1. College Information Night
September 28, 2016
New Providence High School Guidance Department
Mr. Scott Maciag
Ms. Kristy McCauley
Mrs. Lindsay Gnudi
Ms. Christine Noppenberger 1

2. 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 2

3. Freshmen In Naviance… Create a username and password
Encouraged to complete the Strength Explorer
Begin adding entries to the resume feature 3

4. 4

5. courses colleges careers about me
Use these four tabs to navigate around
courses colleges careers about me 5

6. Sophomores In Naviance… Take PSAT in October
Encouraged to complete the Career Interest Profiler
Investigate careers
Continue adding to their resume
Take PSAT in October 6

7. Juniors In Naviance… Take PSAT in October Take SAT/ACT in the Spring
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) 7

8. 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 8

9. Application Jargon Common Application Coalition Application
Self-Report
Early Action/Early Decision
Deferment
Rolling
Waitlisted
Spring Admit 9

10. Teacher Recommendations
Minimum of two academic
Which teachers should you ask?
Consider majors/fields you’re going in to
When should you ask?
Can you have a recommendation letter from someone outside of school?
Your guidance counselor recommendation
Procedure

11. SAT vs. ACT
Old SAT(prior to March 2016) was an aptitude test; the new SAT is an achievement test
ACT is an achievement test that is curriculum based
Most colleges will take either SAT or ACT with writing. 11

12. SAT vs. ACT ACT: 5 sections English Math Reading Science
Optional Writing Section
Possible score of 36
2 hours and 55 minutes (+40 minutes for writing) 12

13. SAT vs. ACT SAT: 2 Sections OPTIONAL Essay
Evidence based reading and writing
Math
OPTIONAL Essay
Possible score of 1600; 800 on each section; separate score for the essay
3 hours (+50 minutes for the essay)
No penalty for wrong answers
SAT II subject tests-required at more competitive colleges 13

14. PSAT- Fall 2 hours and 45 minutes in length 2 Sections:
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
Reading Test
Writing and Language Test
Math
Scoring
No penalty for incorrect/blank answers
Score range between

15. Test Optional Many schools are now test optional
In lieu of test scores, students are asked to
Submit graded writing sample
Possible interview
Go to for a list of all schools that are test optional 15

16. Method Test Prep Self-directed review for both SAT and ACT
A grant from the NPEF allows all NPHS students to create a free account.
Self-directed review for both SAT and ACT
Go to the New Providence High School Guidance Webpage for registration information.

17. 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 17

18. Financial Aid Submit the FAFSA(after Oct.1)www.fafsa.ed.gov
This is a change from January 1
Selective Service
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 18

19. Invite Education
allows for all NPHS students and families to create a free account. This program allows you to enter personal information to predict your financial strength going into and throughout college. A great tool if you have multiple children.
Go to: https//nphs.inviteeducation.com/ to create an account

20. General Tips
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
Right Fit is much more important than competitiveness 20

21. 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. 21

22. 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 30th
source: Associated Press
(San Francisco Chronicle) 22

23. Ivy League?
In a recent year, Ivy League schools accepted an average of 8% of applicants
Harvard accepted 5.9% of applicants 23

24. 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. 24

25. 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! 25

26. Dates to Remember October 1- FAFSA filing window opens
October 19- PSAT/NMSQT for sophomores and juniors
October 20-7:00 Financial Aid Night
March 14, :00 College Fair