PCTI SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT PREPARING FOR COLLEGE Mrs. C. Nolan & Ms. L. Vacca SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Highlights What colleges are looking at The role of the counselor Naviance Finding the right college Information needed to complete an application Importance of deadlines Financial Aid/Scholarships Self Advocacy
The Secret Formula GPA Rigor of courses Consistency SAT/ACT scores Essay Activities/Leadership Counselor Recommendation Teacher Recommendations
Role of the Counselor in this Process College and Career Guidance/Exploration Educate students to use Naviance as a tool Assist students with questions/concerns Provide resources We will work with you, but we will not do for you
Naviance Naviance drives the college process college planning and career assessment tools The liaison between colleges and your counselor Parents: Email Mr. Bucci for access Go to PCTI website Click on Technology Under Parents, click on Naviance Click the link to log in and register Students: Go to PCTI website Click on Technology Under Students, click on Naviance Log in with ID number and PCTI password
GPA, Rigor, Consistency Challenge yourself APPROPRIATELY GPA and consistency go hand in hand This is who you are. on paper
Testing for College PSAT Identify areas of strength and weakness October of Sophomore/Junior year SAT At PCTI: August, October, December, May Date contingent on place in Math sequence Recommended: May and/or June/August of junior year Take 3 times maximum ACT At PCTI: October, December, February, June No passing score on the SAT tests for academic readiness
Fee Waivers Cost of SAT: $47.50 ($64.50 w/essay) Cost of ACT: $50.50 ($67.00 w/essay) Who qualifies for a fee waiver? Students who receive free or reduced lunch Lunch form MUST be filled out online or submitted to the Business Office (every year) SAT fee waiver = 4 college application fee waivers College application fees can range from $25 - $100+
Test Prep College Board www.collegeboard.org SAT question of the day app PSAT results Sample tests Khan Academy partners with College Board to provide free SAT prep Full SAT tests & practice tutorials
What To Bring On Test Day: PRINTED admission ticket Photo ID Tech ID, Driver s License current passport Two No. 2 pencils Acceptable calculator (see College Board/ACT for guidelines) No Admission Ticket, No ID NO ADMITTANCE!!!
Character Essay Only chance colleges have to hear your voice Should be written the summer before senior year Personal and passionate Activities Well-rounded Commitment Volunteer In and out of school Keep track of your hours - verification Leadership In and out of the classroom
Recommendations Most colleges require recommendations Community colleges do not 2 teacher letters Who knows you well? Make sure you get involved in class Take initiative, be a leader, participate! Counselor letter Get to know your counselor We want to get to know you too! Letters can make a difference! Scholarships, Honors programs, etc.
Finding the Right College Research Naviance SuperMatch college search Visit college websites Attend College Fairs September PCTI and William Paterson April National College Fair Meadowlands Expo Center School Counseling Trips Look out for emails/sign up information Create a List in Naviance Add schools to colleges I m thinking about Limit number of schools applying to (3 TO 5)
supermatch
You Wouldn t Buy a Car You Haven t Seen Need to visit schools Campus life? Facilities? What vibe do you get? Commute? College Campus Visits Register online Ask the right questions Be a critical consumer Open house vs. Campus tour vs. Shadowing a student
DEADLINES Courtesy 10 School Days Deadlines are not Discussable, not Debatable and not Negotiable! An emergency on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine!
Financial Aid FAFSA FREE application for federal student aid NEVER pay anyone to fill this out!! www.fafsa.ed.gov Submit FAFSA online after October 1 st Use 2016 s tax returns Parent who claims the student Student (if they file) Applications first, then FAFSA You have to indicate what colleges you are applying to Always put a NJ school first
Scholarship Sources Naviance The Internet (www.fastweb.com) Workplace Community/Religious Organizations Extra Curricular Activities Post-Secondary Schools Local, State & Federal Agencies PCTI PCTI Education Foundation PCTVEA PTSO
Self Advocacy This is not a passive process Responsible for each and every step Research, READ, COMPREHEND They need to understand what they are doing And why they are doing it Presentation is important in-person physical materials grammar, punctuation Show colleges their interest level
What Do I Do Now? This process can seem overwhelming Planning is crucial Be proactive Research Ask questions Use counselor as a resource Abide by counselor and college deadlines Getting into college the responsibility is on the student!
College Boot Camp June 26 th or 27 th Topics: Common Application College Essay Writing College Admissions Rep Do s and Don ts Lunch provided, transportation not provided Sign up via Google Doc coming soon
Stay Connected! PCTI Website School Counseling Page Student Site School Counseling Twitter Page @pcti_counseling ZeeMee https://www.zeemee.com/samples RAISE.ME https://vimeo.com/188042522 http://help.raise.me/article/35-microscholarships
Questions?