Welcome College Information Night March 1st, 2018
Guidance Department A - G Mrs. Angela Traub Ext. 7120 H - N Mr. John Gunning Ext. 7121 O - Z Ms. Leanne LeGendre Ext. 7122 Schoolwide Ms. Kim Kelly Ext. 7127 Admin Asst Mrs. Bedford Ext. 7132 215-679 - 5935
Simplify the College Process College opportunities exist for everyone. These four steps can help simplify the planning process: 1. Understand admission factors 2. Meeting and exploring admissions requirements -GPA,SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations 3. Explore college options (compare options- visit schools) 4. Develop a financial plan
Glimpse of SuperMatch feature
College Snapshots Scattergram link
What Colleges Consider The first part of planning is understanding what factors colleges consider: Primary Factors Quality/Rigor of Academic Courses Academic Performance/ Grades Test Scores (SAT, SAT Subject Tests, AP, etc.) Additional Factors Extracurricular Activities Essay(s) Letters of Recommendation Interviews- if applicable (auditions, portfolio review)
Finding that Career/College Self Exploration interests, values, abilities, personality (Naviance) Self Evaluation How does my profile compare to the average student (middle 50%) Categories/Tiers of schools (safe, middle, reach) Seek opportunities -outside of school- (Job shadowing, volunteer) I am still unsure (no excuse to procrastinate) Don t let deadlines pass you by!!!
Junior Year Busy, Busy, Busy Challenge yourself with rigor/curriculum Take the PSAT (October) Register for SAT and or ACT ( Jan-June) Begin to formulate a list of colleges (Dec-June) Register for NCAA Clearinghouse if you are an athlete or anticipate playing in college; request a transcript through Naviance (Spring Semester) Utilize Naviance (college search tool), sign up for admissions visits- guidance office Visit colleges Attend college fairs- Open house events, (Sept.-Aug.)
Types of Schools State Public Universities- (cost range $18,000-$24,000) 14 State Universities State affiliates (cost est $30,000) 4 State-Affiliates Private Colleges-(cost range $35,000-$60,000) Technical Colleges- ($8,000 $24,000) Community College- ($5,000-7,500 tuition) + transportation, books, etc.
Timeline for Planning Sophomore Year PSAT, join clubs, academic rigor, Naviance activities Junior Year- The bulk of planning/testing preparation,, formulating college lists and visiting schools. Senior Year- Fall semester- Synthesis of the process (finalizing applications, essays, SAT-ACT testing, Financial planning-fafsa/css Profile HS Counseling Office website https://www.upsd.org/high-school/guidance-resources/ applying-to-college
Why Not Both?? Almost all colleges and universities use the SAT and/or ACT to make admission decisions. SAT SAT vs. ACT Three sections: Evidence-based reading/writing, Mathematics and writing (cost $46 or with essay $60) Fee waivers apply Length: 3 hours (plus 50 minutes for the essay (optional)) Score range: 200-800 for Evidence-based reading/writing and Math; 2-8 on each of the three traits for Essay 400-1600 overall FOR MORE INFO, https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org
SAT vs. ACT (continued) SAT- Subject Tests (may be required -selective colleges) Cost estimate ($26) Areas- (Lit, Lang. Arts, History, Math, Science) ACT- 5 sections: English, Reading, Math, Science and Writing-(optional) cost-($62.50) Score range: 11-36 Individual and combined composite score (guess away- no penalty) SAT/ACT Optional- Fairtest.org (listing of colleges) ie. Albright, Ursinus, Gettysburg, Temple, Cabrini
SAT/ACT Prep SAT PSU Lehigh Valley Saturday Classes this Spring, cost is $299 Khan Academy - online, free ACT Kaplan - online, in person (Malvern) $899 Princeton Review - online, in person $899
Summer Enrichment Opportunities 9-11 th graders: PFEW (PA Free Enterprise Week) at Lycoming College or Penn College of Technology Widener University s Engineering Camp Susquehanna University s Writer s Workshop, Exploring Legal Careers, or Choral Institute Desales Summer Video Institute See the HS Counseling webpage for more Build your resume, have fun, and network!
Sept/Oct plan to meet with your counselor Complete Applications (online) Senior Year Submit Supporting documents (transcript, recs. via Naviance/Common App) Submit FAFSA form online prior-prior year open OCT 1 st MAY 1st SAT/ACT scores must be sent from the testing company Watch your Deadlines (be an early bird) Priority Deadlines near Thanksgiving Acceptances As early as 6 weeks (Rolling Admissions) Spring Notification (Regular Admissions) Early Decision/Early Action see counselor (Nov- Dec) Keep those grades up senior year (mid-year/final report) Request an official transcript from Montgomery County Community College, if you took DE classes
Financial Plan Financial Aid Night- tbd Fall 2018 MySmartBorrowing.org FAFSA & CSS Profile file online 10/2018 Search for scholarships and apply Via Naviance and www.fastweb.com https://www.raise.me/join/upper-perkiomen-hs Local Senior Award applications due in March/April