1. WMC Guidance Department Junior Planning Night December 6, 2011 7:00 p.m.

2. Tonight’s Agenda: Getting Started with your College Search Timeline for Junior Year The Junior Conference Brief Testing Overview Introduction to Naviance

3. Junior Year Calendar November to June- Keep your grades up! January/February- Junior Conference March- HSPA March to May- SAT/ACT Testing May/June- AP & IB Testing May/June- Teacher Recommendations & Resume

4. Senior Year Calendar September/October - Register to take SAT Reasoning, ACT, and/or SAT Subject Tests (if needed). - Finalize college essay and resume - Make sure you have two letters of recommendation from teachers - Fill out applications (especially for Early Decision and/or Early Action) November/December - Continue to submit applications to colleges - Try to file your last application by Dec. January -Apply for financial aid with FAFSA form and CSS Profile (if needed)

5. Keep Your Grades Up! Top Factors in College Admissions Offices Grades in College Prep Courses Strength in Curriculum Standardized Test Scores Overall High School GPA ( Source: National Association for College Admission Counseling, 2011 )

6. Additional Trends in Admissions 73% of colleges reported an increase in applications for fall 2010, compared to fall 2009 85% of applications received online in 2010; up from 58% in 2006 Average selectivity rate at a 4-year colleges and universities is 65.5% (Source: National Association for College Admission Counseling, 2011)

7. Junior Conference January/ February 2011 Review Standardized Testing Unofficial Transcript Personal Testing Timeline Beginning your college search Using Naviance to organize your College Search Building a College Resume Letters of Recommendation Visiting Timeline Admissions Terminology

8. Various Testing for Junior Year PSAT: Practice SAT SAT Reasoning Test SAT Subject Area Tests ACT HSPA AP IB

9. Differences Between the SAT AND ACT SAT – 10 Section Exam – – 3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, – 3 Writing, 1 Experimental – 3 Hour and 45 Minutes – Penalty For Wrong Answers – Have To Write Essay ACT  5 Section Exam – English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing  3 Hour Test  No Penalty For Wrong Answers  Optional essay All Colleges Accept the SAT and ACT.

10. AP & IB TEsting Students in AP and/or IB Courses should prepare to take the appropriate test AP & IB Testing is done in May Sign-ups for AP Testing start in late February with Mrs. Buchanan in the Career Lab

11. HSPA Measures Achievement – Language Arts – Math Score: 200 indicates proficiency March Administration (Junior Year) Testing Center: WMCHS Graduation Requirement

12. Using Naviance to Organize your College Search What is Naviance? & What are the benefits of this program?

13. Features of naviance -SAT/ACT Test Preparation -College Search -Personal Comparison -West Morris Central Data -Online Transcripts -Direct Contact Information to Admissions and Financial Aid Offices

14. Sat/act preparation

15. College Search

16. Compare Yourself to Colleges

17. How Do You Compare?

18. Overlaps

19. Organization

20. Admissions Terminology Rolling Admissions Traditional Early Decision Early Action Early Evaluation Deferred Decision Waiting List Congratulations

21. Online Tutorials We have set up online tutorials showing how to use Naviance’s various features Setting up your account College Search Accessing Test Preparation Requesting Transcripts Go to www.wmchs.org and select “Guidance” the tutorials will be in the left hand navigation barwww.wmchs.org

22. BUILDING A RESUME JUNIOR YEAR (In Health Class) EMPHASIZE QUALITY OVER QUANTITY CREATIVITY INITIATIVE LEADERSHIP

23. Letters of Recommendation Ask two teachers for letters in the spring Should be from Junior Year Speak to them in person Be sure to thank them

24. College Visits Spring Break is a great time to visit colleges Try to visit schools when colleges are in session Ask questions Meet with admissions representatives

25. How do I schedule a campus visit? Call the admissions office. Ask for Open House or Tour Dates (SPRING BREAK) Ask to speak to admissions representative after your tour It is best if the student makes this call.

26. Questions?