The College Planning Process: The Junior Year Timetable Presenter: Mrs. Karen Felber Mrs. Allie Hannon

Topics to discuss with your child:  What do I want to do with my life? Who do I want to be?  Stay Home/Go Away  Financial Planning for College  What colleges do I want to visit? –Map it out  What experiences can expose me to opportunities? –Volunteer work, internships, summer research, pre-college programs

Who Do I Want To Be? ◊ Choose a Career Path by taking a Self- Assessment Test ◊ Write down some career goals ◊ Think about what interests you the most! ◊ Career Search Websites ◊Career Zone- ◊Peterson’s- ◊Occupational Outlook Handbook- ◊Mpegasus.com-

Factors to Consider  Major  Location –Home –Away  How far?  Urban/Suburban/Rural  Size –# of students  Competitiveness  Cost  Support Services

Major  Does the college offer a program in your field of interest?  Reputation

Location  Do you want to attend a college near home? Do you want to be in a familiar place?  Do you want to go to another section of the country?  Do you want to go to a college in a city, suburban or a rural environment?  Do you have any preference as to the weather?

Housing  Do you want to live in a dorm?  Would you live with a couple of roommates? How about 5 in a small apartment?  If it matters to you, FIND OUT!

Size of School  Do you want to go to a small, medium-size or large college?  Large Colleges vs. Small Colleges

Cost  Private/ Public  In State/ Out of State  Financial Aid Opportunities –Do you have specific plans for financing your college? –Are you attending Financial Aid Night to learn more about options?

Financial Aid Night  December 6, at Hicksville High School, 7:00 PM  File FAFSA – January of Senior Year –

Special Interests  Do you want to attend a college administered by a particular religious denomination?  Are you interested in a college with specific athletic programs?  Do you have musical/artistic talents you would like to pursue?  Would you like to study abroad?

Support Programs  Does the college offer support services or programs?  Support Programs –Academic Enrichment Programs –Office for Students with Disabilities  Testing Accomodations –Student Financial Services –Academic Advisement –Career and Placement Services

The College List  Safety (1-2)  Target (2-4)  Reach (1-2)

Admissions Criteria  Grades in College Preparatory Courses  Course Selection  Class Rank  Test Scores  Extracurricular  Counselor/ Teacher Recommendations  Writing Sample/ Essay  Interviews  Special Talents/ Interests/ Skills  Community Service

Activity Sheet  Include all activities grades 9-12  Categorize  Keep it clear and 1 page

Recommendation Letters  Request 2 letters  Consider teachers, counselors, coaches, employers, and community leaders who know you best  Relate to choice of major

Essay  Opportunity for colleges to see who you are  Bring to counselor, English teachers for review  Write in the first person and from the heart

PSAT Exam  11th grade students will take the PSAT on Saturday, October 20, at Hicksville High School.

The SAT Exam  Register online at –CEEB Code  The SAT measures critical reading, math and writing abilities.  Students must take the SAT Exam at least once, and if taken more than once, most colleges will consider the highest Critical Reading and Math scores in their calculations  –Question of the day –Practice tests

SAT Score Report  Colleges require official score reports –Must come from directly –It takes 3-4 weeks for scores to be sent –Most colleges combine your highest scores –Scoring: either a total of 1600 or 2400(depends on the college and whether they use the writing score)

SAT II Subject Tests  1 Hour length test(can take up to 3 in one day)  Required by only some schools  Examples: Math, Biology, Chemistry, etc.

SAT Exam Test Dates  October 6 – Register by September 7  November 3 – Register by October 4  December 1 – Register by November 1  January 26 – Register by December 28  March 9 – Register by February 8  May 4 – Register by April 5  June 1 – Register by May 2

The ACT Exam   Achievement oriented  Scores- Range from 1-36  Sections include: Math, English, Reading, scientific Reasoning, Writing(Optional but strongly recommended)

ACT Exam Test Dates  October 27 – Register by August 17  December 8 – Register by November 2  February 9- Register by January 11  April 13 – Register by March 8  June 8 – Register by May 3

Fee Waivers  If you are concerned about finances and are interested in fee waivers for college entrance exams and college applications, please see your counselor to discuss further.

Scholarships  Check with Guidance Office  Fastweb.com  MeritAid.com  Google “Scholarship Search”

How to Research Colleges 1. Review “Planning your Future” guidebook. 2. Discuss your needs with your counselor. 3. Use available references: a.Internet a. b. c. b.Admissions Reference Books c.College Catalogues 4. Talk to college representatives at college fairs. 5. Discuss colleges and costs with parents. 6. Visit colleges – both an interview and tour are desirable (if offered). 7. Maintain an ongoing dialogue with your counselor. 8. Talk to current students in attendance at college.

College Visits  Campus Tours  Open Houses  Overnight Stays  Visit the actual classes while in session

Early Decision Vs. Early Action  “Binding”- If you get accepted, you MUST go!  Must pull all other applications if accepted  Make sure you are a million percent sure this is the right fit.  Not “binding”- you will be notified well in advance of the normal response date  Not required to make a commitment until May 1.

Junior Year Timeline October Take the PSAT exam – October 20, 2012 given at Hicksville High School Take the PSAT exam – October 20, 2012 given at Hicksville High SchoolMarch/April Obtain the SAT I – SAT II – ACT – schedules and register for your appropriate test Obtain the SAT I – SAT II – ACT – schedules and register for your appropriate test Attend College Fairs and Visit Colleges Attend College Fairs and Visit Colleges Meet with your counselor for ongoing post-high school planning Meet with your counselor for ongoing post-high school planning

Junior Year Timeline April/May  Meet with your counselor for a junior interview  Take the appropriate college entrance exams  Review college reference books and/or explore colleges on the Internet and request catalogs from colleges  NCAA Clearinghouse form (See your counselor)  Create a filing system for catalogs, applications and correspondence

Junior Year Timeline May/June  Take the appropriate college entrance exams  Begin composing your activity sheet  Meet with your counselor to share your college visitation experiences and to amend your list in preparation for fall application process  Request letters of recommendation from teachers

Junior Year Timeline July/August  If necessary, begin a new search via the Internet or using college catalogs found at your community library  Plan and outline your college essay  Update your activity sheet

Thank you! Any Questions?