Mater Lakes Academy
COLLEGE GUIDE
FOR Seniors
Patricia Di Carlo
School Counselor
Grade 9th -12th
The Importance of GRADES
Do you have what it takes?
Institutional Matrix
SUS Admissions Tour as of September, 2011
FAMU
FAU
FGCU
FIU
FSU
NCF
UCF
UF
UNF
USF
UWF
Summer
2.5
To
2.99
3.03
To
3.50
3.0
To
3.58
3.20
To
3.80
3.4
To
4.0
No
Summer
3.4
To
3.9
3.90
To
4.30
3.22
To
3.77
3.28
To
3.80
2.70
To
3.30
Fall
3.0
To
3.49
3.23
To
3.84
3.06
To
3.72
3.40
To
4.10
3.70
To
4.20
3.72
To
4.29
3.5
To
4.2
4.1
To
4.4
3.46
To
4.16
3.64
To
4.21
3.00
To
3.80
2010
GPA
2010
GPA
How can you improve your chances of success?
•
State Universities will recalculate your grades based on the following 18 Academic credits:
4 English, 4 Math (Algebra & above), 3 Social Sciences, 3 Natural Sciences, 2 Foreign languages; plus
additional courses in the above subject areas
• Focus your study efforts on your core academic classes
• Challenge yourself with Honors and AP classes
• Seek grade forgiveness in those classes that you earn a “D” or “F” in.
• Know your recalculated GPA by going to www.FACTS.org > “high school students” >
“Check Bright Futures Scholarship Eligibility”
The Importance of Test Scores
Institutional Matrix
SUS Admissions Tour as of September, 2011
FAMU
FAU
FGCU
FIU
FSU
NCF
UCF
UF
UNF
USF
UWF
SAT
Summer
Midrange
1130
to
1340
1420
to
1570
1400
To
1610
1450
To
1530
1670
To
1870
No
Summer
1560
To
1720
1670
To
1960
1530
To
1660
1520
To
1720
1340
To
1520
SAT
Fall
Midrange
1300
to
1540
1530
To
1730
1440
To
1660
1630
To
1810
1760
To
1980
1840
To
2090
1730
To
1910
1830
To
2090
1670
To
1860
1680
To
1900
1390
To
1640
ACT
Summer
Midrange
17 - 20
20 - 23
20 - 23
21 - 22
24 - 28
N/A
22 - 25
24 - 29
21 - 23
22 - 25
18 - 23
ACT
Fall
Midrange
17 - 20
22 - 26
20 - 24
24 - 27
26 - 30
27 - 31
25 - 29
28 - 32
23 - 27
25 - 29
20 - 25
How can you improve your chances of success?
Test Early
Test Often
Consider taking the ACT
IMPORTANCE OF
STANDARDIZED TESTS
 SAT
or ACT
- For college admissions
- For scholarship eligibility
- Used for placement at community college

State University Minimum Scores
SAT: Math: 460 Critical Reading: 460 Writing 440
ACT: Reading: 19 Math: 19 Writing: 18
 CPT
- For college level placement
SAT
Writing (60 minutes) – one 35 minute section and one
25 minute section
 Critical Reading – (70 minutes) Formerly Verbal
 Math – (70 minutes) up to 9th grade basic geometry and
algebra II
 Writing


*******************************************
Scores: 200 –800 each section. Total:2400
 Scores Adjusted: 1.25 off for wrong answers.
 DON’T GUESS!

State University Minimum Scores
Math: 460
Critical Reading: 460
Writing: 440
ACT







English (45 minutes) – 75 questions
Math (60 minutes) – 60 questions up to trigonometry
Reading (35 minutes) – 40 questions
Science (35 minutes) – 40 questions
Writing (30 minutes)
Scores: 1-36
NO PENALTY FOR GUESSING

State University Minimum Scores
Reading: 19 Math: 19 Writing: 18
CPT
Miami-Dade College
Placement Test
At Miami-Dade College – and other 2-year schools - you are exempt from the
CPT if you score:
SAT - 440 verbal
500 math
ACT- 17- English
18- reading
19- math
IMPORTANT: Please visit www.mdc.edu periodically for updates and
changes.
 If you don’t obtain the minimum scores on the SAT, ACT or CPT, then you
will be placed in remedial classes.
 Honors College will use the Writing score on the SAT and or ACT for
admission.

Postsecondary Education
Readiness Test (P.E.R.T.)
Florida’s new common placement exam
Customized for Florida and aligned to Florida’s
Postsecondary Readiness Competencies
 Florida faculty reviewed/approved every item on
the test
 Readiness Scores
 Reading, 104
 Writing, 99
 Mathematics, 113


P.E.R.T.




Most colleges have implemented P.E.R.T.
This semester students have been placed in college
courses based on P.E.R.T. scores
Rule development has been initiated for P.E.R.T.
readiness scores and Postsecondary Readiness
Competencies
P.E.R.T. will have a diagnostic component (separate test
unit) for students who do not meet the college readiness
score
2011 – 2012 SAT AND ACT PROGRAM
TEST DATES
REGISTRATION DATES
NATIONAL TEST
DATES
TEST
REGULAR
POSTMARK
DEADLINE
LATE
POSTMARK
DEADLINE
2011
September 10
ACT
August 6
August 20
October 1
SAT I & II
September 9
September 21
October 22
ACT
September 16
September 30
November 5
SAT I & II
October 7
October 21
December 3
SAT I & II
November 8
November 20
December 10
ACT
November 4
November 18
December 30
January 13
2012
January 28
SAT I & II
February 11
ACT
January 13
January 20
March 10
SAT I
February 10
February 24
April 14
ACT
March 9
March 23
May 5
SAT I & II
April 6
April 20
June 2
SAT I & II
May 8
May 22
June 9
ACT
May 4
May 18
SAT/ACT Fee Information
SAT Question and Answer Service available for an additional $18.00
Sunday test dates are available for students who cannot test on Saturday because of religious convictions.
You may register online: SAT: www.collegeboard.com
ACT: www.act.org
TEST FEES
TEST
REGULAR REGISTRATION
LATE REGISTRATION
ACT
$34.00 + w/o writing
$34.00 + $21.00 = $55.00
ACT
$49.00 + with writing
$49.50 + $21.00 = $70.50
SAT I
$49.00
$49.00 + $26.00 = $75.00
SATII
$22.00 + Test Cost $9-$20 (lang.)
Add $15.00 To Test Fee
Other fees may be required for other services such as:
 Standby testing – SAT: $43.00 ACT: $42.00
 Change test, test date, or test center fee – SAT: $25.00 ACT: $21.00
 Extra score reports – $10.00 for SAT & $8.50 for ACT
To contact either the College Board or the ACT test agencies for lost or delayed admission tickets, date or
center changes, etc. call the Customer Service Department:
SAT: (609) 771-7600
ACT: (319) 337-1270
Seniors, (Juniors after 12/1)
SAT and ACT test Fee Waivers are now available.
If you are on free or reduced lunch, you qualify for the
following.
Remember that you must reapply each year to remain
eligible.





2 ACT test waiver
2 SAT test fee waivers
4 College Board - College Application Fee Waivers
Waivers used during your junior year count
You will loose the fee waiver if you do not use it
To receive a waiver, please come by my office, room
186A anytime before school, during lunch or after school.
Your Name
Types of Degrees

Associate Degree (AA/AS): Approximately 60 credits, typically 2 years,
offered at State Community Colleges.
 Associate of Arts (AA) degrees are designed to lead to a Bachelor’s degree.
( requires 30 credits gen. ed.)
 Associate of Science (AS) degrees are designed to lead directly to career
placement. ( requires 15 credits gen. ed.)

Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS): Approximately 120 credits, typically 4 years

Master’s Degree (MA/MS): Typically 2 more years after the Bachelor’s

Doctorate Degree (PHD): Typically 2 more years after the Master’s

Professional Degree: Medical (MD/DO), Dental (DDS), Veterinary (DVM),
Law School (JD)
Types of Postsecondary Options
Type
Description
Tuition
Vocational Earn a certificate in a certain Typically
/ Technical trade or profession. Students around
must be at least 16 years or $1,500/year
Schools
older and has graduated or
withdrawn from high
school.
Programs Available
Transportation Technology
Building Trades
Apprenticeship
Business Technology
Information Technology
PLUS:
•
•
•
•
•
Housing
Food
Books
Transportation
Personal exp.
Admission
Requirements
Open-door
admission policy
Grades:
• 2.0 HS GPA
Testing:
The TABE is given to
all students within the
first six weeks of their
enrollment period
Health Sciences Education
Public Service
Culinary Arts/Commercial Foods
Spa Services
Communications Arts
Types of Postsecondary Options
Type
Description
Tuition
Admission
Requirements
Two year
Degrees offered:
Associates
Open-door
admission policy
28 State/
Community
colleges in
Florida
Typically
around
$3,000/year
Provides: A way to ease into
college / take general college
classes for credit.
Typically have agreements
with four year colleges to
transfer credits.
Degrees / Programs Offered:
AA (Associates of Art)
AS (Associates of Science)
BA (Bachelors of Arts)
BS (Bachelors of Science)
PLUS:
•
•
•
•
•
Housing
Food
Books
Transportation
Personal exp.
Grades:
• 2.0 HS GPA
Testing:
• CPT
• SAT/ACT
(optional)
Career Technical Certification
College Credit Certificates
Dual Enrollment
Transfer to Four-Year State
Universities (2+2)
 The state of Florida has created an
agreement that creates a "2+2"
system.
 Students can earn a bachelor's
degree by taking the first two years
of lower division work at a
community college and the last two
years at a state university.
 Any student that graduates with an
A.A. is guaranteed to transfer all
courses to a state university.
Types of Postsecondary Options
Type
Description
Tuition
Admission
Requirements
Four
year +
Degrees offered:
Bachelors and beyond
State:
Provides: A well-rounded
college experience that
includes an academic
area of study.
Private:
•
•
•
•
•
Colleges
And
Universities
Typically under
$15,000/year
Typically more
than
$20,000/year
PLUS:
•
•
•
•
•
Degrees and Programs Offered
AA (Associates of Art)
AS (Associates of Science)
BA (Bachelors of Arts)
BS (Bachelors of Science)
MA (Masters) Dual Enrollment
Housing
Food
Books
Transportation
Personal exp.
SAT or ACT
GPA
Class rank
Essay
Extracurricular
activities
• Letters of
recommendation
• Transcripts
PHD
Professional Degrees
Career and Professional Certification
College Credit Certificates
What Colleges Look for When
Making Decisions
Top 3 Most Important Factors
1. Strength of curriculum (Honors, Advanced
Placement)
2. Grade Point Average (GPA) and class rank
3. College Entrance Examination Scores (ACT or
SAT)





If the college requires them:
Essay
Interview
Recommendation Letters
Resume (leadership, community service,
extracurricular, talents, etc)
Find the Right Fit

Academic Reputation (quality education)
 Availability of scholarship and financial aid






How and when are scholarship awards made and when
is notification received
College Size
Location
Majors
Faculty to Student ratio
Job Placement success
The College Visit (no drive-bys please!)

Before you visit, call for an appointment

Have your questions ready

Ask to speak to faculty in your area of interest

Visit the placement office for future employment
information

Ask to see residence halls

Talk to currently enrolled students

Eat on campus

Determine if you are admissible
The Application Process
 Determine the number of schools to which you want to
apply
 Be mindful of deadlines
 Treat this as a homework project – care should be given to
the appearance of your application
 Determine if you want to complete the on-line application
form
 If essay required, give it proper attention
 Decide on no more than 3 – 5 institutions
 Time line for decisions- DEADLINES
Application Strategies
APPLY EARLY:
At the beginning of the admission cycle (August, September, and October) GPA and test score
mid-ranges are typically low due to the low volume of application usually received at
institutions with ROLLING admissions.
Later on in the process (November, December, January and February) the volume of
applications increase. As a result, GPA and Test Score mid-ranges increase.
CONTINUE IMPROVING YOUR GRADES AND CONTINUE TESTING:
Depending on where you stand with institutional mid-ranges, it is recommended that you
continue to improve your GPA and continue testing until you receive an acceptance letter from
your college. Never Give UP !!!
SUBMIT NEW TRANSCRIPTS AT THE END OF THE FIRST SEMESTER
Transcripts are updated at the end of the first semester around mid-January. As soon as your
transcripts are updated, it is important that you send them to all colleges that you are waiting
for decisions.
Types of College Admission

Early Decision.
Students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted they
definitely will enroll. The application deadline and decision deadlines occur
early.

Early Action.
Students apply to an institution of preference and receive a decision well in
advance of the institution's regular response date. Students who are admitted
under Early Action are not obligated to accept the institution's offer of admission
or to submit a deposit until the regular reply date (not prior to May 1).

Regular Decision.
Students submit an application to an institution by a specified date and receive a
decision within a reasonable and clearly stated period of time, but not later than
April 15.
Types of College Admission (cont.)

Rolling Admission.
Institutions review applications as they are completed and render admission
decisions to students throughout the admission cycle.

Wait List.
An admission decision option utilized by institutions to protect against
shortfalls in enrollment. Wait lists are sometimes made necessary because
of the uncertainty of the admission process, as students submit applications
for admission to multiple institutions and may receive several offers of
admission. By placing a student on the wait list, an institution does not
initially offer or deny admission, but extends to a candidate the possibility
of admission in the future, before the institution's admission cycle is
concluded.
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
undergraduate athletics
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal
http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/ncaa/NCAA/common/inde
x.html
http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/ncaa/NCAA/general/index
_general.html
Cost of Attendance (COA)
Type
Tuition
and Fees
Two-Year Public
Resident
$2,272
Commuter
$2,272
Four-Year Public
Resident
$5,836
Commuter
$5,836
Out-of$15,783
State
Four-Year Private
Resident
$22,218
Commuter
$22,218
Books and
Supplies
Room and
Board
Transportation
Other
$850
$850
*
$6,299
*
$1,197
*
$1,676
*
$12,294
$942
$942
$942
$6,960
$6,917
$6,960
$880
$1,224
$880
$1,739
$2,048
$1,739
$16,357
$16,967
$26,304
$935
$935
$8,149
$7,211
$722
$1,091
$1,277
$1,630
$33,301
$33,085
Expenses
Total
Estimated
Expenses
Scholarships

Scholarships are awards you are given to help you pay for college, usually based on
something you do well:

Academics

Athletics

Arts

Community service, activities, or writing an excellent essay.
 Sources beyond FAFSA (Federal) and Florida (Bright Futures, etc.)

Colleges:
Private Colleges offer a huge amount of money to enrolling students. Be sure to
apply for any scholarships colleges you are applying to may offer, AND APPLY ON
TIME! – Some private schools will ensure that all unmet need for admitted students is
met.

Private –
• Corporations and organizations award college scholarships.
• Many are listed on the CAP Scholarship Bulletin (Room 68).
• You can research them on your own (I.e., www.fastweb.com, www.facts.org).
• Many scholarship organizations who now promote their scholarships on their
own website.
• Apply, Apply, Apply!
• Make sure I have your email address so you receive my scholarship updates.
Bright Futures Scholarships
Register Beginning December 1.

The state evaluates your meeting of the criteria upon your date of graduation

GPA in specific courses

Specific course work

Community service

ACT and/or SAT scores (CPT can also be used on Gold Seal)

First Evaluation February – Notification by April
Second/Final Evaluation June – Notification by August
The submission of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) IS
NOW an annual requirement for Bright Futures eligibility.
www.facts.org

Go into your Electronic Personal Education Planner (ePEP)

Select ‘High School Academic Evaluation’

Select ‘Bright Futures’

View where you stand on each scholarship



Florida Bright Futures
NEW Mandatory FAFSA completion
Award
Flat Rate
Payout
GPA
Requirement
SAT/ACT
Requirements
Community
Service
FLORIDA
ACADEMIC
SCHOLARS
NEW
$101 per credit hr.
30 credit payout:
$3,030.00
3.5 weighted BF
GPA
15 core academic
classes
1270 SAT
28 ACT
NEW
100 hours of
community service
FLORIDA
MEDALLION
SCHOLARS
NEW
$76 per credit hr.
30 credit payout:
$2,280.00
3.0 weighted BF
GPA
15 core academic
classes
NEW
980 SAT or
21 ACT.
NEW
75 hours of
community service
FLORIDA
GOLD SEAL
VOC.
SCHOLARS
NEW
$76 per credit hr.
30 credit payout:
$2,280.00
3.0 weighted BF
GPA
3.5 weighted GPA
in 3 vocational
credits SAME
program
SAT
880
M 440 / CR 440
ACT
E 17 / R 18
M 19
CPT
R 83 / S 83
Algebra 72
NEW
30 hours of
community service
BF
PROGRAM
Bright Futures Payout vs. Actual University Tuition Cost
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees for 30 credit hours
FAMU
FAU
FGCU
FIU
FSU
NCF
UCF
UF
UNF
USF
UWF
Univ.
Tuition
Cost
$5,176
$5,483
$5,532
$5,675
$5,825
$5,049
$5,583
$5,656
$5,626
$5,805
$5,425
BF
100%
$3,030
$3,030
$3,030
$3,030
$3,030
$3,030
$3,030
$3,030
$3,030
$3,030
$3,030
Diff
=/-
$2,146
$2,453
$2,502
$2,645
$2,795
$2,019
$2,553
$2,626
$2,596
$2,775
$2,395
BF
75%
$2,280
$2,280
$2,280
$2,280
$2,280
$2,280
$2,280
$2,280
$2,280
$2,280
$2,280
Diff
=/-
$2,896
$3203
$3,252
$3,395
$3,545
$2,769
$3,303
$3,376
$3,346
$3,525
$3,145
Types of Funding for College


GRANTS – Based on financial need
- Private (CAP Grant)
- Public: Federal (Pell Grant)
- State (Fla. Student Assistance Grant)

WORK-STUDY – Based on financial need- Employment on
campus – usually jobs are not too demanding, with the idea
you can study some at work, thus the name, Work-Study

STUDENT LOANS – Based on financial need
- Perkins (administered by the college - 5% int.)
- Stafford (subsidized or unsubsidized, capped at 8.25%
currently)

PARENT LOANS– NOT based on financial need
- Not need-based, can borrow up to cost of education,
payment begins 60 days after date of loan.
What Are The Primary Sources
Of Financial Aid?




Federal government
State governments
Colleges and universities
Private agencies
FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid
 Available after January 1 of senior year
 Family Income Tax information needed to
complete form.
 Application available online at:
www.fafsa.ed.gov
Financial Aid Forms to Complete

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – Apply in January– because
aid will be based on your previous year’s income. You must apply on-line at:
www.fafsa.ed.gov

Florida Financial Aid: Register for Florida Bright Futures and other state
scholarships, grants, loans and work study. You must apply on-line beginning in
December at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org

PROFILE – Some colleges require, this is completed beginning in September of
the student’s senior year. Investigate colleges thoroughly to see if you must
complete this. Information and on-line registration is at www.collegeboard.com.
(Look for CSS Profile)

If accepted, the college sends you a financial aid award letter that may include a
mix of types of financial aid. You will use this information in making your final
decision.

Meet deadlines!!! You will miss out on money if forms are sent in late!!! And
keep copies of everything!!
Things to Remember
•Keep your grades up
•Keep a calendar with deadlines
•Sign up to take SAT/ACT and other required tests
•Send college applications and required
documentation on time
•Apply for as many scholarships as possible
•Apply for Financial Aid after January 1st
•Keep photocopies
•READ, READ, READ!!!!!
QUESTIONS?