COLLEGE PLANNING
What you need to know
about the college
admission process
COLLEGES NTHS CLASS OF 2015
Anna Maria College
Assumption College
Becker College
Berkeley College
Central CT State University (CCSU)
Eastern CT State University (ECSU)
Elms College
Embry-Riddle University
Fitchburg State University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Gordon College
Johnson and Wales University (JWU)
Manchester Community College (MCC)
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health
Sciences
Mount Ida College
New England Institute of Technology (NEIT)
Plymouth State University
Post University
Russell Sage College
School of Visual Arts (SVA)
Southern CT State University (SCSU)
Stony Brook University
Three Rivers Community College (TRCC)
Trine University
University of Bridgeport
University of Connecticut/Avery Point (UCONN)
University of Connecticut/Storrs (UCONN)
University of Hartford (UHA/UHart)
University of Maine
University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH)
University of Saint Joseph
University of Southern Maine
SIMPLIFY THE COLLEGE PLANNING
PROCESS
College opportunities exist for everyone. These steps can help simplify the
planning process:
1. Make High School Count
2. Explore College Options
3. Understand Admission Factors – You must READ and pay attention to
deadlines
MAKING HIGH SCHOOL COUNT
MAKING HIGH SCHOOL COUNT
Make High
School
Count
Work hard academically! Rigor Matters
Your high school academic record is one of the most
important factors in college admission. Colleges will
look at a few aspects:
• Course selection: Challenge yourself with a rigorous course
load and high-level classes, including honors courses.
• Grades: Every year counts, starting with freshman year.
• GPA trends: Keep improving through every grade.
• Class rank
GET INVOLVED
 School
 Athletics
Community
Work
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME WITH YOUR
COUNSELOR
College application season is an especially busy time for high school
counselors. You can help your counselor help you by staying on top of
the application process. Here’s how.
Be early. If you start doing tasks — researching colleges, collecting
ideas for application essays, making requests for recommendation
letters — well ahead of time, you’ll make it easier for your counselor
to give you timely answers when you need help.
Be organized. Figure out a system for keeping track of application
components and deadlines yourself. Read Applying to College: FAQs
for tips.
Be responsible. Your counselor can help in many ways, but this is
your project and your responsibility. It’s up to you to ask your
counselor for the help you need. Schedule appointments when you
need to talk to him or her.
Be prepared. When you do meet with your counselor, have a list of
questions ready and know what you want to discuss
PARENT’S ROLE: FINDING THE BALANCE
Support and encouragement through the high school to college
transition process
College Admission Requirements and the Parent's Role
Ultimately, it is the student’s
journey!
EXPLORE COLLEGE OPTIONS
WHAT CAN HIGHER EDUCATION LOOK LIKE?
•2 year
• Associate’s Degree
• Transfer Compacts/Dual Enrollment/TAP
• Certificate Programs
•4 year
• Bachelor Degree
•Technical
•On the job training
• Apprenticeship
• Professional Development
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Size and diversity of student body
Location
Academic programs
Campus life — athletics, activities, housing
Graduation and retention rates
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
Above all, think about where you will be the most happy
and successful in your college life.
Explore
College
Options
Explore
College
Options
WHICH COLLEGES ARE RIGHT FOR YOU?
BIG FUTURE
VISIT CAMPUSES
Get to know a school from the inside:
Take a campus tour.
Speak with an admission counselor.
Ask about financial aid opportunities.
Sit in on a class of interest.
Read the student newspaper.
Talk to students and faculty.
Explore
College
Options
UNDERSTAND ADMISSION
FACTORS
PARENT’S ROLE: FERPA
In sum . . . College parents often feel frustrated by FERPA regulations.
They feel that they need, and should have, access to student
information. Once a student turns eighteen, or attends school beyond
secondary school, the rights of access to the student’s records transfer
to the student. This means that all academic information regarding
your college student goes directly to the student unless the student has
given specific, written permission to release that information to
someone else
College parents need to remember that college students are working
toward increased independence and responsibility.
Suggestion: increase communication between college parents and
college students will make the experience go smoothly for everyone.
Understand
Admission
Factors
WHAT COLLEGES CONSIDER
Primary Factors
Additional Factors
Quality/Rigor of Academic
Courses
Academic Performance/
Grades
Test Scores (SAT, ACT,
ACCUPLACER etc.)
Extracurricular Activities
Essay(s)
Letters of Recommendation
Demonstrated Interest
 *Test optional schools
Understand
Admission
Factors
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Positive recommendations from educators and mentors
Personal statement and essay(s) demonstrating writing ability and self-expression
A “demonstrated interest” that shows your enthusiasm for the colleges to which you’re
applying
Extracurricular activities, including participation and leadership in sports,
performing/visual arts, volunteering, etc.
Community involvement, part-time work or internship
Interview or portfolio (if applicable)
REDESIGNED SAT
You might be surprised by
everything that’s new about
the new SAT:
Quick Facts
All-new essay — and it’s
optional
4 parts: Reading, Writing and
Language, Math, and the optional
SAT Essay
No penalty for guessing
400–1600 score scale
No vocab that you’ll never use
again
3 hours and 50 minutes with the
SAT Essay — or 3 hours without it
Partnership with Khan Academy
4 answer choices
ALL JUNIORS TAKE IN MARCH
without writing portion
4 college application fee waivers
for every student who uses an SAT
fee waiver
 If students need writing for their
college of choice, retake in later spring
or fall of senior year
ACT: CONTENT-BASED TEST
est
Content
Measures standard written English and
rhetorical skills.
English
75 questions 45 minutes
Mathematics
Measures mathematical skills students have
60 questions 60 minutes typically acquired in courses taken up to the
beginning of grade 12.
Reading
40 questions 35 minutes Measures reading comprehension.
Science
Measures the interpretation, analysis,
40 questions 35 minutes evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills
required in the natural sciences.
Optional
Writing Test
1 prompt
Measures writing skills emphasized in high
40 minutes school English classes and in entry-level college
composition courses.
Learn
About the
SAT
GETTING READY FOR STANDARDIZED TESTING
Select challenging high school courses.
Read widely and write extensively, both in and out
of school.
Take the PSAT/NMSQT® as a sophomore or junior.
Become familiar with SAT and ACT question types, format, directions and test
taking strategies.
Take advantage of free resources at sat.collegeboard.org or actstudent.org
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR STANDARDIZED
TESTING?
SAT registration
ACT registration
GET ORGANIZED AND APPLY
Narrow and categorize your choices:
 “More than likely” schools (1 or 2): Safety School
 “Good match” schools (2 to 4): Target School
 “Reach” schools (1 or 2)
Review scholarship and financial aid requirements.
Revise application essays and share drafts with a trusted teacher, adviser or
family member.
Ask for recommendations and set firm dates for their completion.
Request transcripts and schedule interviews, if needed.
SCHOLARSHIPS
www.fastweb.com
http://www.college-scholarships.com/
http://www.collegeaffordabilityguide.org/
http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/financial-aid/financial-aidfor-online-colleges/
COLLEGE PLANNING RECAP
Remember: College opportunities exist for everyone! Start
thinking about it early!
Simplify the planning process:
Make high school count!
Explore college options.
Understand admission factors.
For more college tools and guidance, visit
Norwich Tech Guidance Page
Norwich Tech Google Classroom Page
THANK YOU
QUESTIONS?
*PRESENTATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE TOMORROW!
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FINANCIAL AID PRESENTATIONS
1/12 12:30-1:30PM
1/13 9-10:00AM
1/14 SNOW DATE FOR BOTH SESSIONS