College Planning Night

Agenda Components of an Application Application Deadlines College Search Naviance NCAA Registration Financial Aid Do NOW!

Components of Application Apply on-line Common Application School application Transcript Test Scores ACT SAT SAT II Letter of Recommendation Extra-curricular Activities Essay

Transcript Most important component of application Final grades listed Cumulative grade point average is weighted Many colleges re-calculate GPA Students ranked by decile 7 semester transcript with mid-year average Final transcript sent to college of choice

Standardized Tests SAT ACT SAT II Test Optional Schools !! Fairtest.org Register and view scores through company website Scores MUST BE submitted to colleges from company website

Collegeboard. Org Evidence Based Reading & Writing Math Writing SAT Collegeboard. Org Evidence Based Reading & Writing Math Writing No penalty for guessing Test prep Daily question On-line tools – Khan academy Many colleges “superscore” November 5 December 3 January 21 March 11 May 6 June 3

English Reading Math Science Writing ACT ACTStudent.org English Reading Math Science Writing No penalty for guessing Test Prep Few schools superscore October 8 December 10 February 11 April 8 June 10

SAT II Only required by most competitive colleges 20 Subject Tests available 2 usually required Choose area of academic strength or interest One hour in length – up to 3 tests per testing day Collegeboard.org

Recommendations Guidance Counselor Two teachers Junior year Academic teachers Junior year Approach teacher by year’s end

Extra-Curricular Activities Everything counts! Sports Clubs Performing Arts Employment Community Service

Essay Common App requires 1 essay Colleges may require supplemental essay Help available in Writing Lab

Application Deadlines Early Decision Early Action Restricted Early Action Priority Regular Decision Rolling

College Search Goal: To identify list of colleges before summer’s end Naviance! College Fair College Visits at West Essex VISIT 2 excused absences during junior & senior year

Naviance Students: Counselors & teachers: Research and planning Transmit transcripts & recommendations

NCAA Recruited athletes for Division I & II Review eligibility requirements with guidance counselor Register on-line at www.eligibilitycenter.org Counselor needs Transcript Request Form Student must submit test scores from testing service website

Financial Aid Must submit FAFSA FAFSA may now be submitted in October of senior year FAFSA workshop – Wed, Oct 26 at 7 pm May need to submit CSS Financial Aid Presentation – Wed, Jan 4 at 7 pm Local Scholarships listed on West Essex website Search for national scholarships Net Price Calculator Include NJ state school on list!

Do NOW! Schedule standardized tests Plan to visit colleges

Summer Off Summer ON! Continue to research colleges Compile list of colleges & application requirements Complete Brag Sheets Write essays Begin applications