Weston High School
RISING SENIOR
COLLEGE NIGHT:
GETTING AHEAD IN THE COLLEGE ADMISSION
PROCESS
DECEMBER 18, 2014
Tonight’s Focus
 Application Process Timeline: What should I be
doing now through the end of summer?
 Researching Colleges
 Standardized Testing
 Components of the College Application
 WHS Application Process
What Should I Be Doing Now ?
Timeline
February - June

Schedule Individual Junior Planning Meeting
with your counselor (Starting in March)

Keep Assigned Appointment in CCC

Register / Prepare for AP exams

Register / Prepare for SAT, Subject Tests and
ACT

Schedule College Visits
A Good Decision Requires Information
 Gather information about yourself

strengths, weaknesses, abilities, interests
 Gather information about colleges
Admission statistics
 Location
 Size
 Majors/ Programs
 Financial Aid
 Retention & Graduation Rate

What Resources Are Available?
 Naviance
 College Guidebooks
 Campus Visits
 Visits at WHS
 College and Career Center
 WHS Counseling Newsletter
College and Career Center
Marilyn Moks
CCC
Prospective College List
Add Colleges to
Prospective List
Video Clip
How should you choose
colleges to apply to?
Stephanie Balmer, Dean of Admissions
Dickinson College
Standardized Testing
 SAT
 SAT II: Subject Tests
 ACT
All students should set a goal to have all of their standardized testing
completed by the end of the school year.
Fact or Myth #1
My test score is the most important
factor in a college's admission
decision.
#1: Myth
Admission test scores are just one
factor colleges consider, along with
grades and classes. While most fouryear colleges require tests, the
emphasis on the test scores varies by
college.
Fact or Myth: #2
I don't need to take an expensive testprep course to prepare for an
admission test.
#2: Fact
Free and low-cost preparation works as well
as, and maybe even better than, expensive test
prep. Try these ideas:
•Use practice tests on the test maker's website.
•Take the PSAT/NMSQT or PLAN. These tests
cover the same subjects as the SAT and ACT.
•Make it a habit to read and write frequently in
and outside of class.
Fact or Myth: #3
I need to take an admission test
multiple times to get the best possible
score.
#3: Myth
Studies show that taking tests multiple times
won't significantly improve your score. But if
you feel you didn't do your best, you have the
option of learning from your score and taking
the test a second time. Taking it spring of
junior year gives you that flexibility and can
help you start on your college list and visits.
Fact or Myth: #4
If I get a really high score on an
admission test, I can get in anywhere.
#4: Myth
High test scores won't automatically get you in
any college. For example, you may have high
scores, but your school record shows that you
haven't worked hard in your classes. Colleges
want well-rounded students who have shown
good character, motivation and
accomplishments, both inside and outside the
classroom.
Fact or Myth: #5
I can choose which colleges see my
scores, and I can choose which scores
to send.
#5: Fact
Both the SAT and the ACT allow you to send
scores to colleges you choose. And if you've
taken either of these tests more than once, in
many cases, you can choose to share only your
best scores. Visit a college's official website to
check its score-use policy, or use College
Search to find colleges' SAT score-use policies.
Remaining SAT and Subject Test Dates
Test Date
Test Offered
Registration
Deadline
Late Fee
January 24th SAT & Subject Tests
Dec 29th
Jan 13th
March 14th
SAT Only
Feb 13th
March 3rd
May 2th
SAT & Subject Tests
April 6th
April 21st
June 6st
SAT & Subject Tests
May 8th
May 27th
It is the student’s responsibility to know which tests are
required by each college
Remaining ACT Dates
Test Date
Registration
Deadline
Late Fee
February 7th
January 9th
Jan 10th
April 18th
March 13th
March 14th
June 13th
May 8th
May 9th
Resume – Things to Include
•
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
•
PERFORMING ARTS ACTIVITIES
•
YEARBOOK
•
SPORTS: Varsity and any out-of-school clubs or experiences
•
COMMUNITY SERVICE
•
OUTSIDE of SCHOOL LEARNING EXPERIENCES
•
OTHER ACTIVITES (i.e. religious activities, hobbies, clubs,
etc.)
•
SUMMER or SPECIAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
•
EMPLOYMENT
•
HONORS and AWARDS
Video Clip
Is participating in a lot of
activities important?
Stephanie Balmer, Dean of Admissions
Dickinson College
Timeline . . . continued
May/June
Return all necessary processing forms to Mrs. Osinski in Guidance


Parent Brag Sheet – submit online through Naviance

Resume– submit online through Naviance

Transcript Release - Tan

Junior Questionnaire – submit online through Naviance

Begin Journaling Essay Ideas

Continue to Research and Visit Colleges

Ask 2 teachers to write a letter of recommendation for you in the fall
Teacher Recommendations
 Two Teacher Recommendations
 Ask your teachers, in person, prior to leaving in
June.
 Follow-up, Thank you notes
Getting Started on the Essay
 Brainstorm essay ideas with parents, teachers and friends.
 Read the six essay prompt on the Common Application. www.commonapp.org
(*new prompts will be released in March)
 Think of an interesting story to tell that answers one of the prompt and reveals
something about you not already shared in your application.
 Work on your story over the summer. Good essays evolve and take many edits.
 Check supplemental writing questions for each individual college – do not
short change these!
Video Clip
How should you present yourself in an
essay?
Jeff Brenzel, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions
Yale University
WHS College Application Process
•
Expectations
•
When to Apply
•
How to Apply
•
Components of the Application
Expectations
 WHS uses Naviance exclusively to manage the
College Application Process. Students are
expected to:

Update Prospective & Active Applications

Complete all processing forms
 Students - Check Weston email daily and
respond.
When to Apply
•
Early Action
•
Restrictive Early Action
•
Early Decision I & II
•
Priority
•
Regular Decision
•
Rolling Admission
How to Apply
 Apply Online
 Use the Common Application
(www.commonapp.org) whenever possible. Check if
supplement is required.
Components of the Student Application
 Student and Demographic Data
 Academic Information
 Extracurricular Activities
 Essay(s)
 Signature – electronically
 Payment (if required)
Sending SAT and ACT Score
 Students must contact the testing agency to request
scores to be sent to each college.
 WHS does not report SAT or ACT scores on the
transcript.
SAT - www.collegeboard.org
ACT – www.ACT.org
What Will the Counselor Send?

Transcript

School Profile

Secondary School Report Form

Counselor Recommendation

Teacher Recommendations
Completed Application
 Application submitted online by student
 SAT or ACT scores requested, by student, to be sent from
testing agency
 School package sent from College Guidance Office which
includes:





Teacher recommendation letter(s)
Counselor Recommendation
School Report Form
Transcript
School Profile
Follow-Up
 Follow-up with each school to be sure everything has
arrived and your application is complete.
Timeline . . . continued
Over the Summer…
 Continue
 Make
all necessary revisions to your main essay
 Register
 Begin
 Fine
to research and visit colleges
on the commonapp website
filling out college applications
tune the list of schools you will be applying to in the Fall.
Lastly…….
•
Keep the process in perspective
•
Work together as a family
•
Students must take ownership
•
Discuss finances openly
•
Start early and meet all deadlines
Video Clip
Experts debunk the top college
search myths.