SENECA VALLEY POST-SECONDARY PLANNING NIGHT SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
CLASS OF 2017 STATISTICS Post-Secondary Plans 2-Year College -15.06% 4-Year College - 72.15% Career/Technical School - 3.15% Employment - 7.36% Military -1.93% Other -.35%
STANDARDIZED TESTING Preliminary SAT/NMSQT Measures academic skills you ll need for college Serves as entry point to National Merit Scholarship Corporation completion Practice for SAT Test Date: October 14, 2017 How to Sign-up: Forms are available on the Guidance website and in the Guidance Office PreACT Results predict future success on the ACT ACT inventory results provide students with view of interests with college and career alignment Practice for the ACT Test Date; March 24, 2017 How to Sign-up: Contact the IHS Guidance Office for additional information
STANDARDIZED TESTING Most colleges will accept both ACT or SAT Some competitive schools will want SAT Subject Tests ACT English Math Reading Science Essay (Optional) Total Score: 1-36 SAT Math Reading Writing/Language Essay (Optional) Total Score: 400-1600
TEST DATES **REGISTER EARLY!** During registration, can indicate up to 4 colleges you wish to send your SAT & ACT scores to for free! ACT www.actstudent.org Dates Oct. 28 Dec. 9 at SV Feb. 10 April 14 at SV June 9 July 14 SAT www.collegeboard.org Dates Oct. 7 at SV Nov. 4 at SV Dec. 2 March 10 at SV May 5 at SV June 2
FAMILY CONNECTION Students and parents should have a separate account Parents should register their parent account through the SV parent portal Authorize transcript release Can view your student s account only Features in Family Connection College Rep Visits Scholarship Lists College/Career Search tools College application management
WHAT IS FIT Academic fit Social fit Financial fit Fit happens over time Requires effort on the part of the student Process of self-exploration and research to find the colleges/careers which best fit the needs of the student
THE 5 P S OF COLLEGE PLANNING Personality: interests, strengths, weaknesses, learning style People: student body, diversity, student/faculty rapport Place: in-state, out-of-state, distance from home, size of campus, type of school Program: degree, major, minor, selectivity, Greek affiliations, sports Price: cost, in-state vs. out-of-state tuition, public vs. private, sticker price vs. actual cost of attendance
BEST FIT Meets your important criteria College lists can start large, but as you research, your list will shrink. The national average of colleges applied to is 6-7. How to create your short list: Reach: Schools that are extremely selective or that have higher admissions criteria than your academic record Target: Your academic record closely meets the expectations of the school s admissions criteria. Likely: Your academic record is higher than the school s admissions criteria Ask yourself: Can I see myself on campus? Would I be happy? Would I be successful?
FRESHMEN/SOPHOMORE TIMELINE Meet with your school counselor Plan and set goals for rigorous curriculum considering your strengths and weaknesses Establish and maintain a quality QPA Become involved in extra-curricular activities Begin and continue to track your activities and achievements through your student Family Connection account
FRESHMEN/SOPHOMORE TIMELINE Standardized testing Create your own testing plan, consider registering for the PSAT and PreACT Take advantage of test prep agencies for free SAT & ACT prep/practice tests Visit the Guidance website for additional testing information Career Exploration Explore careers through your Family Connection account College Exploration Rep visits at SV are open to students in grade levels 10-12. Students register to attend though their Family Connection account If you are interested in playing a sport at the collegiate level, register with the NCAA Clearinghouse
JUNIOR TIMELINE Continue to pursue a rigorous curriculum Improve your QPA Stay involved in extra-curricular activities Attend Spring Planning Appointment with School Counselor End of year: Request letters of recommendation through Family Connection Standardized Testing Follow through with testing plan Take the PSAT Register for SAT and/or ACT Register for SAT Subject Tests if appropriate Take advantage of test prep agencies for free SAT & ACT prep/practice tests
JUNIOR TIMELINE College Exploration Make a preliminary list of colleges you would like to investigate further and add them to your Colleges I m thinking about list in Family Connection Explore/Research colleges through Family Connection and additional online resources posted on the Guidance website Attend college fairs Campus visits Continue to sign-up to attend rep visits in Family Connection
SENIOR TIMELINE Retake any SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Test(s) as needed Finalize list of schools in Family Connection Set application and scholarship deadlines Complete Essays/Personal Statements (proof read) Request letters of recommendation through student Family Connection account (counselor letters are requested via email) Request transcripts through student Family Connection account Send official test scores to institutions that you are applying to and requires them Complete and return your FAFSA
PRIVATE/LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES
COMMUNITY COLLEGES
LARGE PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES
PENNSYLVANIA STATE SCHOOLS
CAREER/TECHNICAL SCHOOLS