1. Lake Forest High School Junior Parent Night
February 18, 2016
Guidance Department:
Mrs. Ivy Truitt
Mrs. Linda Tjaden
Mr. Michael Tyndall
Mrs. Sandra Tilghman

2. Is College Worth It!!
Most people agree that the benefits of college outweigh the costs. Individuals with degrees usually earn more—sometimes a great deal more—and are less likely to be unemployed.
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office on
11/10/2018

3. Admissions Testing
SAT vs. ACT

4. College Placement Testing
SAT – juniors are required to take this college entrance exam in the spring of their junior year and recommended again in the fall of their senior year.
ALL LAKE FOREST JUNIORS WILL TEST FOR FREE ON April 12th!
Bulk registration of all juniors for the April exam.
Further exams will require the student to register at
Students will be mailed an admissions ticket approximately the first week in April. Please have your child bring their ticket with them to the exam.
ACT – this college entrance exam can be taken in addition to, or instead of, the SAT.
Register at
Prep at
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

5. Redesigned SAT vs. ACT NEW SAT ACT www.collegeboard.com/SAT
Aptitude test: measures test reasoning and verbal abilities
Sections: Math, Reading, and Writing & Language
Optional Essay (but not optional for Spartans!)
Scoring: Composite score reported from
No penalty for guessing
3 hrs., 45 minutes without essay
4 hrs., 35 minutes with essay
ACT
Achievement test: measures what students have learned in school
Sections: English, Math, Reading and Science
Optional writing section (although required by many colleges)
Scoring: 1-36
No penalty for guessing
2 hrs. 55 minutes without essay
3 hrs. 25 minutes with essay
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

6. College Exam Test Preparation
It is extremely important that you do not walk into these exams without practicing!
You will become familiar with the format.
Some questions may require skills you haven’t used in a year or two.
The scores you earn are permanent and will remain on your transcript for as long as you live.
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

7. Kahn Academy/College Board
The Kahn Academy/College Board FREE on-line SAT practice website offers:
-Personalized practice recommendations, customized to your needs (once you complete the test)
-Instant practice test results
-Accessible at your fingertips
-START YOUR DIAGNOSTIC TEST!!!
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

8. Free SAT/Khan Academy Prep On-line Practice Test
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

9. Download the LFSD Curriculum App
On your phone, search the APP Store or Google Play for “LFSD Curriculum”
Search Once App is downloaded, click on the home tab and click on “Quick Links”. The SAT Practice link will be a few tabs down.
You can also access the SAT Practice test from here.
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

10. Just In:
Scores for the redesigned April 2016 SAT will not be released until after the May 2016 SAT test results are analyzed. If the scores are not received until some time in May, your child may not know which areas to improve on and better prepare for in time for the May or June SAT exams.
So….depending on how well your child performs, he/she may want to continue to prepare and retake the SAT in October.
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

11. SAT Subject Tests
One hour multiple choice tests designed to measure knowledge in a single field
20 different subject areas
Scored from
Students can take up to three subject tests in one day
Required by Tier 1 schools
It is recommended to take at the end of the tested course (i.e., U.S. History subject test should be taken at the end of the 11th grade)
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

12. So…What Are 4-Year Colleges Looking For?
Rigorous curriculum (Honors? AP?)
GPA
Extracurricular activities (in and out of school)
Standardized test scores
STRONG essay/personal statement
Letters of recommendation
Teachers (content specific towards their major)
Counselors
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

13. More of What Colleges Look For… A Strong Essay
DO…
Start early
Write about something you value
Answer the question
Prove it – use specific facts, examples and events
Paint a picture of the real you
Write, rewrite and rewrite again
DON’T…
Take yourself too seriously
Write a resume
Be cynical or critical
Use the name of the wrong college in the essay (it’s happened!)
Exceed the word count
Misspell words
Tell them what you think they want to hear
Forget to proofread
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

14. Deciding Where You’ll Apply: Things to Consider when Narrowing Down Options
Research colleges for academic, financial and personality fit
Aim for 8-10 colleges in the following categories
REACH: Dream schools that are very competitive
TARGET: Slightly less competitive schools that you have a great chance of being admitted to
HIGH VALUE (SAFETY): Schools that you will definitely be admitted to
Other factors to consider:
School size Degree requirements
Location Degrees and majors
Diversity Costs
Also, consider availability of specialized programs – music, visual & performing arts, athletics, students with disabilities
How do you build a list?
BIG FUTURE!
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

15. Make and Use Connections
Attend on-campus admissions visits.
Attend local information sessions and try to meet the admissions officer responsible for Delaware.
Visit the campus before you apply.
Be enthusiastic in all your dealings with alumni and admissions officers. You never know who you’ll hit it off with and gain a mentor for the admissions process.
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

16. The College Visit It is never too early to visit a college campus?
How do I arrange visits?
What should I focus on during my visit?
Get a campus tour
Class visit
Dorm visit
Eat the food!
View campus activity
Tour the surrounding neighborhood/town.
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

17. When Should I Apply?
This is important to know because of admissions deadlines! Plan ahead depending on which type of admission you’re seeking.
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

18. How Do I Apply to College?
Although you can still apply “Paper & Pencil” to several schools, most will have either it’s own online application or will utilize the Common Application.
Nearly 500 colleges and universities now accept this application.
Students can access the application in August, and be ready to submit their application materials as early as October of senior year.
Some schools require a separate supplement along with the Common Application portion.
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

19. Other ways…
College Rep. Visits- representatives from many colleges and universities come to the guidance office regularly to meet with students. Students should listen for announcements and receive a pass to learn more.
College Fair- There are various college fairs statewide in the evening during the month of October. There is also a national fair in November in Philadelphia. Parents and students should plan to attend.
College Application Month- LFHS will offer a week in November to apply to colleges. Many colleges waive their application fees during this period. Over the past 3 years, over 75% of our senior class has been accepted to college. 98% of our seniors applied this school year.
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

20. Insight on College Admissions Committees…
Inside The College Admissions Process todayshow.com
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

21. If you have don’t have the strength in your transcript, and/or low test scores, you may need to consider the following:
Raise the GPA (difficult to do the further into high school you get)
Second-tier colleges
Community colleges
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

22. NCAA Clearinghouse
All students who intend to play Division I or II competitive sports at the collegiate level must register and be deemed eligible by the NCAA Clearinghouse
Go to for registration information
Download required forms and submit to the Guidance Department to request that your transcript be sent for evaluation by November
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

23. Vocational/Technical Schools
Not everyone wants to attend a 4-year college/university.
Some students desire to learn a vocation, trade, or another technical skill that will allow them to become employable.
In addition to DTCC, here are some other local technical schools to explore:
Pennsylvania College of Technology (Williamsport, PA)
York Technical College (York, PA)
WyoTech (Blairsville, PA)
University of Northwestern Ohio (Lima, OH)
Automotive Training Center (Exton, PA)
DeVry University (multiple locations and online)
Polytech Adult Education (certificate programs)
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

24. Financial Aid

25. Financial Aid Net Price Calculator Need Aid Grants Some Scholarships
Loans
Work Study Programs
Merit Aid
Most Scholarships (Academic, Athletic, Departmental, Industrial)
FAFSA – (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the required form for any financial aid.
NEW: File between October 1st and March 15th of senior year at
CSS Profile – This is an additional financial aid form required by some schools. Check with colleges for verification of required forms. A link for this form can be found at
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

26. Websites & Resources
Online sites – These are comprehensive scholarship database to which all students should subscribe.
Monthly scholarship bulletins are distributed via homeroom throughout the school year.
The Scholarship Compendium is distributed to each senior student in the fall.
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

27. Community Colleges Community colleges can offer an affordable start!
Check out Delaware Technical & Community College at
SEED scholarship
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

28. What is the SEED Scholarship?
The Delaware SEED (Student Excellence Equals Degree) scholarship program provides tuition for full time students enrolled in an associate's degree program at Delaware Technical & Community College (DTCC) or the Associate of Arts program at the University Of Delaware (UD). The program is for Delaware students who stay in school, work hard, and stay out of trouble.
Who is eligible?
Students graduating from Delaware high schools who have a GPA of 2.5 (80%) or higher and no felony convictions are eligible.
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

29. DSU’s INSPIRE & DASH Scholarships
INSPIRE - Tuition scholarship for students with the following:
2.75 GPA
No Felony Convictions
10 hours of community service per semester
Maximum award is $3,000 beginning sophomore year.
DASH (Distinguished Achievement Scholastic Honor)
Merit-Based scholarship awarded on basis on high academic achievement.
Maximum award is $4,000 beginning freshman year
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

30. Academic Common Market
The Academic Common Market is a tuition- savings agreement between 15 states that are members of the Southern Regional Education Board. If your degree program is not offered by a public college in Delaware, you may be eligible for in-state tuition (from that state) at one of the participating public colleges.
(i.e. Architecture, Aerospace Science)
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

31. Military Service Military academies www.usna.edu (Naval Academy)
(Air Force Academy)
(West Point)
(Coast Guard Academy
(Merchant Marine Academy)
Academy Night
Active Duty (Montgomery GI Bill, College Fund)
ROTC programs
Reserve Program
National Guard
**ASVAB test will be offered in November 2016
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

32. Collegiate Opportunities Currently Offered at LFHS
Dual-Enrollment Courses
DSU English Comp I & II –fulfills Senior English credit
Del Tech-
MAT281- Calculus I (fulfills a math requirement)
ENG101 – Critical Thinking & Academic Writing
ENG102 – English Composition I
PSY121 – General Psychology
SOC111 – Sociology
Cost
LFSD covers the first two courses, each additional course is $200 per course.
College Options
DSU Early Bird Program
Wesley College (Ann Burton Scholarship)
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

33. Upcoming Events for Spring, 2016
2/17-2/26 - Individual scheduling w/ School Counselor
3/2 – Rutgers University Representative Visit :30am
3/21-3/24 – Quarterly Exam (MP3 ends on 3/24)
4/12 – SAT School Day Exam (11th grade) All Day
5/2 – AP Chemistry Exam (am), AP Psychology Exam (pm)
5/3 – AP Computer Science Exam (am)
5/4 – AP English Literature/Composition Exam (am)
5/6 – AP US History Exam (am)
5/9 – AP Biology Exam (am)
5/11 – AP English Language/Composition Exam (am)
5/12 – AP Statistics Exam (pm)
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018

34. Final Thoughts… www.lf.k12.de.us/lfhs
All of the information presented tonight can be found on the district website.
Please visit the website frequently since information is updated regularly.
“Isn’t it great to be a Spartan!”
…the late, great Coach Jim Blades
Thank you for your attendance this evening!
Presented by the Lake Forest Guidance Office:
11/10/2018