ACT
What: National college admission achievement test that consists of Writing, Reading,
Mathematics & Science Reasoning.
2012 ELHS test dates
Registration Deadline
June 9, 2012
May 4, 2012
September 15, 2012
TBA
Cost: $48. (with writing) Late Fee: $21.
Students must register at www.act.org
SAT I
What: Measures developed Verbal & Mathematical reasoning abilities as they relate to
success in college.
Spring 2012 Test Dates
Registrations Deadline
March 10th, 2012
Feb. 10th, 2012 (late: 2/24)
May 5th, 2012
April 6th, 2012
June 2nd, 2012
May 8th, 2012
Cost: $49. Late Fee: $26
Students must register at www.collegeboard.com
1
Junior College & Career Night:
College Admissions Info
Careers and Majors
The College Visit
Preparing to Apply
Standardized Tests
Naviance
Counselors: Michelle Dean, Allison Kosswig, Nadine Barnes
Visit: www.eastlymeschools.org
connection.naviance.com/eastlymehs
2
Most popular colleges attended by
the class of 2011
Three Rivers
40
UCONN
32
University of
Rhode Island
7
University of
Vermont
7
UMASS
Amherst
5
Lincoln Tech
5
Avery Point
16
Eastern CT
7
Northeastern
6
Southern,
Central, &
Western CT
6
Mitchell
College
5
Fairfield University,
Gettysburg College
& University of New
England
3
Approx 36% of graduates are attending CT State
institutions
3
What information are the colleges
asking for?
• Strength in Subjects (4-5 Core
Courses/Year)
• Grade Point Average (GPA)/ Rank in class
• SAT I /SAT II/ACT Scores
• Admissions Essay/Interview
• Recommendations
 The Application
• Caliber of H.S.
4
More Competitive Colleges
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What makes student stand-out?
Is the student well-rounded?
Leadership Qualities
Character: #1 Non-academic Quality
Did student “take advantage of what the H.S.
has to offer?” APs, Honors, Leadership
opp’s.etc.
What can student bring to them (Athletics,
Music/Art Talents)
Remember: Selecting a Class rather than Just
an Individual.
5
Exploring Careers & Majors
•While
some students know exactly what they will
choose as a major, most do not.
•Those
who aren’t sure about their plans should
research possible majors by completing the
Personality Inventory or Career Interest
Inventory on Naviance
•Read
about careers & majors at mymajors.com,
collegeboard.com and princetonreview.com
•Relax – many students apply “undeclared” and most
students change their major at least once in
four years of college.
6
Generating a List of Colleges Using
Naviance: Questions to Consider
1. Type: 2-yr/4-yr? Public/Private? Urban/Rural?
Coed? Religious?
2. Location: Miles from EL? Geographic area?
3. Students: 2,000, 5000 or 11,000 students?
Diversity? Commuter/Resident? Male/Female
ratio?
4. Admission: What % accepted?
5. Athletics: NCAA? What Division?
6. Majors: explore options
7. Cost: Tuition rate ~ in-state/out-of-state
8. Special Programs: ROTC, clubs, organizations
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Narrowing the focus:
What else should be considered?
How do your SAT/GPA compare to the students at that
college?
 What % of students graduate in 4 years? and what % of
freshman return for their sophomore year?
 Student/professor ratio?
 Is housing guaranteed?
 What % of graduates are placed in jobs related to major?
 Safety?
 Opportunities for employment, study abroad, internships?
 Opportunities for study at other schools? Consortium?
• Athletics, activities, clubs

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Narrowing the Focus:
The College Visit
• Call for appointment about 2 weeks before visit.
• What to Wear: Look neat & clean. Slacks, buttondown shirt. Slacks, skirt, classic top. No jeans. No
hats. OK to show your own style.
• Introduce Yourself. Shake hands, eye contact.
• See a Real Dorm Room. Have lunch in cafeteria. Sit
with students. Stop students and ask “what do you
think…” Ask directions.
• Visit Library, Classroom Buildings & Student Center
• Keep a Journal. Write down experiences, pros/cons
ASAP after trip.
• Ask about Overnights
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What to Ask on the Tour
• What do you like/not like about the college?
• How large are the classes?
• Do professors or T.A.s teach intro courses?
• How accessible are the professors?
• Are the dorms overcrowded?
• What do students do off-campus?

What is it like on the weekend?
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Questions for the Interview
•
•
•
•
•
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What % of students graduate in 4 years?
What % of freshman return as sophomores?
What are the most popular majors?
When do you have to declare a major?
Employment opportunities on campus?
What support services are available?
11
To How Many Colleges should
you Apply?
Two or Three “Reaches”
Just meet the SAT & GPA Ranges
 Two or Three “Probables”
Right in the Middle or Better
 Two or Three “Safeties”
At the Far End or Beyond
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A lot of Interests? Then Consider some
Universities
12
Preparing to Apply
Prepare for and take standardized tests
 Extracurriculars: Create a “resume” of
accomplishments
 Complete Senior Questionnaire on
Naviance
 Complete Parent Questionnaire on
Naviance
 Look at application essay questions and
begin to brainstorm ideas
 Make sure you have an appropriate e-mail
address 
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13
SAT IIs
What:
One hour Subject Tests designed to show knowledge in
subject area & ability to apply that knowledge. Admission
requirement for some schools.
Subjects:
English: Literature; U.S. History; World History; Math
Level 1 & 2; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Chinese; French; German;
Italian; Modern Hebrew; Japanese; Korean; Latin & Spanish
Used for:
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To better understand information about the applicant, such as
grades and courses taken
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Include scores to determine basic qualifications in specific subjects
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Identify at-risk students who might benefit from special programs
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Recruit students who have scores similar to those accepted and
enrolled
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Conduct research on SAT scores as predictor of success
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Include information about scores of all applicants, accepted students,
or enrolled freshmen in promotional materials
(Go to www.collegeboard.com for more info)
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FREE SAT PREP ON NAVIANCE
Click on the College Tab
Click on test preparation
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SAT
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vs.
General Reasoning
/Problem solving test reflects content used in all
strong college preparatory
courses
Test Time3 hours, 45 minutes, including
an unscored 25 minute
experimental section.
Ten Sections:
◦
◦
◦
◦
3 Critical Reading
3 Math
3 Writing
1 Experimental (masked to
look like a regular section)
ACT

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Curriculum-based Test
that measure achievement in
core content areas
Test Time2 hours, 55 minutes, including
an optional 30-minute Writing
Section
Five Sections:
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
English
Math
Reading
Science
Optional: Writing (required by
most)
◦ 1 Experimental section (only
added to certain test dates)
All colleges will accept either test. The ACT with writing is often accepted
by schools who require SAT I & II. Hundreds of colleges require neither.
Military Academies
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Start the process by June of your Junior year.
Preliminary application info for juniors already
available.
Websites outline application process
Contact your congressman/Senator
Physical test
Checklists by teachers
Special requirements from each academy
ROTC
17
NCAA Clearinghouse
All Division I & II athletes
 Must have minimum GPA, SAT scores, and
courses to meet eligibility requirements
 Should register with ELHS Registrar at
end of your Junior year
 Division III athletes don’t need to register
 www.eligibiltycenter.org
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Early Decision, Early Action & Regular
Admissions
Early Decision:
Students apply to one college 1st semester
senior year. Acceptance is binding.
Early Action:
Students may apply early and will be notified
early but decision is not binding.
Regular Admission:
Single deadline – spring notification.
Rolling Admissions:
Application reviewed and notification upon
receipt of complete application.
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Recommendations?
• Most Colleges Require 0-3 Letters – some have
specific requirements
• Choose teachers/counselor who know you well
and who can provide examples of your
personality
• Think about it now; ask now! Ask again in Sept.
• Provide teachers/counselor at least 4 weeks to
write your letter.
20
What Can Parents Do to Help?
Listen
 “So, How Can I Help?”
 Encourage the best fit for your child.
• Discuss Strengths, Needs, Wants, etc.
• Be realistic about Money
• Hands-Off the Application (Proofing is OK)
• Stay Involved
• Be a Voice of Reason

21
And now for….An Optional Live
Naviance Overview
College Search and College Super Match
 Career Inventory
 Method Test Prep and other SAT/ACT Prep.
Info.
 Other useful resources: NCAA, Military
Academy information, financial aid
information.

*lost your password or need to sign up…leave your name
and email address on the sign up sheet and your
student’s counselor will forward you the information*