COLLEGE PLANNING What you need to know about the college admission process

COLLEGES NTHS CLASS OF 2015 Anna Maria College Assumption College Becker College Berkeley College Central CT State University (CCSU) Eastern CT State University (ECSU) Elms College Embry-Riddle University Fitchburg State University Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Gordon College Johnson and Wales University (JWU) Manchester Community College (MCC) Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Mount Ida College New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) Plymouth State University Post University Russell Sage College School of Visual Arts (SVA) Southern CT State University (SCSU) Stony Brook University Three Rivers Community College (TRCC) Trine University University of Bridgeport University of Connecticut/Avery Point (UCONN) University of Connecticut/Storrs (UCONN) University of Hartford (UHA/UHart) University of Maine University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) University of Saint Joseph University of Southern Maine

SIMPLIFY THE COLLEGE PLANNING PROCESS 1.Make High School Count 2.Explore College Options 3.Understand Admission Factors – You must READ and pay attention to deadlines College opportunities exist for everyone. These steps can help simplify the planning process :

MAKING HIGH SCHOOL COUNT

Work hard academically! Rigor Mattersacademically Your high school academic record is one of the most important factors in college admission. Colleges will look at a few aspects: Course selection: Challenge yourself with a rigorous course load and high-level classes, including honors courses. Grades: Every year counts, starting with freshman year. GPA trends: Keep improving through every grade. Class rank Make High School Count

GET INVOLVED  School  Athletics Athletics  Community  Work

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME WITH YOUR COUNSELOR College application season is an especially busy time for high school counselors. You can help your counselor help you by staying on top of the application process. Here’s how. Be early. If you start doing tasks — researching colleges, collecting ideas for application essays, making requests for recommendation letters — well ahead of time, you’ll make it easier for your counselor to give you timely answers when you need help. Be organized. Figure out a system for keeping track of application components and deadlines yourself. Read Applying to College: FAQs for tips.Applying to College: FAQs Be responsible. Your counselor can help in many ways, but this is your project and your responsibility. It’s up to you to ask your counselor for the help you need. Schedule appointments when you need to talk to him or her. Be prepared. When you do meet with your counselor, have a list of questions ready and know what you want to discuss

PARENT’S ROLEPARENT’S ROLE: FINDING THE BALANCE  Support and encouragement through the high school to college transition process  College Admission Requirements and the Parent's Role College Admission Requirements and the Parent's Role Ultimately, it is the student’s journey!

EXPLORE COLLEGE OPTIONS

WHAT CAN HIGHER EDUCATION LOOK LIKE? 2 year Associate’s Degree Transfer Compacts/Dual Enrollment/TAP Certificate Programs 4 year Bachelor Degree Technical On the job training Apprenticeship Professional Development

WHAT TO CONSIDER Size and diversity of student body Location Academic programs Campus life — athletics, activities, housing Graduation and retention rates Financial aid and scholarship opportunities Above all, think about where you will be the most happy and successful in your college life. Explore College Options

WHICH COLLEGES ARE RIGHT FOR YOU? BIG FUTURE BIG FUTURE Explore College Options

VISIT CAMPUSES Take a campus tour. Speak with an admission counselor. Ask about financial aid opportunities. Sit in on a class of interest. Read the student newspaper. Talk to students and faculty. Get to know a school from the inside: Explore College Options

UNDERSTAND ADMISSION FACTORS

PARENT’S ROLEPARENT’S ROLE: FERPA In sum... College parents often feel frustrated by FERPA regulations. They feel that they need, and should have, access to student information. Once a student turns eighteen, or attends school beyond secondary school, the rights of access to the student’s records transfer to the student. This means that all academic information regarding your college student goes directly to the student unless the student has given specific, written permission to release that information to someone else College parents need to remember that college students are working toward increased independence and responsibility. Suggestion: increase communication between college parents and college students will make the experience go smoothly for everyone.

WHAT COLLEGES CONSIDER Primary Factors  Quality/Rigor of Academic Courses  Academic Performance/ Grades  Test Scores (SAT, ACT, ACCUPLACER etc.)  *Test optional schools Additional Factors  Extracurricular Activities  Essay(s)  Letters of Recommendation  Demonstrated Interest Understand Admission Factors

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Positive recommendations from educators and mentors Personal statement and essay(s) demonstrating writing ability and self-expression A “demonstrated interest” that shows your enthusiasm for the colleges to which you’re applying Extracurricular activities, including participation and leadership in sports, performing/visual arts, volunteering, etc. Community involvement, part-time work or internship Interview or portfolio (if applicable) Understand Admission Factors

REDESIGNED SAT You might be surprised by everything that’s new about the new SAT: All-new essay — and it’s optional No penalty for guessing No vocab that you’ll never use again Partnership with Khan AcademyKhan Academy ALL JUNIORS TAKE IN MARCH without writing portion  If students need writing for their college of choice, retake in later spring or fall of senior year Quick Facts 4 parts: Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and the optional SAT Essay 400–1600 score scale 3 hours and 50 minutes with the SAT Essay — or 3 hours without it 4 answer choices 4 college application fee waivers for every student who uses an SAT fee waiverSAT fee waiver

ACT: CONTENT-BASED TEST est Content English75 questions45 minutes Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills. Mathematics60 questions60 minutes Measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12. Reading40 questions35 minutesMeasures reading comprehension. Science40 questions35 minutes Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences. Optional Writing Test 1 prompt40 minutes Measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.

GETTING READY FOR STANDARDIZED TESTING Select challenging high school courses. Read widely and write extensively, both in and out of school. Take the PSAT/NMSQT ® as a sophomore or junior. Become familiar with SAT and ACT question types, format, directions and test taking strategies. Take advantage of free resources at sat.collegeboard.org or actstudent.org Learn About the SAT

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR STANDARDIZED TESTING? SAT registration ACT registration

GET ORGANIZED AND APPLY Narrow and categorize your choices:  “More than likely” schools (1 or 2): Safety School  “Good match” schools (2 to 4): Target School  “Reach” schools (1 or 2) Review scholarship and financial aid requirements. Revise application essays and share drafts with a trusted teacher, adviser or family member. Ask for recommendations and set firm dates for their completion. Request transcripts and schedule interviews, if needed.

SCHOLARSHIPS for-online-colleges/ for-online-colleges/

COLLEGE PLANNING RECAP Remember: College opportunities exist for everyone! Start thinking about it early! Simplify the planning process:  Make high school count!  Explore college options.  Understand admission factors. For more college tools and guidance, visit Norwich Tech Guidance Page Norwich Tech Google Classroom Page

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