PSAT: PARENT PRIMERThings you might want to know after your DeSales student has

taken the PSAT as a freshmen or junior

WWCS Testing Sequence

8-11 WWCS kids have two opportunities each for SAT and ACT pre-tests. 11th grade PSAT is the last of the four pre-tests.

ASVAB in spring of 11th grade, March 27, 2013

Ideal to take both SAT and ACT in spring of junior year: Students take these OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL usually on Saturdays.

This year: SAT on June 1 (register by May 2) and ACT on June 8 (register by May 3)

IT’S ALL ONLINE and linked to web page

ACT Versus SAT

ACT is an “achievement test” (How much HAVE you learned?) with categories of Reading, Mathematics, English, and Science.

ACT perfect score is 36 in each category. In ACT, the “composite” is an average of all

four main areas, and that is what colleges refer to for general admissions.

ACT has an optional essay at extra cost. ACT and SAT equally acceptable; DeSales

kids tend to do well on ACT. Look at your student’s data to see how he or she does on each. Best practice: Take BOTH.

More on ACT v. SAT

SAT is an “aptitude” test: What is your potential for learning?

SAT (aka SAT I) has sections Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing.

SAT requires the essay, and it is first on test day. It’s a 25-minuted timed persuasive essay.

The essay score is SEPARATE though, not part of Writing score, and not widely publicized in college admission or scholarship practices.

The SAT lends itself less easily to composite and is always more of a three-score test.

Understanding the Score Report

Big numbers across top; add zero to translate to SAT prediction.

Percentiles and ranges Review your answers sections; students

receive test booklets and can access test online (interactive score report).

“Improve your skills” helpful Selection Index and NMSQT; combined

percentile Self-reported “Educational Plans”

Comparison of the two series: ACT and SAT

This is a nice way to see how the two tests differ. How did your student do on each?

Notice predicted scores on each (EXPLORE and PLAN give an estimated score for next ACT; remember to add a zero to PSAT score for predicted SAT.)

For parents of juniors, go back to EXPLORE if you have it; put them all in a row and really look at the sequence.

Scores, Please!

Consider that these are all the

mid- fiftiethpercentiles!(and behave accordingly)

A smattering of scores

Gonzaga ACT 24-28SAT M 560-690 U of WA ACT 24-30SAT M 570-700 U of ID ACT 20-26 SAT CR 480-600 Harvard ACT 31-35SAT CR 690-790 Yale ACT 31-35SAT M 700-800 EWU ACT 18-24 SAT M 440-540 WSU: ACT 20-26SAT CR 470-580 West Point ACT 25-31SAT M 590-690

Western WA U ACT 22-27 SAT W 490-600

Pepperdine U: ACT 25-31SAT W 560-660

St. Martin’s U ACT 19-25 SAT M 450-560

U Puget Sound ACT 26-30 SAT CR 570-680

Whitman ACT 27-31 SAT M 620-710 Whitworth 52% have GPA

3.75 or higher College of ID Evergreen ACT 21-26 SAT

CR 510-640 U of Portland SAT M 560-

650 WWCC?

What can we do with this information?

Test-Prep: Use it to improve SAT results by talking to teachers, using online interactive score report and other FREE test prep features online at www.collegeboard.com/quickstart

Personalized SAT study plan, SAT question of the day, college and career information, career exploratory, and more.

Bonus: DeSales kids truly see this as part of their lives, personally, socially, historically. Being more comfortable and familiar with the tests can only help performance.

The Big Picture

Test scores are important, but college admission considers much more!

Low test score with solid GPA is a common issue; those students are usually successful in college due to developed work ethic.

Extracurricular activities and work outside of school are important considerations.

Letters of recommendation are very helpful.

Rigor in course selection is KEY, and we do a lot of that “for you.”

Online tools to consider

WOIS www.wois.org Log in: MWX288 www.planstudent.org College Majors 101:

http://www.collegemajors101.com/

http://www.wallawallacatholicschools.com/content_page.aspx?cid=56&schoolID=1

Starting from Square One

Ask open-ended questions, and really listen to their answers!

What do you think about ----- (school)? If you could choose any school, and

money is not a factor, which would it be and why?

How close or far from home would you really like to be while in college?

Do you see yourself at a private or public college? Why?

Would you prefer a big school or a small one? Why?

What to do NOW

Course selection: We are close to forecasting for senior year classes. Encourage students to take a rigorous senior year! Four years of science is becoming a norm here, math options exist to create four strong years of learning that translate to college success.

The sixth semester is the last used for initial college admission; push students to do their best NOW!

Know grade point average (cumulative) and class rank at end of this year. Yes, we DO rank.

Senior schedules are part of initial admission and some scholarships also; another reason to choose courses wisely.

Enjoy the present, but talk a lot about the future!

Consider this the Intermission!If you have junior students, I recommend staying! Others are welcome, but leaving at intermission is JUST FINE! The rest of this presentation is a little more focused on … THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS!!!!!

Application 101

Be the Personal Assistant/Executive Secretary for the process, but not the President for the Application Process.

Mid-November: Tic Tac Toe will be due Senior 1-1 meetings September-November,

Parents Welcome but not Required Transcripts, tests scores, application, fee Common application vs. regular/special Free apps and fee waivers (Gonzaga, UP,

Whitworth, St. Martin’s) Need-based fee waivers

Where do we go?

Class of 2012: 58% 4 year; 30% 2 year Class of 2011: 83% accepted to 4 yr.;

61% enrolled in 4 yr, 39% in 2 yr. Class of 2010: 78% accpeted to 4 yr.;

65% of class enrolled in 4 yr.; 35% enrolled in 2 yr.

Class of 2009: 44% four year, 50% two year, 6% straight to military enlistment

Class of 2008: 79% four year, 21% 2 year. Class of 2007: 74% four year, 22% 2 year.

Start Post-Graduation Planning with the Basics

Help students become familiar with basic terms: undergraduate, major, minor, transfer

Start talking finances now: FAFSA is a term everyone should know. Financial aid comes in three basic forms: gifted (scholarship and grant), self-help (work-study), and loan.

Every scholarship is a good scholarship, but the largest $ amounts tend to come directly from private schools granting merit-based aid.

Military Options: Discuss

Confidential: to Junior Parents

Consider “fit,” not just getting in. The BEST way to find out about “fit” is to

visit; please make an effort to visit colleges this spring! It’s easy; start with the website, make a phone call if necessary, and go. Let me help you. Take a group. “Events” are great, but small group visits are good in their own way. Utilize all options. Summer works too, but not as well.

Don’t worry too much now about specific programs.

Application 102

Community Colleges have quick, usually free, easy applications. If your student truly does not want to apply to any four year colleges, you can do other things for Tic Tac Toe

YOU get to be the President of the Financial Aid Application Process.

FAFSA4caster is a helpful tool for financial information, and only use fafsa.ed.gov for your FAFSA.

Summer Projects

Resume: If your student does not have one, get this made! I have samples and ideas.

Ask for letters of recommendation, provide resume with each request. I recommend 2-3 general recommendations from a broad base (teacher, counselor, coach, etc.)

Look at the common application and other applications. You can set up accounts and start saving drafts!

The main thing your senior will lack is TIME. Do whatever you can to plan ahead.

Show me the money$$

2007: $745,000 2008: $780,000 2009: $1,359,400; 17 of 34 (50%) earned

at least one scholarship 2010: $1,476,660; 20 of 31 (65%) earned

at least one scholarship to college 2011: $1,547,500; 15 of 23 (65%) earned

at least one scholarship to college 2012: $1,248,400; 15 of 24 (63%) earned

at least one scholarship to college