College Planning
• Selecting Core Classes
Research shows that
completing “core” in high
school is the single best
predictor of baccalaureate
attainment. Even students
who do poorly in core
courses will have a stronger
likelihood of going to and
succeeding in college.
(HECB, 2003)
The Importance of a Strong Senior Year
“Taking a full academic load
through senior year, including math
through pre-calc or calculus, 4 or 5 years
of the same foreign language; and 4
years of science- including chemistry and
physics” is a distinguishing factor that
had a positive impact on college
admission.”
Karen Copetas,
Director of Admissions
Western Washington U., 2003
Minimum College Admission Standards
All college bound students
•SAT/ACT required
(ALL students can benefit from taking these tests.)
•2.0 GPA required
•3 CADR credits completed in each year of HS-(revised)
•Comprehensive review of admission applications is the
current trend in college admissions.
College Academic Distribution Requirements
(CADR’s)
English
4 credits
Math
3 credits
Sr.-year math-based quantitative course
1 credit *
Science
2 credits **
Social Science
3 credits
Foreign Language
2 credits
Arts
1 credit
Total
15-16 credits
* Quantitative math-based course required in senior year; does not
require higher level math than current admissions policy.
** One credit of algebra-based science required
for college admission in 2010-11.
6
Higher Education Coordinating Board
Revised Minimum Admission Standards
Policy Changes and Implementation Timeline
In May 2007, the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB)
adopted new minimum admissions standards for entering
freshmen students in Washington’s public baccalaureate
institutions.
The standards, including revised College Academic Distribution
Requirements (CADRs), will be implemented beginning with the
2012 summer academic term.
7
Revised Minimum Admission Standards
Mathematics—3 credits
Ninth-grade students in 2008 and thereafter should begin
working towards earning:
One credit each of algebra, geometry and Algebra 3-4.
One math-based quantitative credit during students’ senior
year of high school.
Note: the above requirements do not mean a higher level of
math than current admissions –Algebra 3-4.
8
Revised Minimum Admission Standards
Options for meeting senior-year quantitative requirement include:
 Intermediate Algebra (Algebra 3-4 ) in senior year.
 A higher level of math (pre-calculus) if Intermediate Algebra is
completed.
 The required algebra-based science course in senior year.
 Statistics, applied math, another algebra-based science course or
appropriate career and technical courses that qualify as
quantitative, math-based courses.
Substitute Provision: Students who successfully complete math through
pre-calculus would meet the math requirements and be exempt from the
senior-year math requirement, even if they complete pre-calculus before
their fourth year of high school.
9
Revised Minimum Admissions Standards
Implementation Timeline and Impacts
Summer 2008
In baccalaureate institutions:
 “Credit” replaces a “year of coursework” to recognize
block scheduling or alternative course delivery models
Use of the Admissions Index as admissions criteria
eliminated (SAT/ACT still required; 2.0 GPA still
required).
Comprehensive review of admission applications
encouraged but not required.
10
Revised Minimum Admission Standards
Implementation Timeline and Impacts
Fall 2008
Beginning with the entering ninth-grade class in 2008
and thereafter, students will be required to complete
at least three credits of CADR coursework in each year
of high school to meet admissions standards for fouryear public colleges beginning with the 2012 summer
academic term.
11
Implementation Timeline and Impacts
Spring 2010
Beginning with HSPE tests administered in 2010, students
who meet proficiency on high school HSPE/WASL tests in
math and reading (or the subsequent “re-takes”) can
satisfy the first two CADR credits … beginning 2012-13
academic year.
Summer 2010
Baccalaureate institutions implement the admissions
requirement for two credits of laboratory science, with one
credit required in algebra-based biology, chemistry or
physics.
12
Revised Minimum Admission Standards
Implementation Timeline and Impacts
Fall 2011
High school seniors must earn one CADR credit in math or
other math-based quantitative coursework, e.g., statistics,
applied math, appropriate career and technical courses;
algebra-based science also would satisfy the senior-year
quantitative requirement.
Does not mean students must pass a higher level of math;
intent is meaningful math in senior year.
13
Admissions
* Academic Requirements: Know what is
required.
* Recommendations: Know whether they are
required. (Some won’t read them.)
* College Essays: Take time with these.
College essays are very important and are the
student’s opportunity to make an impression.
Extra-Curricular Activities:
Use these activities to
demonstrate a focus.
This is better than a
laundry list of unrelated
activities.
Community Service:
Again, try to
demonstrate a focus
with community
related activities.
Options For College Preparation At
Kentlake High School
Honors and Advanced Placement
University of Washington Academy
Running Start
What is the difference between
Honors and Advanced Placement
(AP) courses?
Honors courses prepare students for college level courses.
Advanced Placement courses teach college level curriculum and
students have the opportunity to take the AP test at the end of
the course and earn college credit.
Options for College Preparation
Honors/Advanced Placement/UW College in the High School Courses offered by
grade:
9th Grade
Honors English
Honors World Studies
10th Grade
Honors English
AP Human Geography
(meets Contemporary World Issues/Problems requirement)
AP Psychology
AP Biology
Fluency in IT (Informatics 100)
11th Grade
AP Language and Composition
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
UW Oceanography (OCEAN 101)
UW United States History Since 1940 (HSTAA 235)
UW Elementary and Intermediate French (FRENCH 103 and FRENCH 201 & 202)
UW Elementary and Intermediate Spanish (SPAN 103 and SPAN 201 & 202)
12th Grade
AP Literature and Composition
AP Psychology
AP Government and Politics
AP Statistics
AP Calculus AB and BC
Additional UW in the High
School courses we will survey
for this spring:
UW PreCalc (MATH 120)
UW Calculus I-III (MATH 124-126)
UW Astronomy (ASTR 101)
UW Earth & Space Sciences (ESS 101)
UW English Composition: Literature (ENGL 111) and Exposition
(ENGL 131)
UW Comparative Literature (C LIT 240)
What is UW in the High School?
UW in the High School is an opportunity to earn
university credit in your classroom with your teacher!
Kentlake teachers use UW curriculum, activities,
exams, and grading scales.
You’ll receive the recognition of your UW courses at
most public institutions and many private ones.
The best part? UWHS courses cost a fraction of UW
courses taught on campus!
Running Start
The Running Start Program is intended to provide students a
program option consisting of attendance at certain institutions
of higher education and the simultaneous earning of high
school and college/university credit. Running Start was initiated
by the Legislature as a component of the 1990 parent and
student Learning by Choice Law .
Students in 11th and 12th grade have a right granted by the
Legislature to participate in Running Start at public expense.
Pros of Participating in Running Start
Earn college credit and high school credit
at the same time (dual credit)
Attend classes on a college campus
Possible to earn Associates Degree when you earn your high school diploma
Cons of Participating in Running Start
Miss out on high school experience
Parents do not have access to student records on
college campus (i.e. grades, attendance, etc.)
If you fail a class, by the time your high school gets
notice of the failure, it may be too late to get into
another class, thus putting your graduation in jeopardy
Not all 4 year colleges/universities will accept credit
from community/technical colleges
Must have your own transportation to get to and from
campus
Must pay for textbooks and any associated fees (only
tuition is paid for by the school district)
What is the SAT?
The SAT is a globally recognized college admission test that lets you show colleges what
you know and how well you can apply that knowledge. It tests your knowledge of
reading, writing and math — subjects that are taught every day in high school classrooms.
Most students take the SAT during their junior or senior year of high school, and almost
all colleges and universities use the SAT to make admission decisions.
What does the SAT test?
The SAT doesn’t test logic or abstract reasoning. It tests the skills
you’re learning in school: reading, writing and math. Your
knowledge and skills in these subjects are important for success
in college and throughout your life.
How can I do my best on the SAT?
The best way to get ready for the SAT is to take challenging
courses, study hard, and take the practice test in the fall. It’s
certainly a good idea for you to become familiar and
comfortable with the test format and question types.
What is most important in
college admissions?
The SAT is just one factor among many that colleges use to get
to know you better. It’s best to keep the test in perspective
and understand that it’s only part of a comprehensive
admission process that also recognizes other factors, like
extracurricular activities and personal recommendations.
The SAT and other College Board tests are
offered several times a year. Most students take
the SAT for the first time during the spring of
their junior year and a second time during the
fall of their senior year.
Create a high school plan
Make sure you know what high school courses are required by
colleges and that you´re taking the right classes starting this year.
Get to know the levels of courses offered by your school.
Take challenging classes
Explore the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®)
Try out college-level work, improve your abilities, and,
with the right grades, maybe even receive college credit
While it’s usually given in the 11th grade, the PSAT is also
often offered in the 10th grade. By taking it this year,
you’ll receive a score report to help you improve your
performance on next year’s exams.
Take the PSAT
Sign up for the test, which is given in October. Taking the
PSAT is the best way to get ready for the SAT.
Get ready for the SAT
Take the SAT in the spring.
taking the SAT again
send more score reports
•The ACT is curriculum-based. The ACT is not an aptitude or an IQ test. Instead, the questions on the ACT are directly related to what students have learned
What About the ACT?
The ACT is curriculum-based. The ACT is not an aptitude or an IQ
test. Instead, the questions on the ACT are directly related to
what students have learned in high school courses in English,
mathematics, and science.
Because the ACT tests are based on what is taught in the high
school curriculum, students are generally more comfortable
with the ACT than they are with traditional aptitude tests or
tests with narrower content.
What is the source of the 2010 ACT
national average?
The scores of all ACT-tested 2010
high school graduates (nearly
1.6 million students)
36
What is the highest possible ACT
score?
What percentage of 2010
graduates who took the ACT
scored 36?
What subject areas do the ACT
questions cover?
How many questions are asked?
Less than one-tenth of 1 percent
English, math, reading, science,
and writing (optional)
English:
Math:
Reading:
Science:
75
60
40
40
Total: 215
How much does it cost to
take the ACT?
The 2010–2011 basic registration fee is $33.00,
which includes sending score reports to up to
four college choices. The basic registration fee
for the ACT Plus Writing is $48.00.
How long does the test
take?
Just over 4 hours for the ACT without the
Writing Test. Actual testing time is 2 hours and
55 minutes, broken down as follows:
English: 45 minutes
Math: 60 minutes
Reading: 35 minutes
Science: 35 minutes
The ACT Writing Test adds 30 minutes to the
testing time.
Helpful Websites for College Planning
Wage Information
www.wtb.wa.gov
Washington Community & Tech Colleges
www.checkoutacollege.com
The Electronic Guidance Counselor
www.eguidancecounselor.com
College Application Questions
http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/
College and Career Planning, Test Prep
http://www.nationalappcenter.com/
The College Board
www.collegeboard.com
ACT
The Common Application
Peterson’s
Princeton Review
US News and World Report
www.act.org
www.commonapp.org
www.petersons.com
www.princetonreview.com
www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/eduhome.htm
Kaplan
www.kaptest.com
Black Excel
www.blackexcel.org
Latino College Resource
http://www.studentnow.com/collegelist/latino.html
Unofficial College Reviews
www.studentsreview.com
Rankings Pages
www.library.uiuc.edu/edx/rankings.htm
Historically Black Colleges and Universities www.hbcunetwork.com/
Women’s Colleges
www.womenscolleges.org
Jesuit Colleges
http://www.ajcunet.edu/
Catholic Colleges
www.catholiccollegesonline.org/
Jewish life on 500 different campuses
Canadian Colleges
http://www.hillel.org/index
www.schoolfinder.com/
Ivy League (includes very competitive colleges in all regions of the country)
www.go4ivy.com/ivy.asp
US Accredited Colleges in Europe
www.aaicu.org
College Newspapers Online
http://newslink.org/statcamp.html
Greek System Information
www.greekpages.com/index2.cfm
Art Schools
Medical Schools
www.aicad.org
www.aamc.org/students/considering/start.htm
Combined BA/MD Programs
http://www.minimedicalschool.com/ba_md_programs.html
Nursing Schools
http://www.wsna.org/Links/#USPrograms
Nursing Schools in Washington
http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/professions/Nursing/documents/ApprovedSchools.pdf
Law School
Architecture School
Engineering School
www.lsac.org
http://www.naab.org/architecture_programs/
www.nspe.org/students/
NCAA
National
Collegiate
Athletic
Association
ELIGIBILITY
DIVISION I
NCAA Division I requires 16 core courses as of August 1, 2008. This rule applies to
any student first entering any Division I college or university on or after August 1, 2008.
See the chart below for the breakdown of this 16 core-course requirement
Division I has a sliding scale for test score and grade-point average .
Only core courses are used in the calculation of the grade-point average.
16 Core Courses:
4 years of English.
3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).
2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if
offered by high school).
1 year of additional English, mathematics or
natural/physical science.
2 years of social science.
4 years of additional courses (from any area above,
foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).
DIVISION II
NCAA Division II requires 14 core courses. See the breakdown of core-course
requirements below. Please note, Division II will require 16 core courses beginning
August 1, 2013.
Division II has a minimum SAT score requirement of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68.
The Division II grade-point-average requirement is a minimum of 2.000
Only core courses are used in the calculation of the grade-point average.
DIVISION II
14 Core Courses:
3 years of English.
2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).
2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if
offered by high school).
2 years of additional English, mathematics or
natural/physical science.
2 years of social science.
3 years of additional courses (from any area above,
foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).
TEST SCORES
SAT : NCAA purposes includes only the critical reading and
math sections. The writing section of the SAT is not used.
ACT: NCAA purposes is a sum of the four sections on the
ACT: English, mathematics, reading and science.
Division II has no sliding scale. The minimum core gradepoint average is 2.000. The minimum SAT score is 820 (verbal
and math sections only) and the minimum ACT sum score is 68.
The SAT combined score is based on the verbal and math
sections only. The writing section will not be used.
All SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the
NCAA Eligibility Center by the testing agency. Test scores
that appear on transcripts will not be used.
When registering for the SAT or ACT, use the Eligibility
Center code of 9999 to make sure the score is reported to
the Eligibility Center.
Division lll
Division III does not use the NCAA
Eligibility Center. Contact your Division III
college regarding its policies on
admission, financial aid, practice and
competition.
www.eligibilitycenter.org
For more information regarding the rules, please go to
www.NCAA.org.
Click on “Academics and Athletes” then “Eligibility and
Recruiting.” Or visit the Eligibility Center Web site at
www.eligibilitycenter.org.
Please call the NCAA Eligibility Center if you have
questions:
Toll-free number: 877/262-1492.
QUESTIONS ???