RHS Guidance Department
 Junior College
Planning Night
Alphabet Breakdown
Class of 2016
Mrs. Rotondo: A – Dem
Mr. Saleem: Den-Kor
Ms. Richard: Kos - Rei
Mr. Green: Reg – Z
Agenda
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Course Selection Meetings
Guidance News
College Search Process
Family Connection
Admission Committee Factors
Different Application Processes
Athletics
Admissions & RHS Trends
Reminders
Questions?
Course Selection Meetings
 All Course Selection Sheets were due today,
January 8th. Please complete them and turn them
into Mrs. Lubbers.
 College Planning/Course Selection Meetings begin
on Monday, January 12th for the Class of 2016.
 There is still time to make changes to course
selection forms. During our meetings we will
advise and make changes, if needed.
Option II for Seniors:
 Mercer County Jump Start Program
 Lab Assistant/Teacher Assistant
 Independent Study
 Vocational School Career Prep
 Structured Learning Experience
 Princeton University High School Program
Courses that need applications/interviews:
Virtual Enterprise, Research in Microbiology, Teen Pep
Guidance News
 To date, the Guidance Department processed 1398 applications to 283
different colleges
 The class of 2014 graduates can be found on 81 different campuses this
year:
 76% attend a 4-year institution
 22% attend a 2-year institution
 Guidance processed transcripts and counselor letters of
recommendation electronically for the 3rd year in a row. We are excited
to announce that the RHS teachers processed their letters of
recommendation electronically for the 2nd time this year. It worked
great!
Top 10 Schools the Class of 2014 Attend
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Drexel University
Montclair University
Penn State University
Rowan University
Rutgers University
 Saint Joseph’s
University
 The College of NJ
 University of Arizona
 University of Delaware
 University of
Pittsburgh
Most Popular Schools to apply to for
the Class of 2015
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Drexel University
James Madison University
Montclair University
Northeastern University
Penn State University
Rider University
Rutgers University
The College of NJ
University of Delaware
West Chester University
College Search Process
 Where do we begin?
 Communication:
 What is the student looking for?
 What are the parent expectations?
 Impt. Topics: Location, Cost, Commuting
 Initial Research:
 Websites and College Guide Books:
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Naviance/Family Connection
www.collegeboard.org; www.campustours.com
Princeton Review Books, Ruggs Recommendation Guide
 Test Drive: Visit, Visit, Visit
 Visitations fall, spring, and summer
 open house, tours and sit in on a class (Schedule)
Factors To Consider
 Size of Campus: Large, Medium, or Small
 Location:
 Distance from Home (accessibility-Plane? Train? Car?)
 Urban, Suburban, or Rural
 Quality & Selection of Programs
 Resident or Commuter
 Diversity of Student Body
 Athletics: Div. I, II, III , Club or Intramural
 Extracurricular Activities
 Cost
 Support Services:
 Career Services, Tutoring, Counseling, etc.
 Special Programs:
 Study Abroad, Internship Opportunities, Graduate Programs, etc.
Family Connection
 College Search Database specified to RHS
 Each Junior received a password.
 Forgotten Passwords: See Mrs. Lubbers
 Link to Family Connection can be found on the
RHS Website:
http://connection.naviance.com/robbinsville
 Parents and Students receive e-mails via Family
Connection
Click colleges tab then
College search link
Click Saved Searches
Pick Jr. College Planning
Meeting Search 1
These are your
options to filter your
data
Impt. Factors for the Admission
Committee
 What are colleges looking for?
 Strength of Curriculum
 Senior Year Schedule: 4 Academic Courses Minimum
Sample: English, Math, Science, World Language or Social Studies.
Some seniors double up in Math or Science.
How do Colleges view Early Release/Late Arrival/Study Hall?
 Grade Point Average (computed at the end of each year)
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Consistency, Upward Trend
 Standardized Tests: (SAT/ACT; SATII)
 Essay
 Interviews (not all require)
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Sample Questions on Guidance Website
 Demonstrated Interest Level
 Extracurricular/Work Experiences/Honors/Awards
 Letters of Recommendation
Testing Information
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Students tend to take either the ACT, SAT I, or combination of both three times
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Create a testing plan. View all dates and plan ahead. By the end of the junior year, students
should have at least 2 – 3 tests completed. Going into the summer: students will have their
cumulative grade point average & results from standardized test scores. This is the information
you need to create a prospective college list. There is still more time to test again in the fall of
senior year, if needed.
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SAT/ACT: Institutions will only accept them directly from the College Board
and/or ACT. Reporting: Score Choice for both.
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SAT II: Highly selective schools tend to require SAT II or Subject Tests. Juniors
taking an AP course are recommended to take the Subject Test in May of their
junior year.
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AP Exams: Students can choose to send or not to send in their official score
report only to the institution they are attending.
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Test Optional Schools: www.fairtest.org
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Test Prep: Kaplan, Princeton Review, Huntington, Private Tutors
Differences Between the ACT and SAT
SAT
- Has 3 Components:
ACT
- Has 5 components:
English, Mathematics,
Reading, Science, & *Writing
(optional) *Always register
WITH Writing
Critical Reading, Math, &
Writing
- Aptitude Test
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Highest Maximum Score:
2400 (each section 800)
Penalty for wrong answers
- Achievement Test
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Highest Maximum Score:
Composite of a 36
No Penalty for wrong
answers
The Essay – Your Voice
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Answer the question
Brainstorm first
One third about the situation and two thirds about you
Use your own “voice” in the process
- Don’t write to impress the admission committee
 Work on common application essay topics this summer:
1. Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that
they believe their application would be incomplete without it. Share your story.
2. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you?
What did you learn?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to
act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What did you do
or experience there? Why is it meaningful?
Letters of Recommendation
 Counselor Recommendation Packet:
- Parent Brag Sheet, Student Brag Sheet complete on naviance/family
connection by June 3rd.
□ Students must first ask the teacher to write the letter of recommendation. If
they say yes, then the student must complete the Teacher
Recommendation Packet:
- Part I: Student Questionnaire due by June 3rd to each teacher
- Part II: Students will be given instructions at August 2015 College
Workshops & at Sr. College Planning Night in September 2015.
Teacher Recommendation Packet & Parent Survey can be accessed online via the
Guidance Website. Click “College Planning” then click “Forms.”
Click “about me” link
Brag Sheets for Parents &
Senior Brag Sheets for
Students. Complete by June
3rd.
College Application Process
Do not wait, apply early in senior yr!
 Application Deadlines
 Early Action, Early Decision, Restrictive Early Action/Single
Choice Early Action, Regular Deadline, & Rolling Admission
 Types of Applications:
 Institution’s On-line Application & Common Application (if a
school accepts Common App. student should use this application;
over 500 institutional members)
 Letters of Recommendation
 Complete Parent Brag Sheet and Student Brag Sheet on
naviance/family connection by June 3rd. Submit your teacher
brag sheets to your teachers by June 3rd.
Athletes
 NCAA Eligibility Center:
 https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/
 Can be submitted at the beginning of Junior Year
 Send SAT or ACT to NCAA Eligibility Center directly
 Send Official Transcript to NCAA Eligibility Center
- Guidance sends transcript at the end of junior year & again at the
end of Senior Year.
 Athletic Scholarships: Div. I or Div. II only
 Student Athletes Ask Yourself: “If I can not compete, would this still be
the right school for me?”
Trends in Admissions & at RHS
 Applying to college is starting earlier every year. Our
busiest month is October.
 Self-Reporting of grades instead of sending transcripts.
(example: Rutgers)
 Many Carolina Schools & Southern State Schools begin
accepting applications as early as August. Pay close
attention to deadlines.
 Majority of RHS students apply using early action, early
decision, or single choice early action.
 An increased number of RHS families are choosing to
“rush” their test scores to colleges.
Helpful Reminders
 Change your email addresses to a family account
 Facebook Accounts: College Admission Offices do look at your
accounts
 “Best Fit” not “Best School” Finding the best fit requires visiting
and researching
 How many? Average: 2 reach, 3-4 target, 2-3 probable
 Unique to each individual student
 Average 8 total
 If student applies to highly selective schools, average 12 total
 Junior and Senior Grades Matter
 Register for SAT and ACT in Spring of Jr. Year/Fall Sr. Year
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SAT: Spring-January, March, May, June Fall-October, November, December
ACT: Spring- February, April, June
Fall-September, October, December
Last Minute Thoughts
 Remember, the college application process is
unlike anything you or your sons/daughters
have experienced
 The stress level for applying to colleges is high
Tips for Parents
 Reassure your son or daughter that you will be
proud, regardless of the outcome
 Don’t believe everything you hear – get an objective
third party opinion
 Remember, there is a school out there for everyone
Upcoming Dates
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Starting January 12th: Individual Student Meetings with Counselor for
Course Selection and Future Planning
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February 21st: Free Practice Test ½ SAT & ½ ACT
(Pre-register through Kaplan by February 18th)
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April 19th: NYC National College Fair at Jacob Javits Center from 11am – 4pm
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April 22nd & 23rd: NJ National College Fair at Meadowlands Expo Center
 April 22nd: 9am – 12:00pm & 5:00pm – 8:00pm
 April 23rd: 9am – 12noon
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April Date TBD: College Fair at Mercer County Community College
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June 3rd: Letter of Recommendation Packets Due to Teachers & Complete
Brag Sheets on Naviance/Family Connection for Counselors
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Late August 2015: Students Attend Mrs. Rotondo’s College Workshop at RHS
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September 2015: Senior College Planning Night for Students and Parents
Questions?