COLLEGE NIGHT
March 20, 2012
What are you looking for in a
college?
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Academic Programs / Major
Location – rural, suburban, urban
Size – small: 1000-3000; Medium: 3000-8000;
Large: 8000-20,000; Extra Large: over 20,000
Facilities
Religion
Student Body
Athletic / Talent Programs
FIT !!! Does it “feel” like a good fit?
What are colleges looking for in a
student?
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Academic Achievement (GPA)
SAT/ACT scores
Rigor of classes (H/AP)
Senior Class Schedule (Maintain Rigor)
Extracurricular Activities
Community Service
Essays
Recommendation Letter(s)
Interview (for some private colleges)
Alumni of the university
Special Talents
FIT!!!
What matters to colleges?
“Scholastic Assessment Test”
Formerly “American College Testing”
3 Sections
•Critical Reading
•Math
•Writing
5 Sections
•English
•Math
•Reading
•Science Reasoning
•Writing (Optional, but not really)
Scores range from 200 – 800 in each
section
Scores range from 1 – 36 in each
section but COMPOSITE SCORE is
average of all sections
1/4 –point penalty for wrong
answers
No penalty for wrong answers
“Reasoning” based questions
“Curriculum” based questions
www.collegeboard.com
www.act.org
Most colleges will acknowledge
the student’s highest verbal
score, highest math score and
highest writing score, even if
they were not taken on the
same test date
Most colleges will look at
highest COMPOSITE score –
most do not mix and match
section scores
Students will be able to select
which scores they send to
colleges by test date for the
SAT and by individual test for
the SAT Subject Tests
ACT reports, “ONLY the
scores from the test date you
designate, not any other test
scores. This ensures that you
direct the reporting of your
scores.”
EXAMPLE SAT
March, 2012
650 Math, 590 Critical Reading, 640 Writing
May, 2012
620 Math, 640 Critical Reading, 650 Writing
October, 2012
590 Math, 590 Critical Reading, 600 Writing
*About ½ of colleges take the writing score into
consideration
EXAMPLE ACT
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February, 2011
English – 28
Math – 24
Reading – 32
Science – 24
English/Writing – 28
Composite – 27
April, 2011
English - 31
Math - 27
Reading - 32
Science - 27
English/Writing - 30
Composite – 29
Testing - SAT
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Some colleges will require that you send ALL of your scores
When you start to send your scores, you will be able to see
what each college requires.
Testing – SAT Subject Tests
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Not all colleges require these tests, but those that
do normally require 2 or 3
Research your prospective schools to see what
they require
Test in areas in which you will do well
English Literature, U.S. History, World History,
Math Level 1, Math Level 2, Biology, Chemistry,
Physics, Languages
Importance of Visiting Colleges
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Spring Break is a great time to visit collegesstudents will be on campus
Get a feel for the campus
If possible, sign up for a tour– let the school know
that you are there!
“Demonstrated Interest” – schools keep track of any
visits, tours, communication, etc. that you have with
the school
Number of Applications
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4-7 applications is reasonable
Applications should include at least one reach
school, one safety school, and two target schools
To determine safety, target and reach, the student
should compare her grade point average and SAT
scores to the average statistics in the college’s
“Freshman Class Profile” (information available
on Naviance)
Number of Applications
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Applying to too many colleges can complicate
the final decision in April and May
College applications can also get very expensive
($25-$75 per application)
Doing research, being realistic and VISITING
colleges can help narrow down your college list
Application Types
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Every college has it’s own criteria and application
requirements – BE SURE TO FIND OUT EACH
SCHOOL’S REQUIREMENTS!
Different applications, supplements, deadlines,
testing requirements, financial aid requirements, etc
Application Types
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Regular Decision
Early Decision
 Binding
 May
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only apply to ONE
Early Action
 Non-binding
 Most
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allow more than one – check each schools rules
Rolling Admission
 First
come, first served
 Apply Early!!
Application Types
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Common Application vs. School-specific Application
Over 400 colleges and universities use the Common App
 www.commonapp.org
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Supplements to Common Application
Application Process
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Large majority of students will complete
applications online (quicker, easier, most colleges
prefer it)
About 99% of colleges accept the application
online
About 90% of colleges will accept transcript and
recommendations online, through Naviance
The other 10% will need to be mailed via USPS
Letters of Recommendations
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Most colleges require 2 letters of recommendations
from teachers and 1 from a guidance counselor
Letters DO NOT have to be from teachers of Junior
year classes, but should be recent
Make sure the teacher knows you and can speak
well about you
Letters of Recommendation
More information on how to do this will
come in September
 For now, begin thinking about who you
would like to write these letters for you
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NAVIANCE
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On-line Guidance program used for researching
career options, exploring colleges, organizing
applications, and sending information.
Statistics are from Villa students and graduates
from the Class of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
www.connection.naviance.com/villawalsh
FINANCIAL AID
FAFSA
CSS PROFILE
Free Application for Federal Student
Aid
College Board aid application for
about 200 private colleges
Used to determine FEDERAL Financial
Aid
Used to determine NON-FEDERAL
Financial Aid (institutional
scholarships, grants, loans)
Cost is FREE!
You are charged an application fee of
$9, plus $16 for each college or
scholarship program to which you
want information sent.
The FAFSA can be submitted
beginning on January 1 of your
Senior year.
The CSS PROFILE can be submitted
prior to January 1. CHECK EACH
INDIVIDUAL COLLEGE FOR PROFILE
DEADLINE!!
www.fafsa.ed.gov
https://profileonline.collegeboard.com
FINANCIAL AID
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Most private colleges require you to fill out both
the FAFSA and the PROFILE.
Public colleges only require the FAFSA.
Each college sets a deadline by which you must
file each of the forms- please check these
deadlines over the summer to make sure you get
them done on time!
Financial Aid
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Family financial information is analyzed to come
up with the EFC = Expected Family Contribution
EFC based on:
 Parents
Income
 Parents Assets
 Student Income
 Student Assets
 # of family members
 # of children in college
Varsity Athletes
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If anyone is considering playing a varsity sport in
college, you must register and be cleared by the
NCAA
www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org
Being cleared takes time, so if you think you might
want to play, begin the process now.
You will not be allowed to participate if you are not
cleared through the NCAA
Recruiting regulations can also be found on this site
WHAT SHOULD WE DO NOW?
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Research and visit colleges
Take SAT/ACT/Subject Tests
Begin thinking about who you would like to write
your teacher letters of recommendations
Continue working hard without making yourself
crazy