Where do I take the test?
Location is only a convenience- you can take it anywhere.
Register early to have your first preference!
North offers SATs in May, June, & Oct
Bridgewater-Raritan & Hunterdon Central (among others), offer ACT’s

44. Where do I register? www.collegeboard.com www.act.org
At least 6 weeks in advance!
You will need our school code:
Be sure to request scores to be sent to colleges at time of test registration- save you money

45. Test Prep Courses Who should take them?
Anyone who will take them seriously! We have a list of resources in the guidance office- it’s of no help to take a prep class and not do the work!
When should you take them?
Just before the test will be taken.- too far in advance and you forget the information

46. College Visitations

48. Before Planning a Visit
Assess Yourself
Academic Areas of Interest
(Possible Majors)
PSAT
Interest Inventories
Talent and Skills Assessments

49. Before Planning a Visit
Develop a Profile of YOUR College
Large or Small
Urban, Suburban or Rural
What part of the country?
Price Range

50. Before Planning a Visit
Gather Information
Talk to your family and friends
College Web Search
Request Viewbooks and Materials from colleges of interest
Register for SAT or ACT

51. Before Planning a Visit
Get Organized!
Put together a college resume
Get transcripts together
Develop a college portfolio or chart (checklist)
Look at possible interview questions

52. Start Planning What schools should I visit?
Schools that offer your major of interest
Schools that fit your profile
Schools where you can be
Successful Academically
Stimulated Intellectually
Happy Socially

53. Start Planning When should I visit? Best when classes are in session
President’s Weekend
Spring Recess: March 21-28
Late Summer if classes start early
Summer Orientations

54. Start Planning Typical scheduled visits last 2 to 3 hours
Try not to do more than 2 per day
Overnight visits can give you a much better perspective

55. Before the Visit
Call to schedule a visit at least 2 weeks ahead of time
Make sure you get clear directions so you get there on time (first impression)

56. Before the Visit
Make arrangements to see specific people or areas you want to see
Ask about Open House
If you need to cancel, call ASAP

57. During Your Visit Be a Good Detective Ask people questions
Listen in on conversations
Take notes
Visit your area of interest
Labs, classrooms, facilities

58. During Your Visit Sit in on a class Look at the housing
Look at bulletin board postings
Read the school newspaper
Look at the athletic facilities

59. During Your Visit Show you are INVESTED Arrange for an interview
Plan a second visit (possibly overnight)
Ask specific questions
Tell them what you like about the school

60. Be Ready If You Have an Interview
Purpose:
To gather information about you
To evaluate how you and the school match up
To recruit you by showing off the school

61. Be Ready If You Have an Interview
Prepare some possible answers to questions
Don’t be afraid to show your weakness, it makes you more interesting and believable
Show how you will be good for the institution

62. Before You Leave Check out the surrounding town/ city Say Thank You
Drive or walk around the entire campus
Beyond the tour route
Check out the surrounding town/ city
Social Life
Safety

63. After Your Visit Write a note of appreciation to admissions staff
Make sure you have contact information
Stay in contact with the school
Share your visit with your teachers and counselor

64. Open House: What to Expect
Large Group meeting with all prospective students
Small group guided tours highlighting specific features
Return to the large group for follow up information
Take time to fill out the forms or cards- colleges track student visitations!

65. Good Luck School Shopping!
If you can’t get there in person, take a virtual tour

66. A Word of Caution….
Questions, concerns and road blocks will come up throughout the admissions process. This is natural and can be frustrating for parents and students.

67. Please contact your school counselor if you have questions or concerns
Please contact your school counselor if you have questions or concerns! We are here to help.

68. Questions or Concerns???