1. Introduction to College Planning

2.  College Overview Types of schools What schools consider  Timeline for 9 th and 10 th graders  Testing-SAT, ACT, SAT subject tests, AP exams Testing timeline  Resources College planning Test preparation  Questions & Answers

3. College Overview

4.  Types of Schools Four-year colleges & universities Two-year colleges Vocational-technical and career colleges Colleges with a specialized focus

5. Primary Factors:  Quality/Rigor of Academic Courses  Academic Performance/ Grades/ Grade Point Average  Test Scores (ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Test)

6. Secondary Factors:  Extracurricular Activities (resume)  Essays  Letters of Recommendation

7. 9 th and 10 th Grade Timeline for the College Planning Process

8.  9th Grade Fall Semester Create a four-year high school plan taking into consideration student goals and ambitions Begin exploring interests and future career options Get involved in extracurricular activities

9.  9th Grade Spring Semester Meet with school counselor to discuss 10th grade class options. Choose the right mix of classes Maintain involvement in extra-curricular activities Build your credentials Keep track of academic and extracurricular awards, community service achievements, and anything else you participate in Start learning about college Make summer count

10.  10th Grade Fall Semester Modify four year plan to reflect new goals Continue to explore personal interests and future career options Ensure you are taking rigorous classes to prepare a strong academic resume for college admission Take the PSAT Continue involvement in extra curricular activities and begin taking on leadership roles

11.  10th Grade Spring Semester Meet with counselor to begin planning a rigorous junior year curriculum Consider taking SAT subject tests Run for leadership positions within clubs and organizations Attend college and career fairs to begin exploring college admission requirements Visit college campuses as part of family travel Make summer count

12. Testing

13. The SAT and The ACT  The two standardized tests accepted by most US colleges and universities  Assessments that measure high school students’ educational development and their capability to complete college-level work  Use of these scores, in combination with high school GPA, provides a better indicator of success in college than high school grades alone

14.  PSAT Precursor to the SAT Assesses the critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills students need for college and beyond Provides detailed feedback on skills Provides practice for the SAT Research shows that students in U.S. schools who take the PSAT score, on average, 189 points higher on the SAT than students who do not

15.  Hour-long, content-based tests that allow you to showcase achievement in specific subject areas where you excel  Taken after completing accelerated courses in math, science, foreign language, world history, and literature  Allow you to differentiate yourself in the college admission process or send a strong message regarding your readiness to study specific majors or programs in college  Some colleges require or recommend that you take SAT Subject Tests Some schools/programs have specific test requirements  There are 20 SAT Subject Tests in five general subject areas: English, history, languages, mathematics and science

16.  Sophomore Year October-Take the PSAT (offered at BHS) May-Take AP exam(s) if appropriate May/June-Take appropriate SAT subject tests  Junior Year October-Take the PSAT (offered at BHS)  Junior year PSAT scores are used as an initial screen of entrants to the National Merit Scholarship Program, which recognizes outstanding academic achievement by U.S. high school students Fall/Winter- intensive prep for SAT or ACT March/April-Take SAT or ACT May/June-Take SAT subject tests (if needed). Second attempt at SAT or ACT

17.  Senior Year If retaking the SAT or ACT should do so by the October testing date (for most students) * Note: This timeline reflects that of most students and can be altered appropriately when need be

18. Resources

19. Powerful web service for parents and students  College and career planning activities  Dynamic college search and comparison tools  College profiles, including admission criteria and deadlines  Scattergrams of past applications from BHS  Scheduled visits by college representatives  Scholarships and aid opportunities  News updates from the counseling office

20. Students can:  Create resumes of their accomplishments  Communicate with their counselor  Conduct custom online surveys including a learning style inventory and career interest inventory

21. www.succeed.naviance.com/bernards

22.  College Board https://www.collegeboard.org  Peterson’s www.petersons.com/college-search.aspx  US News & World Reports www.usnews.com  Cappex & Zinch www.cappex.com http://www.zinch.com  College Majors 101 http://www.collegemajors101.com

23.  The SAT (including practice questions and registration info): http://sat.collegeboard.orghttp://sat.collegeboard.org  The ACT (including practice questions and registration info): http://www.actstudent.orghttp://www.actstudent.org

24.  Kaplan http://www.kaptest.com  Princeton Review http://www.princetonreview.com  Huntington Learning Center http://huntingtonhelps.com/  EPrep http://www.eprep.com  IVyEd http://ivyed.net/  Chandler Learning Center http://www.chandlerlearningcenter.com  Khan Academy https://www.khanacademy.org/

26. Presentation on the Redesigned SAT When: April 23rd 7pm Where: Bernards High School PAC And Presentation on NCAA student regulations When: April 30 th 7pm Where: Bernards High School PAC

27. The college planning process be a difficult time. We are here to help! Mrs. Christina Chiaravalloti College and Career Counselor cchiaravalloti@shsd.org (908) 204-1930 ext. 2349