Kenmore WestKenmore WestCollege PlanningCollege Planning

presentationpresentation

September 26, 2013September 26, 20136:30 pm6:30 pm

Many decisions are neccesary Many decisions are neccesary when planning for collegewhen planning for college

Two year or four college? Two year or four college? Attend a local school or go away? Attend a local school or go away?

What do I want to major in? What do I want to major in? How will I afford college? How will I afford college?

What kind of career am I thinking about? What kind of career am I thinking about? How much money do I want to make?How much money do I want to make?Where do I see myself in 5-10 years?Where do I see myself in 5-10 years?

How do you sort it all out?How do you sort it all out?

Careful planning is the keyCareful planning is the key

What are colleges looking What are colleges looking forfor??

GPA GPA Strength of transcriptStrength of transcript Standardized test scores (SAT, SAT II, Standardized test scores (SAT, SAT II,

ACT)ACT) College essayCollege essay Letters of recommendationLetters of recommendation Community service, clubs and activitiesCommunity service, clubs and activities Involvement in athletics, arts, music, Involvement in athletics, arts, music,

etcetc InterviewInterview

Grade Point AverageGrade Point Average

Grade Point Average (GPA) is Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated in the fall of senior year. calculated in the fall of senior year. The GPA includes all grades for any The GPA includes all grades for any high school class the student took in high school class the student took in grades 8 – 11.grades 8 – 11.

Courses of higher levels (IB, AP, Courses of higher levels (IB, AP, Honors, Articulated) carry weighting Honors, Articulated) carry weighting with them for the purpose of computing with them for the purpose of computing GPA. IB = 1.10, AP = 1.10, GPA. IB = 1.10, AP = 1.10, Honors = 1.05, Regents = 1.0Honors = 1.05, Regents = 1.0

Students receive GPA in fall of their Students receive GPA in fall of their senior yearsenior year

Strength of transcriptStrength of transcript

Colleges have “recommended” Colleges have “recommended” minimum academic requirements minimum academic requirements

for applicantsfor applicants

Look at college websites under their Look at college websites under their Admissions section for Admissions section for

requirements requirements

Students are always encouraged to achieve Students are always encouraged to achieve more than the minimum of the suggested more than the minimum of the suggested

requirements. requirements.

We recommend challenging yourself as much We recommend challenging yourself as much as possible in order to stay competitive.as possible in order to stay competitive.

Don’t forget:Don’t forget: AP coursesAP courses Articulated coursesArticulated courses Other advanced courses or independent Other advanced courses or independent

studiesstudies

These all help strengthen your transcriptThese all help strengthen your transcript

Register for SAT and/or ACT testsRegister for SAT and/or ACT tests

SAT – To register: www.collegeboard.comSAT – To register: www.collegeboard.com

ACT – To register: www.actstudent.org ACT – To register: www.actstudent.org

**If you are a special education student **If you are a special education student planning to take either of these tests, you planning to take either of these tests, you MUSTMUST see your IEP teacher and counselor see your IEP teacher and counselor

before you registerbefore you register

Standardized tests are not required for Standardized tests are not required for admission to a two-year community collegeadmission to a two-year community college

Standardized Tests

ACTACT

Four parts to the testFour parts to the test: : English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning

There is also an optional writing sectionThere is also an optional writing section

Each section is scored separately, Each section is scored separately, with a total composite score of 36.with a total composite score of 36.

The cost of the ACT is $36.50, with writing section is $52.50. The cost of the ACT is $36.50, with writing section is $52.50. Both include sending scores to 4 schools at no additional cost.Both include sending scores to 4 schools at no additional cost.

Upcoming test dateUpcoming test date: October 26, 2013: October 26, 2013Registration deadlineRegistration deadline: by September 27: by September 27

($23 late fee)($23 late fee)

See KW Counseling website or ACT website See KW Counseling website or ACT website for additional 2013-14 datesfor additional 2013-14 dates

SATSAT

Three parts to the test: Math, Critical Reading and Writing Three parts to the test: Math, Critical Reading and Writing The Writing section is The Writing section is notnot optional optional

Each section is 800 points, with a total possible score of Each section is 800 points, with a total possible score of 24002400

The cost of the SAT is $51.00 The cost of the SAT is $51.00 (this includes sending scores to 4 schools at no additional (this includes sending scores to 4 schools at no additional

cost)cost)

Dates & deadlines:Dates & deadlines:

Test dateTest date: November 2: November 2Registration deadlineRegistration deadline: October 3: October 3

See the KW Counseling website or College Board website See the KW Counseling website or College Board website for additional 2013-14 test dates & informationfor additional 2013-14 test dates & information

SAT & ACT SAT & ACT

Fee waiversFee waivers

Students are eligible for a fee Students are eligible for a fee waiver for these exams if they waiver for these exams if they

receive a free or reduced lunchreceive a free or reduced lunch

Students can ask for a waiver Students can ask for a waiver

in the Counseling Centerin the Counseling Center

SAT Subject testsSAT Subject tests

SAT subject tests are hour long, content-based tests that SAT subject tests are hour long, content-based tests that allow you to showcase achievement in specific subjects allow you to showcase achievement in specific subjects where you excel. Students choose the test(s) that best where you excel. Students choose the test(s) that best

show achievement & interest.show achievement & interest.

Certain schools will require a SAT subject test Certain schools will require a SAT subject test for specific majorsfor specific majors

Subject tests are offered in the following areas: Subject tests are offered in the following areas:

Literature, US History, World History, Math, Biology, Literature, US History, World History, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Latin, Italian, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Latin, Italian,

German and modern HebrewGerman and modern Hebrew

Recommended that students take these in June Recommended that students take these in June of junior year (after for AP exams)of junior year (after for AP exams)

Please check with college of interest to see Please check with college of interest to see if these are required.if these are required.

SAT/ACT Test PrepSAT/ACT Test Prep

Students can prepare for these tests Students can prepare for these tests in a variety of ways. in a variety of ways.

Prep classesPrep classesWebsitesWebsites

BooksBooks

For a full list of test prep opportunities, For a full list of test prep opportunities, see the KW Counseling website.see the KW Counseling website.

Sending your scores

Many colleges prefer you send your SAT and/or ACT scores directly from the testing

company (for security purposes)

When you register for either test, you can send your scores to FOUR colleges for free

ACT and College Board will charge a fee to have your scores sent to additional colleges

SAT & ACT score report fee: $12

Colleges & your scores

When most colleges look at your SAT/ACT scores from different administrations, they will look at

your top score for each section, or your “Super Score.”

Example:May 2013 SAT scores: Writing – 500, Reading – 550, Math – 600October 2013 SAT scores: Writing – 550, Reading – 500, Math 650

Colleges will use: 550 for Writing, 550 for Reading, and 650 for Math to determine acceptance or

placement in a Math or English course

Information about CareersInformation about Careers

Use online resources such as:Use online resources such as:

The Occupational Outlook HandbookThe Occupational Outlook Handbookwww.bls.gov/ocowww.bls.gov/oco

NY Career ZoneNY Career Zonewww.nycareerzone.orgwww.nycareerzone.org

Naviance – website for career and college searchesNaviance – website for career and college searches

Look for more resources on the Look for more resources on the KW Counseling webpage – Career PlanningKW Counseling webpage – Career Planning

Naviance Family Connection

Naviance is a website used by KW for all students to research college information & careers,

manage applications, create a resume, and more

Students log in by using their KW Novell username and password

All current 11th & 12th graders are registered on Naviance.

All current 9th and 10th graders will be

registered this school year.

Gathering InformationGathering Information

Gather information from the KW Career CenterGather information from the KW Career Center

Look online at colleges and universitiesLook online at colleges and universities

Attend college fairs and visit colleges Attend college fairs and visit colleges of your interest this fall.of your interest this fall.

Meet with college representatives in Career Meet with college representatives in Career Center this fallCenter this fall (see website for complete (see website for complete

listing)listing)

Visit schoolsVisit schools – you won’t know if it’s a good – you won’t know if it’s a good fit for you until you step foot on campusfit for you until you step foot on campus

Your school counselor will make an appointment Your school counselor will make an appointment for you to discuss your Senior Review for you to discuss your Senior Review

in September or Octoberin September or October. .

During the Senior Review, students will review During the Senior Review, students will review all credits earned and those that are required all credits earned and those that are required

to graduate.to graduate.

Students will also review post-high school plans Students will also review post-high school plans with their counselor and review the college with their counselor and review the college

application process.application process.

Counselors will follow up with students Counselors will follow up with students through the year as neededthrough the year as needed

Senior Review appointments

ApplicationsApplications

All applications can be All applications can be

completed onlinecompleted online

Students can go to individual college websites to Students can go to individual college websites to begin the application process or use the begin the application process or use the

Common Application or SUNY website. These Common Application or SUNY website. These sites can be used to fill out one application and sites can be used to fill out one application and

have it sent to more than one school.have it sent to more than one school.

www.commonapp.orgwww.commonapp.org

www.suny.edu/sunywww.suny.edu/suny

College ApplicationsCollege Applications

SUNY websiteSUNY website

Online application is secure, fast, easy and Online application is secure, fast, easy and available whenever you want to apply. You can available whenever you want to apply. You can start the process, save your work, add campus start the process, save your work, add campus choices at any time and come back to complete choices at any time and come back to complete your application at a later date. Cost is $50 per your application at a later date. Cost is $50 per

SUNY school.SUNY school.

No cost for applying to a two-year No cost for applying to a two-year

community collegescommunity colleges

Common ApplicationsCommon Applications

The Common Application is used by The Common Application is used by

almost 500 colleges and universities.almost 500 colleges and universities.

Complete one Common Application online, Complete one Common Application online,

and it can be sent to numerous schools that and it can be sent to numerous schools that participate.participate.

A college application fee is still required A college application fee is still required

for each school you apply to.for each school you apply to.

Once a student submits a college Once a student submits a college application online, it is the application online, it is the student’s student’s

responsibilityresponsibility to tell their counselor so to tell their counselor so transcripts can be sent. transcripts can be sent.

Colleges do not notify us when an Colleges do not notify us when an application is submitted. This is application is submitted. This is

crucial to whether or not you will be crucial to whether or not you will be accepted.accepted.

Colleges will not review a student’s Colleges will not review a student’s application until they have all of your application until they have all of your paperwork & information (transcript, paperwork & information (transcript,

SAT/ACT scores, letters of SAT/ACT scores, letters of recommendation, essay, etc)recommendation, essay, etc)

Letters of Letters of Recommendation and EssayRecommendation and Essay

Some colleges may require letters Some colleges may require letters of recommendation and an essay.of recommendation and an essay.

Ask 2-3 people to write a recommendation for college Ask 2-3 people to write a recommendation for college applications or scholarships and begin working on applications or scholarships and begin working on

college application essay.college application essay.

Make sure to give your teachers enough time so it can Make sure to give your teachers enough time so it can get to the colleges on time. Give teachers your get to the colleges on time. Give teachers your

resume (can be created on Naviance) so that they resume (can be created on Naviance) so that they can write a quality letter.can write a quality letter.

You may be able to use a general essay you’ve already You may be able to use a general essay you’ve already written but some colleges may want you to write an written but some colleges may want you to write an essay on a specific topic. Ask your current English essay on a specific topic. Ask your current English

teacher teacher for help with your essay.for help with your essay.

Supplemental ApplicationsSupplemental Applications

Some schools require a Supplemental Some schools require a Supplemental or Part II application.or Part II application.

This is an application This is an application in addition in addition to the general application.to the general application.

Each individual school has it’s own Each individual school has it’s own procedures about additional procedures about additional

requirements. Be sure to read requirements. Be sure to read application instructions carefully.application instructions carefully.

Mid Year ReportsMid Year Reports

Some schools may require a mid year Some schools may require a mid year report to check on your 12report to check on your 12thth grade grade

classes and grades.classes and grades.

Mid year reports from the college can be Mid year reports from the college can be turned into your counselor at any time. turned into your counselor at any time.

KW will sent a copy of your 2KW will sent a copy of your 2ndnd marking marking period report card, if the college period report card, if the college

requires this.requires this.

Other application Other application materialsmaterials::

Some schools may require additional materials Some schools may require additional materials

(ie. art schools may require submitting a (ie. art schools may require submitting a portfolio)portfolio)

Check websites or contact admissions offices Check websites or contact admissions offices

for more informationfor more information

Students interested in a health or medical field Students interested in a health or medical field must apply early because these programs fill must apply early because these programs fill

up quicklyup quickly

Some schools will mail a letter to the student Some schools will mail a letter to the student asking for additional or missing informationasking for additional or missing information

NCAANCAA

If you are interested in If you are interested in participating in athletics participating in athletics during college, you must during college, you must

register with NCAA register with NCAA

www.ncaaclearinghouse.netwww.ncaaclearinghouse.net

ScholarshipsScholarships

Check the Scholarship file on a regular basis in the Check the Scholarship file on a regular basis in the Career Center. The Scholarship Bulletin is also Career Center. The Scholarship Bulletin is also

available on the available on the Kenmore West Career Center websiteKenmore West Career Center website

Talk to friends and relatives about scholarship Talk to friends and relatives about scholarship opportunities through employersopportunities through employers

Look online for Scholarship opportunities. Obtain Look online for Scholarship opportunities. Obtain scholarship information through www.fastweb.comscholarship information through www.fastweb.com

Scholarships may require any of the following: Scholarships may require any of the following: application, transcript, essay, or letter of application, transcript, essay, or letter of

recommendationrecommendation

Pay attention to deadlinesPay attention to deadlines

Financial AidFinancial Aid

Attend Financial Aid NightAttend Financial Aid NightKenmore West AudKenmore West AudDecember 5, 2013December 5, 2013

6:30 pm6:30 pmA financial aid office representative from a local A financial aid office representative from a local

college college will guide you through the financial aid process.will guide you through the financial aid process.

File FAFSA Form between Jan 1 - 31File FAFSA Form between Jan 1 - 31www.fafasa.ed.gov

You may create a username and obtain a PIN prior to January 1 on the FAFSA website

*Do not let the tuition cost of a private college prevent you from applying. Private colleges often offer

comparable financial aid & scholarship packages for students vs. public colleges

College AcceptanceCollege Acceptance

Students should know whether they have been Students should know whether they have been accepted by early spring accepted by early spring

(every college has a different timeline)(every college has a different timeline)

Applicants may either be accepted, Applicants may either be accepted, wait listed or denied admissionwait listed or denied admission

Once all offers are on the table, Once all offers are on the table, weigh the pros and cons of each school, weigh the pros and cons of each school,

together with the financial packages offered together with the financial packages offered and make the best decision for youand make the best decision for you

Please feel free to call or email us Please feel free to call or email us at any time with questions or at any time with questions or

concernsconcernsLast nameLast name

Mr. Gourlay:Mr. Gourlay: A-CiA-Ci Mrs. Sedita:Mrs. Sedita: Cj – GoCj – Go Mrs. Serio:Mrs. Serio: Gp-LeGp-Le Mr. Panepinto:Mr. Panepinto: Lf-ParLf-Par Mrs. Handley:Mrs. Handley: Pas-SiPas-Si Mrs. Flatau:Mrs. Flatau: Sj-ZSj-Z

Use our website for additional help:Use our website for additional help:www.kenton.k12.ny.uswww.kenton.k12.ny.us

Kenmore West – Services – Counseling & Career Kenmore West – Services – Counseling & Career CtrCtr