January 30, :00 – 8:30pm Auditorium Lincoln Park High School Junior Parent Night Post-Secondary Planning Presentation

What’s the purpose?  The purpose of tonight’s program is to present you with a developmentally appropriate timeline to begin the college search process.  Question & answer sessions during the last minutes.  Juniors in their English classes received a copy of the College Planning Handbook and activated their Naviance accounts over the past month.

Post-Secondary Options Two/Four Year Colleges & Universities Technical/Vocational/Business Schools Apprenticeship Training Programs Military Services GAP Year Program

Students Should Get to Know their Counselor  Students will first meet with their counselor during programming to review their transcript and senior courses  A late spring/early fall meeting should be scheduled to discuss: Colleges/career goals Develop an initial list of schools Develop an initial list of schools  In the meanwhile, students should research and add schools to “Colleges I’m thinking about” list in Naviance

Visit the College & Career Centers Room 113A  Open to students during their lunch period and after school until 5:00  13 workstations for completing applications and research  Individual assistance with Ms. Hubbell is available by walk-in or appointment Room 114B  Open to students during lunch and until 3:30 p.m.  Five computer workstations for online applications and research  Over 100 college planning resource books (some have CDs) are available

Need help planning? We encourage students and parents to use the Naviance Family Connection! There’s an app for that!

What is Naviance?  A comprehensive web-based college planning and tracking tool  Counselors, teachers, students, and parents have access  correspondences are sent to students and parents via Naviance.

Naviance Key FeaturesScattergramsScattergrams College Match Super Match College Autobiography Scholarship search

Access Naviance from the LPHS website

How to Set-up Naviance?   Click “I need to register” ➡ ➡ Enter your registration code and begin updating your profile! ➡ ➡ Be sure you enter the address that you most frequently check

Most popular feature in Naviance: SCATTERGRAMS

Colleges Look for these in an Application Packet:  Grades in academic classes all 4 years  Counselor Recommendation  Levels of academic classes  Teacher Recommendation(s)  Standardized Test Scores  Student’s Demonstrated Interest  Grades in all other courses  Interview (if required)  Work/Extra Curricular Activities  Diversity (Geographic/Ethnic)  Special Talent  Ability to Pay (unless need based institution)  Essay or Writing Sample  Legacy

Importance of a Strong Senior Year Schedule  Programming for senior year is around the corner!  It is important to take courses.  It is important to take appropriately challenging courses.  Colleges examine grades through the end of senior year, and many will ask for midterm report cards and/or first semester grades.  No matter what your child’s post-secondary plans are, the high school transcript will be viewed.

College Entrance Exams  SAT Reasoning Test - designed to assess skills & application of knowledge  SAT Subject Area Tests - one hour content based test:  SAT Subject Area Tests - one hour content based test:  ACT – Content-based test in five categories (English, Reading, Mathematics, Science, Writing)  ACT – Content-based test in five categories (English, Reading, Mathematics, Science, Writing) Each website has information regarding registration, fees and a complete listing of all dates and deadlines.

SAT vs. ACT  Structure is Critical Reading, Math and Writing  Structure is English, Reading, Math and Science Reasoning and Writing  There is a penalty for wrong answers (1/4 point deducted)  There is no penalty for wrong answers  Test is scored per section and 2400 is the highest possible combined score  Test is scored 1-36 per section and 36 is the highest possible composite score  New Score Choice Policy, March 2009  Students can choose which composite score to send to colleges

Standardized Testing  We typically recommend testing once in the spring of junior year and once in the fall of senior year.  All Juniors are pre-registered to take the PSAE at LPHS on April 23 rd which includes an ACT test WITHOUT WRITING on Day 1.  Your child’s counselor can assist in creating an appropriate testing timeline  Many schools are becoming test optional – view for a complete list

The College Visit   A College visit is the best way to decide if a campus is a good ‘fit’ for a student   Visit the colleges you are considering during spring break & the summer.   Tour the campus dorms, cafeteria, classroom, athletic fields, etc.   Call ahead or check website to schedule a two more and/or information session   Ask questions of the tour guide or other students on campus.   LPHS attendance policy allows students three excused college visit days per year for seniors. ***Must submit proof of attendance on University letterhead***

College Essay Writing Workshop  May 2013 (date TBD)  Mrs. Hubbell and Friends of Lincoln Park  Learn what colleges are looking for in the personal statement  Receive a writing packet to help them get started on the essay  Many of the senior English teachers incorporated this essay into their curriculum

Special Interest  ART – talk with your art teacher regarding portfolio requirements  Visit for information about National Portfolio Day.  Visit for information about National Portfolio Day.  ATHLETICS – talk with your coach or Mr. Baker Athletes hoping to participate in Div I or Div II sports must complete the NCAA Eligibility Application at Athletes hoping to participate in Div I or Div II sports must complete the NCAA Eligibility Application at  MUSIC/THEATER – talk with an appropriate teacher regarding auditions and/or supplementary materials.

What should students do NOW?  Work hard to achieve the best grades possible.  Make sure all content on Facebook is appropriate.  Take a strong academic program for senior year.  Create an appropriate address to use for correspondence.  Prepare for standardized testing by taking a class or reviewing materials independently.  Start reading about colleges and universities through independent reviews.  Take on a leadership role in a club, activity, organization, or sport.  Take an interest inventory to identify possible fields of study.  Make productive plans for the summer.  Join a group, club, or organization if you don’t belong to anything.  SAVE GRADED PAPERS. You may need to submit a paper or essay for a college application

What Happens Senior Year?

Types of Admission Rolling Admission – the college will notify the student as soon as a decision has been rendered Early Action – a plan offered that invites early application but does not require the student to attend if accepted. Regular Decision – the traditional application option. Decisions are normally rendered by early April Single Choice Early Action (also called Restrictive Early Action) The student can only apply to one school but is not required to attend if accepted Early Decision - allows a student to apply early to one college with a commitment to attend if accepted. If accepted, the student must withdraw all other applications Open Admission – students are accepted upon application – usually community colleges

Thank You for Attending!! It’s Question Time