College Planning for Juniors What Can YOU Do to Prepare for College Now?
College Seems So Far Away… It’s not. Preparing for college now will help lessen the stress of senior year!
Session Goal The goal of today’s presentation is for you to know the tasks your student can accomplish in junior year and during the summer to prepare for the college admissions process.
College Acceptance Factors Ms. McDiarmid
What Do Colleges Look At to Determine Acceptance? Rigor of high school transcript Grade point average (GPA) and Rank Activities / interests / accomplishments Letters of recommendation / essay College entrance test scores (SAT/ACT) The more selective the college, the more important these acceptance factors become
Making High School Count
How Does GPA Get Calculated? Final grades in academic subjects are converted to points and averaged: English History Science Math Foreign Language Technical Division Core Courses Cumulative over high school career Determines class rank
Your Transcripts Are Sent To Colleges… When you first apply to college Typically in the fall of your student’s senior year Includes grades from freshman year through junior year Midway through senior year Includes first semester grades Upon graduation Includes all senior year grades
This Year, It’s Important To… Make sure your junior and senior year schedules are as rigorous as possible: Honors & Advanced Placement Courses, when appropriate At least five academic courses, preferably more Internships related to the future major (senior year). Maintain strong grades in order to have a strong transcript and the highest GPA/Rank possible at the end of junior year.
College Acceptance Factors Mrs. O’Neil
It’s Not Only Your GPA That Matters… Although your grades are important, colleges also consider many other factors when reviewing your application: Extra-Curricular Involvements and Activities Letters of Recommendation College Essay
Involve Yourself in Extra-Curricular Activities! Colleges like WELL-ROUNDED students. High school organizations: music, drama, student government, clubs Athletics: school or community teams Community: volunteer work, church groups, summer camps, music/dance lessons, etc.
This Year, It’s Important To… Create an activities list or resume’ now! Use the Resume Builder tool on Naviance Keep track of your activities, awards, etc. from freshman through junior year Continue with the extra-curricular activities that you have been involved in throughout high school. Colleges like to see involvement in a handful of activities for four years, rather than many activities for a year or two each.
Recommendation Letters Most colleges require three letters of recommendations: Two Teachers Guidance Counselor These letters help to provide the whole picture of you as a student and person. You will need to complete several surveys in Naviance for teachers and counselors to write your a letter: Autobiography Survey (counselor) Resume Builder (counselor) Parent/Guardian Survey (counselor) Teacher Recommendation Survey (teachers)
This Year, It’s Important To… Ask two teachers to write you a letter of recommendation for college next year. Consider asking a teacher who: You have had multiple classes with You have done well in class with You have shown growth in class with Teaches in your area of interest (science, math, etc.) You had in class during your junior year
The College Essay The essay is the best way for the college admissions counselor to get to know you, beyond your GPA, rank, and transcript. A good essay takes weeks/months, not a few days – so start early!
Tips for Writing a Good Essay Review the Tips for Writing a College Essay in your packet! The Common Application releases the upcoming year’s essay prompts in the spring!
This Year, It’s Important To… Start thinking about an essay topic that will help you to stand out from the crowd. Avoid writing about clichéd topics: Winning the “Big Game” Leadership roles or list of accomplishments An influential family member or teacher Often, essays about the most ordinary of things but written in an extra-ordinary way are powerful!
College Entrance Testing Mrs. Coonan
College Entrance Testing Standardized tests are required by most colleges as part of the admissions process: SAT SAT Subject ACT Remember – there are schools that do not require standardized tests to apply! www.fairtest.org
Facing the Standardized Test
College Entrance Testing SAT: Scholastic Aptitude Test 4 Subtests: Reading Test, Writing and Language Test, Math Test, and the optional SAT Essay Colleges use your best score in each subtest to create a Super Score Administered at Tantasqua five times per year
College Entrance Testing SAT Subject Tests Tests in specific subjects: Chemistry, Biology, US History, Spanish, etc. Required by some colleges - usually the most selective Best taken near the conclusion of an advanced course Administered at Tantasqua five times per year
College Entrance Testing ACT – American College Test Accepted by all colleges SAT= reasoning & ACT= memory ACT with Writing = SAT with the Essay Not administered at Tantasqua
College Entrance Testing Refer to the College Entrance Testing and SAT vs. ACT documents in your packet for more information!
College Entrance Testing Recommended test-taking strategy: Take the SAT two to three times Once in Junior Year (May or June) Once or Twice in Senior Year (October, November, December) Take the ACT at least once June of Junior Year or Fall of Senior Year Take the SAT Subject Tests if necessary Work with your guidance counselor to determine if these are necessary based on the schools to which you will apply
College Entrance Testing Refer to the College Entrance Testing Schedule in your packet for registration deadlines and upcoming test dates!
This Year, It’s Important To… Register for May and/or June SATs and/or ACTs by deadline. Take advantage of free test preparation resources: Khan Academy SAT Prep (www.khanacademy.org) SAT Question of the Day (It’s an app!) ACT Question of the Day College Board SAT Practice Tests (www.collegeboard.org) ACT Practice Tests (www.actstudent.org) Tantasqua SAT Prep Program – starting in spring
Researching and Visiting Schools Mr. Hinckley
Finding Schools That Fit
Naviance – An Essential Resource Naviance is a “one stop shop” college and career software that you will use throughout high school to: Research colleges Research possible careers and career fields Complete surveys for letters of recommendation Complete personality and career interest surveys Complete the exit survey required for graduation
Naviance Log into Naviance and use the College SuperMatch tool to find schools that may be a good fit for you, based on: Location Major Public or Private Selectivity School Size Campus Setting Athletics Extra-Curricular Offerings Religious Affiliation Great College Towns Etc.
Naviance SuperMatch Feature
College Visits Once you have created an initial list of possible colleges, start visiting them! College visits are the best way to determine if a school is the right fit for you. It’s best to visit during February & April school vacations, as colleges are still in session. College admissions offices and school websites will have tour schedules and registration information.
College Visits To make the most of your college visits, use the College Visit Checklists in your Packet!
College Admission Interviews As some colleges require interviews and some offer optional interviews, consider having one while you are visiting a school. Refer to the Tips for a Successful Campus Visit and Interview in your packet for more information!
This Year, It’s Important To… Begin using the Naviance SuperMatch tool to help find colleges that may be a good fit for you! Visit colleges during school vacations and consider an interview. Create an initial list of colleges that you may consider applying to next year.
Other Information Mrs. Cantrell
MA Public College Admission Standards As many of you will consider attending a UMass or Massachusetts State University, be aware of the minimum requirements: Tantasqua graduation requirements Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and a math course beyond Algebra II senior year Foreign Language – at least two courses in the same language GPA - 3.0 or better 2.99 to 2.0 – SAT/ACT sliding scale 1.99 or below – can not apply
MA Public College Sliding Scale
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