College Planning
CENTRAL BUCKS HIGH SCHOOL EAST
CLASS OF 2017
WALT SANDSTROM (A-LA)
MELANIE JONES(LE-Z)
OVERVIEW
 Junior Year Timeline
 Standardized Test options
 Admissions Factors
 Naviance - Career & College Search Process
 Counselor letter of recommendation
 Application Timeline
 Program Planning Process
Junior Year Timeline
FALL
WINTER/SPRING
SUMMER
√Revisit Naviance, update
resume and game plan to
include potential major.
Course selection for senior year Call ahead to set up campus
(Portal opens January)
tours and visit schools of
interest.
√Meet with college admission
reps who visit East.
Visit College Campuses and
Attend District College Fair on
March 16th 6:30pm at South.
√PSAT’s on October 14th
Take the SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Start looking at/working on
Tests, AP exams.
college applications.
Register for fall SAT/ACT/SAT
Subject tests if necessary.
√Student Athletes register with
NCAA
√Attend Financial Aid Night on
November 11th at CB South.
Naviance - college search
process, enter colleges of
interest, complete “college
recommendation questionnaire”
Complete Career Plan Essay in Request teacher
English Class
recommendations from 11th
grade teachers.
Revisit college application
essay written in English 11 for
Career Plan and fine-tune
existing activity resume.
Participate in an enrichment
program, get a job or internship
There are HOW many colleges in the US?
 Approximately 4,646 colleges in the US
 Consider all options
 Narrow down the list to 1o-15 by end of 11th grade
 Apply to approximately 4-8 in senior year
Types of Post-Secondary Schools
 PA State Colleges/Universities
 Private Colleges/Universities
 “Ivy League” Schools
 Military Academies
 Specialized Institutions (art,
music, culinary arts,
technical/trade, etc.)
 Community Colleges (Transfer
Programs)
 Two-Year Private Colleges
Decision Factors
 Entrance Requirements
 Selectivity
 Public vs. Private
 Majors Available
 Specialized programs
 Final Cost and Expenses
More Decision Factors
Finding the perfect match….
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Size of school/classes
Geographic location
Distance from home
Type of campus
Surrounding community
Campus personality
Diversity
Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
Facilities and housing
Resources for the College Search
 Naviance (Counselor can re-set password)
 Websites such as: College Click TV,
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Studentsreview.com, College Confidential
Facebook, twitter
Traditional guidebooks, college brochures, reference
books – Fisk Guide
Ask around. Neighbors, teachers, family members,
etc…
College Fair- March 16, 2016, 6:30p.m. at CB South
East data
College data
Campus Visits…
What makes their college unique?
 Campus Tour
 Open Houses- spring or next fall.
 Overnight stay with sibling/friend
 Visit an actual class in session
 Interview, if requested or required
 “Chat” with current students
 Visit before applying, and again after acceptance.
 Students can take up to 3 excused absences in both
11th and 12th grade for college visits.
Most Important Factors in College Admissions
 Grades
 GPA
 Trend of grades
 Rigor of schedule
 Stays the same or increases
 Standardized Testing (SAT, ACT, SAT Subject)
 Varies in importance at each college
 Test optional - Fairtest.org
Student Transcript
Sample Senior Year Schedule
Sample Senior Year Schedule
Most Important Factors in College Admissions
(Continued)
√ Grades
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GPA
Trend of grades
√ Rigor of schedule
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Stays the same or increases
 Standardized Testing (SAT, ACT, SAT Subject)
 Varies in importance at each college
 Test optional - Fairtest.org
The 2015-16 Testing Timeline
AP
Exams
SAT
Subj
SAT
Subj
SAT
Subj
ACT
ACT
SAT
Subj
SAT
Subj
PSAT
(New)
Oct
ACT
ACT
SAT
(New)
SAT
(Old)
SAT
(Old)
Nov
Dec
SAT
Subj
ACT
SAT
(New)
SAT
(New)
SAT
(Old)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
College Admissions
Old SAT, New SAT, & ACT
 Most Colleges Admissions Representatives have
stated that they will accept the Old SAT, New SAT, &
ACT
o
However, a few colleges posted on their website and/or verbally
stated that they would only accept the New SAT and ACT for the
Class of 2017. This includes:
 University of Delaware (verbal)
 Virginia Tech (website)
o
We recommend to check with the college website or their
admissions office if you have a concern
Worried About Your SAT & ACT Scores?
Consider applying to colleges that are Test Optional
 The National Center for Fair & Open Testing
maintains a list at FairTest.org
American University
College of New Jersey
Dickinson College
Connecticut College
Fairfield University
Franklin & Marshall
George Mason
George Washington
Ithaca College
Gettysburg College
Loyola University
Muhlenberg College
Saint Joseph’s Uni.
Temple University
Susquehanna
Wake Forest
Test Optional for certain GPA/Major
Arizona State University, Duquesne University, Elizabethtown College
Test Flexible SAT/ACT not required if other exams such as SAT
Subject Test or AP Exam Scores are submitted
Middlebury College, Hamilton College, NYU
Other Admission Factors
 Essays
 Extracurricular Activities/Leadership
 Athletics, Work, Clubs, Volunteering, Music
 Recommendations
 Teachers
 Counselor
 Audition/Portfolio (If applicable)
 Demonstrated Interest
 Campus visit, Interview, College rep visits at East,
Communication with admissions
Communication Tips
 Create a college-appropriate email address
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iliketoparty@yahoo.com
wsandstrom@yahoo.com
 Online presence
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http://www.screencast.com/t/KTxArI229mYU
 Student contact with Admissions Officer
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Prepare with questions before visiting:
http://www.collegeadmissionspartners.com/resources/app
lication-process/interviews/questions-for-you/
Counselor Letter of Recommendation
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“Counselor Recommendation Questionnaire” survey on
Naviance
Optional “Parent Recommendation Questionnaire”
Print survey and submit to guidance office beginning
February 2, 2016.
Sent with transcript and standardized scores
Request made as part of the Transcript Request Form
(Allow at least 15 school days for processing).
Counselor Letter of Recommendation
College Application Deadline Overview
 Rolling
 Apply early because colleges make their decisions as applications come
in
 Once the class is full they will stop taking applications
 Schools like PSU have a priority deadline, we recommend your
application be complete by Halloween
 Early Decision (ED 1 and ED2) November & January
 Binding, usually notified of decision by winter break
 Only can apply to one school
 Early Action (EA) November
 Non-binding
 Sometimes this is restricted to one school but usually can apply to more
 Regular January - March
 Apply by deadline set and usually find out in March/April
The 2016-17 College Application Timeline
Review/ Write College Essays
Common App
Open Date 8/1
Transcript Processing begins early September. Must submit a minimum of 15 days prior to deadline
Rolling Admission & Priority Deadlines
Early Action (Non Binding)
FAFSA
Early Decision (Binding)
CSS
Profile
Aug
ACT
ACT
SAT
(New)
SAT
(New)
Sept
Oct
Regular Decision
ACT
Decision
Day
SAT
(New)
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
Program Planning for 12th Grade
 Enter courses in portal
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January 8 – February 7.
Counselor classroom visits.
Make sure you and your
student can access portal.
Maintain rigor and/or add
challenge.
Early Release/Late Arrival
privileges & provisions.
Join us again….
Late Spring
 Summer activities, introduction to
transcript/application process, financial aid process,
looking ahead to senior year.
Fall 2016
 Senior timeline, transcript request process, sending
teacher/counselor recommendations, financial aid &
scholarships, final decisions.
 Follow us on Twitter @CBEGuidance2017
 Questions?