JOANNA M. GRAHAM COLLEGE ADMISSIONS: AN OVERVIEW

AGENDA Overview of college admissions Overview of standardized testing & its role in undergraduate admissions process How to select a test Timelines Resources for parents & students

A LITTLE ABOUT MYSELF…

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS: AN INTRO What do colleges look for? Academic Performance / Grades Academic Courses (Quality & Rigor) Standardized Tests (SAT, ACT, SAT II, AP ® ) Essays Extracurricular Activities Recommendation letters

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE/GRADES Course selection Did you challenge yourself? (Honors/AP/IB) Grades: Every year counts! GPA: Did you continually improve? Did you “take a semester off?” Class Rank (if applicable)

EXTRA CURRICULARS & RECOMMENDATIONS Activities: Quality over quantity! School: sports, clubs, performing arts Outside school: volunteering, community involvement Part-time work/internships Recommendations: Choose people who know you best Interview (if applicable)

ADMISSIONS TESTING 101 SAT 3 sections : critical reading, math & writing Length : 3 hours, 45 minutes (including three breaks) Score range : 200–800 per section, 600–2400 overall Question types: Critical Reading — Sentence Completions, Reading Passages Mathematics — Algebra, Geometry, Statistics & Probability Writing — Essay, Identifying Errors, Improving Grammar & Usage Offered 7x/year (October, November, December, January, March, May & June)

ADMISSIONS TESTING 101 SAT SUBJECT TESTS Why take them? For admission Some schools require them as part of admissions process For placement Test out of beginner classes Fulfill basic requirements (e.g. gen ed) Offered 6x/year (October, November, December, January, May & June) But exams vary

ADMISSIONS TESTING 101 SAT SUBJECT TESTS Content/Knowledge Math IWorld HistoryChemistry Math IILiterature Physics U.S. History Biology Foreign Language Spanish ChineseFrench JapaneseGerman Korean HebrewLatinItalian

ADMISSIONS TESTING 101 ACT 5 sections : English, Math, Reading, Science & Writing (optional) Length : English (75 questions, 45 min) Math (60 questions, 60 min) Reading (40 questions, 35 min) Science (40 questions, 35 min) Writing (1 prompt, 30 min) Score range : 0 – 36 Offered 6x/year (September, October, December, February, April, June)

ACT VS SAT

PREPARING FOR THE SAT & ACT READ & WRITE: Practice, practice, practice USA Today, Washington Post, Economist Don’t cram! Familiarize yourself with question types Take a practice test: or Take PLAN or PSAT/NMSQT ® as a sophomore or junior

PREPARING FOR SAT SUBJECT TESTS When to test? After completing HS course work BUT: foreign language,& math literature tests should be taken after 2+ yrs of study How to prep? Review your coursework

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS 101 How to pick a school? FIT, FIT, FIT!!! Location Student body: size, diversity Student life: activities, housing Academic programs Graduation and retention rates Financial aid and scholarships SCHEDULE A VISIT!!!

PLANNING A VISIT Research! Utilize social media, websites & forums Take a tour Visit the admissions office & speak with an admission counselor Attend a class Ask about financial aid Talk to students and faculty

FINANCIAL AID ADD IT UP! Determine all costs (tuition, housing, books, living expenses) Estimate your family’s contribution SHOW ME THE MONEY! Search for scholarships Explore other options: loans, work-study, grants, etc. Fill out FAFSA application

TIMELINES If you are in 9 th grade: Create a 4 yr plan : Goals for the next 4 yrs? What interests you? Get involved! Explore summer opportunities Start saving! If you are in 10 th grade: Meet with your high school counselor Take the PLAN or PSAT/NMSQT Attend college & career fairs

TIMELINES If you are in 11 th grade: Research & visit schools Get organized! Identify resources (family, friends) Research financial aid & scholarship options Meet with your counselor Take the SAT, SAT Subj, ACT (spring) & AP exams (if applicable) Create a resume Athletes, military, ROTC… start early!

TIMELINES If you are in 12 th grade: Narrow your list of schools Create a master calendar (tests, deadlines, etc) Review scholarship and financial aid requirements Prepare your applications: Share essay drafts & applications with someone! Ask for recommendations EARLY! Request transcripts & schedule interviews, if needed Stay healthy: No senioritis!!!!

SAT & ACT RESOURCES SAT Practice Materials: SAT Fees: SAT Subject Dates: ACT Practice Materials:

OTHER RESOURCES Scholarship Search: Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator:

QUESTIONS? Joanna Graham (571)