COFFEE & CHAT Cheltenham High School Guidance Department January 29, 2016

CHS Guidance Department Mrs. Vargas (Adames-Davidson) Mrs. Cohen (Davies-Grigoras) Dr. Tran-Doerr (Haasz-McQuitty) Mrs. Caldwell (McShore-Schwartz) Mr. Walker (Scott-Young)

College Search Location Size Cost of School Public vs. Private Special needs Selectivity Major Specific Activities North Carolina State University

The Process Research Communication Campus visits Interviews Villanova University

Testing SAT I – Reasoning Test SAT II – Subject Tests ACT University of Pittsburgh

From College Board- NEW SAT

From College Board-NEW SAT (continued)

SAT vs. ACT Test Structure 4 sections (Evidence-Based Reading, Writing, Math without a calculator, Math with a calculator) plus an Optional Essay 4 sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) plus an Optional Essay Test Content Math: Algebra, Data Analysis Geometry, Trigonometry Algebra II Reading: Reading Comprehension, Words in Context, Evidence Based, Tests grammatical and rhetorical skills. Writing: Topic comes from a 750-word passage to be read on Test Day. Math: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II Trigonometry Science: experiments and charts. Reading: 4 passages: Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, Natural Science. English: grammar. Writing: Topic presents conversations around contemporary issues SATACT

SAT vs. ACT Register Online Wrong Answers No Penalty (this is a change!) No Penalty Scoring per section, added together for a combined score. A 1600 is the highest possible combined score 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 request SAT ACT

TESTING SAT Reasoning Test Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, Math, & Optional Writing Scored on point scale per section Cost: $43. With writing- $54.50 SAT Subject Test Some “Very Selective Colleges” may require 2 or more for admission and/or placement. *One hour tests ( Can take up to 3 on one test date) *Scored on a point scale *Cost: $26. Penn State University

SAT II’s Available Subject Tests: English: Literature History: US History or World History Mathematics: Level 1 or Level 2 Science: Biology E and/or M OR Chemistry OR Physics Languages: Chinese French, German, Spanish, Italian, Latin, Modern Hebrew, Japanese, Korean

ACT Cost: $39.50 w/writing $56.50 Scored on a scale of 1-36 for each subject. Best composite score= 36 ACT pulled ahead for the first time in 2012: 1,666,017 took the ACT 1,664,479 took the SAT The ACT is accepted by all 4-year colleges and universities in the United States. Most widely taken by students from the Midwest, Southwest, and Deep South. Taken with writing, it may exempt you from the need for SAT Subject Tests. Designed to predict freshman year academic success

Types of Admission Early Action (EA) Early Decision (ED) Regular (Fixed) Rolling Open Rosemont College

Athletics NCAA Clearinghouse Recruitable vs Admissible Division I, II, III Temple University

Application Process How many? Deadlines/Timelines Recommendations Activities Essays Muhlenberg College

Financial Aid/Scholarships Merit vs. Need FAFSA Profile Financial aid packages Hampton University

Changes to FAFSA Beginning with the 2017–18 application, the FAFSA will be available to students and families October 1 of the previous year. This means students who need to complete the 2017–18 FAFSA will be able to access and submit the form anytime from Oct. 1, 2016, through June 30, Beginning with the 2017–18 FAFSA, the requirements for reporting income information will change. Currently, FAFSA applicants are required to provide income information from the "prior year." For example, 2016–17 applicants must report 2015 income information. Beginning with the 2017–18 FAFSA, applicants will be required to provide "prior-prior" year income information. This means that the 2017–18 FAFSA will collect 2015 income information.

Role of Guidance Department in College Application Process Discuss post-secondary planning with all juniors Present information to all seniors Review and submit transcripts and supporting documents Answer individual questions Kutztown University

WELCOME to NAVIANCE  Naviance is a web-based resource for students/parents – for post high school career and college planning  Family Connection is specific to our school and linked with Naviance- the counselor portal.  Students will request transcripts and recommendations through Naviance  Guidance department communicates with students through Naviance  All students are registered- Username- their Cheltenham username (ex. 17lcohen) Password- 6 digit school ID  Access Naviance from Cheltenham website under STUDENTS  HAVE STUDENTS ADD YOUR ADDRESS TO RECEIVE COMMUNICATIONS!

NAVIANCE as a JUNIOR  CAREERS  “What are my Interests” 3 different inventories that will begin to give insight into potential careers based on students’ interests and abilities. It should take approx 45 minutes to an hour to complete all three.  “Explore Careers” Students can research those careers which are of interest to them. Information includes knowledge and skills required, potential wages, and a general overview.  SUPERMATCH  COLLEGES  “Colleges I’m Thinking About” to begin to research specific colleges and compare your stats to the college’s accepted averages

Junior Year Timeline SPRSUM SPRING/SUMMER Call ahead to set up campus tours & visit schools of interest. Research eligibility requirements for federal and private financial aid. Register for Spring and/or Fall SAT, SAT Subject Tests, &/or ACT Review online applications from colleges; list of 5-7 you are seriously considering. Begin writing application essays and complete request for counselor recommendation survey if not already done. Work or volunteer in a specific field of interest.

What can I be doing right now? Resume Rough draft application essays Develop & research a “short list” of 7-10 schools Trim the list to 3-7 by September of senior year Schedule campus visits/interviews Summer involvement Clean-up your social media

12 th Grade Timeline Spring *Notify Guidance Office to send 1 st MP grades to schools if required; mid- year grades are not automatically sent for all students *Continue applying for scholarships *Watch mail and online for acceptance letters & compare financial aid packages *Re-visit top choices to make final decision *Choose school and send housing deposit by deadline (MAY1) *Keep a rigorous academic schedule and maintain grades! Fall *Make a calendar of deadlines! *Complete applications *Take SAT/Subject Tests/ACT *Contact & visit college admissions representatives *Secure teacher recommendations *Submit transcript request forms through Naviance *Arrange for SAT/ACT scores to be sent to schools *Attend Financial Aid Night in November/December *Seek and apply for scholarships *Athletes- complete NCAA Clearinghouse FAFSA can be submitted

When should I start my applications? Applications become available online in the summer- you cannot complete the Common App until after 8/1. CHS will start processing transcript requests in mid-September. Goal should be to have applications completed by mid-November. PSU Rolling admissions schools fill as students are accepted

Questions?? Please contact us!!!!