Future Planning for College What you need to know now about the college admissions process

Types of Colleges 4 year colleges Community and Technical Colleges Earn a bachelor’s degree Can study things like engineering, psychology, education, accounting, etc. i.e. Augusta University, Georgia Southern University, Georgia Gwinnett College Community and Technical Colleges Earn an associates degree, a certificate, or a diploma Typically 1-2 year programs Can study things like HVAC, Welding, Cosmetology, etc. i.e. Augusta Technical College

What Do Colleges Look For in an Applicant? Primary Factors: -Academic Performance/ Grades Grade Point Average -Test Scores (ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Test, AP, etc.) -Quality/Rigor of Academic Courses Additional Factors -Extracurricular Activities & Volunteer service -Essays -Letters of Recommendation from teachers -Behavior record

Academic Performance Colleges use your GPA to determine whether or not you are an acceptable applicant. The higher your GPA, the better chance you have of getting into college. GPA is the average of all of your grades. It does not reset each year, they all get averaged together. A= 4.0 B= 3.0 C= 2.0 D= 1.0 F= 0.0 ** For students who take AP or College Classes, those classes are weighted on a 5.0 scale. So, if you make an A in an AP class, you get a 5.0 added into your GPA instead of a 4.0. (You would get a 4.0 for making a B, 3.0 for a C, etc.)

SAT / ACT Scores The SAT and ACT are standardized college entrance exams. Nearly all 4 year colleges require you have scores for either test. The SAT is scored out of 1600. It tests you on Math, & Evidence Based Reading and Writing. The ACT is scored out of 36. It tests you on Math, Reading, English, & Science. You should take the SAT beginning your junior year and again your senior year.

Quality / Rigor of Academics Colleges want to see that you are challenging yourself instead of taking the easy route. Example: A college is reviewing two applicants- Which applicant are they going to choose? Applicant 1: GPA: 3.3 SAT Score: 1060 Course Rigor: all regular courses, 2 years of foreign language Applicant 2: GPA: 3.3 SAT Score: 1060 Course Rigor: 7 honors classes, 3 AP classes, 3 years of foreign language

What Can I Do to Make Sure I Have All of These Qualities? Start off on the right foot- many students think 9th grade year does not count and that they can improve their grades at a later time. Every year counts! Colleges want to see that you have tried your hardest in all years of high school. Study, study, study! Have great attendance and turn in all work on time. Make sure you are asking for help if you need it. High school is more challenging than middle school and it will take some more effort. If you need help or do not understand something, ask!

What Can I Do to Make Sure I Have All of These Qualities? Get involved– show those colleges that you are well rounded and have good time management. Join a team, sign up for a club, and be an active member! Have a support team made up of family, friends, teachers, counselors, etc. who are there to help you. Make sure you are building positive relationships with your teachers. Colleges often ask for recommendation letters to see if you are a good fit for their school.

8 Common Mistakes that 9th Graders Make Believing your freshman year doesn’t really count and you can improve your grades later. Sacrificing your grades for your social life. Skipping classes and missing assignments. Failing to make up missed assignments. Giving up when faced with a challenge.

6. Not signing up for extracurricular activities. 7 6. Not signing up for extracurricular activities. 7. Being too involved in social media, causing distractions at school. 8. Being afraid to ask for help or ask questions in class.

Skipping and Missing Homework Teachers share important information during class, and listening to their lectures and completing the homework helps you to better understand the subject. The worst way to affect a grade is to not turn assignments in. All 0’s have a large impact on your overall grade!

Make-up Assignments Some teachers are flexible in accepting late work and others are more strict. However, they are only required to allow you to turn in late assignments when your absence is excused (meaning you have a note from a doctor or parent, you were on a school field trip, etc). So, attending class is very important. Don’t miss class!

Starting Now Start thinking about college and the college admissions process now Focus on your academics to prepare yourself Develop good study habits during 9th grade. Your grades are what open doors for you and you cannot un-do what is on your transcript.

Now that you know what colleges look for, you need to know what to look for in a college.

What to Consider When Thinking About College Size and diversity of student body Location Academic programs Campus life –athletics, activities, housing Graduation and retention rates Cost Financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Visit Campuses Get to know a school from the inside: Take a campus tour. Speak with an admissions counselor. Ask about financial aid opportunities. Sit in on a class of interest. Read the student newspaper. Talk to students and faculty. Get to know a school from the inside.

Pair Up & Discuss Do you want to attend college? If so what kind of college (2 or 4 year)? Where are you hoping to attend college? Have you thought about what you might want to major in? Have you done any research on schools that you are interested in? Have you visited any colleges? What are you going to do to make yourself a good candidate?

GPA college-scholarships.com/gpa-calculator/ Students: use this GPA calculator to see what kind of GPA you will have at the end of the year if you continue to perform in your classes the same way you did in Q1. Do not put in any + or – on the grades. Use only the letter. A= 90-100 B= 80-89 C= 75-79 D= 70-74 F= 0-69 Full year classes: 1 credit (9th Grade Lit, Environmental Science, Algebra, etc.) Half year classes: 0.5 credit (Tools for College Success, Health, Personal Fitness, etc.) college-scholarships.com/gpa-calculator/

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