1. Central bucks high school EAST
College Planning
Central bucks high school EAST
Class of 2014
Walt Sandstrom(A-K)
Melanie jones(l-Z)
Part one

2. OVERVIEW CB East Guidance Website Junior Year Timeline
Standardized Test options (SAT, ACT, AP)
Admissions Factors
Naviance - Career & College Search Process
Counselor letter of recommendation
Program Planning Process

3. CB East Guidance Website
Guidance Homepage
We will post PowerPoint presentations, videos, updates and useful information to the Guidance Website.
There are also links to Naviance, Portal, E-Prep, Resources and Counselor contact information.

4. Junior Year Timeline FALL WINTER/SPRING SUMMER
Revisit Naviance, update resume and game plan to include potential major.
Course selection for senior year (Portal opens January)
Call ahead to set up campus tours and visit schools of interest.
Meet with college admission reps who visit East.
Attend District College Fair on March 20th 6:30pm at South.
Register for fall SAT/ACT/SAT Subject tests.
PSAT’s on October 20th
Student Athletes register with NCAA
Take the SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Tests, AP exams.
Start looking at college applications via Naviance.
Attend Financial Aid Night on November 14th at CB South.
Naviance - college search process, enter colleges of interest, complete “college recommendation questionnaire”
Revisit college application essay written in English 11 for Career Plan and fine-tune existing activity resume.
Complete Career Plan Essay in English Class
Request teacher recommendations from 11th grade teachers.
Participate in an enrichment program, get a job or internship

5. Standardized Testing

6. SAT’s www.collegeboard.com
SAT Reasoning Test: Math, Reading, & Writing
SAT Subject Tests:
One hour tests; can take up to 3 on one test date; scored point scale
Some Selective Colleges may require 2 or more for admission (Some will consider ACT w/Writing in lieu of Subject tests)
English History Mathematics
Literature US History & World History Levels 1 and 2
Science
Biology E and/or M, Chemistry, & Physics
Languages
Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Latin, Modern Hebrew, Japanese, Korean

7. SAT vs. ACT SAT ACT Test Structure Test Content
Measures Aptitude: Critical Reading, Math, Writing skills.
Measures Achievement:
English, Math, Reading, Writing, and Science Reasoning.
Test Content
Math: Arithmetic, Algebra 1&2, Geometry, data analysis.
Reading: sentence completions, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension. Writing: essay, grammar, usage, and word choice.
Math: up to trigonometry. Science: experiments and charts.
Reading: 4 passages: Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, Natural Science. English: grammar.
Writing: optional section

8. SAT vs. ACT SAT ACT Register Online Wrong Answers Scoring
ACT
Wrong Answers
Penalty .25 deducted for each
No Penalty
Scoring
per section, added together for a combined score. A 2400 is the highest possible combined score.
1-36 for each subject, averaged for a composite score. A 36 is the highest possible composite score.
Are all scores sent to schools?
Yes and No; “Score Choice” option now available.
No, student can make specific requests.

9. Testing: “Official Score Report”
Some schools will accept scores from the transcript, some do not (most notably PSU).
Student contacts/pays testing company to send score report directly to college.
Takes about 4-6 weeks
When registering, students can request scores be sent to up to 4 colleges for FREE.
Some colleges require “official score reports” directly from testing company
Is score choice the right choice?
Most colleges, if viewing all test results will consider or combine the highest score from each section for a “Super Score”.
When registering for tests, be sure to include CB East school code, – this is now a requirement when registering for the test.
SAT

10. Advanced Placement (AP) Testing
Check individual college policies
on credit awards:
Can be used for college credit and course level placement.
May help students “place out” of college courses.
May allow students to achieve advanced standing.
Expensive test, but far less expensive than a college course.
Administered first 2 weeks of East during school day.
18 AP’s offered at CB East

11. Standardized Testing Preparation
(SAT)
SAT question of the day
Free practice tests
Familiarize yourself with test content
(ACT)
E-Prep- see counselor or librarian if you need password
Private SAT prep through individual and group tutoring
Plenty of other online sites that provide free SAT/ACT practice
PSAT- utilize the results to focus your preparation for SAT
SAT prep books

12. When to Test?
SAT’s: Once or twice during Spring of junior year Fall of senior if necessary ACT’s: Spring of junior year is recommended AP’s: First 2 weeks of May SAT Subject Tests: Immediately following related coursework

13. Test Dates ACT’s SAT’s October 6th, 2012 * East CEEB code is 390-488
September 8th, 2012
October 27th, 2012
December 8, 2012
April 13th, 2013
June 8th, 2013
SAT’s
October 6th, 2012 *
November 3rd, 2012*
December 1st, 2o12
January 26th, 2013*
March 9th, 2013*
May 4th, 2013*
June 1st, 2o13*
East CEEB code is
CB East is a test center for these dates noted with an (*)
East test center code is 39162

14. There are HOW many colleges in the US?
Consider all options
Narrow down the list to 1o-15 by end of 11th grade
Apply to approximately 4-8 in senior year

15. Types of Post-Secondary Schools
PA State Colleges/Universities
Private Colleges/Universities
“Ivy League” Schools
Military Academies
Specialized Institutions (art, music, culinary arts, technical/trade, etc.)
Community Colleges (Transfer Programs)
Two-Year Private Colleges

16. Decision Factors Entrance Requirements Selectivity Public vs. Private
Majors Available
Specialized programs
Final Cost and Expenses

17. Finding the perfect match….
More Decision Factors
Finding the perfect match….
Size of school/classes
Geographic location
Distance from home
Type of campus
Surrounding community
Campus personality
Diversity
Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
Facilities and housing

18. Campus Visits… What makes their college unique?
Campus Tour
Open Houses- spring or next fall.
Overnight stay with sibling/friend
Visit an actual class in session
Interview, if requested or required
“Chat” with current students
Facebook, other social media
Visit before applying, and again after acceptance.

20. Top College Admission Factors
Grades/GPA in college prep classes and rigor of course selection.
Standardized test scores (some schools are SAT/ACT Optional – see list at
Class rank (CBSD does not provide rank for admissions purposes; only for scholarships)
Application essay
Teacher and/or Counselor Recommendations

21. Other Admission Factors
Interview
Extracurriculars
Demonstrated Interest
Online presence

22. Student Transcript

23. Beginning the College Search Process
Finding a college that everyone can agree upon!

24. Resources for the College Search
Naviance (Counselor can re-set password)
Internet; see Guidance Website
Individual college websites
Traditional guidebooks and college brochures
Meet with college admissions representatives who visit East each fall (schedule/receive passes on Naviance or in the guidance office).
College Fair- March 20, 2013, 6:30p.m. at CB South

25. Meets all your needs throughout the entire process:
Naviance
Meets all your needs throughout the entire process:
Career Plan Surveys (Graduation Project)
Career and College Search Tools
Analyze Data- scattergram
Visit Websites
Application links
Scholarship list

26. Naviance

27. Naviance

28. Naviance

29. Naviance

30. Naviance

31. Naviance

32. Naviance

33. Naviance

34. Naviance

35. Counselor Letter of Recommendation
“Counselor Recommendation Questionnaire” survey on Naviance
Optional “Parent Recommendation Questionnaire”
Print survey and submit to guidance office in spring of Junior year
Add potential major if known under “Game Plan”
Sent with transcript and standardized scores
Request made as part of the Transcript Request Form
Allow at least 15 school days for processing

36. Program Planning for 12th Grade
Enter courses in portal January 10 – February 10.
Counselor classroom visits and 1-1 meetings.
Make sure you and your student can access portal.
Maintain rigor and/or add challenge.
Early Release/Late Arrival privileges & provisions.

37. Join us again….
March 13th, 2013
Summer activities, introduction to transcript/application process, looking ahead to senior year.
Fall 2013
Senior timeline, transcript request process, sending teacher/counselor recommendations, financial aid & scholarships, final decisions.