Spring Valley High School
College Night
COLLEGE
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
LOCATED IN GUIDANCE
refer to the “Navigator” for more information
www.richland2.org/schools/svh/
CIC
Mr. Staten
Mrs. Ashworth
Mrs. Mujica
Information on College
College Searches
Applications
Viewbooks/Videos
Information on Careers
Personality
Assessments
Career Inventories
Resources
Scholarships
Talent Search Program
Accessing Naviance!
You will be
given your
access code to
register!
Connection.naviance.com/springvhs
Naviance Resources!
Test scores &
resume assistance
Research
Colleges &
Scholarships
Identify careers
& Clusters
Finding The Perfect Fit
Two questions to be answered


What are schools looking for in a
prospective student?
What should a prospective student
look for in a college?
CATEGORIES OF ADMISSION
SELECTIVITY
“It’s hard for kids to get into
colleges because they only want
to get into colleges that are hard
to get into.”
Bill Mayher
Students Should Apply To:

2 to 3 Safe Schools

1 to 2 Competitive Schools

1 to 2 Dream Schools
“SUPER-SELECTIVE COLLEGES”

Examples: Harvard, Cal Tech, Stanford,
Princeton, Brown, Yale, MIT, Dartmouth,
Amherst College, Cornell, Boston Univ.

20% or fewer accepted

>95% in top 10% of high school class

Mid 50% score: 1390+ on the SAT
(Critical Reading & Math) or 30+ on the
ACT
Harvard University
2011/12 APPLIED – 34,285
ADMITTED – 2,032
AVE. SAT SCORE – 1490-1590
AVE. ACT- 31-36
HS Rank: 95% top tenth;100% top quarter;100% top half
10,265 full time students, 14 part time
2012-2013 tuition/fees/room/board: $53,100
Harvard
Retention Rate: 98%
Graduation Rate (6 years): 98%
Graduation Rate (4 years): 88%
Harvard







49%
13%
7%
5%
5%
5%
Most Popular Majors
Social Sciences/History
Biological/life sciences
Psychology
English
Foreign Languages
Physical Sciences
“HIGHLY SELECTIVE COLLEGES”

Examples: Duke, Davidson, Ga Tech., Wake
Forest, UNC-Chapel Hill, Furman, Wofford, Emory

35% or fewer accepted

Rank in the top 20% of high school class

Mid 50% score: 1230+ on the SAT (Critical
Reading & Math) or 26+ on the ACT
Furman University
2012/13 APPLIED – 6,000
ADMITTED - 3080
AVE. SAT SCORE - 1275 – 1370
AVE. ACT- 27-30
HS Rank: 58% top tenth; 85% top quarter; 96% top half
2,761 full time students, 175 part time
2012-2013 tuition/fees/room/board: $52,374
Furman University
Retention Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate (6 years): 85%
Graduation Rate (4 years): 84%
Furman University










23%
15%
7%
7%
8%
6%
6%
5%
6%
Most Popular Majors
History/Social Sciences
Business
Communications
Foreign Languages
Visual/Performing Arts
Biology
Physical Sciences
English
Parks/Recreation
Clemson University
2011/12 APPLIED – 16,865
ADMITTED – 9,724
AVE. SAT SCORE - 1130 – 1330
AVE. ACT- 28-30
HS Rank: 45% top tenth; 84% top quarter; 97% top half
15,459 full time students, 921 part time
2012-2013 tuition/fees/room/board: $21,752
Clemson
Retention Rate: 90.5%
Graduation Rate (6 years): 77%
Graduation Rate (4 years): 50%
Clemson










18%
16%
9%
9%
8%
7%
5%
5%
5%
Most Popular Majors
Business
Engineering
Education
Biology
History/Social Sciences
Health Professions
Architecture
English
Psychology
“SELECTIVE COLLEGES”

Examples: UGA, USC-Columbia, Spelman,
Florida State, NC State, Presbyterian
College, Va. Tech.

50% or fewer accepted

Rank in the top 40% of high school class

Mid 50% score: 1050+ on the SAT
(Critical Reading & Math) or 22+ on the
ACT
USC- Columbia
2010/11 APPLIED – 21,311
ADMITTED – 12,914
AVE. SAT SCORE - 1120 – 1280
AVE. ACT- 24-29
HS Rank: 28% top tenth; 60% top quarter; 90% top half
22,311 full time students, 1560 part time
2012-2013 tuition/fees/room/board: $20,950
USC - Columbia
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate (6 years): 69%
Graduation Rate (4 years): 46%
USC- Columbia










27%
12%
7%
6%
5%
5%
6%
6%
5%
Most Popular Majors
Business
Social Sciences/History
Communications
Parks/Recreation
Health Professions
Visual/Performing Arts
Biology/Life Sciences
Psychology
Engineering
College of Charleston
2011/12 APPLIED – 11,280
ADMITTED – 7,896
AVE. SAT SCORE - 1120 – 1280
AVE. ACT- 22-26
HS Rank: 31% top tenth; 68% top quarter; 94% top half
9,397 full time students, 724 part time
2012-2013 tuition/fees/room/board: $19,795
College of Charleston
Retention Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate (6 years): 63%
Graduation Rate (4 years): 52%
College of Charleston
Most Popular Majors
24%
14%
13%
10%
9%
8%
7%
Business
History/Social Sciences
Communications
Biology
Visual/Performing Arts
Education
Psychology
“TRADITIONAL COLLEGES”

Examples: App. State, Anderson, Coastal
Carolina, The Citadel, Claflin, Francis
Marion, Converse

Up to 75% accepted

Rank in the top 50% of high school class

Mid 50% score: 1010+ on the SAT
(Critical Reading & Math) or 18+ on the
ACT
Winthrop University
2011/12 APPLIED - 4,511
ADMITTED – 2,946
AVE. SAT SCORE - 950 – 1150
AVE. ACT- 20-25
HS Rank: 20% top tenth; 55% top quarter; 90% top half
4,933 full time students, 624 part time
2012-2013 tuition/fees/room/board: $19,926
Winthrop University
Retention Rate: 69%
Graduation Rate (6 years): 54%
Graduation Rate (4 years): 34%
Winthrop University








22%
17%
12%
11%
8%
7%
7%
Most Popular Majors
Business
Education
Visual/Performing Arts
Social Sciences/History
Psychology
Biology
Communications
Claflin University
2011/12 APPLIED – 4,204
ADMITTED – 1,453
AVE. SAT SCORE - 770 – 990
AVE. ACT SCORE- 16-21
HS Rank: 26% top tenth; 47% top quarter; 72% top half
1831 full time students, 79 part time
2012-2013 tuition/fees/room/board: $22,264
Claflin University
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate (4 years): 29%
Graduation Rate (6 years): 40%
Claflin University






Most Popular Majors
15% Criminal Justice
15% Organizational Behavior
Studies
15% Sociology
9% Communications
8% Business
“OPEN COLLEGES”

Examples: USC- Beaufort, Benedict, Shaw, Full Sail

Up to 95% accepted

Rank in the lower 40% of high school class


Scores: below 800 on the SAT (Critical Reading &
Math) or below 19 on the ACT
Caution: you get accepted, you pay, but your classes
may not be for credit
WHAT DO COLLEGES LOOK AT?

ACADEMIC RECORD
–
–
–
Grades
Class Rank
Rigor of curriculum

STANDARIZED TEST SCORES

ENGAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
–
–
–
Extracurricular activities
Community service
Work experience
WHAT DO COLLEGES LOOK AT?

PERSONAL QUALITIES
–
–
–

Counselor/ Teacher letters of recommendation
Essays
Interviews
HOOKS AND INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITIES
–
–
–
–
–
–
Legacy
Underrepresented race or ethnicity
Socioeconomic and geographic background
Donation potential
Recruited Athlete status
Exceptional talent
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION





First, ask the person if they would write you a
recommendation and give them sufficient time to
complete it.
Provide a copy of your resume to the person who is
writing your recommendation.
If sending separately, be sure to give the teacher
an addressed, stamped envelope and a date that
the letter is to be mailed.
Check with them periodically.
Let your counselor know who will be writing a
letter of recommendation for you.
ESSAY
The essay is important for three major reasons:
–
1) It enables the college admissions office to evaluate your
communication skills.
–
2) It enables the admissions office to learn more about you
as a person.
–
3) It gives the student the opportunity to share something
about themselves that the admissions counselor can not
glean from the application.
SAMPLE ESSAY QUESTIONS
Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and
describe that influence.- Common Application
If you could recommend one work of fiction for your classmates,
what would you ask them to read and contemplate?- UNC
Write an essay that conveys to the readers a sense of who you
are.- Columbia University
Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have
taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on
you.- Common Application
ESSAY
DO
DON’T
Keep your focus narrow
and personal
Address the prompt
Be specific
Edit, Edit, Edit
Don’t write a resume
Don’t tell your readers
what they want to hear
Don’t use 50 words when
5 will do
Don’t forget to edit!
Finding What Fits
Some Questions To Ask Yourself








What are my academic interests?
What kind of student am I?
How do I learn best?
What activities outside of class matter most to me?
How important is prestige to me?
Do I want a diverse college?
What kind of social and cultural environment would I
like best?
Where do I want to live for the next four years?
WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR IN A
COLLEGE?




Academic reputation
Size of school
Geographical location
Selectivity of school
–




2-3 safe, 1-2 competitive, 1-2 dream
Financial aid availability
Academic program availability
Student body population
Social atmosphere
COLLEGE VISIT STEPS
1. Research the college.
2. Read the campus newspaper available through
Internet.
3. Call admissions at least 2 weeks in advance:
arrange a time when students are on campus,
arrange a tour, visit the dorms, arrange to meet
with faculty member in the department of your
intended major and financial aid officer (ask for
merit deadlines, financial aid deadlines differ from
admission deadlines). Follow up phone calls with
written confirmation (always try to talk with the same
person, build a relationship).
COLLEGE VISIT STEPS
4. Have lunch in the student union, walk
through the library, sit on a bench and
watch students walk by.
5. Sit in a class.
6. Stay overnight in a dorm with a student.
7. Ask students what they like best about
the campus and what they would change.
8. Explore the nearest towns and
transportation options.
9. Write a Thank you note.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
What percent of the classes are taught
by graduate assistants?
 What is the placement record for
graduates?
 What percent of the students return after
their freshman year?
 What is unique about the campus?
 What percent graduate in 4 or 5 years?
 How safe is the campus?

DIFFERENT ADMISSION TYPES

Early Admissions: matriculate before
graduating from high school

Early Action: apply and notified well in
advance of regular date, not committed

Early Decision: apply and notified well in
advance w/out financial information, if
accepted must withdraw other applications

Deferred Entrance: postpone enrollment
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
 ALL
applications and scholarships are to
be sent from guidance.

Transcript information will be attached and
the application is checked for
completeness.

We cannot give you an official transcript,
only an unofficial one.
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Turn into guidance at least 5 working days
before postmark deadline.

Attach a business-size envelope addressed to
the school with 3 or more stamps.

$2.00 processing fee for each official transcript
(fee waived for students on free or reduced
lunch) Cash or check made payable to
SVHS.
ON-LINE APPLICATION
PROCESS
Turn in a written request for a transcript
(with your name on it) to guidance at
least 5 working days before postmark
deadline.
 Attach a business size envelope
addressed to the school with 2 stamps.
 $2.00 processing fee for each official
transcript (Cash or check made
payable to SVHS).

PSAT & PLAN
• PSAT (pre-SAT): students will take this
test in 10th. 11th Students will need to sign
up and pay a fee in Sept. (test in Oct.)
• PLAN (pre-ACT): will be given to students
in 10th grade need to sign up and pay a fee
in Sept. (test in Oct.)
Tests Seniors Should
Consider Taking
•
•
•
•
•
•
COMPASS
ASVAB
TOEFL
SAT
ACT
SAT II
SAT OR ACT?????
Must have completed Algebra 2
Apply on-line or come to guidance for a
packet (Complete on your own. It does
not have to come through guidance.)
SAT
ACT
Sections
Math
Critical Reading
Writing
Math
Reading
English
Science
Optional Essay
Scoring
Each section 200-800
Max. 2400
Essay 2-12
Each section
1-36
Max 36
Essay 2-12
Test Length
3hrs and
45 minutes
3hrs and 45 min. w/essay
Essay
Required part of test
Essay written at start
25 minutes
Optional part of test
Essay written at the end
30 minutes
What’s the Difference
SAT
ACT
Format
Multiple choice & some
completion for math
Multiple choice only
Question order
Questions presented in
order of difficulty
within each section
Questions randomly
ordered within each
section
Scoring Basis
Random guessing
PENALIZED
NO PENALTY for
random guessing
Online info.
www.collegeboard.com
www.act.org
SAT Dates
Regular Sept
Deadline 7
Oct
4
Nov
1
Dec
28
Feb
8
April May
5
2
Late
Sept
Deadline 21
Oct
19
Nov
16
Jan
11
Feb
22
Apr
19
May
17
Test
Date
Nov
3
Dec
1
Jan
26
Mar
9
May
4
June
1
Oct
6
SAT SCORES
April 10
Sept 11
Dec 11
Critical
Reading
620
600
630
Math
560
640
620
Best combined score=
Writing Total
1170
1240
650
1250/1900
1270
SAT Subject Tests
• Check with each school to see what is
required.
• Take subject test immediately after
completing the course.
ACT Dates
Regular Aug
Deadline 17
Sept
21
Nov
2
Jan
11
Mar
8
May
3
Late
Aug
Deadline 24
Oct
5
Nov
16
Jan
18
Mar
22
May
17
Test
Date
Oct
27
Dec
8
Feb
9
Apr
13
June
8
Sept
8
ACT
TWO OPTIONS
Sign up for:
ACT
OR
ACT plus writing (recommended)
ACADEMIC COMMON
MARKET
• Students who are interested in a field of
study not offered by any college or
university in South Carolina can attend a
college within the region and pay in-state
tuition.
• www.sreb.org/programs/acm/acmindex.aspx