College Admission Handbook - Goshen Central School District · Page 3 of 17 Table of Contents Usernames, Passwords and Codes 2 Admissions Testing 4 SAT 4 SAT Photo Upload 5 ACT 8

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Goshen Central High School Guidance Department

College

Admission

Handbook

2019‐2020

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Usernames, Passwords and Codes Please use this area to record user names and passwords.

Goshen Central High School’s school (CEEB) code is 332 135

ACT Registration www.actstudent.org

User Name: _________________________ Password: _________________________

SAT Registration www.collegeboard.org


Common Application www.commonapp.org

The codes for the Common Application are required for sending electronic applications through

Naviance.


Naviance www.connection.naviance.com/family‐connection/goshenchs


NCAA Eligibility Center www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org


FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) www.fafsa.ed.gov


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Table of Contents

Usernames, Passwords and Codes 2

Admissions Testing 4 SAT 4

SAT Photo Upload 5

ACT 8

SAT vs ACT 8

College Entrance Testing Modifications 10

Naviance Student 10

The College Search Process 12 Interviews, College Fairs, College Reps Visiting GHS 12

The College Application 12

Common Application 13

Early Decision 13

Early Action 13

Regular Decision / Rolling Admission 13

Transcript Request Deadlines 14 Student Essay 14

The High School Transcript 15

Transcript Request 16

School Profile 16

School Report 16

Parent Brag Sheet 16

Counselor Letter of Recommendation 16 Teacher Recommendations 17

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Admissions Testing

Most four‐year colleges require students to submit SAT or ACT scores with their application for

admission. However some of these schools are SAT/ACT optional and do not require these exams. You

must have your official SAT or ACT scores sent directly from the testing agencies to the colleges by

logging onto their website and paying a fee. The websites are listed below and there is a link on the

Naviance Family Connection home page. When registering for the exam students can have up to four

score reports sent to colleges for no charge. Additional reports will cost $12.00 for each school. These

scores are not included on the high school transcript.

SAT

SAT Reasoning Test www.collegeboard.com

This standardized test allows colleges to compare students’ general knowledge. The SAT measures the

academic skills and knowledge students have learned throughout their school career and their ability to

apply this information. There are three sections: Critical Reading, Math and Writing. Most students take

the SAT Reasoning test for the first time in May of their junior year. They may take it as often as they

wish. Below are the dates for the remaining test for the current school year. The subject tests are

offered on the same dates. Students may take the SAT Reasoning Test or up to three subject tests on

each date.

SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests Dates (Register online www.collegeboard.com/sat )

SAT Score Release Dates 2018-2019 **

SAT Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration Multiple-Choice Scores Release Date

August 24,2019 July 26, 2019 August 14, 2019 September 17, 2019

*October 5, 2019 September 6, 2019 September 25, 2019 October 18-24, 2019

*November 2, 2019 October 4, 2019 October 23, 2019 November 15-21, 2019

December 7, 2019 November 8, 2019 November 26, 2019 December 16-26, 2019

March 14, 2020 February 13, 2020 March 3, 2020 March 27-April 2, 2019

*May 2, 2020 April 3, 2020 April 22, 2020 May 15-21, 2020

June 6, 2020 May 8, 2020 May 27, 2020 July 15, 2020

* Offered at Goshen Central High School

** https://www.compassprep.com/act‐and‐sat‐testing‐dates/

Subject Tests www.collegeboard.com

Subject tests measure students’ knowledge in a specific subject area and may be required by some

selective colleges. Most will want to see results from two different subjects, a few will expect three.

Most colleges do not require these tests. Students can sit for up to three in one day. Some students

take Biology at the end of ninth grade, but most take these tests in sophomore or junior year, depending

on the class(es) they are taking. The June date is recommended since it is the last testing date during

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the school year. The student benefits from maximum class time in addition to independent preparation

by taking the test on this date.

These tests are listed below:

Biology/EM Literature French French with Listening

Math Level 1 Physics Spanish Spanish with Listening Math Level 2 Chemistry German German with Listening World History Italian Modern Hebrew Chinese with Listening U.S. History Latin Korean with Listening Japanese with Listening

Photo Upload When Registering for the SAT: Below is information taken directly from the College

Board website

Photo Requirements

You must provide a photo when you sign up for the SAT. The photo will be part of your Admission Ticket

and will be checked against your photo ID on test day to ensure security.

You Really Need to Know This

• If the photo you upload doesn’t meet the requirements listed below, you will not be allowed to

test.

• Getting a message that your upload was successful does not mean that your photo meets all

requirements. It only means that it’s the correct file type and size.

If you have any concerns about the photo requirements, contact Customer Service

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/contact‐us or 866‐756‐7346.

Don’t Get Turned Away on Test Day

You won’t be allowed to take the test if your Admission Ticket photo has any of these problems:

• One or both of your eyes are not visible or blocked (for example, if you are wearing sunglasses).

• Photos include more than one person.

• Poor photo quality makes you unrecognizable.

• You are wearing a hat or head covering that is not worn for religious purposes.

• Your photo has been digitally altered or tampered with in any other way.

Acceptable Photo Checklist

You can use recent photos — like school pictures or passport photos — or take a new one. You can also

link to Facebook to add a photo (you’ll be able to crop it). Just make sure they meet these requirements:

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ACT www.act.org

The ACT is another college entrance test that is accepted by practically all colleges for the purpose of

making an admissions decision. Some students choose to take this test instead of, or in addition to, the

SAT Reasoning Test. There are four sections plus an optional writing test. These are: English, Reading,

Math and Science. When doing college admissions research, students will find that there are some

schools that will accept the ACT with writing in place of both the SAT Reasoning and Subject tests.

ACT Test Dates (online registration www.actstudent.org )

2019-20 ACT Registration/Score Release Schedule

ACT Test Date Registration Deadline

Late Registration Deadline

Multiple-Choice Scores Release

Sept 14, 2019 August 16, 2019 August 31, 2019 Sept. 24- Oct. 8, 2019

Oct 26, 2019 September 27, 2019 October 13, 2019 Nov. 12-26, 2019

Dec 14, 2019 November 8, 2019 November 25, 2019 Dec. 24, 2019-Jan. 7, 2020

Feb 8, 2020 January 10, 2020 January 17, 2020 Feb. 18-March 4, 2020

April 4, 2020 February 28, 2020 March 16, 2020 Apr. 14-28, 2020

June 13, 2020 May 8, 2020 May 25, 2020 June 23-July 7, 2020

* No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July and February test dates

Photo Upload Procedures and Restrictions for ACT exams are similar to the College Board’s guidelines,

which are listed above. For further clarification please see the ACT website:

https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products‐and‐services/the‐act/taking‐the‐test/photo‐submisssion‐

requirements.html#deadlines .

SAT vs. ACT

The question, “Which test should I take?”, or “Should I take both (the SAT and the ACT)?” is often asked.

Since these exams have a different format, preparation may be different for each. Students need to

consider how they will prepare (a course, online program, purchase a book, etc.) and the time, effort

and cost of each. Most college bound students take the PSAT in their junior year. This is a practice

version of the SAT Reasoning Test, and the student’s results may help with this decision. The PLAN

exam, which was a practice version of the ACT is no longer available.

The student may want to practice for each exam and decide which highlights his or her strengths by

taking practice exams under testing conditions to see if scores differ significantly. Booklets with practice

questions are also available in the guidance office for each of these exams and also the SAT Subject

tests. There are also many online test prep sources available. Below you will find a comparison, which

was taken from the College Board website, that clarifies the differences between the redesigned SAT

and the ACT exams.

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Comparison between the SAT and ACT

(Princeton Review Website https://www.princetonreview.com/college/sat‐act)

SAT vs ACT: Which Test is Right for You?

Many students and parents begin the college prep process by comparing the ACT and SAT tests.

The SAT and ACT generally cover the same topics. Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college

admissions decisions and awarding merit‐based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over

the other.

Compare the ACT and SAT tests

ACT includes a Science section

SAT includes one SAT Math Section on which you may not use a calculator

SAT ACT

Why Take It Colleges use SAT scores for admissions

and merit‐based scholarships.

Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and

merit‐based scholarships.

Test

Structure

Reading

Writing & Language

Math

Essay (Optional)

English

Math

Reading

Science Reasoning

Essay (Optional)

Length 3 hours (without essay)

3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay)

2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay)

3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)

Reading 5 reading passages 4 reading passages

Science None 1 science section testing your critical thinking

skills (not your specific science knowledge)

Math

Covers:

Arithmetic

Algebra I & II

Geometry, Trigonometry and

Covers:

Arithmetic

Algebra I & II

Geometry, Trigonometry, and

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SAT ACT

Data Analysis Probability & Statistics

Calculator

Policy

Some math questions don't allow you to

use a calculator.

You can use a calculator on all math questions.

Essays Optional. The essay will test your

comprehension of a source text.

Optional. The essay will test how well you

evaluate and analyze complex issues.

How It's

Scored

Scored on a scale of 400–1600 Scored on a scale of 1–36

College Entrance Testing Modifications

Some students who have Individualized Instruction Plans (IEPs) or 504 Plans receive accommodations

such as extended time, tests read, etc. on school and state tests. In order to receive them on the SAT or

ACT exams students must produce documentation that supports the need for these test modifications.

No student may use these modifications without prior approval of the College Board (SAT) Services for

Students with Disabilities or the American College Testing (ACT) Services for Students with Disabilities

Offices. Students should see their school counselor to begin this approval process. Because the review

process is thorough, it takes about seven weeks from the receipt of all documentation for each agency

to make a determination.

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/special‐circumstances/students‐with‐

disabilities

www.actstudent.org/regist/disab/exam

Naviance Student

Students, parents and counselors are able to communicate, track and analyze data about college and

career plans throughout high school at their convenience. Messages and/or information from

counselors or the guidance office can be found by clicking on, “new messages” on the top right on the

opening page that appears when the student or parent logs in. Students can send their counselor an e‐

mail by clicking "contact counselor link on the bottom left side of this opening page if there are any

questions or need to make contact. Goshen Central High School forms, including the transcript request,

are available in the document resources button about three quarters of the way down the opening

page.

Using the programs in Naviance Student allows students to link to useful websites, surveys and many

relevant career and college topics.

There are four modules for student/parent use. These sections can be accessed by clicking on the tabs

at the top of the Family Connection pages. They are 1.) courses, 2.) colleges, 3.) careers, and 4.) about

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me. Students can also use the “my planner” tab to create a to do list, set goals, and identify tasks in

need of completion.

It is the desire of the guidance staff to assist each student in transitioning to life after high school and

achieve his or her educational and career goals. Students can develop a game plan and update their

resume by clicking on the links below in the “my planner” tab in Naviance Student.

• List goals

• Create a “To Do” list

The links below are found after clicking on the “careers” tab and are designed to help students to

explore careers and college majors.

• Complete the Cluster Finder

• Explore and add careers to your career list (Career and Clusters I am Thinking About)

• Complete the “Do What You Are” career assessment (Completed in Grade 9)

• Complete the Career Interest Profiler (Completed in Grade 10)

View Videos on Road Trip Nation. This includes 6,399 videos of assorted occupations and themes that

allow people who have been successful to tell their story.

By clicking the “colleges” tab Students will be able to explore their options and refine the list of colleges

they plan to apply.

Locate and explore College Resources

Complete a College Search (Supermatch is a savable search that allows you to save many

versions of your college search)

Lookup Colleges (College Lookup)

Explore Summer Enrichment Programs

Update "Colleges I'm Thinking About”

Scattergrams allow students to compare their own GPA and college admission test scores to

other Goshen High School students who have been either accepted or denied admission at each

individual college or university

View the GHS Acceptance History from colleges that GHS students have applied to. This feature

allows student to see how many of our students were accepted to individual colleges and also

how many of them enrolled.

In the Scholarships and Money section students can enter information to do a national

scholarship search, get a Scholarship List and do a Scholarship Match.

In the About Me section, students can:

develop a professional Resume

view their Test Scores from college entrance exams

view their GPA in the Account section

view career assessments such as the Do what You Are (Grade 9), Career Interest Profiler

(Grade10), Strengths Explorer (Grade 11), and the Career Cluster Finder.

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The College Search Process

The college application process can be very stressful when students are not prepared to meet deadlines.

We strongly advise that the student begins this process no later than the second semester of their junior

year. Initially he/she will be searching for information to develop a list that will meet his/her needs.

Does he/she have a major in mind? How far is he/she willing to go from home? What setting? Urban?

Rural? Suburban? And so on…

Once the student has a practical list, he/she needs to look at each school in further detail and begin to

think about a visit. Goshen Central High School will allow three excused college visits for each student

from the second semester of junior year through the first semester of senior year. There are also

several holidays in the fall where colleges are in session while GHS is closed that can be utilized to visit

schools. It is in the best interest of students to take advantage of this opportunity and we feel it is best

to do this while the college is in session. The perspective student can get a feel for a typical day and

decide if they are as enthusiastic about the college after experiencing campus life first hand. Students

need to contact the admissions office and find out when information sessions and tours are available.

Some colleges will ask students to register ahead. Many colleges also have open houses, usually on the

weekend, that will include a presentation as well as faculty from individual majors. Again, many schools

will ask students to preregister.

Interviews / College Fairs / Reps Visiting GHS

While on campus for a tour, often students can interview with an admissions counselor. Usually these

arrangements are made with the admissions office prior to the visit. Some colleges do not require an

interview: Interviews by the admissions office can be mandatory, optional or not offered at all. Most of

these interviews last thirty to sixty minutes. This gives the college an opportunity to get to know

students on a more personal level. The student can ask questions about the college and the admissions

process; explain variations in his/her academic record; and talk about his/her strength’s that will benefit

the college.

Local college fairs afford students the opportunity to meet with college representatives and ask

questions about the school. The Orange County Counselors’ Association will sponsor a college fair on

Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at SUNY Orange that includes over a hundred colleges. We also plan to hold

our own college fair here at Goshen High School in early October.

College representatives will be visiting GHS throughout the fall. We try to schedule them during lunch

periods, but their schedules do not always allow for this. If a college representative is scheduled to visit

during a student’s class, the student needs to receive permission from their teacher prior to the day of

the visit. The schedule will be posted in Naviance, the school website, and a hard copy is posted outside

the guidance office. You will be able to sign up ahead of time on Naviance Family Connection.

The College Application

The college application will require that you provide some or all of the information listed below:

• basic demographic information

• family Information

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• future plans

• educational history including senior courses

• college entrance testing information

• a listing of extracurricular activities & work experience

• an essay

• Some colleges also require a supplemental application that may entail another writing piece.

Students should check to see if the school that they are applying to requires this extra submission.

Common Application (Online or print application that may be submitted to any of the 600+ member

schools) Once completed, this application may be sent to any of the participating schools. Further

information is available on the Common Application Undergraduate Admissions website

www.commonapp.org . As stated above, some schools require their own supplement in addition to the

Common Application. Supplements for individual colleges are also available through this website.

• Once complete the Common Application must be linked electronically to the student’s Naviance

Family Connection account. This is necessary for submission of transcripts, letters of recommendation,

etc. to be received by colleges. An instructional video (link com app to navi ) is available on the links

section that is located on the lower left side of the student’s opening page on the Student website.

There is also a guide (Instructions for College App Submission) also in the document library, which is

located on the lower left side of the student’s Naviance Student opening page. Look for From My

School . Links for a variety of very helpful web links.

Early Decision

This option is binding and only available at one college. This should be the school that is clearly the

student’s number one choice. Once accepted under this program, the student, parents and guidance

counselor all understand, and have agreed prior to sending the application, that all applications to other

colleges must be withdrawn.

Early Action

This option is not binding and students do not need to commit to attending if accepted. Like “regular

application” applicants, early action students have until May 1st to make their final decision about which

school they will attend

Regular Decision / Rolling Admission

It is important to find out the application deadline for each college. Some schools process applications

on a “rolling basis” and others establish a deadline. “Rolling Admission” schools will notify students of

admissions decisions as they process applications. Schools that establish a deadline usually notify all

students at the same time of their admission status. It is the responsibility of the student to know the

application deadlines for each individual college. Please allow your counselor at least 10 school days to

gather the necessary documents (ie. transcripts, current grade report, school profile, and counselor

recommendation) and send them to the college electronically or through the mail. Students need to

turn in a paper Transcript Request Form to their counselor and also request transcripts electronically

through Naviance Family Connection for each individual college application. Paper applications that are

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to be sent through the mail should also be logged into Naviance Family Connection and given to their

counselor along with the Transcript Request Form. Students who send online applications should turn in

their paper Transcript Request Form after the application has been submitted online and logged into

Naviance Family Connection.

College Deadline GHS paper transcript request deadline

November 1, 2019 October 17, 2019

November 15, 2019 October 30, 2019

December 1, 2019 November 12, 2019

December 15, 2019 November 25, 2019

January 1, 2019 (sent during or before vacation) December 6, 2019

January 15, 2020 December 18, 2019

Student Essay

Most selective four‐year colleges require you to submit an essay and/or personal statement. Students

need to take considerable time and effort to craft a well thought out essay that reflects well on their

writing skills and allows admissions officers a look beyond the objective data such as GPA, test scores

and so on. In addition to the basics, such as correct spelling, consistent use of tense, subject‐verb

agreement, and other mechanics issues, admissions officers will be looking for higher‐level thinking and

writing skills. Admissions committees put the most weight on high school course selection, grades and

test scores. However, selective colleges receive applications from many excellent students who have

similar scores and grades. So the essay (along with letters of recommendation and extracurricular

activities) is a good tool to determine what sets one student apart from another and serves as a

predictor of what assets the student will bring to contribute to the academic and social experience on

their campus.

Instructions. The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and

helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to

know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you

answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and

structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you

need, but don’t feel obligated to do so. (The application won’t accept a response shorter than 250

words.)

2019‐2020 Common Application Essay Prompts https://www.commonapp.org/whats‐appening/application‐updates/2019‐2020‐common‐app‐essay‐prompts

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

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2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma ‐ anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

During the 2018‐2019 application year, the most popular topic of choice was: “Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.” (24.1%). The next most popular topics were: “Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.” (23.7%), followed by “The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?” (21.1%).

"The prompts as they exist today offer a broad range of approaches, accommodating students with a diverse set of experiences and ideas about the world to respond in a thoughtful and illuminating manner,"' said Ian Watson, Associate Director of College Counseling at The Rivers School (Weston, MA).

You don't need to have done volunteer work in another country or traveled around the world to “wow”

the admissions committee. Colleges are looking for thoughtful, motivated students who will add

something to their freshman class. Have at least one other person proof read your essay. And before

you send it off, check, check again, and then triple check to make sure your essay is free of spelling or

grammatical errors.

The High School Transcript

The high school transcript is the most important document that colleges will consider. Several surveys

done by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling have found that the most influential

factors in college admissions are:

1. Grades in college prep courses (English, Social Studies, Math, Science and Foreign Language)

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2. Grades in all courses (Grade Point Average)

3. Strength of Curriculum

4. Admissions Test Scores (SAT, ACT)

The student transcript includes information including a listing of courses taken each year, the grades

earned in each course, the amount of credit awarded for each course, state exam results, overall grade

point average and decile ranking. It does not include SAT or ACT test scores, which must be sent directly

from the testing agency.

Transcript Requests

Transcripts must be requested both through the paper form and also online through Naviance Family

Connection so that transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc. can be sent to designated colleges. See

the Goshen High School “Instructions for College Application Submission” that can be found in the

“document library” on the right side of the student’s home page in Naviance Family Connection for

detailed directions.

School Profile

The school profile is a four‐page document that includes pertinent information about Goshen Central

High School and the local community. This includes the school enrollment; course offerings; the grading

system; information on ranking and weighting; school wide SAT results; a listing of extracurricular

activities available and an account of colleges that have accepted our students for admission.

School Report

Many schools will request a school report from the student’s guidance counselor. This report is required

by all schools that accept the Common Application. This document includes the student’s course listing

and information about the high school (ie the number of AP and Honors classes). The counselor also

needs to indicate how long they have known the student, and in what context, and also assess the

strength of the students program in relation to other students, academic achievement, extracurricular

accomplishments, personal qualities and character.

Parent Brag Sheet and Student Autobiography

During the summer prior to senior year families will receive a “parent brag sheet” and students will also

be asked to complete a “Student Autobiography”. Please return them to the guidance office. These

forms give parents the opportunity to share their unique perspective on their son or daughter and a

chance to reflect on their past, present and future. This information is extremely helpful to the

student’s counselor, particularly when writing the student’s recommendation letter. It is also helpful

receive these insights from students about themselves and it gives them an opportunity to be

introspective about their past and think about their plans for the future.

Counselor Letter of Recommendation

The student’s counselor will write a letter that will summarize his/her record, talk about strengths and

their impression of likely success. Parents are asked to return the “brag sheet” during the summer

between the student’s junior and senior year. This sheet gives the parent the opportunity to discuss

their student’s strengths and list examples of positive behaviors that the counselor may sight as

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examples. Like teacher letters of recommendation, the student and/or parent does not have access to

this letter. Students are asked to allow adequate time between the request and due date for counselors

to write a thoughtful letter that reflects the assets that the he or she will bring to the college.

Teacher Recommendations

Letters of recommendation are encouraged and/or required as a component of most college

applications. Colleges generally require one or two recommendations from classroom teachers. These

letters are more than a testament to good character and a friendly disposition. They highlight the

student’s performance in the academic setting and point out the assets the student will bring to the

college. What does the student “bring to the table” in the classroom setting? Please do not request

more than two letters. Admissions counselors read hundreds of applications and have expressed that in

most cases two letters are sufficient.

Please allow adequate time for teachers to write a thoughtful letter. All requests should be made at

least several weeks prior to the first due date. Students must submit a paper “Teacher

Recommendation Request” to the teacher and also make this request through Naviance Family

Connection. Most of these letters will be sent by the teacher online through Naviance. Please provide a

stamped, addressed envelope to the teacher for any letter that needs to be sent through the mail.

Teacher letters of recommendation are confidential. Students and/or parents do not have access.

Colleges feel that letters written without influence are more objective, forthright and descriptive of the

student’s academic behaviors. Teachers spend a considerable amount of time and effort writing these

letters. We encourage students to recognize this effort with a thank you note.

Documents

College Admission Handbook - Goshen Central School District · Page 3 of 17 Table of Contents Usernames, Passwords and Codes 2 Admissions Testing 4 SAT 4 SAT Photo Upload 5 ACT 8