An Introduction to the College Application Process

Stacy Anderson, Wissahickon HS College & Career Counselor

Freshman & Sophomore Year

Academic Preparation

College “Shopping” Begins

Subject Tests (10th grade possibly)

Review of NCAA Regulations (athletes)

PreACTs (10th grade October)

GET INVOLVED & Build Resume

Junior Year Academic Preparation

PSATs (October)

College Research/Visits

SATs/ACTs (late Fall/Spring)

Subject Tests (Spring, if needed)

Get teacher recommendations

Leadership

Grad Project

Senior Year Applications (August)

Financial Aid (October)

Scholarship Applications

Visiting/Decisions

Decide by May 1

GRADUATE in June!

SAT – Standardized test administered by College Board (www.collegeboard.org) Aptitude test measuring ability to problem solve and think critically Evidenced-Based Reading/Writing and Math. Essay optional. Administered August, October, November, December, March, May,

June

ACT – Standardized test administered by ACT, Inc. (www.actstudent.org) Achievement test measuring knowledge of content English, Math, Science, Reading. Essay optional. Administered in September, October, December, February, April,

June, July

Subject Tests – Content area tests administered by College Board Not required by all colleges - mostly selective, private schools Administered on same days as SAT (No March date)

SATScore Range: 400-1600

ACTScore Range: 11-36

Aptitude test – reasoning and verbal abilities Achievement test – what you should learn in school

May need to think about what is being asked of you before answering

Straight-forward questions

Stronger emphasis on vocab Science reasoning section (meant to test reasoning skills using data

Algebra heavy. More data analysis and problem solving. Some Pre-Calc.

Math more evenly spread between Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic. Some Pre-Calc.

Math – calculator/no calculator. Formulas provided. Math- all calculator. No formulas provided.

No penalty for wrong answers. No penalty for wrong answers.

Essay optional – comprehension focused. Essay optional – position on complex issue.

BOTH TESTS ACCEPTED BY ALL COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES

1-hour subject based exams given by College Board

Not required by most colleges (required by more selective colleges)

Test dates the same as SAT (no Subject Tests in March)

Can take up to 3 subjects in one sitting (3 hours total)

Many students test in May or June (around AP Exams)

Languages Non-Languages

French/French Listening Literature

German/German

Listening

US History

Spanish/Spanish

Listening

World History

Modern Hebrew Math Level 1

Italian Math Level 2

Chinese w/ Listening Biology (Eco or

Molecular)

Japanese w/ Listening Chemistry

Korean w/ Listening Physics

Score Choice: term used by College Board that allows students to pick and choose which SAT test dates to send. Not all colleges allow score choice.

Students get 4 “free” score reports during each test registration –take advantage, if possible

Check registration deadlines – usually 1 month in advance

Fee waivers are available for students on Free/Reduced Lunch

2 SAT Waivers/2 ACT Waivers/2 Subject Tests

Application Fees Waived

Test Optional Colleges – www.fairtest.org

Using Accommodations – students who have documented accommodations in school through an IEP or 504 may be eligible for testing accommodations (e.g. extended time, small group).

EVIDENCED-BASED

READING/WRITING

MATH

MARCH 550 620

JUNE 590 590

Most colleges will not superscore between the ACT and SAT if both are submitted.

NEW! ACT now allows for superscoring at the discretion of the institution.

Students can test as many times as they want. However, it is advised not to test

more than three times (unless interventions have been put into place).

When colleges will take the best score from each section of test and use highest scores in

admissions decision

Location

Setting

Size

Academics/Major

Special Services

Social Life

Cost

Admissions Criteria

What Criteria Should I Use To Evaluate Fit?

College Searches:

Tip! If possible, try to do an overnight visit either

through the admissions office and/or older friends

or siblings.

Learn about new schools

Cover a lot of territory in short time

March: UD/WHS College FairMarch 10, 2020 7PM

Main Line - Valley ForgeMarch 23, 2020 6:30PM

May: Main Line – VillanovaMay 21, 2020 6:30PM

October: Montgomery County (North Penn High School)

November: NACAC National (Philadelphia Convention Center)

The Website, Brochure,

Pamphlet…

Reality?

Tip! Take notes on your tour. They could be helpful

when answering “why ____ University” essays.

Each Fall, over 100 college reps visit WHS to meet with juniors/seniors

Admissions employees, alumni, and sometimes current students

Typically, the person visiting is the 1st read on application

Impressions Matter!!

Visit dates/times posted on Naviance in the Fall

Great way to network

Ask Questions!

What Criteria Will the College Use to Evaluate Me?

▪ Strength of Courses

▪ Grades/GPA

▪ Admissions Test Scores

▪ Essay*

▪ Teacher/Counselor Recs

▪ Demonstrated Interest

▪ Personal Accomplishments

▪ Personality Characteristics (Interview)

▪ Senior Grades

With so many applicants, why should they accept you?

Don’t be humble!

Application process can begin as early as summer before senior year Average student applies to 5-8 schools

2 Reach, 2-4 Target, 2 Safety Students applying to highly selective schools tend to apply to more

Application Fees Freeover $80 Fee waivers for Free/Reduced Lunch

COMMON APPLICATION – www.commonapp.orgCOALITION APPLICATION - http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.orgSCHOOL SPECIFIC APPLICATION – found on individual websites

Colleges may offer students their choice of application. Students should choose the option that makes the most sense

based on college list.

Application information can be found on college website.

Rolling AdmissionsFirst Come, First ServeMay see a listed deadline of March 1Be aware of Priority Deadlines

Regular Decision (RD)Set deadline dateSet response dateDeadline usually Jan.1 or later

Early Decision (ED)Set deadline date – usually Nov. 1 or Nov. 15Must attend if accepted – signs contract (BINDING)Student may only apply to one school EDSome admissions advantagesED I vs. ED II

Open Students accepted upon applyingMust graduate from high school

Restrictive/Single Choice Early ActionCan only apply to one private school as EA or EDNot binding Some admissions advantages

Early Action (EA)Set deadline date – usually Nov. 1 or Nov. 15Response well before the college’s regular response dateNot binding

Colleges often have multiple deadlines!

MAY 1: National Decision Day!

HIGH SCHOOL

Transcripts

Mid-Year Reports

Counselor Rec

Teacher Rec

Fee Waivers

COLLEGE

Application

SAT/ACT

AP Scores

Outside Recommendations*

STUDENT

Some colleges now allow/require students to self-report their academic transcript and/or test scores.

Students add their own academic record: courses, grades, credits, GPA Students submit application first – ALLOW PROCESSING TIME!

Samples of Self-Reported Transcript SchoolsPenn State University Arizona State UniversityUniversity of Pittsburgh University of ArizonaTemple University University of MinnesotaFlorida State University University of Washington University of Florida Rutgers UniversityVirginia Tech Georgia Tech University of Illinois University of Delaware

WHS Teachers• Ask two junior year teachers – at least one from a core subject• Does not need to be best subject area

Outside Letters• One is sufficient• Coach, Boss, Mentor – not family

Counselor Letters• Students must do senior survey on Scoir• Parents can do Parent Brag Survey on Scoir (available Spring 2020)• Will write automatically – no need to formally ask

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – Federal Aid FAFSA Application Available October 1st of senior year Tax information used will be from TWO years prior. Ex. Class of 2021 will use tax return from 2019. To complete or not complete?

PHEAA (PA Higher Education Assistance Agency) – State Aid CSS Profile (College Board) – required by some schools to determine

institutional need-based aid. Check CSS Profile website for listing. Scholarships – academic, athletic, service,

leadership, arts, essays Scholarships.com Raise.me (micro-scholarships) Scholly (for small fee) Goingmerry.com

“Net Price Calculators” on college websites

Upcoming Dates

March 10, 2020 UD/Wissahickon College Fair 7PMUpper Dublin High School

March 23, 2020 Main Line–Valley Forge College Fair 6:30PMValley Forge Casino Resort

April 1, 2020 Financial Aid Info Night 7PMWHS Audion

May 21, 2020 Main Line-Villanova College Fair 6:30PMVillanova University Finneran Pavilion

Fall 2020 Senior Parent NightFAFSA Completion Night

Stay Tuned to Weekly Emails for Additional College Programs in the Philadelphia Area