1. College Seeking Process

2. Where Do I Begin? What type of School do you want?
Liberal Arts, Technical or Vocational
Size of School
Small (less than 4,000), Medium (5,000-10,000), Larger (12,000 or more)
Cost
Public vs. Private, Merit Scholarships and Financial Aid
Geography
Proximity to Home, Urban/Suburban/Rural, College Town

3. Resources for College Searches
Search for colleges
Naviance program available online and in the Counseling office.
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Guidebooks, College Catalogs

4. Naviance – Family Connection
Website
Use for College Searches
Career Information, personality testing
Look at College Admissions data based on Sutherland Students.

5. The College Visit Call the admissions office in advance
Sign up for tour, information session, attending classes, overnight visits or open houses through Admissions Office
Meet with an admissions counselor
Read up on the college and think about questions
Get the facts: college costs, financial aid opportunities, academic programs available
Take a campus tour
Talk to students and faculty
Prepare for the interview
Take time to look around on your own.

6. Comparison Chart $38.00; $54.50 with Writing
Measures academic achievement in English, Math, Reading, & Science Reasoning
Each part 25% of Score
ACT Assessment
Scores based on number of correct answers. No penalty for guessing.
Scoring Scale 1-36, with a composite score of 1-36.
SAT I, Scholastic Assessment Test
$52.50 (SAT I); $26.00 (SAT II’s)
Designed to measure academic aptitude in critical reading, math and writing
CR 1/3, Math 1/3, Writing 1/3
Scores adjusted for guessing. Most incorrect responses carry a penalty of 1/3 or ¼ of a point.
Scoring scale for each section SAT I sum of three areas.

7. ACT, SAT I, SAT II Test Preparation
The best preparation – a solid high school curriculum
Tests measure general educational development
Become familiar with the test content and format
Know appropriate test taking strategies
Use test preparation materials, on the web and through other resources
Test scores are only ONE factor used for college admissions and scholarship decisions

8. PrepMe Addition on Naviance SAT and ACT preparation Diagnostic Tests
Customized questions and lessons for student
Tips/ strategies for test taking
Study/preparation schedule individualized
Tutoring and online help

9. Test Scores PSAT scores will be mailed home in December
Scores are only considered official if they come from College Board or ACT directly.
It is your responsibility to find out if a college needs official test scores and to send them.
Your application will be incomplete and not reviewed if you neglect to send official test scores.
When you take the SAT or ACT, you can choose to have 4 official test scores sent with your registration fee; additional ones can be sent for an additional fee.

10. Spring Test Dates ACT December 13, 2014, register by November 7th
April 18, 2015, register by March 13th
June 13, 2015, register by May 8th
SAT I & II
December 6, 2014; register by Nov. 6 (SAT I & II)
March 14, 2015; register by Feb. 13th (SAT I only)
May 2rd, 2015; register by April 6th, (SAT I & II)
June 6, 2015; register by May 8th (SAT I & II)

11. What do they look at? Transcript/GPA/curriculum
Standardized test scores – SAT I, SAT II, ACT
Application Essay
Extra Curricular Activities
Interviews
Intangibles/Special Talent
Demonstrated Interest

12. The College Essay It is a good way to get to know the student
Do not reiterate information that is already on the application
Follow directions or guidelines if given
Demonstrate good writing skills
Share more in depth information, how or why something has impacted you.

13. The Application Use your resources www.commonapp.org;
500+ Colleges use the Common Application-Available after August 1st.
College Websites and link from Naviance to College Websites

14. Advice From the Experts (Current Seniors)
Get started early, before senior year.
Go on College Visits; Break up your college visits.
Listen to your parents, even through the arguments
Use Naviance to get statistics on Sutherland grads applying to college.
Do several computer college searches, visit the college’s website, do a virtual tour.
Talk to students in college.
Contact coaches early if you are planning to play a sport.

15. NCAA Eligibility Center
Register on the website.
Check and make sure your courses are on the approved SHS list. This is your responsibility.
Have initial transcript sent from the Counseling Office.
For student athletes, a final transcript will be sent to the NCAA in July (after graduation).
Please inform your counselor if you are applying for NCAA eligibility ASAP!

16. Rochester National College Fair
Sunday, March 15, 2015
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Parents and Students can meet with College Representatives.
Monday, March 16, 2015
9:00 - Noon
High Schools take students to meet with College Representatives.

17. To Do Visit College Campuses Register for Standardized Tests(SAT/ACT)
Attend College Night at Mendon High School – Wednesday, March 4th, 2015
Attend National College Fair –
March 15 & 16, 2015
Sign up for Junior Conference in the Counseling Office during February and March.

18. Have Fun! Enjoy the process.
It is all about you and what you want out of your college experience.
Some factors out of your control, like if they admit you, in your control where you apply and where you choose to attend.
We are here to help, come in and see us!