What Does It Take To Get Into College?

What do colleges look for in an applicant?• Challenging curriculum• Grades• Standardized Test Scores• Extracurricular Activities

Challenging Curriculum

• “Rigorous curriculum is a greater factor in determining college graduation rates than class standing, standardized test scores, or grade point average.”

by Clifford Adelman, Sr. Research Analyst, U.S. Dept of Education

Choose classes carefully!!

College gatekeepers say that the applicants whom they value most have taken college-prep classes in high school and have performed well in these courses. The latest annual admission survey from the National Association of College Admission Counselors indicates that 84 percent of admission directors at state and private schools say grades in college-prep classes are of "considerable importance." (MoneyWatch CBS NEWS, 2012)

College Matrix

SAT VS. ACT• All schools will accept either! Always check the

colleges’ website to see how they use SAT & ACT test scores.

• Most colleges will use your highest composite score for the SAT. This practice is called super scoring.

• Most colleges do not super score the ACT, however this is changing. UF does not super score, but FSU, UM, FAU, USF, as well as some elite schools such as MIT, Penn State, Brown, do.

• Most students test more than once – average 2 to 3 times!• SAT – Aptitude Test-Reading, Math, & Writing • ACT – Achievement Test – English, Reading, Math,

Science, & Writing

PSAT• It’s a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT. It also gives you a

chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools.

• The PSAT/NMSQT measures:• Critical reading skills• Math problem-solving skills• Writing skills

The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are to:• Receive feedback on your strengths and skills necessary for college study.• You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from

additional study or practice.• See how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others

applying to college• Enter the competition for scholarships from NMSC(grade 11)• Help prepare for the SAT by becoming familiar with the kinds of questions and exact

directions you will see on the SAT.• Receive information for colleges when you check “yes” to Student Search Service.

PSAT The PSAT will be given at Park Vista Community High School on:

Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 7:30am

Cost is $15.00

Please visit: www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/prep.html

Extracurricular Activities

• Well rounded student• Good time management skills• Avoid “filling up” resume• Quality over quantity• Leadership skills• Community Service• Part-time job is considered

extracurricular

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2012 FRESHMAN PROFILE

Profile of student who was accepted into competitive university- senior schedule

ADV PL BIO • ADV PL US GOVT/POL • ADV PL MICROECON • ADV PL PHYS B • ADV PL CALCULUS BC • DUAL-ENROLLMENT• A DV PL PSYCH

Profile of Student- Academic Units,GPA and Test scores• CUM HPA: 5.2973 • CUM GPA: 4.0000

• Academic Units: over 34 academic units

• Test scores: SAT Reading: 680, Math: 730, Writing: 750

• Accepted: University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Brown University,University of Miami, state univesities

•

How am I going to pay for college?

Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid

1. Loans

2. Work-Study Program

3. Grants

1. 4. Scholarships

Financial Aid

•FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid, www.fafsa.ed.gov- after January 1 senior year

•CSS/Financial Aid Profile•College/University Financial Aid application

Bright Futures Scholarship Update

The Bright Futures ProgramThe Bright Futures Program offers 3 levels of scholarship awards:The Florida Academic Scholar – FASThe Florida Medallion Scholar – FMSThe Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship

It is your students’ job to know and meet the requirements of the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program! (per the FDOE website)

The program and award amounts can change yearly and are dependent on the state legislature!

Florida Academic Scholar

Florida Medallion Scholarship

Required Credits: Courses must include 16 credits of college preparatory academic classes

4 English (3 with substantial writing)4 Mathematics (Algebra I and above- math beyond Algebra2)3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab)3 Social Science2 Foreign Language (in the same language)Total of 16 Credits May use up to two additional credits from

courses in the academic listed above and/or AP, IB or AICE fine arts course to raise GPA

Community Service- 75 hours

Test scores: Combined score of 1170 SAT Reasoning Test (Critical Reading and Math sections only) or a composite score of 26 on the ACT (excluding the writing section)

Gold Seal Vocational • Award Level - *Amounts will differ at quarter or clock hour institutions• Public Institution For a Career Certificate Program (PSAV), Applied Technology Diploma Program (ATD)s) or

Technical Degree Educaion Program (AS,AAS, CCC)• Grade Point Average (GPA) – (Note: GPAs are not rounded.)• 3.0 weighted GPA using the 16 core credits required for high school graduation with a 4-year diploma (listed

below), and a 3.5 unweighted GPA in a minimum of three vocational credits in one vocational program, and test scores listed below.

• Required Credits• See the Comprehensive Course Table to identify courses that count toward each award level• Credits must be in the 16 core credits required for high school graduation with a 4-year diploma.• 4 English• 4 Mathematics• 3 Natural Science• 3 Social Science (Am. History, World History, Am. Govt. and Economics)• 1 Practical Arts;  OR 1 Performing Arts;  OR .5 credit in each• .5 Personal Fitness• .5  Physical Education• Total of 16 Credits• Plus a minimum of three Vocational Job-Preparatory or Technology Education Program credits in one

vocational program• Community Service – 30 hours• Test Scores• SAT or ACT.  Composite scores are not accepted.  A student must qualify on the ACT alone, the SAT alone or

the CPT alone. Test types cannot be combined.• CPT: Reading 83, Sentence Skills 83, Algebra 72; SAT Critical Reading 440, Math 440; ACT English 17,

Reading 18 Math 19

GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES www.fastweb.com www.cappex.com www.collegeboard.com www.finaid.org www.inlikeme.com www.collegeconfidential.com www.collegenet.com/mach25 www.scholarship.org www.gocollege.com www.collegescholarships.com www.findtuition.com www.ANYCOLLEGE.com www.ScholarshipExperts.com www.scholarshipamerica.org www.StudentScholarships.org www.wisechoice.com

SCHOLARSHIP BULLETIN #1 August 28, 2014

Scholarship Bulletins will be published as new applications and information arrives in the Career Center (1-135) located in the Guidance Office. The bulletins will be distributed to all teachers to be posted in their classrooms. Students who are interested in one of the listed scholarships should: (A) Come to the Career Center before/after school or during lunch to receive a copy of the scholarship bulletin. (B) Follow directions of the application. If Park Vista is only able to nominate one or two students for a particular scholarship, then you must submit your application packet to Mrs. Turner in the Guidance Office by the deadline published on the Scholarship Bulletin. A committee will meet to choose our nominee from those submitted and Park Vista will mail all required materials by the deadline. *The Scholarship Bulletin will also be available on our school website at www.pvchs.com. You may also access more scholarship opportunities by visiting the Palm Beach County School District website, www.palmbeachschools.org. Click the “Student” tab on the homepage and then scroll down to “Scholarship Opportunities. Scholarship Information is also available on Myfuturepalmbeach.org To learn more about which college scholarships are available and which resources will help facilitate your scholarship search, attend “Scholarship Thursdays”. The Guidance Office will also host “Scholarship Thursdays” during lunch on the following dates: September 4, October 2, 16, 30, November 20, December 4, January 15, 22, February 12, 19, March 26, April 9, 23. Abbott & Fenner Scholarship: The A & F Scholarships are available to all high school juniors and seniors as well as all students currently registered in any accredited post secondary institution. To apply of this scholarship you will need to write a a 500-1000 word essay on the following topic: Describe your educational career and life goals. Explain your plan for achieving these goals. Include your degree/major, why you selected it, and how this degree/major will help you achieve your goals .All submissions must be sent to scholarships@abbotandfenner.com. Award value: $1,000 For more information log on to http://www.abbottandfenner.com/scholarships.htm Deadline: June 1, 2015 AES Engineering Scholarship: This award is available to high school seniors and all student attending a post secondary educational facility. You are not required to take Engineering courses to be eligible for this scholarship. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of character, as determined by evaluation of essay submitted. Students must submit an essay (500- 1000 words) in answer to the following question.: When you look back on your life in 30 years, what would it take for you to consider your life successful? What relationships or accomplishments will be important on this journey? For more information please log on to www.aesengineers.com and click “scholarships”. Amount value: $500 Deadline: October 6, 2014 Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest: For 12th graders only. This essay contest sponsored by the Ayn Rand Institute distributes more than $25,000 in scholarship money to over 80 winners. The winner receives a cash prize of $10,000. For entry guidelines, essay prompts and additional information visit aynrandnovels.com. Deadline: October 24, 2014 Coca-Cola Scholars Program: The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation supports more than 1,400 college students each year, with annual scholarships of $3.4 million through two nationally recognized programs on behalf of the Coca-Cola System: The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship and the Coca-Cola Community College

Financial Aid Night• When: Thursday, February 26, 2015• 6:00 pm• Where: Park Vista Auditorium

FAFSA Workshops

Where: Park Vista Community High School-Computer lab

When: Thursday, March 5, 6:00 pm,• or• Thursday, March 26, 8:00 am •

Scholarship Thursdays

Come find out which college scholarships are

available and which resources will help facilitate your scholarship search!

Thursdays:

September 4 October 2, 16, 30 November 20 December 4 January 15, 22 February 12, 19 March 26 April 9, 23

Where:

Career Center located in the Guidance office

COFFEE TALKS 2014-2015• The College Application Process/Scholarships –Thurs., October 2

• High School 101 – Thurs., Nov. 6• Testing Workshop – Thurs., Dec. 4

• The Registration Process – Thurs., Feb.5• Dual Enrollment – Thurs., March 12• Online Learning Opportunities - Thurs., April 2• How to Search for Colleges & How to Apply – Thurs., May 7

College Visits at Park VistaThe following colleges will be visiting Park Vista High School:

Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL Thursday September 11th at 9:00am •  • Rice University, Houston, TX Tuesday September 16th at 8:00am MCR•  • Nova Southeastern Univ. Ft. Lauderdale, FL Tuesday September 16th at 10:00am MCR•  • Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers, FL Wednesday September 17 th at 9:00am MC•  • The University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Thursday September 18th at 11:00am (LTM) C•  • Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL Tuesday September 30th at 11:30am A•  • Johnson & Wales University, Miami, FL Friday October 3rd at 11:00am MCR•  • The University of Miami, Miami, FL Friday October 17th at 10:00am A•  • The University of Georgia, Athens, GA October 22 at 10:00am MCR•  • Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH Wednesday October 22 at 11:00am•  • Mercer University, Macon, GA Thursday October 23rd at 8:30am MCR•  • Wells College, Aurora, NY Thursday October 23rd at 11:00am MCR•  • Stevenson University, Stevenson, MD Friday October 24th at 9:30am MCR•  •  •  •  •  •  •  

• Interested students may sign up in guidance during lunch or see Mr. Tarini for further details.

College Fairs• The Palm Beach County College/Career Fair

When: Wednesday, October 22, 2014, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm• Where: Palm Beach County Convention Center

Ft. Lauderdale National College Fair

When: Wednesday, October 21, 2014 9:00 am-12:00 am, 5:30pm-8:30 pm

Where: Ft.Lauderdale/Broward County Convention

Center

*Register online at www.gotomyncf.com

Know your student’s Guidance Counselor:

• A- Co – Peter Tarini • Cr- E (&504) – Theresa Varano• F-K – Megen Stair• L-O – Mary Turner• P- Sq – Rick Dewalt• St-Z- Betsy Lyon

Resources:

Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors

-African proverb