Things you might want to know after
your DeSales student has taken the
PSAT as a freshmen or junior
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8-11 WWCS kids have two opportunities each
for SAT and ACT pre-tests. 11th grade PSAT is
the last of the four pre-tests.
ASVAB in spring of 11th grade, March 27, 2013
Ideal to take both SAT and ACT in spring of
junior year: Students take these OUTSIDE OF
SCHOOL usually on Saturdays.
This year: SAT on June 1 (register by May 2)
and ACT on June 8 (register by May 3)
IT’S ALL ONLINE and linked to web page
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ACT is an “achievement test” (How much
HAVE you learned?) with categories of
Reading, Mathematics, English, and Science.
ACT perfect score is 36 in each category.
In ACT, the “composite” is an average of all
four main areas, and that is what colleges refer
to for general admissions.
ACT has an optional essay at extra cost.
ACT and SAT equally acceptable; DeSales kids
tend to do well on ACT. Look at your
student’s data to see how he or she does on
each. Best practice: Take BOTH.
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SAT is an “aptitude” test: What is your
potential for learning?
SAT (aka SAT I) has sections Critical Reading,
Mathematics, and Writing.
SAT requires the essay, and it is first on test
day. It’s a 25-minuted timed persuasive essay.
The essay score is SEPARATE though, not part
of Writing score, and not widely publicized in
college admission or scholarship practices.
The SAT lends itself less easily to composite
and is always more of a three-score test.
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Big numbers across top; add zero to translate to
SAT prediction.
Percentiles and ranges
Review your answers sections; students receive
test booklets and can access test online
(interactive score report).
“Improve your skills” helpful
Selection Index and NMSQT; combined
percentile
Self-reported “Educational Plans”
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This is a nice way to see how the two tests
differ. How did your student do on each?
Notice predicted scores on each (EXPLORE and
PLAN give an estimated score for next ACT;
remember to add a zero to PSAT score for
predicted SAT.)
For parents of juniors, go back to EXPLORE if
you have it; put them all in a row and really
look at the sequence.
Consider
that these
are all the
percentiles!
mid- fiftieth
(and behave
accordingly)
Gonzaga ACT 24-28
SAT M 560-690
 U of WA ACT 24-30
SAT M 570-700
 U of ID ACT 20-26
SAT CR 480-600
 Harvard ACT 31-35
SAT CR 690-790
 Yale ACT 31-35
SAT M 700-800
 EWU ACT 18-24
SAT M 440-540
 WSU: ACT 20-26
SAT CR 470-580
 West Point ACT 25-31
SAT M 590-690
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Western WA U ACT 22-27
SAT W 490-600
Pepperdine U: ACT 25-31
SAT W 560-660
St. Martin’s U ACT 19-25
SAT M 450-560
U Puget Sound ACT 26-30
SAT CR 570-680
Whitman ACT 27-31
SAT M 620-710
Whitworth 52% have GPA
3.75 or higher
College of ID
Evergreen ACT 21-26
SAT CR 510-640
U of Portland SAT M 560650
WWCC?
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Test-Prep: Use it to improve SAT results by
talking to teachers, using online interactive
score report and other FREE test prep features
online at www.collegeboard.com/quickstart
Personalized SAT study plan, SAT question of
the day, college and career information, career
exploratory, and more.
Bonus: DeSales kids truly see this as part of
their lives, personally, socially, historically.
Being more comfortable and familiar with the
tests can only help performance.
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Test scores are important, but college
admission considers much more!
Low test score with solid GPA is a common
issue; those students are usually successful in
college due to developed work ethic.
Extracurricular activities and work outside of
school are important considerations.
Letters of recommendation are very helpful.
Rigor in course selection is KEY, and we do a
lot of that “for you.”
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WOIS www.wois.org Log in: MWX288
www.planstudent.org
College Majors 101:
http://www.collegemajors101.com/
http://www.wallawallacatholicschools.com/c
ontent_page.aspx?cid=56&schoolID=1
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Ask open-ended questions, and really listen to
their answers!
What do you think about ----- (school)?
If you could choose any school, and money is
not a factor, which would it be and why?
How close or far from home would you really
like to be while in college?
Do you see yourself at a private or public
college? Why?
Would you prefer a big school or a small one?
Why?
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Course selection: We are close to forecasting for
senior year classes. Encourage students to take a
rigorous senior year! Four years of science is
becoming a norm here, math options exist to create
four strong years of learning that translate to
college success.
The sixth semester is the last used for initial college
admission; push students to do their best NOW!
Know grade point average (cumulative) and class
rank at end of this year. Yes, we DO rank.
Senior schedules are part of initial admission and
some scholarships also; another reason to choose
courses wisely.
Enjoy the present, but talk a lot about the future!
If you have junior students, I recommend staying! Others
are welcome, but leaving at intermission is JUST FINE! The
rest of this presentation is a little more focused on …
THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS!!!!!
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Be the Personal Assistant/Executive Secretary for
the process, but not the President for the
Application Process.
Mid-November: Tic Tac Toe will be due
Senior 1-1 meetings September-November, Parents
Welcome but not Required
Transcripts, tests scores, application, fee
Common application vs. regular/special
Free apps and fee waivers (Gonzaga, UP,
Whitworth, St. Martin’s)
Need-based fee waivers
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Class of 2012: 58% 4 year; 30% 2 year
Class of 2011: 83% accepted to 4 yr.; 61%
enrolled in 4 yr, 39% in 2 yr.
Class of 2010: 78% accpeted to 4 yr.; 65% of
class enrolled in 4 yr.; 35% enrolled in 2 yr.
Class of 2009: 44% four year, 50% two year, 6%
straight to military enlistment
Class of 2008: 79% four year, 21% 2 year.
Class of 2007: 74% four year, 22% 2 year.
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Help students become familiar with basic
terms: undergraduate, major, minor, transfer
Start talking finances now: FAFSA is a term
everyone should know. Financial aid comes in
three basic forms: gifted (scholarship and
grant), self-help (work-study), and loan.
Every scholarship is a good scholarship, but
the largest $ amounts tend to come directly
from private schools granting merit-based aid.
Military Options: Discuss
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Consider “fit,” not just getting in.
The BEST way to find out about “fit” is to visit;
please make an effort to visit colleges this
spring! It’s easy; start with the website, make a
phone call if necessary, and go. Let me help
you. Take a group. “Events” are great, but
small group visits are good in their own way.
Utilize all options. Summer works too, but not
as well.
Don’t worry too much now about specific
programs.
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Community Colleges have quick, usually free,
easy applications. If your student truly does
not want to apply to any four year colleges,
you can do other things for Tic Tac Toe
YOU get to be the President of the Financial
Aid Application Process.
FAFSA4caster is a helpful tool for financial
information, and only use fafsa.ed.gov for your
FAFSA.
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Resume: If your student does not have one, get
this made! I have samples and ideas.
Ask for letters of recommendation, provide
resume with each request. I recommend 2-3
general recommendations from a broad base
(teacher, counselor, coach, etc.)
Look at the common application and other
applications. You can set up accounts and start
saving drafts!
The main thing your senior will lack is TIME.
Do whatever you can to plan ahead.
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2007: $745,000
2008: $780,000
2009: $1,359,400; 17 of 34 (50%) earned at least
one scholarship
2010: $1,476,660; 20 of 31 (65%) earned at least
one scholarship to college
2011: $1,547,500; 15 of 23 (65%) earned at least
one scholarship to college
2012: $1,248,400; 15 of 24 (63%) earned at least
one scholarship to college