College Information Night April 9, 2014 New Providence High School Guidance Department Mr. Scott Maciag Mrs. Lynn Ward Mrs. Lindsay Gnudi Mrs. Stacey Ellis Ms. Christine Noppenberger, Intern

Naviance Web based program for students, parents and counselors During freshman year, the guidance department will each student and parent(s) with registration information through Gmail Students and parents should also add a valid address to their Naviance accounts

Freshmen In Naviance… Create a username and password Encouraged to complete the personality type and learning style inventory Begin adding entries to the resume feature

Use these four tabs to navigate around courses colleges careers about me

Sophomores In Naviance… Encouraged to complete the Career Interest Profiler Investigate careers Continue adding to their resume In October, all sophomores will take the PSAT during the school day, no charge

Juniors In Naviance… Complete the Resume Complete the Student Self Description Sheet Request letters of Recommendation from 2 teachers Conduct college searches Take PSAT in October Take SAT/ACT in the Spring Visit schools of interest Complete Common Application at (summer)

Seniors Finalize the list of schools to which you will apply Know the deadlines attached to each application Return Grade 12 Records Release Form and Unofficial Transcript to Guidance Complete applications Request transcripts (DEADLINES) Follow up with colleges to be sure they have received all materials Request CollegeBoard/ACT to send test scores

Application Jargon Common Application Self-Report Early Action/Early Decision Deferment Rolling Waitlisted Spring Admit

SAT vs. ACT SAT is an ability test that predicts how well you will do in college ACT is an achievement test that is curriculum based Most colleges will take either SAT or ACT with writing.

SAT vs. ACT ACT: 5 sections English Math Reading Science Optional Writing Section Possible score of 36, 12 for writing 2 hours and 55 minutes OR 3 hours and 25 minutes (+ writing)

SAT vs. ACT SAT: 3 sections Critical reading Math Writing 3 hours and 45 minutes total Possible score of 2400; 800 on each section SAT II Subject Tests – required at more competitive schools.

SAT vs. ACT *NEW* SAT: Spring Sections Evidence-Based Reading & Writing Math OPTIONAL Essay (scored separately) 3 hours + 50 minutes for Essay Possible score of 1600; 800 on each section No penalty for guessing

Test Optional Many schools are now test optional In lieu of test scores, students are asked to Submit graded writing sample Possibly interview Go to for a list of all schools that are test optionalwww.fairtest.org

Teacher Recommendations

NCAA Students who wish to play at either Division 1 or 2 levels must register with the Clearinghouse at Begin compiling an athletic resume to submit to coaches Consider creating a game film available online for coaches to view

Financial Aid Complete the FAFSA (after Jan. 1) Can complete the FAFSA calculator ahead of time for an estimate and also register for a PIN Some schools also accept/require the CSS Profile (fall of senior year) Scholarships are posted in Naviance Local scholarships are available spring of senior year

General Tips Right Fit is much more important than competitiveness Career Café program is available to all students during lunch periods The college process should be owned by the student. Students should complete all applications, paperwork, and correspondence with admissions

A Good Fit Offers a program of study to match your interests and needs Provides a style of instruction to match the way you like to learn Provides a level of academic rigor to match your aptitude and preparation Offers a community that feels like home to you Values you for what you do well Source: The College Planning Workbook, Peter Van Buskirk.

Food for Thought A recent study by AT&T found that liberal arts graduates were more likely to be promoted into management than hires with business or technical degrees. 43% advanced to senior management compared to 32% of business graduates and 23% of engineering graduates (Source: Liberal Education and Careers Today by Howard Figler)

Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Thomas J. Stanley surveyed 1,300 millionaires for his book and found that the average millionaire earned Bs and Cs in colleges, the average SAT score was 1190-not good enough for ivy league. Attending a top-rated college ranked 23rd as a cause for wealth accumulation and doing well in college ranked 30 th source: Associated Press (San Francisco Chronicle)

Ivy League? In a recent year, Ivy League schools accepted an average of 9.15% of applicants Harvard accepted 5.8% of applicants Under 50% of freshmen at University of Pennsylvania were accepted through Early Action/Early Decision

Final Thought The best school for a student is one that meets all of his/her academic, social and emotional needs-not the one that is the most competitive. A student’s success in college is determined by how happy they are on campus and with the program.

College Information Night “Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing it is stupid.” -Albert Einstein Have a wonderful night!