1. SENIOR PARENT NIGHT 2015 Penncrest High School Guidance Department

2. Agenda Class of 2015 a year in review Admissions overview Senior timeline Naviance Common Application What counselors send to colleges Non-electronic applications Helpful advice

3. Penncrest Graduates Pursue a Wide Variety of College Experiences! University of Pennsylvania Swarthmore College Duke University Johns Hopkins University Vanderbilt University Penn State Schreyer Honors College University of Pittsburgh Honors College Arizona State University University of Alabama University of Maine University of Vermont James Madison University University of Delaware West Chester University University of South Carolina West Virginia University University of Iowa Moor College of Art & Design Widener University

4. Class of 2015 Post High School Plans

5. Applications by the Numbers The department processed over 1400 applications. Each Guidance Counselor processed approximately 350 applications. The average Penncrest student applied to 4+ colleges Average SAT Score : Critical Reading & Math: 1095 (+13 from the class of 2014) Average ACT Score: Composite Score – 25 Penncrest students experienced a 72% rate of acceptance overall.

6. Non Restrictive Plans Restrictive Application Plans Regular Decision Rolling Admission Early Action Priority Deadline Early Decision (I & II) Restricted Early Action Single-Choice EA Admissions Options/Plans

7. Non-Restrictive Plans Restrictive Plans Regular Decision Students submit an application by a specified date and receive a decision in a clearly stated period of time. Commitment: Non Binding Rolling Admission Institutions review applications as they are submitted and render decisions throughout the cycle. Commitment: Non Binding Early Action (EA) Students apply early and receive a decision well in advance of regular response Commitment: Non Binding Early Decision (ED) Students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted they definitely will enroll. The application deadline and decision deadline occur early. Commitment: Binding Restrictive Early Action (REA) Students apply to an institution of preference early and receive a decision early. They may be restricted from applying ED or EA or REA to other colleges. If offered enrollment students have until May 1 to confirm Commitment: Non Binding Definitions of Admissions Options

8. Admissions Responsibilities for Seniors Accept an offer by May 1 st, or unless Early Decision Send a deposit to one school only Colleges may respond with the following decisions: Admit Deny Defer Waitlist Summer/January Admit

9. Prospective Students Have the Right to Know Colleges must provide: General: The cost of attending an institution, including tuition, books and supplies, housing, and related costs and fees Requirements and procedures for withdrawing from an institution, including refund policies Names of associations that accredit, approve or license the institution Special facilities and services for disabled students. Academics: The academic program of the institution, including degrees, programs of study, and facilities A list of faculty and other instructional personnel A report on completion or graduation rates at the college At schools that typically prepare students for transfer to a four-year college, such as a community college, information about the transfer out rate.* Financial Aid: The types of financial aid, including federal, state and local government, need-based and non-need based, and private scholarships and awards The methods by which a school determines eligibility for financial aid; how and when the aid is distributed Terms and conditions of campus employment, if financial aid is delivered through a work-study aid program. For more information about student financial aid, visit www.studentaid.gov. Campus Security: Procedures and policies for reporting crimes and emergencies on campus, as well as the system of adjudication The number and types of crime reported on and around campus The school’s drug offense policy, as well as descriptions of the school’s drug awareness and drug use prevention programs. To compare campus crime statistics for different colleges, visit http://ope.ed.gov/security.

10. Student’s Rights When Applying to Colleges/Universities Before You Apply: You have the right to receive factual and comprehensive information from colleges and universities about their admission, financial costs, aid opportunities, practices and packaging policies, and housing policies. If you consider applying under an early admission plan, you have the right to complete information from the college about its process and policies. You have the right to be free from high-pressure sales tactics.

11. Student Responsibilities in the Application Process Before You Apply: You have a responsibility to research, and to understand and comply with the policies and procedures of each college or university regarding application fees, financial aid, scholarships, and housing. You should also be sure you understand the policies of each college or university regarding deposits you may be required to make before you enroll. As You Apply: You must complete all material required for application and submit your application on or before the published deadlines. You should be the sole author of your applications.

12. Student’s Rights When Applying to Colleges/Universities When You Are Offered Admission: You have the right to wait until May 1 to respond to an offer of admission and/or financial aid. Colleges that request commitments to offers of admission and/or financial assistance prior to May 1 must clearly offer you the opportunity to request (in writing) an extension until May 1. They must grant you this extension and your request may not jeopardize your status for admission and/or financial aid. Candidates admitted under early decision programs are a recognized exception to the May 1 deadline.

13. Senior To Do List : September Make an appointment with your guidance counselor to discuss plans. Make appointments with teachers to discuss letters of recommendations. Register/take final round of SAT/ACT Send SAT or ACT scores through collegeboard.org or actstudent.org Attend visits with college representatives, college fairs. Set up a Common Application account-remember the email used to set up the account. Return Transcript Release and Application forms to Penncrest Guidance.

14. Senior To Do List: September - February Maintain communication with your guidance counselor. Work on your applications and submit once completed. No need to wait for school documents-school materials will follow your sent application. Review list of visiting colleges in Naviance and attend sessions. Maintain awareness of application deadlines and responsibilities. Athletes-register through the NCAA Clearinghouse and under “My Planner” and “My Task List” click “Official Transcript Needed” to complete electronic request. Visit colleges- the absence is excused-required form is available in the Guidance Office. Check your email for messages from the Penncrest Guidance Department and Career Center.

15. Naviance Manages College Applications Naviance is an important tool in managing applications. All actions taken by the Penncrest Guidance Department are initiated through the student’s Naviance account. Students are required to actively maintain their Naviance account in order to request transcripts, request letters of recommendation and report outcomes. Students do not apply to any college on Naviance.

16. Naviance Student Home Page

17. The Common Application The Common Application is a not-for-profit membership organization that, since its founding over 35 years ago, has been committed to providing reliable services that promote equity, access, and integrity in the college application process. We serve students, member institutions, and secondary schools by providing applications that students and school officials may submit to any of our over 500 members. Membership is open to colleges and universities that promote access by evaluating students using a holistic selection process.

18. What Do Counselors Send? Transcript / Final course grades through the junior year Courses in progress/Marking period grades in progress Secondary School Report / Common App / NACAC The Penncrest High School Profile Counselor Recommendation (If required)

19. What works… Enter the correct Common Application email address into Naviance to match accounts. Be consistent, your Common Application account should only include schools you plan to apply to through the Common Application. Your Naviance account should include ALL the schools that you are applying to including NCAA Under “Applying via Common App?” in Naviance, enter “yes” or “no”.

20. Penn State Applications Requires only electronic notification to your guidance counselor. No need to print out any forms for the counselor. Penncrest High School is a web partner with Penn State.

21. Helpful Hints Know your deadlines. Especially for Early Action, Early Decision. Provide your counselor with at least ten school days to write a letter of recommendation. Plan ahead Focus on your needs Maintain organization Ask for help – teachers, guidance counselors, guidance staff Save the dates: November 4, 2015 / Financial Aid Night