WMC Guidance DepartmentJunior Planning Night

December 6, 20117:00 p.m.

Tonight’s Agenda:

• Getting Started with your College Search

• Timeline for Junior Year

• The Junior Conference

• Brief Testing Overview

• Introduction to Naviance

Junior Year Calendar

November to June- Keep your grades up!January/February- Junior ConferenceMarch- HSPAMarch to May- SAT/ACT TestingMay/June- AP & IB TestingMay/June- Teacher Recommendations & Resume

Senior Year Calendar• September/October

- Register to take SAT Reasoning, ACT, and/or SAT Subject Tests (if needed).

- Finalize college essay and resume- Make sure you have two letters of recommendation from

teachers- Fill out applications (especially for Early Decision and/or

Early Action)• November/December

- Continue to submit applications to colleges- Try to file your last application by Dec.

• January-Apply for financial aid with FAFSA form and CSS Profile

(if needed)

Keep Your Grades Up!

Top Factors in College Admissions Offices

• Grades in College Prep Courses• Strength in Curriculum• Standardized Test Scores • Overall High School GPA

(Source: National Association for College Admission Counseling, 2011)

Additional Trends in Admissions

73% of colleges reported an increase in applications for fall 2010, compared to

fall 2009

85% of applications received online in 2010; up from 58% in 2006

Average selectivity rate at a 4-year colleges and universities is 65.5%

(Source: National Association for College Admission Counseling, 2011)

Junior ConferenceJanuary/ February 2011

• Review Standardized Testing• Unofficial Transcript• Personal Testing Timeline• Beginning your college search• Using Naviance to organize your College

Search• Building a College Resume• Letters of Recommendation• Visiting Timeline• Admissions Terminology

Various Testing for Junior Year

• PSAT: Practice SAT• SAT Reasoning Test• SAT Subject Area Tests

• ACT• HSPA• AP• IB

Differences Between the SAT AND ACT

SAT– 10 Section Exam – – 3 Critical Reading, 3 Math,– 3 Writing, 1 Experimental– 3 Hour and 45 Minutes– Penalty For Wrong Answers– Have To Write Essay

ACT 5 Section Exam – English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing 3 Hour TestNo Penalty For Wrong Answers Optional essay

All Colleges Accept the SAT and ACT.

AP & IB TEsting

• Students in AP and/or IB Courses should prepare to take the appropriate test

• AP & IB Testing is done in May

• Sign-ups for AP Testing start in late February with Mrs. Buchanan in the Career Lab

HSPA• Measures

Achievement– Language Arts– Math

• Score: 200 indicates proficiency

• March Administration (Junior Year)

• Testing Center: WMCHS

•Graduation Requirement

Using Naviance to Organize your College Search

What is Naviance?&

What are the benefits of this program?

Features of naviance

-SAT/ACT Test Preparation-College Search-Personal Comparison-West Morris Central Data-Online Transcripts-Direct Contact Information to

Admissions and Financial Aid Offices

Sat/act preparation

College Search

Compare Yourself to Colleges

How Do You Compare?

Overlaps

Organization

Admissions Terminology

• Rolling Admissions• Traditional• Early Decision• Early Action• Early Evaluation• Deferred Decision• Waiting List• Congratulations

Online Tutorials

We have set up online tutorials showinghow to use Naviance’s various features• Setting up your account• College Search• Accessing Test Preparation• Requesting Transcripts• Go to www.wmchs.org and select “Guidance” the tutorials

will be in the left hand navigation bar

BUILDING A RESUME

• JUNIOR YEAR (In Health Class)• EMPHASIZE QUALITY OVER QUANTITY• CREATIVITY• INITIATIVE• LEADERSHIP

Letters of Recommendation

• Ask two teachers for letters in the spring

• Should be from Junior Year• Speak to them in person• Be sure to thank them

College Visits

• Spring Break is a great time to visit colleges• Try to visit schools when colleges are in

session• Ask questions• Meet with admissions representatives

How do I schedule a campus visit?

• Call the admissions office.• Ask for Open House or Tour Dates

(SPRING BREAK)• Ask to speak to admissions

representative after your tour• It is best if the student makes this

call.

Questions?