College Planning Guide Book

Class of 2021

Important Guidance Office Contact Information School Phone: (518) 884-7150 Guidance Fax: (518) 885-1585 School CEEB Code: 330-305 *You will need this code when registering for the ACT or SAT test and possibly for some financial aid forms School Website: www.bscsd.org Please see the Guidance page for additional information. SCHOOL COUNSELORS: Ms. Colleen Bengle Phone: (518) 884-7150, ext. 2379 Email: cbengle@bscsd.org Mr. Kevin Flores Phone: (518) 884-7150, ext. 2369 Email: kflores@bscsd.org Mrs. Christy Knapp Phone: (518) 884-7150, ext. 2367 Email: cknapp@bscsd.org Mrs. Christina Carlson Phone: (518) 884-7150, ext. 2368 Email: ccarlson@bscsd.org Mrs. Mara Gallagher Phone: (518) 884-7150, ext. 2390 Email: mgallagher@bscsd.org Mrs. Nicole Stehle Phone: (518) 884-7150, ext. 2366 Email: nstehle@bscsd.org Mrs. Lyndsey Wilcox Phone: (518) 884-7150, ext. 2364 Email: lwilcox@bscsd.org

Table of Contents

Action Plan Timeline ……………………………………………………………………. 1

Application Process & Components …………………………………………….. 3

FAQ’s …………………………………………………………………………………………… 6

College Visits ……………………………………………………………………………….. 7

College Fairs ………………………………………………………………………………… 11

Admission Summary Sheet …………………………………………………………… 12

SAT & ACT ……………………………………………………………………………………. 13

Common App Essay Options ………………………………………………………… 17

College Essay ……………………………………………………………………………….. 18

Letter of Recommendation & Counselor Forms …………………………… 20

Financial Aid ………………………………………………………………………………… 22

Transcript Requests ……………………………………………………………………… 28

Family Action Plan: 12th Grade

FOR FAMILY

Senior year is a whirlwind of activities. This is a big year for your child as he or she balances schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and the college application process. Use the suggestions below to help you and your child successfully navigate this important time.

SUMMER

• Visit colleges together. If you haven’t already, makeplans to check out the campuses of colleges in whichyour child is interested. Use the Campus Visit Checklistto learn how to get the most out of these experiences.

• Ask how you can help your senior finalize a college list.You can help him or her choose which colleges to applyto by weighing how well each college meets his or herneeds, for example. Find out more about how to finalizea college list.

• Find out a college’s actual cost. Once your 12th-graderhas a list of a few colleges he or she is interested in,use the Net Price Calculator together to determine thepotential for financial aid and the true out-of-pocket

cost — or net price — of each college.

• Encourage your child to get started on applications.He or she can get the easy stuff out of the way nowby filling in as much required information on collegeapplications as possible. Read about how to get startedon applications.

• Help your child decide about applying early. If yoursenior is set on going to a certain college, he or sheshould think about whether applying early is a goodoption. Now is the time to decide because earlyapplications are usually due in November. Read about thepros and cons of applying early.

• Gather financial documents. To apply for most financialaid, your child will need to complete the Free Applicationfor Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You’ll need your mostrecent tax returns and an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA,which opens Oct. 1.

FALL

• Encourage your child to meet with the schoolcounselor. This year, he or she will work with thecounselor to complete and submit college applications.Learn more about the counselor’s role in applying tocollege.

• Create a calendar with your child. This should includeapplication deadlines and other important dates. Yourchild can find specific colleges’ deadlines in CollegeSearch. If your child saves colleges to a list there, he orshe can get a custom online calendar that shows thosecolleges’ deadlines.

• Help your child prepare for college admission tests.Many seniors retake college admission tests, such as theSAT®, in the fall. Learn more about helping your12th-grader prepare for admission tests.

• Help your child find and apply for scholarships. He orshe can find out about scholarship opportunities fromthe school counselor. Your high school student will needto request and complete scholarship applications andsubmit them on time. Learn more about scholarships.

1

© 2016 The College Board.

FALL (CONTINUED)

• Offer to look over your senior’s college applications.But remember that this is your child’s work so remain inthe role of adviser and proofreader and respect his orher voice.

• Fill out the FAFSA to apply for aid beginning Oct. 1. Thegovernment and many colleges use the Free Applicationfor Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to award aid. Now it’seasier than ever to fill out this form because you canautomatically transfer your tax information online fromthe IRS to the FAFSA. Read How to Complete the FAFSAto learn more.

• Complete the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®, if required.If your child needs to submit the PROFILE to a collegeor scholarship program, be sure to find out the prioritydeadline and submit it by that date. Read How toComplete the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.

• Encourage your child to set up college interviews. Aninterview is a great way for your child to learn more abouta college and for a college to learn more about your child.Get an overview of the interview process.

WINTER

• Work together to apply for financial aid. Have your childcontact the financial aid offices at the colleges in whichhe or she is interested to find out what forms studentsmust submit to apply for aid. Make sure he or she appliesfor aid by or before any stated deadlines. Funds arelimited, so the earlier you apply, the better.

• Learn about college loan options together. Borrowingmoney for college can be a smart choice — especially ifyour high school student gets a low-interest federal loan.Learn more about the parent’s role in borrowing money.

• Encourage your senior to take SAT Subject Tests™.These tests can showcase your child’s interestsand achievements — and many colleges require orrecommend that applicants take one or more SubjectTests. Read more about SAT Subject Tests.

• Encourage your child to take AP® Exams. If your12th-grader takes AP or other advanced classes, havehim or her talk with teachers now about taking thesetests in May. Read more about the AP Program.

SPRING

• Help your child process college responses. Once yourchild starts hearing back from colleges about admissionand financial aid, he or she will need your support todecide what to do. Read about how to choose a college.

• Review financial aid offers together. Your 12th-graderwill need your help to read through financial aid awardletters and figure out which package works best. Be sureyour child pays attention to and meets any deadlinesfor acceptance. Get more information on financial aidawards.

• Help your child complete the paperwork to accepta college’s offer of admittance. Once your childhas decided which college to attend, he or she will needto review the offer, accept that college’s offer, mail atuition deposit, and submit other required paperwork.Learn more about your high school senior’s next steps.

Visit bigfuture.collegeboard.org for more information and to access these resources.

/MyBigFuture @MyBigFuture @collegeboard

2

3

Responsibilities for the College Application Process https://student.naviance.com/ballstonspa

Username = last name + 1st two letters of 1st name

Students will:

Add active applications to “Colleges I am applying to” under the Colleges tabs in Naviance

Match your Common App and Naviance accounts if using Common App

Request transcripts in Naviance

Request teacher recommendations:

Personally ask teachers for a recommendation and give them the Request for Letter of Recommendation form. You will also need to do an electronic request for teacher recommendations through your Naviance account.

*If you apply to any new colleges, you need to inform TEACHERS and your COUNSELOR. Without this communication, your high school transcript and recommendations will not be sent to the additional colleges.

Complete Counselor Recommendation Request Form in Naviance

Complete Resume in Naviance

Give your counselor a completed Counselor Notification Form

Send official SAT or ACT scores to colleges you have applied to via www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org

Review available scholarships Remember that requests for transcripts and letters of recommendations are due 3 weeks prior to your first

college application deadline.

Counselors will:

Prepare and submit counselor documents:

• Common App Secondary School Report and/or Other Secondary School Reports • Counselor Letter of Recommendation • High School Transcript

Teachers will:

Prepare and submit teacher documents:

• Common App Teacher Evaluation Form and/or Other Secondary Evaluation Form • Teacher Letter of Recommendation

4

The Application Components © 2015 The Sage Colleges

1. HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT • Courses taken, grades earned • Cumulative GPA • Balance and strength of curriculum • Consistency of performance

2. SAT/ACT TEST RESULTS • Not all schools require standardized tests. • Most schools have a minimum test score, but the test results are generally

viewed in combination with other factors. • Compatibility of the test scores with high school achievement. • Most only look at your best scores on the ACT/SAT. • Each test has a different format so consider taking both! • Test dates are already posted online • Have your official scores sent directly to colleges of interest.

3. ESSAYS / PERSONAL STATEMENTS • Use the essay as an opportunity to give your application more depth. • Not all schools require an essay or personal statement. • Colleges will look at content, style, mechanics, and creativity. • There are three types of essays: Creative, About You and Why Us? • Approach the essay like you would an English assignment. Be sure to give

yourself plenty of time to work on the statement (brainstorm, write, re-write and edit). Check that your writing is organized and that it sticks to a theme.

• Ask someone you trust to review the final document. • Remember that admission counselors are reading hundreds of these; longer

does not mean better. Your essay should be in your voice and not in the vocabulary structure of British literature.

4. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION • Colleges use letters to discover student contributions to school and

community, to learn more about student’s personal traits, and to get to know the student better. If your application is borderline, this can push it in the positive direction.

• Give your recommenders plenty of lead time - they often have many letters to write in a short amount of time.

5. RESUME

5

• Attach a resume that includes school and community activities. • Don't use abbreviations for clubs. • Neatness, organization and spelling count. • Be sure to post your name at the top of the resume. • Colleges look for quality of activities; not quantity; depth of involvement

rather than breadth; evidence that an applicant knows the value of perseverance and investment in a goal; demonstration of leadership; and balance in activities.

6. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS • Portfolio reviews • Creative writing pieces • Auditions

7. TIPS FOR COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

• Before doing anything else, carefully read all directions. • Make a checklist of everything that is required for each school. • PROOFREAD - there is no excuse for spelling or grammatical errors. Be sure

to use complete English, no text language. • Make sure you complete all parts of the college application, make sure you

include any supplemental information if required.

6

Frequently Asked questions

When Should I Visit Colleges? April vacation during grade 11 is a great time to visit because the schools are in session. Visits usually continue into early fall as well. Try to visit during a semester when students are on campus.

Do I Need To Set Up An Interview? Interviews are sometimes required and allow colleges to get to know a student better than an application permits. Check information from the college.

How Do I Set Up An Interview? Call the college admissions office a few weeks prior to the time that you wish to have the interview to set up an appointment.

When Do I Apply To Colleges? You may start applying as early as late summer and should be completely finished by mid-January OR by the deadline of each college.

What Is “Early Decision”? If you find a first choice school, you may want to apply “early decision”. Applying Early Decision means applying early, usually as early as October. You will receive a final decision from the college usually by December 15. It is a binding acceptance and you are expected to attend the school. You may only submit one Early Decision application.

What Is “Early Action”? Early action is similar to early decision. The main difference is that it is non-binding. You may apply Early Action to several colleges.

What If You Are Deferred From An Early Decision/Early Action School? This means that you have been neither admitted nor denied. Your application will be considered again during the “regular” admission period.

What Is “Rolling Admission”? Rolling admission means that when all of your application materials have arrived at the college, an admissions decision will be made and you will be notified within a relatively short period of time.

College Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself.

− Let the interviewer know something special about you. Do you watch the history channel for fun? Can you play multiple instruments?

Tell me about your family.

− Who is in your immediate family? What is each person’s role or profession? Do you have Sunday dinners together with extended family? If there isn’t a lot of family support, don’t be negative, instead share who you look to as family and why. Do you live with your grandparents because they live in a better school district?

Why are you interested in our college? What makes our college standout over others you are looking at? − Check out admissions, college life, and your major(s) of interest on the specific college’s website

prior to your meeting so you can have an educated answer showing that you know what the college offers.

Do you have any questions? What can I tell you about our college?

− Avoid questions that you can find the information out on the college’s website. If speaking to an alumnus you can ask what opportunities they took advantage of while in college that helped them best prepare for their future. If speaking with an admissions counselor, you can ask for further explanation of a specific major or what they hear from their students as the best opportunities available on campus and in its surrounding community.

Who has influenced you, who is your favorite character in a novel, what superhero would you be?

− They are really asking who you look up to and why. If you answer Superman it may be because you are saving the community through a service.

What are your areas of interest?

− You should share what major you want to study and why. If you do not have a specific major then share what areas of interest you have and why; that is still a strong answer. You should also include a few of the extra-curriculars you are passionate about. Did you help organize the Spirit Parade, do you work in the community garden, did you collect used review books for other students to use?

What will you contribute to our campus? What makes you special?

− Answer what you are good at and provide an example. Are you a natural leader in the classroom, who often helps peers understand difficult material? If so, you are good at organizing study groups because they help both you and your peers be successful. If you were in Student Council then you could join the event coordinating committee to help support student life.

What is a challenge you have overcome?

− Not every challenge has to be huge. Did you have mono or a concussion and have to catch up on missed work? Did you fail your driver’s test? No matter what your challenge, be sure to share how you overcame it.

© 2016 The College Board.

20 Questions to Ask College Representatives

FOR STUDENTS

Whether you meet them at a college fair or on a campus visit, college representatives genuinely enjoy talking to high school students and answering questions about their college. The following questions will help start a good dialogue.

1. What makes your college unique?

2. For what academic programs is your college known?

3. How would you describe the students at your college?Where are most of them from?

4. Where do students hang out on campus?

5. What happens on weekends — are there thingsto do on campus or in town, or do most studentsgo home?

6. Are fraternities and sororities a big part of campus life?

7. What are the housing options for freshmen?

8. Do many students live off campus?

9. Is there a sports complex or fitness center?

10. What are the most popular clubs and activities?

11. What’s the security like on campus?

12. What’s the surrounding area like? Is it easy to get around?

13. What are the most popular majors?

14. How would you describe the academic pressure andworkload?

15. What support services (academic advisers, tutors, etc.)are available?

16. Do I need to bring my own computer?

17. What’s the faculty like? Are they accessible outsideof class?

18. Are there opportunities for internships?

19. Is there job placement help for graduates?

20. Are there any big changes in the works that I shouldknow about?

College Interview Questions

What is your area of weakness and strength?

− You should only provide one area of weakness, but you may share more than one strength. Just like a challenge you have faced, you want to share how you’ve worked on that weakness. If you take on a lot of tasks, how do you organize your life so that you don’t miss a commitment? If you’re a weak test taker, what study skills have you learned? Be sure to answer why you consider your strength to be what it is.

What do you do for fun? What did you do over the summer?

− “Play video games” is not a good answer, unless you created your own. Colleges want someone who is productive in their spare time. Do you run, write poetry, or read? Show the interviewer that you are well-rounded.

What are your long term goals? What do you hope to do after graduation?

− This is the time to answer where you see yourself in 5 and 10 years. If you are not sure what your career is going to be, it is fine to say you are interested in the medical profession and you will take advantage of the college’s offerings to better know if you should lean towards the research or application side of the field.

What book are you currently reading? What is your favorite book? What is your favorite movie? What is your favorite sitcom?

− Think in advance of what these might be and why you enjoy them. If you could do something over what would it be?

− You don’t need to say any large mistake you’ve made; rather you may wish you took part in community band when it no longer fit into your school schedule.

How do you define success?

− Avoid a materialistic answer. An answer that shows learning, growth, and development of self or others is what the interviewer is looking for.

What makes you a positive role model to your peers or siblings?

− What is your strength and how do you emulate it to those around you?

Words of Advice *Jot down your answers to the above question and practice answering them aloud, without having your written answers nearby. Avoid memorizing your answers verbatim so that you don’t sound rehearsed during the interview. *If available and a positive representation of yourself, bring your resume and transcript. *If you find the interviewer is asking the same question in multiple ways throughout the interview, try to provide a different answer for each one, instead of listing all of your accomplishments for every answer.

© 2016 The College Board.

How to Make the Most of a College Interview

FOR STUDENTS

The interview is primarily for you to learn about the college and to allow the interviewer to learn about you. Use it as a tool to assist your college selection. The interview can have a positive effect on your admission — rarely a negative one. Relax and be yourself!

• Your interview will usually be with an admission staffmember, but it may be with a student, an alumnus, or aprofessional interviewer. Keep this person’s perspectivein mind.

• The interviewer is eager to get to know you and willtry to put you at ease. The interviewer will answer yourquestions but will be more interested if you have helpfulquestions that show you have already done someresearch on the college.

• Be prepared. Know your rank, your test scores, and yourpresent areas of interest. If you are undecided aboutyour career, feel free to say so (half of college studentschange their intended major). Think through some areasyou would like to explore, competencies you would like todevelop, and projects or situations that intrigue you.

• Do your homework about the school to get the obviousquestions answered. You don’t want to be silent whenasked, “What would you like to know about our college?”

Questions or comments like, “What kinds of internships are offered, and how often do students take them?” show more maturity in your thinking than asking about the number of books in the college library.

• Interviewers may ask questions about your interests,extracurricular activities/jobs, books you’ve read,meaningful experiences, reasons for applying to thiscollege, life at school, and similar topics. Be ready to talkabout these subjects.

• Be honest. Everyone has strong and weak points.

• Plan to have your interview alone. Most admissionofficers prefer to speak with your parents after talkingwith you, rather than during the interview.

• Choose appropriate clothes to wear for the interview.

• When you return home, send a thank-you note to theinterviewer. Thank the person for his or her time and referto something specific you discussed.

11

Spring College Fairs SUNY Adirondack Spring College Fair

Tuesday, April 30, 2020 6:00 – 8:00 PM SUNY Adirondack Campus

Early SAT Scores** ACT Scores H.S. Decision (ED) English Time Campus Name Undergraduate (combined) (composite) GPA or Early Early EOP Language Joint Teaching Honors Shortened (by campus type) Enrollment Action (EA) Admission Program Options Admissions Certificate Program Degree ROTC

University Centers and Doctoral Degree Granting Institutions Albany 13,598 1150-1310 23-27 88-94 EA Yes Yes Yes Yes Grad level Yes No A*, AF*

Binghamton 13,990 1300-1450 29-32 93-98 EA Yes Yes Yes Yes Grad level Yes No A*, AF*

University at Buffalo++ 20,830 1180-1350 24-30 90-96 EA Yes Yes Yes Yes Grad level Yes No A*

Stony Brook++ 17,522 1280-1440 27-33 91-97 No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No A*, AF*

SUNY Polytechnic Institute 2,200 1100-1300 24-29 88-94 EA Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes A*, AF*

NYS Ceramics at Alfred University+ 536 1000-1050 22-24 84-87 ED Yes Yes No No Yes* Yes No A*

College of Optometry Graduate and Professional Degrees Only No No No No No No No No

Cornell University:

Agriculture & Life Sciences 3,500 1390-1530 31-35 -- ED Yes Yes No No No Yes No A, AF, M, N

Human Ecology 1,146 1430-1530 32-35 -- ED Yes Yes No No No Yes No A, AF, M, N

Veterinary Medicine Graduate Level Only -- ED No No No No No No No

Industrial & Labor Relations 986 1360-1510 31-34 -- ED Yes Yes No No No Yes No A, AF, M, N

Environmental Science & Forestry+ 1,825 1180-1320 25-29 90-95 ED Yes Yes Yes* No Yes* Yes No A*, AF*

Downstate Medical Center (Brooklyn) 211 -- -- -- No No Yes No No No No No

Upstate Medical University (Syracuse) 227 -- -- -- No Yes Yes No Yes No No No

University Colleges Brockport+ 7,057 1070-1200 21-26 87-93 No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes A, AF*, N*

Buffalo State 8,082 960-1140 19-25 82-90 No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No A*

Cortland+ 6,343 1100-1230 24-26 86-92 EA Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No A*, AF*

Fredonia 4,433 1040-1220 20-26 86-94 No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Geneseo 5,425 1160-1300 23-28 90-95 ED Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No A*, AF*

New Paltz 6,692 1150-1300 24-29 90-95 EA Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes A*

Old Westbury+ 4,786 990-1130 21-25 82-90 EA Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes A*, AF*

Oneonta 6,056 1050-1190 20-25 86-92 EA Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes

Oswego 7,100 1070-1240 22-27 86-93 EA Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No A*, AF*

Plattsburgh 5,297 1030-1190 21-26 85-92 No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Potsdam 3,416 -- -- 87-92 No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes A*, AF*

Purchase+ 4,164 -- -- 87-91 EA Yes Yes Yes No No No No

Empire State College+ 9,327 -- -- -- No No No No No Grad level No Yes

Colleges of Technology Alfred State 3,737 930-1140 18-25 79-88 No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes A* Baccalaureate only 1,809 1040-1240 22-28 85-94

Canton 3,037 950-1130 18-22 80-89 No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes A*, AF* Baccalaureate only 2,086 1000-1150 18-23 81-90

Cobleskill+ 2,332 870-1060 18-22 83-93 No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No A* Baccalaureate only 1,243 930-1070 21-25 85-91

Delhi+ 3,240 960-1110 19-24 79-88 No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Baccalaureate only 1,593 1010-1160 19-23 83-91

Farmingdale State 9,916 1010-1160 20-24 86-92 No Yes Yes No Yes No No No A*, AF*, M*, N*

Maritime College+ 1,586 1170-1220 22-26 86-92 ED No Yes No Yes No No No A*, AF*, CG*, M, N

Morrisville State+ 2,986 860-1050 18-22 78-86 No Yes Yes No Yes No No No A*, AF* Baccalaureate only 884 1020-1100 19-22 81-88

* Cross-registration (offered at neighboring institutions) ** The SAT ranges above represent combined evidence-based reading and writing and math scores. (The maximum possible total is 1600.) + Contains 2018 Data. ++ Enrollment includes Health Science Centers.

Scores reflect middle 50%

Abbreviations: A = Army, AF = Air Force, CG = Coast Guard, M = Marines, N = Navy

Admissions Information Summary – 2019For more information call our toll-free number at 800-342-3811 or visit us on the web at www.suny.edu/attend

30K

OVER >>

2020 Test Dates and Registration Deadlines

Test Test Date Registration Deadline

Late Registration Deadline

(Additional fee)

SAT

03/14/20

02/13/20

02/24/20

SAT

05/02/20

04/02/20

04/20/20

SAT

06/06/20

05/06/20

05/23/20

www.collegeboard.org

ACT

02/08/20

01/10/20

01/17/20

ACT

04/04/20

02/29/20

03/16/20

ACT

06/13/20

05/08/20

05/25/20

ACT

07/18/20

06/19/20

06/29/20 www.actstudent.org

** Tests in BOLD will be administered at Ballston Spa High School. The others will be administered at area high schools. Please register early.

** If there is financial hardship or you are on free/reduced lunch please contact your school counselor. ** Ballston Spa High School Code (Also known as CEEB code): 330-305. This code is required to register for these tests.

** Visit www.khanacademy.org for additional test prep.

SAT vs ACT: Which Test is Right for You? Many students and parents begin the college prep process by comparing the ACT and SAT tests. The SAT and ACT generally cover the same topics. Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other.

Compare the ACT and SAT tests ACT includes a Science section

SAT includes one SAT Math Section on which you may not use a calculator

SAT ACT

Why Take It Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and

merit-based scholarships.

Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and merit-

based scholarships.

Test

Structure

Reading

Writing & Language

Math

Essay (Optional)

English

Math

Reading

Science Reasoning

Essay (Optional)

Length

3 hours (without essay)

3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay)

2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay)

3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)

Reading 5 reading passages 4 reading passages

Science None 1 science section testing your critical thinking skills

(not your specific science knowledge)

Math

Covers:

Arithmetic

Algebra I & II

Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis

Covers:

Arithmetic

Algebra I & II

Geometry, Trigonometry, and Probability & Statistics

Calculator

Policy

Some math questions don't allow you to use

a calculator.

You can use a calculator on all math questions.

Essays Optional. The essay will test your

comprehension of a source text.

Optional. The essay will test how well you evaluate

and analyze complex issues.

How It's

Scored

Scored on a scale of 400–1600 Scored on a scale of 1–36

2018 Concordance Tables Table A1: SAT Total to ACT Composite Table A2 : ACT Composite to SAT Total

SAT ACT

36

36

36

36

35

35

35

35

34

34

34

34

33

33

33

33

32

32

32

31

31

31

30

30

30

29

29

29

28

28

28

27

27

27

27

SAT ACT SAT ACT

1250 26

*1240 26

1230 26

1220 25

*1210 25

1200 25

1190 24

*1180 24

1170 24

1160 24

1150 23

*1140 23

1130 23

1120 22

*1110 22

1100 22

1090 21

*1080 21

1070 21

1060 21

1050 20

*1040 20

1030 20

1020 19

*1010 19

1000 19

990 19

980 18

*970 18

960 18

950 17

940 17

*930 17

920 17

910

900

*890

880

870 15

860 15

*850 15

840 15

830 15

820

810

*800

790

780

770 13

*760

750 13

740 13

730 13

720

*710

700

690

680 11

*670 11

660 11

650 11

640

*630

620

610 9

600 9

*590

ACT SAT SAT Range

36 1590 1570–1600

35 1540 1530–1560

34 1500 1490–1520

33 1460 1450–1480

32 1430 1420–1440

31 1400 1390–1410

30 1370 1360–1380

29 1340 1330–1350

28 1310 1300–1320

27 1280 1260–1290

26 1240 1230–1250

25 1210 1200–1220

24 1180 1160–1190

23 1140 1130–1150

22 1110 1100–1120

21 1080 1060–1090

20 1040 1030–1050

19 1010 990–1020

18 970 960–980

17 930 920–950

16 890 880–910

15 850 830–870

14 800 780–820

13 760 730–770

12 710 690–720

11 670 650–680

10 630 620–640

9 590 590–610

*Use this SAT score when a single score point comparison is needed.

Note: Concordance tables for the ACT Composite were derived from concordances of the ACT sum score.

© 2018 The College Board, ACT, Inc.

2

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

1590

1580

1570

1560

1550

1540

1530

1520

1510

1500

1490

1480

1470

1460

1450

1440

1430

1420

1410

1400

1390

1380

1370

1360

1350

1340

1330

1320

1310

1300

1290

1280

1270

1260

1600 16

16

16

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Official SAT Practice

PREPARE FOR THE SAT WITH

Get personalized practice recommendations based on your results from the new SAT®, PSAT/NMSQT®,PSATTM 10, and PSATTM 8/9. Take these steps to connect your College Board and Khan Academy® accounts:

1 2 Go to satpractice.org Link Your Accounts

Create an account on When prompted, agree to

Khan Academy, or sign into link your Khan Academy

your existing account. and College Board accounts.

3 Send Your Scores

Log in to your College Board

account, and hit “Send” to get

a personalized practice plan.

Sign up. Link up. Get practicing. satpractice.org

© 2016 The College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation.Khan Academy is a registered trademark in the United States and other jurisdictions. 00468-047

17

2020-2021 Common Application Essay Prompts

Write an essay of 250-650 words using one of the prompts below:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

College Essay Dos and Don'ts

General Recommendations

Do o DO convey a positive message overall. Cynicism, bitterness, and resentment will not score points with admissions

committees. o DO strive for depth, not breadth. Rather than trying to cover several events, experiences, or ideas, focus on one, and

explore and describe it in depth, providing illustrative details and meaningful insights. o DO start writing the section with which you feel most comfortable. There is no law that says you must start with the

opening paragraph and continue in sequence. Eventually, the various sections will come together. o DO avoid careless grammatical errors. This sounds simple, but so many people — including professional writers — fail to

do this. o DO proofread your essay several times for spelling and typographical errors. If you have it, you may want to run the

spelling checker of your computer's word processing program, but do not rely on it. Consult a dictionary for any words you even vaguely suspect may be misspelled. Make sure every proper name is spelled correctly, down to the diacritical marks on foreign names, and the name of every organization, institution, and company is written properly. You never know what a reader will notice!

Don't o DON'T try to accomplish too much in your essay. Less is more. o DON'T write an essay that any one of a thousand other applicants could write, because they probably will. If you think the

admission committee might receive even one other essay like yours, rewrite it. o DON'T expect or even attempt to write the perfect essay in one sitting. Write something, edit it, put it aside, and return to it

later. Good writing is the product of careful and constant rewriting.

Before You Write

Do o DO read some good writing, including admissions essays by other students and essays by authors whose work you

admire. Take note of how they draw in a reader and tell a story. o DO engage in some serious brainstorming with your family and friends.

Subject Matter

Do o DO be interesting, but more importantly, be yourself. Convey your genuine thoughts and feelings. o DO be confident that your experiences are exciting enough to commit to print. It is the depth of character you convey, not

the intensity of your topic, that matters; some of the most successful essays are written about the most mundane of things and events.

Don't o DON'T rehash what the reader already knows about you; do not reiterate accomplishments or activities that are already

mentioned elsewhere in your application. o DON'T try to summarize your entire life's accomplishments. Your essay will end up reading more like a superficial laundry

list than a meaningful personal statement. o DON'T write anything that might embarrass the reader or make him or her feel uncomfortable. The reader is neither your

therapist, your confessor, nor your close friend. o DON'T try to write a scholarly or overly important-sounding essay. An essay showing off your knowledge of — rather than

your passion for — a particular academic subject tells the reader nothing about you as a person. The reader will suspect, at worst, that your essay is actually a recycled term paper.

Opening Sentences

Do o DO be a little mysterious at the beginning of your essay to grab your reader's attention. But also be sure to resolve any

initial uncertainties so that you do not leave your reader hanging. o DO take your cue from good essayists who know how to capture an audience's interest right from the start. One possible

opener is a trivial observation that anyone can relate to but would never think to mention in an essay. Jerry Seinfeld built a career on this skill.

Don't o DON'T rely too heavily on quotations for your opening sentences. This technique can be effective, but it can also sound

tired and cliched. You are generally better off filling your essay with your own words.

Conclusions

Do o DO provide closure; give the reader the sense that you have come full circle. You should think of the conclusion as a

bookend for your essay. Don't o DON'T repeat or sum up your points in any way. o DON'T introduce a new idea that does not directly relate to previous themes or that requires further explanation.

Word Choice

Do o DO use clear, concise language, and standard English vocabulary. o DO use a natural, informal conversational tone-not as informal as colloquial speech, but less formal than the tone of an

academic assignment. Don't o DON'T use slang or currently popular buzz phrases if you can avoid it. o DON'T use overly academic or intellectual vocabulary, especially if you are not completely familiar or comfortable with it.

You will not impress the reader and you may end up sounding pompous and pretentious. o DON'T start too many sentences with the word "I." o DON'T overuse such vague words as "situation" and "experience."

Stylistic Devices

Do o DO use analogies, metaphors, and similes to help convey your message, but do not overdo them. o DO use humor where appropriate, but never overuse it or use it flippantly. o DO use dialogue, but make sure it helps illustrate your point or make your narrative come to life. Don't o DON'T fill your essay generic images and descriptions. o DON'T tell the reader, "I am a unique and interesting person." Instead, let the reader glean this indirectly from your unique

and interesting essay. In other words, show, don't tell.

Grammar

Do o DO try to use the active voice instead of the passive voice — e.g. use "Our staff completed the newspaper in record time"

instead of "The newspaper was completed in record time." o DO maintain parallel sentence structure. o DO review your punctuation. Pay special attention to your use of semicolons, colons, commas, hyphens, and dashes. Don't o DON'T switch back and forth between verb tenses.

BALLSTON SPA HIGH SCHOOL REQUEST FOR TEACHER LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Due 3 Weeks Prior to Your First College Application Deadline

Student Name _____________________________ Date _____________

Student Email _____________________________

**TEACHERS: Only send letters to the colleges the student has listed below**

** Any teacher evaluation forms that need to be mailed to the college are attached. A student must

also provide a stamped, addressed envelope for all documents that need to be sent via mail.

NAVIANCE instructions for teachers are on the back

College/University

Deadline

(Check one)

Electronic Mail**

COUNSELOR NOTIFICATION FORM Due 3 Weeks Prior to Your First College Application Deadline

Student: _________________________ Counselor:________________________ Date Submitted: _____________

Email: ____________________________________ Cell Phone: ________________________________________

VERIFY each college's deadline and decision options for accuracy on the college's website.

College/University

Major

College Due Date

Early Decision

(√)

Early Action/ Priority

(√)

Regular/ Rolling

Decision (√)

Common App. (√)

SUNY App. (√)

Other App. (√)

All items below must be completed before your school counselor will accept this form.

( ) Logged in to Naviance & completed "Colleges I'm Applying To" section, including transcript requests

( ) Matched my Common App and Naviance accounts (if using the Common Application)

( ) Created my resume in Naviance (if a teacher or counselor letter of recommendation is required)

( ) Requested teacher recommendations (if required) in Naviance and provided blue forms to those teachers

( ) Completed the Counselor Recommendation Form (if a letter of recommendation is required) in Naviance

( ) Sent SAT/ACT scores (if required) via my College Board/ACT account

What You Should Know About FAFSA:

FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILY

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid

WHAT IS FEDERAL STUDENT AID? Federal student aid comes from the federal government — specifically, the U.S. Department of Education. It’s money that helps a student pay for higher education expenses (i.e., college, career school, or graduate school expenses). Federal student aid covers expenses such as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. There are three main categories of federal student aid: grants, work-study, and loans.

WHO GETS FEDERAL STUDENT AID? Every student who meets certain eligibility requirements can get some type of federal student aid, regardless of age or family income. Some of the most basic eligibility requirements are that you must:

o demonstrate financial need (for most programs — to learn more, visit studentaid.gov/how-calculated);

o be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;

o have a valid Social Security number;

o register (if you haven’t already) with Selective Service if you’re a male between the ages of 18 and 25;

o maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school; and

o show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by

• having a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or astate-recognized equivalent; or

• completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law; or

• enrolling in an eligible career pathways program.

Find more details about eligibility requirements at studentaid.gov/eligibility.

STEP 1

Create an FSA ID. Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access U.S. Department of Education

websites. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity and electronically sign your federal student aid documents. To create an FSA ID, visit studentaid.gov/fsaid.

STEP 2

Collect the documents needed to apply, including income tax returns and W-2 forms (and other records of income) A full list of what you need is at fafsa.gov.

STEP 3

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) at fafsa.gov. Beginning with the 2017-18 award year, the FAFSA is available from Oct. 1, 2016, to June30, 2018. But you need to apply as soon as you can!Schools and states often use FAFSA information to award

nonfederal aid, and their deadlines are usually earlierin the year. You can find state deadlines at fafsa.gov. Also check with the schools you’re interested in fortheir deadlines.

STEP 4

If you are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT), we strongly urge you to use the tool. It’s the easiest way to provide your tax data and the best way of being sure that your FAFSA has accurate tax information. The IRS

DRT lets students and parents get the IRS tax return information they need to complete the FAFSA, and to transfer the data directly into their FAFSA from the IRS website.

STEP 5

Review your Student Aid Report. After you apply, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report, or SAR. Your SAR has the information reported on your FAFSA and usually includes your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The

EFC is a number (not a dollar amount) used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid. Review your SAR information to make sure it’s correct. The school(s) you list on your FAFSA will get your SAR data electronically.

STEP 6

If you are selected for verification, your school’s financial aid office will ask you to submit tax transcripts and other documents, as appropriate. Be sure to meet the school’s deadline, or you will not be able to receive federal

student aid. Whether you’re selected for verification or not, make sure the financial aid office at the school has all the information they need to determine your eligibility.

STEP 7

Contact the financial aid office if you have any questions about the aid being offered. Review award packages from schools to compare amounts and types of aid being offered. Decide which school to attend based on a combination of (a) how well the school suits your needs and (b) its affordability after all aid is taken into account.

Note: You also might be able to get financial aid from your state government, your school, or a private scholarship. Research nonfederal aid early (ideally, start in the spring of your junior year of high school). Be sure to meet all application deadlines!

Source: Department of Education

FSA IDHow to create an

Step 1 When logging in to one of the websites listed above, clickthe link to create an FSA ID.

Step 2 Create a username and password, and enter your e-mail address.

Step 3 Enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, contact information, andchallenge questions and answers.

Step 4 If you have a Federal Student Aid PIN, you will be able to enter it and link it to your FSAID. You can still create an FSA ID if you have forgotten or do not have a PIN.

Step 6 Confirm your e-mail address using the secure code, which will be sent to the e-mailaddress you entered when you created your FSA ID. Once you verify your e-mail address, you can use it instead of your username to log in to the websites.

Step 5 Review your information, and read and accept the terms and conditions.

You can use your FSA ID to sign a FAFSA right away. Once the Social Security Administration verifies your information in one to three days, or if you have linked your PIN to your FSA ID, you will be able to use your FSA ID to access the websites listed above. For help, visit StudentAid.gov/fsaid.

The FSA ID ― a username and password ― has replaced the Federal Student Aid PIN and must be used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents. If you do not already have an FSA ID, you can create one when logging in to fafsa.gov, the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS®) at www.nslds.ed.gov, StudentLoans.gov, StudentAid.gov, and Agreement to Serve (ATS) at www.teach-ats.ed.gov.

Tip: Important: Only the owner of the FSA ID should create and use the account. Never share your FSA ID.

HOW DO I GET FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE?

WHAT FORMS SHOULD I FILL

OUT?

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

(FAFSA)

FAFSA is required by almost all schools to qualify for financial aid You may begin your FAFSA application on October 1st of your senior year. File the FAFSA online or by mail at www.fafsa.ed.gov Call 1-800-4FED-AID for help with the FAFSA and to find out specific information about various federal student aid programs.

CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE

This is a program of College Board (they do not award any money) Many schools require the PROFILE to award nonfederal student aid Allows you to give a complete picture of financial circumstances Register for the PROFILE online at www.collegeboard.com Not required by all schools. Contact the school to find out the deadline.

Other Forms The college you attend may have additional forms. Contact the college’s Financial Aid office for more information.

FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION RE-PAYMENT

Federal PELL Grant For students who meet federal criteria for financial need. The expected Family Contribution is determined from the FAFSA.

NONE

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Awarded to low-income students based on availability of funds for college. Must also be eligible for a Pell Grant.

NONE

NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Helps eligible New York residents attending in-state post-secondary institution spay for college. Apply by filling out the FAFSA.

NONE

Federal Perkins Loan Students with exceptional financial need. 5% interest-rate loan.

Up to 10 years

Federal Stafford Loan

Subsidized: For students with financial need. Principal and interest are deferred. Unsubsidized: Awarded regardless of family income. Principal deferred until student leaves school, interest accrues while in college.

Up to 10 years

Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Allows parents/stepparents to borrow up to the full cost minus financial aid received.

Up to 10 years

Federal College Work Study Allows a student with financial need to work part-time to earn financial aid award money.

NONE

Private Grants & Scholarships Financial aid offered by numerous private organizations (e.g., Elks, PTS, Empire State, etc.)

NONE

Private Loans Non-federal loans available to students/parents from banks, credit unions & other private sources.

Varies

NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program

The NYS STEM Incentive Program provides awards for full-time study up to the annual tuition charged to NYS resident students attending an undergraduate program at the State University of New York (SUNY), or actual tuition charged, whichever is less, for the top 10 percent of students in each New York State high school if they pursue a STEM degree in an associates or bachelor degree program.

Agree to work in a STEM field in New York State for 5 years after graduation

Excelsior Scholarship

The program covers tuition for eligible SUNY and CUNY students. Applies to families who earn $125,000 or less.

Agree to work in New York State for 4 years after graduation

What to Do When Your Financial Aid Award Isn’t Enough

1

2

3

Colleges want to provide financial aid to their students, but they don’t always have enough funds to meet the full need of every student. That means a school may not award you enough financial aid to cover all your college expenses. Or maybe your family’s financial situation has changed, and you now need more aid than the college awarded you. If you are in either of these situations, follow these steps.

Contact the Financial Aid Office Call or email the financial aid office. If someone there can’t answer your question in a phone call or email, make an appointment to meet with a financial aid officer, if possible.

Talking with a financial aid officer can help you learn how you can make up the difference between what you need and what the college awarded you. Financial aid officers want to help you attend their college, so they will work with you to find the right solution.

You can start by asking questions like the following:

� What are my options for receiving more aid? � How can I find scholarships to help pay for college? � Can I talk to someone at the college about finding part-time work? � Do you have any advice about getting a private loan?

File an Appeal If there is a significant change in your family’s finances — such as a drop in income or unexpected medical expenses — you can submit an appeal asking the financial aid office to review your award. Call the office to find out what the college’s standard appeals process is so you can follow it. Be ready to provide proof of the change in your circumstances, such as bank statements, pay stubs, or medical bills. But remember, it will take you time to prepare the appeal, and it will take the college time to act on it.

If your appeal is not successful, you may want to consider applying for a private loan or explore other ways to pay for college.

Don’t Be Shy About Asking for Help No matter what your situation, don’t be shy about contacting the financial aid office. Financial aid officers are there to answer your questions.

Visit bigfuture.collegeboard.org for more information. © 2016 The College Board. /MyBigFuture @MyBigFuture @collegeboard

Start Your Scholarship Search Today Where to find scholarships:

Naviance

High School Guidance webpage

File cabinet located in the front of the guidance office

College Websites

Community Resources

You should never pay money to get money!

Requesting an Official College Transcript for CHS/UHS Courses & Official AP and/or IB Scores

College credit is awarded by the college the student will attend after high school.

Each college makes the decision about awarding credit and placement. Visit the college website for its policy.

If you have taken any UHS (University in High School) or CHS (College High School) courses at Ballston

Spa, you can request an official transcript directly from the college that sponsors each course. If you

have taken any AP (Advanced Placement) or IB (International Bachelorette) tests, you will need to

contact the appropriate place (as listed below) to request an official copy of your scores be sent to the

college you will be attending. Please be aware that requesting these scores is the student’s

responsibility and cannot be requested by the Guidance Department.

CHS/UHS Courses Offered

The links below will take you to each college that currently offers courses at Ballston Spa High School.

It is your responsibility to contact the college and/or university directly to request your transcript be

sent to the college you will be attending as a freshman.

Please also be aware that there are usually fees associated with these requests as well as minimum

turnaround times. If you have questions regarding this process, please contact the appropriate college

directly.

Schenectady County Community College

http://sunysccc.edu/Academics/Register-for-Classes/Transcripts/

AP Biology College Composition Mathematical Topics Spanish – Level 3

AP Physics College Literature & Writing Business Math

American History to 1877 Computer Applications Music Fundamentals I

American History Since 1877 Drawing & Painting II Pre-Calculus

Astronomy – Cosmic Systems

French – Level 3 Principles of Business

Marketing

Astronomy – Exploring Space

Government & Politics Psychology

College Algebra with Trig Introduction to Business Public Speaking

SUNY Adirondack

http://www.sunyacc.edu/admissions-cost/registrars-office

Graphic Design I Graphic Design II Photography

29

SUNY Albany

http://www.albany.edu/registrar/transcripts.php

AP Calculus AB/BC AP Statistics French 4 French 5

IB French SL Year 1 IB French SL Year 2 IB Spanish Year 1 IB Spanish Year 2

Spanish 4 Spanish 5

Syracuse University http://registrar.syr.edu/students/transcripts.html

Forensics

RIT &/or HVCC

https://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/registrar/transcripts

http://www.hvcc.edu/catalog/policies/transcripts.html

CIMS/Robotics Civil Engineering Design &

Development Design Drawing for

Production

Digital Electronics Principles of Engineering

Requesting Scores for Advanced Placement Tests

Please use the following link to request official scores:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/exgrd_rep.html

Requesting Scores for International Baccalaureate Exams

To have your official IB score(s) sent using a credit card:

https://rrs.ibo.org/replacement_orders/index.cfm

To have your official IB score(s) sent if paying by check:

http://www.ibo.org/informationfor/alumni/transcripts/