1. “I believe that we parents must encourage our children to become educated, so they can get into a good college that we cannot afford.” Dave BarryI believe that we parents must encourage our children to become educated, so they can get into a good college that we cannot afford. Dave Barry

2. Preparing for College JUNIOR YEAR Spring 2010 Sign up for SAT’s, ACT’s (May, June) Begin College Search Visit Colleges over Spring Break Summer 2010 Create your college list Begin college application(s) & essay(s) Work on Transcript Request Packet Work on Teacher Recommendation Packet

3. Preparing for College SENIOR YEAR Fall 2010 Begin scholarship search Senior Interviews w/Counselor Request recommendations from teachers Complete/Submit Transcript Request Packet Finish essays

4. Tests! ACT SAT SAT II Subject Tests AP TOEFL

5. What’s the Difference? SAT No science section No trigonometry questions Vocabulary emphasized Non multiple-choice questions asked Guessing penalty No English grammar Math accounts for 50% of your score Questions go from easy to difficult ACT Science reasoning section Math includes trigonometry Vocabulary less important Entirely multiple-choice No guessing penalty English grammar tested Math accounts for 25% of your score Questions are mixed up

6. Be a SMARTIE! S top A nd T hink ! Register today for the May 1 st SAT at collegeboard.com. Deadline is March 31 st June 5 th SAT---- Deadline is May 5 th

7. The American College Test ACT Actstudent.org Register for the June 12 th ACT Deadline is May 7 th

8. 210 – 510 School Code

9. COLLEGE VISITS Colleges visit Howard High School throughout the year! See the Student Services website for the College Visit list. Students can sign up for a college visit in Student Services

10. Internet College and Scholarship Searches –Beware: do not pay money or give a credit card for a college or scholarship search College SearchesScholarships -Bridges**-Fastweb.com -Princeton Review-Findtuition.com -Peterson-hcpss.org -College Board-Bridges -USnews.com/education-Collegeanswer.com

11. Bridges College Search See instruction packet: kept in the career center www.bridges.com Choices Planner > School Finderwww.bridges.com SiteID: 28513 Password: o6113ps2 Hints You can narrow or broaden responses to get a manageable number of colleges Create portfolio to save search results and schools Compare schools to each other

12. COLLEGE APPLICATIONS Types of Applications: Common, On-Line, School Application Appearance is KEY! Most schools require a social security number Fill out draft copies of the application and essay before doing the final Make copies of anything you send out Make sure you send the correct amount in application fees Make sure you mail them in a timely manner

17. Transcript Request Packet What is the transcript request packet? –A packet that all students will need to complete. –A request to the registrar and counselor for transcripts and a counselor recommendation. **allow at least 30 school days for processing of the Transcript Packet**

18. Transcript Request Packet The packet includes: A list of required forms to be completed –Transcript Request Form –Sample Student Academic Resume –Counselor Input Form –Optional Parent Questionnaire –Waiver of Right to See School/Teacher Letters of Recommendation Information on what the registrar will compile for your student’s college Mid-year Reports and Final Transcript information

19. Transcript Request Packet Forms that will be due by Monday, June 14th –Student Academic Resume –Counselor Input Form –Optional Parent Questionnaire Please have your student turn in their completed forms to either Mrs. Prechtl or Mrs. Surdu, the Registrars.

20. Transcript Example

21. Teacher Recommendations Select two teachers Requests for letters should be typed Include a resume and input form with your request Some colleges require teacher recommendation forms – you must provide the form Teachers need at least 30 school days advance notice Teachers will submit letters to the Registrar

23. QUESTIONS? 7:00PM Guest Speaker Chip Saltsman Vice-President, Capgemini MIT Alumni Interviewer Parent