REACH FOR THE STARS
WHAT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICERS ARE LOOKING FOR?
HOW TO GET INTO TOP-TIER COLLEGES & IVY LEAGUE SCHOOLS
ARE YOU COLLEGE READY?
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Do you know your GPA?
Are you taking rigorous classes?
Do you get good grades? Like A’s & B’s?
Are you preparing for the PSAT?
Are you involved in extracurricular activities?
Are you completing community service hours?
WHAT DO FRESHMEN IN A FLORIDA
UNIVERSITIES LOOKS LIKE?
State University
FAMU
College Prep GPA mid- SAT Average
range
(3 sections)
3.0 – 3.49
M: 460
R: 460
W: 440
19 – 23
3.44 – 4.19
M: 500-590
R: 500-590
W: 490-580
22 – 26
3.11 – 3.81
M: 480-560
R: 480-560
W: 470-550
21 – 24
3.7 – 4.30
M: 520-630
R: 530-630
W: 460-520
21 – 26
(Florida Agricultural & Mechanical
University)
FAU
(Florida Atlantic University)
FGCU
(Florida Gulf Coast University)
FIU
(Florida International University)
FLPOLY
4.03
(Florida Polytechnic University)
FSU
(Florida State University)
ACT
mid-range
3.8 – 4.4
M: 670
R: 640
W: 600
M: 580-670
R: 590-670
W: 580-670
28
27 – 30
WHAT DO FRESHMEN IN FLORIDA
UNIVERSITIES LOOK LIKE?
State University
NCF
College Prep GPA mid- SAT Average
range
(3 sections)
M: 580-680
R: 620-730
W: 590-700
27 – 31
3.7 – 4.3
M: 600
R: 600
W: 600
25 – 29
4.2 – 4.5
M: 610-710
R: 600-690
W: 600-700
28 – 32
3.9
M: 560-640
R: 570-640
W: 500-590
24 – 28
3.71 – 4.33
M: 560-660
R: 550-640
W: 540-630
25 – 29
3.93 – 4.56
(New College of Florida)
UCF
(University of Central Florida)
UF
(University of Florida)
UNF
(University of North Florida)
USF
(University of South Florida)
UWF
(University of West Florida)
ACT
mid-range
3.69
M: 520
R: 530
W: 510
24
WHAT DO FRESHMEN IN FLORIDA
PRIVATE COLLEGES LOOK LIKE?
Private College & Universities
College Prep GPA SAT mid-range
mid-range
(CR & M)
ACT
mid-range
Barry University
Beacon College
Eckerd College
Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University
Flagler College
FIT (Florida Institute of
Technology)
FSC (Florida Southern College)
3.03
920
20
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.2 - 3.6
1015 - 1225
23 - 27
3.4 - 3.7
1100 - 1200
25 - 29
3.06 - 3.8
1050 - 1180
22 - 26
3.2 - 3.8
1040 - 1280
23 - 28
3.2 - 3.6
1020 - 1160
22 - 27
Jacksonville University
Johnson & Wales University
3.03 - 3.87
920 - 1120
20 - 25
N/A
N/A
Lynn University
Northwood University
2.5 - 3.2
840 - 990
17 - 23
3.0
950 - 1150
18 - 24
N/A
WHAT DO FRESHMEN IN FLORIDA
PRIVATE COLLEGES LOOK LIKE?
Private College & Universities
College Prep GPA
mid-range
SAT mid-range
(CR & M)
3.7
1051
23
3.5
1050
23
2.95
N/A
N/A
Rollins College
3.2 - 4.1
1130 - 1300
Saint Leo University
3.45
1031
22
Southeastern University
3.39
1000
18-23
St. Thomas University
2.9 - 3.1
900 - 1000
18 - 21
Stetson University
3.78
1230 - 1420
28 - 32
University of Miami
4.2
1270 - 1410
29 - 32
University of Tampa
3.3
1110
25
Warner University
3.3
920
20
Nova Southeastern University
PBAU (Palm Beach Atlantic
University)
Ringling College of Art & Design
ACT
mid-range
24 - 29
TOP TIER COLLEGES
• U.S. News & World Report:
2015 Best Colleges Preview Top 25 National Universities:
Princeton University
Harvard University
Yale University
Columbia University
Stanford University
University of Chicago
MIT
Duke University
University of Pennsylvania
CIT
Dartmouth University
Johns Hopkins University
Northwestern University
Source:
Washington University in St. Louis
Cornell University
Brown University
University of Notre Dame
Vanderbilt University
Rice University
University of California - Berkeley
Emory University
Georgetown University
UCLA
University of Virginia
Carnegie Mellon University
University of Southern California
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/data
WHAT DO FRESHMEN IN IVY LEAGUE
COLLEGES LOOK LIKE?
Ivy League
College Prep
GPA midrange
Brown
University
W:
4.28
UW:
3.80
Columbia
University
W:
4.24
UW:
3.80
Cornell
University
W:
4.23
UW:
3.79
Dartmouth
College
W:
4.26
UW:
3.80
Harvard
University
W:
4.32
UW:
3.84
University
Of Pennsylvania
W:
4.27
UW:
3.81
Princeton
University
W:
4.36
UW:
3.87
Yale
University
W:
4.32
UW:
3.84
ACT
mid-range
Acceptance
Rate
693
31
9%
SAT Combined
Average
M, CR, W
696
689
696
687
684
32
7%
705
670
677
31
18%
705
694
696
32
12%
712
696
702
31
6%
703
677
683
32
10%
723
704
707
32
7%
712
703
707
32
6%
WHAT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICERS
LOOK FOR
• Quality of Courses – quality and rigor of courses
• Grades – key factor in the admissions decision
• SAT / ACT scores – used to compare you to other applicants.
• Extracurricular activities – Most schools look for go-getters, and
leadership type qualities. How involved are you in school
clubs, sports, organizations?
• Essays – this is the opportunity to shine. Show them who you
are aside from what your college application & transcript says.
• Recommendation letters
YOU ARE A SOPHOMORE …. NOW
WHAT?
• Get good grades. This will help with your GPA and ranking which is what
college admissions officers like and look for.
• Start developing your resume – a record of your accomplishments,
activities, and work experiences. This will be an important part of your
application process
- Creating a professional email address – Very Important!
• If you haven’t participated in many activities outside of class, now is the
time to sign up. Consider clubs at schools, team sports, leadership roles,
or involvement in your religious or civic community group.
• PSAT - Taking this as a sophomore / junior will qualify you for some
scholarship consideration and identify you to colleges as a potential
applicant. It also allows you to release your name to colleges so you can
start receiving brochures from them. When you receive results (usually in
December) review them to learn more about your strengths and
weaknesses.
TIMELINE FOR SOPHOMORES
Fall
• Take a practice PSAT.
Taking the PSAT as a sophomore will help prepare
you for the real thing next year.
• Stay on track with your courses.
Work with your guidance counselor to make sure
you’re enrolled in the courses you need to prepare
you for college or a career. Move on to the next
level of classes in the core subjects (English, math,
science, history, and a foreign language).
TIMELINE FOR SOPHOMORES
Fall (continued)
• Begin learning about the college admissions process.
Get familiar with general college entrance requirements.
The guidance counselor’s office, the library, college
Web sites, and advice articles are all good sources of
information.
• Continue exploring potential careers.
Explore your career options in more detail—research
possible careers to learn about the tasks, education,
and training necessary for each occupation.
TIMELINE FOR SOPHOMORES
Winter (Read & Write)
• Take on new roles.
Stay involved with your extracurricular activities and work toward leadership
positions in the activities you like best. Become involved in community service and
other volunteer activities.
• Read, read, read.
Developing your reading skills will help prepare you for tests and make you a wellrounded individual. Read as many books as you can and read the newspaper to
learn about current affairs.
• Practice your writing.
You’ll need good writing skills no matter what path you pursue, so work on those
skills now to get prepared. Find a teacher or another adult who can advise and
encourage you to write well.
• Get advice from your counselor.
Meet with your guidance counselor to make sure you’re staying on track. You can
also discuss your PSAT scores and ask about postsecondary enrollment options and
Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
TIMELINE FOR SOPHOMORES
Spring/Summer: Keep your grades up and reach out to
colleges
• Keep your grades up.
There’s probably a lot competing for your attention, but
it’s important to remain focused on doing well in your
classes. Remember that your grades affect your GPA
and class rank—two factors that colleges consider in the
admissions process.
• Start your college search.
Use our college search tools to decide what factors are
important to you and see a list of colleges that matches
your criteria. Attend college fairs and read the material
you get from all types of schools—you may see
something you like.
TIMELINE FOR SOPHOMORES
Spring/Summer:
• Contact colleges that interest you.
Write to schools and ask for more information about their
academic requirements and any programs or activities that
you’re interested in. It’s especially important to start this process
now if you think you want to attend a military academy.
• Consider taking SAT Subject Tests.
It’s often best to take these types of tests while the material is still
fresh in your mind. In May or June, you may want to take SAT
Subject Tests in the courses you took this year.
• Get a summer job.
Finding steady summer work will look good to prospective
colleges and employers. Putting the money you earn away for
college will also help you get a head start on a personal savings
plan.
THE COLLEGE APPLICATION
• Applications include:
• Personal information
• Transcripts (Grades)
• Test Scores (SAT or ACT) – SAT subject area
tests, check school websites
• Personal Essays
• Letters of Recommendation
• Portfolio, Audition or Interview
• Proof of residency
TEST PREP
• Check with your HS Career Specialists for more info:
• Free test prep offered with Edmentum / PLATO
SAT partnered up with Khan Academy & offers free
online test prep: https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
ACT & ASVAB offers free practice tests online via:
www.march2success.com
PERT study guide can also be found online using the
Valencia College website: www.valenciacollege.edu
THE STUDENT ATHLETE
• Check with your HS Counselor to make sure you are
registered with the NCAA eligibility center.
• Ask and make sure that transcripts are sent.
• ACT or SAT - use code “9999” to have official scores sent
to NCAA eligibility center
• Make sure you are on track to graduate
• Ask to have your final transcript submitted with proof of
graduation
SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID
• Scholarships require research
- District Website, College Board,
- Fastweb, scholarships.com, cappex, zinch
- Education Foundation
Financial Aid:
- Brightfutures (Dec 1st – Senior Year)
- FAFSA (January 1st – Senior Year)
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW!
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Continue to get good grades. Talk to your
teachers if you are struggling academically.
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Study hard for your end-of-year exams.
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Start thinking of visiting colleges – especially if
you are unsure.
-
Create / your resume. A Resume Template can
be found online:
http://www.sp.osceola.k12.fl.us/Depts/GS/SitePages/
Reach%20for%20the%20Stars.aspx
CLASS OF 2017 NEWS
QUESTIONS?
Gladys Justiniano
Direct phone #:
Email:
District College Specialist
(407) 870-4810
justinig@osceola.k12.fl.us