The College aDmissions Process

How Many Schools To Apply To No “right” number “Diversify” you applications “Safe” schools “Match” schools “Reach” schools Be sure to adhere to deadlines When requesting transcripts allow at least 10 working days before the due date

Decision Factors Size of school Location Distance from home Activities/Athletics Public/Private Coed/Single sex Entrance requirements Entrance difficulty Reputation of School Majors available Commitment to major by school Cost Campus personality

Benefits to Going on a Campus Tour or Interview Indicates your level of interest Allows you to get beyond the statistics Puts a “face” onto the college Gives the college an opportunity to get to know you on a more personal level Use days off this fall (Sept. 29 th or week of Nov. 7 th ) to make visits. Be sure to “sign-in” when you visit so the college knows of your interest.

How Colleges Evaluate Candidates: Course selection (difficulty, extended languages, extended math & science, honors & AP courses) Grades/GPA/Rank in Class Sat scores –Take the SAT in the spring of your junior year and the fall of your senior year –Check schools for SAT Subject Test requirements –Review for the SAT or take an SAT prep course. Scores will improve with practice ( SAT Prep Course available at BTHS at a great rate!) ACT Option Activities- quality rather than quantity Essay Letters of Recommendation- ask early and provide a resume

Simplifying the Application Process Use the Common Application-used by 460 colleges and universities- Apply online- preferred by virtually every college. Be sure to request that your transcript and any letters of recommendation be sent from the Counseling Office Applying to Rutgers? You must apply online and self-report your graded. No official transcript accepted until after HS graduation

TRANSCRIPT REQUEST NAME:_________________________ DATE REQUESTED: ______________ APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT LEAST TWO (2 WEEKS PRIOR TO DEADLINE 1. NAME AND ADDRESS OF COLLEGE OR SCHOLARSHIP: ____________________________________________________________ DATE APPLICATION DUE: If submitted online, check here: ___________ Essay Required: YES____ NO:____ If Essay was submitted on-line, check here: ___________ List all Teacher Recommendations to be included: ____________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ List all other forms to be included with your transcript: ________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ 2. NAME AND ADDRESS OF COLLEGE OR SCHOLARSHIP: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Etc. Etc. Students are responsible for requesting letters of recommendation from teachers. Be sure to give teachers sufficient time to return their letters of recommendation to the counseling office *APPLICATIONS WILL BE RETURNED IF ANY ITEMS ARE MISSING* THERE IS A $3.00 CHARGE FOR ALL TRANSCRIPTS SENT OUT CERTIFIED MAIL

Hearing From the Colleges Regular Decision (April 1) Rolling Admission (reviewed as received) Early Decision (early application & commitment) Early Action (early application & no commitment)

Where To Go From Here College Open Houses Career/ College/ Financial Aid Web Sites Check out the BTHS Scholarship Bulletin under “Scholarship Information” Check out links for “College Information”, Application Essay Guide” & Tips for Applying to College Go to schools – click on the High School then click on Guidance On the counseling page, scroll down to find the following

Seniors Need to Complete By December 2011 Complete applications on the schools to which you plan to apply Check to see if the schools you are applying to accept the Common Application Take the SAT or ACT by December Take the SAT Subject Test if required by college Check the Scholarship Bulletin regularly and apply for any scholarships that you are eligible for Register for a scholarship search on a web engine such as Fastweb

FAFSA Get started on applying for financial aid by: Going to You and your parent/ guardian apply for a pin number Download the FAFSA on the web worksheet

Students who wish to compete in College Athletics (Division I or II) Register with NCAA Eligibility Center ( The eligibility center is responsible for certifying all college-bound student-athletes wanting to compete in NCAA college athletics. This is done in two ways: Academic Certification & Amateurism Certification Do you meet the eligibility requirements Have you kept your amateur status?

JUNIORS – Things to Do Take the PSAT in October (October 15 th ) Register in the Counseling Office- $20 fee Take the SAT or ACT one or two times between December and June Check the Scholarship and Open House information Register for a scholarship search on a web engine such as Fastweb ( Meet with your Counselor often

SOPHOMORES & FRESHMEN Things to do Take a challenging curriculum and excel in your coursework Begin to familiarize yourself with colleges, careers and scholarship opportunities through the various websites Consider taking the PSAT on October 15th Meet with your Counselor often

UPCOMING EVENTS October 15 th – BTHS – 8:00 AM November 6th – National College Fair in Philadelphia December 3rd- SAT and SAT Subject Test at BTHS December 8th – “Ultimate Money Skills-College Funding” presentation at BTHS – 6:30 PM in the HS Cafe January – FAFSA Workshop – Date TBD

Are You – Or Would You Like to be an NJ STAR? Students in the top 15% of their class at the beginning of Senior year may qualify you as an NJ STAR!! Qualifies you to attend BCC tuition-free for up to five semesters, depending on state funding NJSTARS students who earn an associates degree with a 3.25 GPA and meet other eligibility requirements may qualify for an NJSTARS II award which can be used to supplement tuition costs at a NJ public college or university Go to click on the Students/Parents link, then click on the Scholarship linkwww.hesaa.org

Welcome to Ms. Kati Spurrier Senior Recruiting Specialist, Burlington County College