RHS Guidance Department  Junior College Planning Night

Alphabet Breakdown Class of 2016 Mrs. Rotondo: A – Dem Mr. Saleem: Den-Kor Ms. Richard: Kos - Rei Mr. Green: Reg – Z

Agenda  Course Selection Meetings  Guidance News  College Search Process  Family Connection  Admission Committee Factors  Different Application Processes  Athletics  Admissions & RHS Trends  Reminders  Questions?

Course Selection Meetings  All Course Selection Sheets were due today, January 8 th. Please complete them and turn them into Mrs. Lubbers.  College Planning/Course Selection Meetings begin on Monday, January 12 th for the Class of  There is still time to make changes to course selection forms. During our meetings we will advise and make changes, if needed.

Option II for Seniors:  Mercer County Jump Start Program  Lab Assistant/Teacher Assistant  Independent Study  Vocational School Career Prep  Structured Learning Experience  Princeton University High School Program Courses that need applications/interviews: Virtual Enterprise, Research in Microbiology, Teen Pep

Guidance News  To date, the Guidance Department processed 1398 applications to 283 different colleges  The class of 2014 graduates can be found on 81 different campuses this year: 76% attend a 4-year institution 22% attend a 2-year institution  Guidance processed transcripts and counselor letters of recommendation electronically for the 3 rd year in a row. We are excited to announce that the RHS teachers processed their letters of recommendation electronically for the 2 nd time this year. It worked great!

Top 10 Schools the Class of 2014 Attend  Drexel University  Montclair University  Penn State University  Rowan University  Rutgers University  Saint Joseph’s University  The College of NJ  University of Arizona  University of Delaware  University of Pittsburgh

Most Popular Schools to apply to for the Class of 2015  Drexel University  James Madison University  Montclair University  Northeastern University  Penn State University  Rider University  Rutgers University  The College of NJ  University of Delaware  West Chester University

College Search Process  Where do we begin? Communication:  What is the student looking for?  What are the parent expectations?  Impt. Topics: Location, Cost, Commuting Initial Research:  Websites and College Guide Books: Naviance/Family Connection Princeton Review Books, Ruggs Recommendation Guide Test Drive: Visit, Visit, Visit  Visitations fall, spring, and summer open house, tours and sit in on a class (Schedule)

Factors To Consider  Size of Campus: Large, Medium, or Small  Location: Distance from Home (accessibility-Plane? Train? Car?) Urban, Suburban, or Rural  Quality & Selection of Programs  Resident or Commuter  Diversity of Student Body  Athletics: Div. I, II, III, Club or Intramural  Extracurricular Activities  Cost  Support Services: Career Services, Tutoring, Counseling, etc.  Special Programs: Study Abroad, Internship Opportunities, Graduate Programs, etc.

Family Connection  College Search Database specified to RHS  Each Junior received a password. Forgotten Passwords: See Mrs. Lubbers  Link to Family Connection can be found on the RHS Website:  Parents and Students receive s via Family Connection

Click colleges tab then College search link

Click Saved Searches Pick Jr. College Planning Meeting Search 1

These are your options to filter your data

Impt. Factors for the Admission Committee  What are colleges looking for? Strength of Curriculum  Senior Year Schedule: 4 Academic Courses Minimum Sample: English, Math, Science, World Language or Social Studies. Some seniors double up in Math or Science. How do Colleges view Early Release/Late Arrival/Study Hall? Grade Point Average (computed at the end of each year)  Consistency, Upward Trend Standardized Tests: (SAT/ACT; SATII) Essay Interviews (not all require)  Sample Questions on Guidance Website Demonstrated Interest Level Extracurricular/Work Experiences/Honors/Awards Letters of Recommendation

Testing Information  Students tend to take either the ACT, SAT I, or combination of both three times Create a testing plan. View all dates and plan ahead. By the end of the junior year, students should have at least 2 – 3 tests completed. Going into the summer: students will have their cumulative grade point average & results from standardized test scores. This is the information you need to create a prospective college list. There is still more time to test again in the fall of senior year, if needed.  SAT/ACT: Institutions will only accept them directly from the College Board and/or ACT. Reporting: Score Choice for both.  SAT II: Highly selective schools tend to require SAT II or Subject Tests. Juniors taking an AP course are recommended to take the Subject Test in May of their junior year.  AP Exams: Students can choose to send or not to send in their official score report only to the institution they are attending.  Test Optional Schools:  Test Prep: Kaplan, Princeton Review, Huntington, Private Tutors

Differences Between the ACT and SAT SAT - Has 3 Components: Critical Reading, Math, & Writing - Aptitude Test -Highest Maximum Score: 2400 (each section 800) -Penalty for wrong answers ACT - Has 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, & *Writing (optional) *Always register WITH Writing - Achievement Test -Highest Maximum Score: Composite of a 36 -No Penalty for wrong answers

The Essay – Your Voice  Answer the question  Brainstorm first  One third about the situation and two thirds about you  Use your own “voice” in the process - Don’t write to impress the admission committee  Work on common application essay topics this summer: 1. Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. Share your story. 2. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you? What did you learn? 3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? 4. Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What did you do or experience there? Why is it meaningful?

Letters of Recommendation  Counselor Recommendation Packet: - Parent Brag Sheet, Student Brag Sheetcomplete on naviance/family connection by June 3 rd. □ Students must first ask the teacher to write the letter of recommendation. If they say yes, then the student must complete the Teacher Recommendation Packet: - Part I: Student Questionnaire due by June 3 rd to each teacher - Part II: Students will be given instructions at August 2015 College Workshops & at Sr. College Planning Night in September Teacher Recommendation Packet & Parent Survey can be accessed online via the Guidance Website. Click “College Planning” then click “Forms.”

Click “about me” link

Brag Sheets for Parents & Senior Brag Sheets for Students. Complete by June 3 rd.

College Application Process Do not wait, apply early in senior yr! Application Deadlines Early Action, Early Decision, Restrictive Early Action/Single Choice Early Action, Regular Deadline, & Rolling Admission Types of Applications: Institution’s On-line Application & Common Application (if a school accepts Common App. student should use this application; over 500 institutional members) Letters of Recommendation Complete Parent Brag Sheet and Student Brag Sheet on naviance/family connection by June 3 rd. Submit y our teacher brag sheets to your teachers by June 3 rd.

Athletes  NCAA Eligibility Center: Can be submitted at the beginning of Junior Year Send SAT or ACT to NCAA Eligibility Center directly Send Official Transcript to NCAA Eligibility Center - Guidance sends transcript at the end of junior year & again at the end of Senior Year.  Athletic Scholarships: Div. I or Div. II only  Student Athletes Ask Yourself: “If I can not compete, would this still be the right school for me?”

Trends in Admissions & at RHS  Applying to college is starting earlier every year. Our busiest month is October.  Self-Reporting of grades instead of sending transcripts. (example: Rutgers)  Many Carolina Schools & Southern State Schools begin accepting applications as early as August. Pay close attention to deadlines.  Majority of RHS students apply using early action, early decision, or single choice early action.  An increased number of RHS families are choosing to “rush” their test scores to colleges.

Helpful Reminders  Change your addresses to a family account  Facebook Accounts: College Admission Offices do look at your accounts  “Best Fit” not “Best School” Finding the best fit requires visiting and researching  How many? Average: 2 reach, 3-4 target, 2-3 probable  Unique to each individual student  Average 8 total  If student applies to highly selective schools, average 12 total  Junior and Senior Grades Matter  Register for SAT and ACT in Spring of Jr. Year/Fall Sr. Year SAT: Spring-January, March, May, June Fall-October, November, December ACT : Spring- February, April, June Fall-September, October, December

Last Minute Thoughts  Remember, the college application process is unlike anything you or your sons/daughters have experienced  The stress level for applying to colleges is high

Tips for Parents  Reassure your son or daughter that you will be proud, regardless of the outcome  Don’t believe everything you hear – get an objective third party opinion  Remember, there is a school out there for everyone

Upcoming Dates  Starting January 12 th : Individual Student Meetings with Counselor for Course Selection and Future Planning  February 21 st : Free Practice Test ½ SAT & ½ ACT (Pre-register through Kaplan by February 18 th)  April 19 th : NYC National College Fair at Jacob Javits Center from 11am – 4pm  April 22 nd & 23 rd : NJ National College Fair at Meadowlands Expo Center April 22 nd : 9am – 12:00pm & 5:00pm – 8:00pm April 23 rd : 9am – 12noon  April Date TBD: College Fair at Mercer County Community College  June 3 rd : Letter of Recommendation Packets Due to Teachers & Complete Brag Sheets on Naviance/Family Connection for Counselors  Late August 2015: Students Attend Mrs. Rotondo’s College Workshop at RHS  September 2015: Senior College Planning Night for Students and Parents

Questions?