Getting Into College

A Basic Timeline

Things to Consider when Choosing a College

GPASAT/ ACT Scores

MajorGeographic location

Size

GOOD RESOURCES

• NAVIANCE• FISKE GUIDE TO COLLEGES• THE K&W GUIDE TO COLLEGES FOR

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

COLLEGE VISITSJunior/Senior Year

• Try to visit when college is in session and try to stay overnight to get a true feel for the campus and immediate area

• Take the tours • Take advantage of days we have off that colleges don’t:

Columbus Day, Martin Luther King, Election Day, Teacher’s Convention. If you visit during the spring make sure you know when the school has Spring Break. Most schools Spring Break in March.

• Believe it or not your child will know pretty quickly if a college feels right or wrong.

SAT VS ACT

• ACT is an achievement test measuring what you learned in school. It has 5 components: English, Math, Reading, Science and an optional Writing test..

• The SAT is more of an aptitude test measuring reasoning and verbal abilities. It has 3 components: Mathematics, Critical Reasoning and Writing.

• There is a possibility that your child will do better on one or the other so allow enough time to take both if necessary.

SAT / ACT • PREP COURSES: Most do not teach content they teach

strategy and your child can raise their score this way.

• When To Take Exams? Most students take them spring of junior year and fall of senior year. Be aware of your child’s extracurricular responsibilities and time constraints that may prevent preparing for the exams. Visit the College Board website for SAT dates for the upcoming year Normally January, March, May, June, Oct, Nov, and Dec / ACT Sept, Oct, Dec, Feb, April, and June.

• If you don’t take the exams until Senior year be aware that there are no September SAT dates. This could be a problem if you want to know scores in advance in order to choose appropriate schools. Some schools have early decision and early action dates of Oct 1 and regular decision as early as Nov and Dec.

Average SAT SCORE 2013

• 1531 NJ• 23 ACT• Superscoring: Some colleges will accept the

highest sub-scores from different test dates• Most student’s take the same exam twice

• Remember it is just a score on “A” test. There are so many other ways to define your child.

Test Optional Schools

• Many colleges do not use test scores for many reasons such as limiting of applicant pools, giving unfair advantage to students who can afford test prep courses, and the tests don’t measure the type of skills they require ie….technical and musical

• There are approximately 850 test optional schools including Johnson and Wales, Wake Forest, California State, Drew University and Connecticut College.

• Some are test- optional only for students who meet certain GPA

or class rank requirements.

Making Your List of Colleges

Just Right

Challenge

Safety

Teacher Letters of Recommendation

• Many schools ask for at least one letter of recommendation

• Ask for two as early as possible….the end of junior year if you can. Many teachers will ask your student what they enjoyed most about their class and their favorite assignments so be prepared with that information.

Early Action• Non-binding. Student can

apply to other colleges early and regular action and wait until spring deadline to reply.

Early Decision

A binding contract. Student must apply and withdraw all other applications or else forfeit a sizeable enrollment deposit. Often have to commit before knowing what financial package will look like.. Be sure your student definitely 100% wants to attend this college.

Rolling Admission

• Apply throughout the year and receive a response back in a timely manner. Usually starts in early fall and some can continue into the early summer. Don’t wait too long bc there are deadlines for scholarships, housing etc…

Rutgers and Penn State both have rolling admission.

Senior Packet

You will find this on the Guidance Department website. Start this in the

summer of your junior year. Some guidance counselors will not meet with students senior year, until it is finished. Includes a resume, parent

brag sheet, letter of recommendation request forms…. Etc. Do yourself a

big favor and have this completed by September.

Work And Extracurricular Activities

• Keep a log or grid of your child’s athletic, club, volunteer and work experience. Colleges are interested in how many hours a week, month or year your child engages in these activities.

• Work experience, musical lessons, skiing, all of these things are important and should be listed on the application.

Thank Goodness For the Common Application!

• Over 400 colleges and universities on one application!

• Each has their own supplement and can request additional items like essays, letters of recommendation etc.

• Get started on this early, it is time consuming!

The Short Essay

• Usually asking about work or extra-curricular activities.

• No longer required on Common Application unless specifically required by a particular college.

• Usually between 150(Harvard) to 250 (USC) words.

The Long Essay

• 5 choices to choose from on Common Application and you can preview them the summer before Senior year on the Guidance Website.

• Usually 500 to 650 words.• Certain colleges will ask for an additional essay on

the Common Application.• Get started on these as early as possible especially if

your child is busy in the fall.• English teachers will be working on and revising

these in class fall of senior year.

Congratulations Your Thick Envelope or Welcome E-mail Has Arrived!

• Rolling Admissions you find out pretty quickly after you apply.

• Early admission/Decision: Most in December • Regular Decision: March 1st is when majority

are sent out.

WAIT LIST?

• Many student’s will be placed on a wait list.• Many student’s will eventually be offered a

slot if they are on it.• Make sure you have a back up plan….you

enroll in a school your child has been accepted to and sign up for orientations housing etc. You can get your deposit back for a many of these items.

Orientations

• Leave your senior spring and summer open for orientation programs that can be up to a week long. June through August

Sit Back And Relax/ Dorm Shopping Is Right Around The Corner!!!!

Michele Shields