1. JUNIOR COLLEGE PREP 11/20/2015

2. CATCH UP  Website  Course Overview  Junior Year Timeline

3. WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR?  Application  Common Application or individual school’s application  Transcript/GPA  All final grades from freshman to junior year – Every grade counts!  Senior year: First quarter grades, mid-year grades, final grades – You can’t slack off!  The higher your GPA is, the more college choices you will have, and the more scholarship money you will get.  Standardized Test Scores  All schools will take the SAT and ACT  Some schools have test-optional policies  The higher your test scores, the more college choices you will have, and the more scholarship money you will get.

4. WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR?  Extracurricular Activities  Schools want to see that you are well-rounded.  This doesn’t mean join every club. Quality is more important than quantity. Do what you enjoy!  Leadership is impressive. This doesn’t necessarily mean a title.  Essay(s)  The Common App has one personal statement that is sent to every school.  If your school is not on the Common App, you can possibly use your Common App essay, as long as it answers the question they are asking.  Some schools require additional essays.  Letters of Recommendation  I will write one as your counselor.  You will ask at least two teachers at the end of the year to write letters for you.

5. OLD SAT  The final administration of the current SAT is January 2016.  The test is three hours and 45 minutes long.  The essay is required.  The test measures Critical Reading, Math, and Writing skills.  Scores range from 600 to 2400.  Points are subtracted for incorrect answers.  December 5 th late registration deadline  November 23 rd  January 23 rd registration deadline  December 28 th

6. NEW SAT  The first administration of the new SAT is March 2016.  The test is three hours long with an optional 50 minute essay. Students are encouraged to complete the essay because some colleges require it.  The test measures Math and Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing skills.  Scores range from 400 to 1600.  There is no penalty for guessing.

7. ACT  The ACT is two hours and 55 minutes long with an optional 40 minute essay.  Students are encouraged to complete the essay because some colleges require it.  The test measures Reading, English, Math and Science skills.  Scores range from 1 to 36.  There is no penalty for guessing.

8. TESTING RECOMMENDATIONS  Students in the Class of 2017 will be most affected by the SAT change because it is taking place half way through their junior year.  Ask colleges how they will handle the change.  Will they accept the current SAT and the new SAT? – Most likely  Will they super score between the current SAT and the new SAT? – Most likely not  You may want to take the old SAT before it is gone.  The new SAT might have a few kinks in the beginning, so you may want to wait until later in your junior year to take the new SAT.  Students should take both the SAT and the ACT to see which test they prefer. Then the student should take that test at least twice. Some students take the test a third and fourth dime during the early part of their senior year.

9. SAT SUBJECT TESTS  Most highly competitive colleges require SAT II Subject Tests.  Each test is one hour in length and is subject specific.  Check with each school you are interested in to see if they are required or recommended. If they are needed, students should take SAT II Subject Tests during the spring semester of their junior year and/or early in their senior year.  SAT II Subject Tests are administered on the same day as the SAT. Students cannot take the SAT II Subject Tests and the SAT on the same date. Students may take up to three SAT II Subject Tests on a single test date.  Students should check with the college placement office to determine which tests are best for their individual profile and goals.

10. SENDING TEST SCORES  When you register for the SAT, you get four free sends. If you don’t know where you are applying to at that time, don’t worry about it.  You typically do not send scores until you are ready to apply during your senior year.  Students are responsible for having their scores sent directly to colleges from the appropriate test agency. Test scores do not appear on a student’s transcript.

11. TEST PREP  Old SAT – PracticePractice  New SAT - PracticePractice

12. COLLEGE VISITS

13. TIPS  The more colleges you visit, the more you learn about the process. You will learn what you like and what you don’t like about certain schools and that will help you narrow your choices.  Visiting a campus is the best way to see if it is the right fit for you.  It is best to see a campus in action, but it’s not always possible. Do your best to schedule visits when school is in session. It is still worth visiting on weekends and breaks if that is the only time you can go. It’s better to see it than not go at all.  Take a tour through the admissions office. You will have access to more information and will be able to see more things on campus.

14. QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE A VISIT  Start by looking at the Admissions Office website. Most of the information you need will be right there.  What types of visit options do you have? (Weekday tours, Open Houses, Overnights, etc.)  How long is each type of visit and what is the schedule?  What will I see on the tour? Can I see a residence hall?  Do you recommend scheduling an interview with my admissions counselor during my visit?  Is a professor from the department I am interested in available to meet with me?  Can I sit in on a class?  Is the coach available to meet with me? Can I see a practice?  Should I bring anything with me?

15. THINGS TO DO BEFORE A VISIT  Explore the college’s official website and review any materials the college has sent you. This will help you come up with questions specific to that college. Then develop a list of questions.  Get a notebook and prepare your questions before your visit.  Get a map of the college campus and check where the admission office is. This will help ensure that you're on time for your visit.

16. QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING A VISIT  See handout

17. THINGS TO DO DURING A VISIT  Visit the dining hall, fitness center, library, career center, bookstore and other campus facilities if they are not already included on the tour.  Try the food in the dining hall.  Get the names of the people you meet with and their business cards so you can contact them later if you have questions.  Before or after your tour, walk around the campus on your own to observe what it’s like.  Talk to current students while you are there and ask them:  Why did you decide to attend this school?  What is your favorite thing about this school?  What is your least favorite thing about this school?  How do you like your classes and professors?  What is it like to live here?  Walk or drive around the community surrounding the campus.

18. THINGS TO DO AFTER A VISIT  Write down your thoughts immediately after your visit is over. You don’t want to forget how you felt, especially if you are visiting several campuses.  Write thank you notes to people that spent time with you one-on-one (Admissions Representative, Coach, Professor, Student, etc.)