What Does It Take To Get Into College?

What do colleges look for in an applicant? Challenging curriculum Grades Standardized Test Scores Extracurricular Activities

Challenging Curriculum “Rigorous curriculum is a greater factor in determining college graduation rates than class standing, standardized test scores, or grade point average.” by Clifford Adelman, Sr. Research Analyst, U.S. Dept of Education

Choose classes carefully!! College gatekeepers say that the applicants whom they value most have taken college-prep classes in high school and have performed well in these courses. The latest annual admission survey from the National Association of College Admission Counselors indicates that 84 percent of admission directors at state and private schools say grades in college-prep classes are of "considerable importance." (MoneyWatch CBS NEWS, 2012)

College Matrix

SAT VS. ACT All schools will accept either! Always check the colleges’ website to see how they use SAT & ACT test scores. Most colleges will use your highest composite score for the SAT. This practice is called super scoring. Most colleges do not super score the ACT, however this is changing. UF does not super score, but FSU, UM, FAU, USF, as well as some elite schools such as MIT, Penn State, Brown, do. Most students test more than once – average 2 to 3 times! SAT – Aptitude Test-Reading, Math, & Writing ACT – Achievement Test – English, Reading, Math, Science, & Writing

PSAT It’s a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT. It also gives you a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools. The PSAT/NMSQT measures: Critical reading skills Math problem-solving skills Writing skills The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are to: Receive feedback on your strengths and skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice. See how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college Enter the competition for scholarships from NMSC(grade 11) Help prepare for the SAT by becoming familiar with the kinds of questions and exact directions you will see on the SAT. Receive information for colleges when you check “yes” to Student Search Service.

Extracurricular Activities Well rounded student Good time management skills Avoid “filling up” resume Quality over quantity Leadership skills Community Service Part-time job is considered extracurricular

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2012 FRESHMAN PROFILE

Profile of student who was accepted into competitive university- senior schedule ADV PL BIO ADV PL US GOVT/POL ADV PL MICROECON ADV PL PHYS B ADV PL CALCULUS BC DUAL-ENROLLMENT A DV PL PSYCH

Profile of Student- Academic Units,GPA and Test scores CUM HPA: 5.2973 CUM GPA: 4.0000 Academic Units: over 34 academic units Test scores: SAT Reading: 680, Math: 730, Writing: 750 Accepted: University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Brown University,University of Miami, state univesities

How am I going to pay for college?

Financial Aid Types of Financial Aid 1. Loans 2. Work-Study Program 3. Grants 4. Scholarships

Financial Aid FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid, www.fafsa.ed.gov- after January 1 senior year CSS/Financial Aid Profile College/University Financial Aid application

Bright Futures Scholarship Update

The Bright Futures Program The Bright Futures Program offers 3 levels of scholarship awards: The Florida Academic Scholar – FAS The Florida Medallion Scholar – FMS The Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship It is your students’ job to know and meet the requirements of the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program! (per the FDOE website) The program and award amounts can change yearly and are dependent on the state legislature!

Florida Academic Scholar Grade Point Average: 3.5 weighted GPA using the credits listed below, combined with the test scores and community service hours listed below. Public Institution-an amount approximately equal to 100% of tuition (actually less) Required Credits: Courses must include 16 credits of college preparatory academic classes 4 English (3 with substantial writing) 4 Mathematics (Algebra I and above – must also have a math beyond Algebra II) 3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab) 3 Social Science 2 Foreign Language (in the same language) Total of 16 Credits May use up to two additional credits from courses in the academic listed above and/or AP, IB or AICE fine arts course to raise GPA Community Service- 100 hours Test Scores: 1290 SAT I (based on the combined Critical Reading and Math Sections only) or 29 ACT (excluding the writing section)

Florida Medallion Scholarship Required Credits: Courses must include 16 credits of college preparatory academic classes 4 English (3 with substantial writing) 4 Mathematics (Algebra I and above- math beyond Algebra2) 3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab) 3 Social Science 2 Foreign Language (in the same language) Total of 16 Credits May use up to two additional credits from courses in the academic listed above and/or AP, IB or AICE fine arts course to raise GPA Community Service- 75 hours Test scores: Combined score of 1170 SAT Reasoning Test (Critical Reading and Math sections only) or a composite score of 26 on the ACT (excluding the writing section)

Gold Seal Vocational Award Level - *Amounts will differ at quarter or clock hour institutions Public Institution For a Career Certificate Program (PSAV), Applied Technology Diploma Program (ATD)s) or Technical Degree Educaion Program (AS,AAS, CCC) Grade Point Average (GPA) – (Note: GPAs are not rounded.) 3.0 weighted GPA using the 16 core credits required for high school graduation with a 4-year diploma (listed below), and a 3.5 unweighted GPA in a minimum of three vocational credits in one vocational program, and test scores listed below. Required Credits See the Comprehensive Course Table to identify courses that count toward each award level Credits must be in the 16 core credits required for high school graduation with a 4-year diploma. 4 English 4 Mathematics 3 Natural Science 3 Social Science (Am. History, World History, Am. Govt. and Economics) 1 Practical Arts;  OR 1 Performing Arts;  OR .5 credit in each .5 Personal Fitness .5  Physical Education
 Total of 16 Credits Plus a minimum of three Vocational Job-Preparatory or Technology Education Program credits in one vocational program Community Service – 30 hours Test Scores SAT or ACT.  Composite scores are not accepted.  A student must qualify on the ACT alone, the SAT alone or the CPT alone. Test types cannot be combined. CPT: Reading 83, Sentence Skills 83, Algebra 72; SAT Critical Reading 440, Math 440; ACT English 17, Reading 18 Math 19

www.fastweb.com www.cappex.com www.collegeboard.com www.finaid.org GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES www.fastweb.com www.cappex.com www.collegeboard.com www.finaid.org www.inlikeme.com www.collegeconfidential.com www.collegenet.com/mach25 www.scholarship.org www.gocollege.com www.collegescholarships.com www.findtuition.com www.ANYCOLLEGE.com www.ScholarshipExperts.com www.scholarshipamerica.org www.StudentScholarships.org www.wisechoice.com

Financial Aid Night When: Thursday, February 26, 2015 6:00 pm Where: Park Vista Auditorium

FAFSA Workshops Where: Park Vista Community High School-Computer lab When: Thursday, March 5, 6:00 pm, or Thursday, March 26, 8:00 am

Scholarship Thursdays

COFFEE TALKS 2014-2015 The College Application Process/Scholarships –Thurs., October 2 High School 101 – Thurs., Nov. 6 Testing Workshop – Thurs., Dec. 4 The Registration Process – Thurs., Feb.5 Dual Enrollment – Thurs., March 12 Online Learning Opportunities - Thurs., April 2 How to Search for Colleges & How to Apply – Thurs., May 7

College Visits at Park Vista The following colleges will be visiting Park Vista High School: Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL Thursday September 11th at 9:00am   Rice University, Houston, TX Tuesday September 16th at 8:00am MCR Nova Southeastern Univ. Ft. Lauderdale, FL Tuesday September 16th at 10:00am MCR Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers, FL Wednesday September 17th at 9:00am MC The University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Thursday September 18th at 11:00am (LTM) C Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL Tuesday September 30th at 11:30am A Johnson & Wales University, Miami, FL Friday October 3rd at 11:00am MCR The University of Miami, Miami, FL Friday October 17th at 10:00am A The University of Georgia, Athens, GA October 22 at 10:00am MCR Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH Wednesday October 22 at 11:00am Mercer University, Macon, GA Thursday October 23rd at 8:30am MCR Wells College, Aurora, NY Thursday October 23rd at 11:00am MCR Stevenson University, Stevenson, MD Friday October 24th at 9:30am MCR Interested students may sign up in guidance during lunch or see Mr. Tarini for further details.

College Fairs The Palm Beach County College/Career Fair When: Wednesday, October 22, 2014, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm Where: Palm Beach County Convention Center Ft. Lauderdale National College Fair When: Wednesday, October 21, 2014 9:00 am-12:00 am, 5:30pm-8:30 pm Where: Ft.Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center *Register online at www.gotomyncf.com

Know your student’s Guidance Counselor: A- Co – Peter Tarini Cr- E (&504) – Theresa Varano F-K – Megen Stair L-O – Mary Turner P- Sq – Rick Dewalt St-Z- Betsy Lyon

Resources: www.act.org www.bigfuture.org www.collegboard.com www.collegeconfidential.com www.fldoe.org www.flvc.org www.inlikeme.com www.pvchs.com

Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors -African proverb