College Information Night Atholton High School Student Services

Agenda  Introductions and Overview  Getting Started  Things to Consider  Standardized Tests  Researching Schools  Visiting Schools  End of Junior Year  Summer Prior to Senior Year  Admission Policies  Common Application  Naviance

Introductions  Mr. Kevin Kelly  Mrs. Dana Meledick  Mrs. Ingrid Morton  Mrs. Lucy Hollis  Mrs. Yvonne Gordon  Mr. Phil Cohen (Intern)  Mrs. Candy Fales (Registrar)  Mrs. Lisa Clearfield ( Registrar)

Getting Started Colleges Consider:  Grades/Cumulative GPA  Strength of High School Schedule  SAT/ACT Test Scores  Essay  Teacher & Counselor Recommendations  Class Rank  Extracurricular Activities  Personal Accomplishments

How to Prepare for College  Enroll in challenging courses  Earn the best possible grades  Explore different courses to help decide on an academic major or career  Get involved in activities that you enjoy  Take the SAT and/or ACT  Research colleges  Visit Schools

Things to Consider When Choosing a School  Size  Setting  Geographic Location  Academic/Career Focus  Cost  Family Considerations  Other, ie., Athletics, Study Abroad, Religious etc.

Standardized Tests  PSAT  SAT I  ACT  SAT II  Advanced Placement

Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)  Offered in October  Free of charge to 10 th & 11 th Graders Example: PSAT –(20-80)SAT-( ) Critical Reading=58Critical Reading =580 Math=63Math=630 Writing=60Writing=600

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT1)  Take this test at least one time in the Junior year.  Register on line at Academic College Testing (ACT)  Most colleges accept either test  Register on line at

SAT 2 (Subject Tests)  Competitive schools will require these in addition to SAT 1  Of more than 30 subject tests, no more than 3 will be required.

Advanced Placement Tests  Taken at the completion of the Advanced Placement Course.  Cost is $89.00 per test.  Can earn College Credit.

Researching Schools

Visiting Schools  Call or register online for a tour.  Visit when schools are in session.  Spring break is a great time to visit.  Schedule an interview with an Admissions Counselor.  Be prepared to ask and answer questions in the interview.  Compare schools.

End of Junior Year…  Turn in a signed waiver form to the registrar.  Ask two teachers for recommendations.  Students eventually will receive a folder that will include the following:  1. Transcript Request Form  2. A Recommendation Letter and a  Transcript Request Due Date Form.  3. A College Application Checklist.  4. Teacher Recommendation Request Form.

Summer Prior to Senior Year  Counselors are available to meet with you.  Call for an appointment for a recommendation interview.  Start working on Applications: July 1  Write the College Essays  College Visits  NCAA Eligibility Form: NCAA.org

Admissions Policies  Early Decision is Binding  Early Action is non Binding  Waitlisted  Deferred  Regular Admissions  Rolling Admissions

The Common Application  Easier to use because it only has to be completed one time.  app.org  Everything will be submitted electronically with all Common Application Schools  Remember to Assign Recommenders

HOW TO REQUEST A TRANSCRIPT  Complete a Transcript Request Form and submit it to the Registrar.  Due to our large volume of requests, we ask that you make your request 20 days prior to your earliest deadline.

Transcripts & Recommendations  Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation are sent electronically for most schools.  Hard copies will be mailed for all other schools  Teachers send their own Recommendations  Students should schedule an interview with any teacher writing for them.

Transcripts and Recommendations Cont’d  If additional transcripts are needed, just fill out another Transcript Request Form.  Make sure to turn in your request 20 days prior to the earliest deadline.  NO TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE SENT UNTIL AFTER OCTOBER 1 ST.

Linking the Common Application to Naviance  Make sure you create a Common Application Account  Sign the Common Application FERPA waiver.  Enter your Common Application address to Naviance to link both accounts.

Who’s in Charge  Resist doing for your students what they are capable of doing themselves  They are going to have to be more independent next year