The Nuts And Bolts of the College

Application Process

October 10, 2018

presented by:

Jan Nolan, School Counselor

Christopher Christy, School Counselor

AGENDA

• Choosing a college

• Considering the Options

• Comparing Schools

• MA College and University Standards

• Types of Admissions

• Financial Aid

• Application Materials & Process

What should I have done by now?• Initiated a college search.

http://tcci.naviance.com/littletonhs

www.collegeboard.org

www.collegeview.com

www.petersons.com

www.princetonreview.com

www.collegenet.com

• Fall visit/interview with the colleges you are interested in or sign-up for our in school college visits.

• Completed student and parent response forms and student activity sheet.

• Completed teacher recommendation request forms and requested recommendations through Naviance.

What should I have done by now?

continued

• NCAA clearinghouse forms – ASAP (ncaa.org)

• Created an appropriate email address.

• Attended a college fair.

• Registered to take SAT and/or ACT

(Collegeboard.org, ACTstudent/org)

• Worked on college essay.

• Scheduled SAT Subject Tests for your colleges that require this test.

• Developed the “short list” of colleges.

Your Senior Year

• Attend Guidance Seminars Monday and Thursday

• Sign-up for meeting with your School Counselor, if needed

• Visit with college reps at LHS/Regional visits. List of college visits posted on Naviance.

• Attend a NACAC or NEACAC college fair.

• Visit colleges.

• Narrow your list of schools.

• Complete college essay.

• Submit applications well ahead of deadlines.

• Attend Financial Aid workshop on October 25th at 7:00 PM.

NAVIANCE

A career/college planning tool.

Use it to:

• Develop a list of colleges.

• Attend college visits in guidance office.

• Check on the status of the college application process.

• Check on different scholarships offered.

• Build and develop a resume

College Fairs

• 41st Annual Merrimack Valley College Fair

Lowell High School Gymnasium, Lowell, MA

Thursday, October 11, 2018 6:30 – 8:30pm

• WPI - Worcester

Tuesday, October 16 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Testing

• SAT Test

• SAT Subject Tests

• ACT

• Advanced Placement Exams

• Test Optional School

www.fairtest.org

SAT

• The SAT Test:

• Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (200-800)

• Math (200-800)

• Optional Essay (separately scored)

• Score Option

• Sending scores www.collegeboard.org

SAT Subject Tests

• The SAT Subject Test are one hour tests in specific subjects (20 exams in 5 disciplines).

• Some colleges require one or more of these tests for admission or placement purposes. The more competitive colleges often require 2 or 3 of these tests or the ACT.

• Score: 200 – 800

• www.collegeboard.org

ACT

• ACT:

• English

• Mathematics

• Reading

• Science

• The Writing Test (optional) (Required by many colleges)

• Score: 1 – 36

• Score Option

• www.actstudent.org

College Selection

Factors to Consider

• Academic Programs (Major, Internships, Honors, etc.)

• Geography (Commute, Distance, Urban, Suburban, etc.)

• Cost

• Size (Small – 3,000, Medium - 3,000 -7000, Large 7,000 to over 10,000)

• Campus Life (Dorms, Activities, Religion, Sports, Diversity, etc.)

• Special Programs (Study Abroad, Co-Op, LD Services etc.)

Develop the “short list”

• Reach: This group includes highly selective schools that the student aspires to. These will be your “reach” schools.

• Target: This group includes schools at which the probability of admission is likely. These are categorized as “target” schools.

• Safety: This group includes schools at which the probability of admission is “highly likely” to “certain.” We refer to schools in this category as a student’s “safety” schools.

Develop the “short list”

• Student X:

• Academic Data: 1320 SAT, 3.7 GPA

• Geography: New England Region, city setting

• Size: Small – under 5000

• Co-curricular: Division III BaseballReach Schools

Tufts University – Medford, MA – enrollment 11,489, SAT 1430-1520

RPI - Troy, NY – enrollment 7,442, SAT 1280-1480

Target Schools

WPI – Worcester, MA. – enrollment 6,642, SAT 1200 -1400

Trinity College – Hartford, CT. – 2,350 enrollment , SAT 1210 -1370,

Safety Schools

Wentworth Institute of Technology – Boston, MA – enrollment 4,186

SAT 1010 - 1220

Worcester State University – Worcester, MA – enrollment 6,471

SAT 890 - 1100

Types of Admission

• Early Decision

• Early Action

• Regular Admission

• Rolling Admission

Early Decision vs. Early Action

• Binding – You are obligated

to attend if you are accepted.

• Submit applications early fall,

usually Nov 1 or Nov 15, check with college.

• You will be notified in Dec. or Jan. well before the usual notification if you’ve been accepted.

• Non-binding/allows for other

regular decision apps. And

review of financial aid pkgs.

• Decision by Dec. or Jan. for

EA.

• You may wait until 5/1/18 to

accept.

College Comparison

University of Massachusetts

Lowell

Tufts University College of the

Holy Cross

Average SAT range

1070- 1230

ACT 26

Test Optional

(+3.54 GPA)

Average SAT range

1370 – 1520

ACT 33

GPA – 4.05

Average SAT range

1220-1380 (SAT optional)

ACT 29

GPA – 3.81

25% in top 10% 90% in top 10% 61% in top 10%

57% of applicants

Admitted

16% of applicants admitted

37% of applicants

admitted

College Comparison

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Northeastern University

Brown University

Average SAT range

1130 – 1380

ACT 27

GPA – 3.83

Average SAT range

1330 – 1470

ACT 33

Average SAT range

1370 – 1580

ACT 32

34% from top 10% of class

76% from top 10% of class w/ 4.0 GPA

92% from top 10% of class

GPA – 4.08

58% of applicants admitted

28% of applicants admitted

9% of applicants admitted

College Comparison

Worcester PolytechicInstitute (WPI)

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Stonehill College

Average SAT range

1270 - 1460

ACT 30

Average SAT range

1070 - 1270

ACT 25

GPA – 3.1

Average SAT range

1000 - 1210

ACT 25

GPA – 3.3

65% from top 10% of class

GPA – 3.8

70% from top 10% of class – N/A

20% from top 10% of class

49% of applicants admitted

67% of applicants admitted

75% of applicants admitted

Universities of Massachusetts

SAT Admission Requirements

• Minimum 3.0 GPA

• SAT/ACT on sliding scale if GPA is below minimum

Example: University of Massachusetts

GPA SAT ACT

2.51 – 2.99 950 20

2.41 – 2.50 990 21

2.31 – 2.40 1030 22

2.21 – 2.30 1070 23

2.11 – 2.20 1110 24

2.00 – 2.10 1150 25

MA State Colleges/Universities Admission

Requirements• Minimum GPA 3.0

• SAT/ACT on sliding scale if GPA is below min.

Example: Worcester State University

GPA SAT ACT

2.51 – 2.99 920 19

2.41 – 2.50 960 20

2.31 – 2.40 1000 21

2.21 – 2.30 1040 22

2.11 – 2.20 1080 23

2.00 – 2.10 1120 24

New England Regional Student Program

• NRSP offers New England residents reduced tuition rates when they enroll in approved degree programs at out of state public colleges and universities (in New England).

• Approved programs must not be offered at MA state colleges and universities.

• www.nebhe.org

College Applications• Apply online at the college website via

Naviance. Access Naviance (Family Connections) through the homepage of the LHS website under Guidance

• The Common Application is available at www.commonapp.org or via Naviance.

• Complete all questions on the application.

• It may be helpful to print out applications for review before you submit.

Student Responsibilities

• Complete Application, answer all questions.

• Send resume separately if all your academic/extra curricula information does not fit on the application. (can be uploaded on Common Application)

• Include your essay.

• Include the application fee.

• Release SAT scores from the CollegeBoard.

• Release ACT scores from ACT.

• Download the record release form on Naviance, complete and return to your school counselor 2 weeks prior to college application deadline. Copy of this form also available in the guidance office. Must also submit Student Response Form & Student Activity List, and optional Parent Response Form two weeks prior to application deadline.

• DO NOT MISS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE!

College Essay

• Start early

• Be reflective

• Offer insight

• Draw the reader in through personal experience

• Demonstrate your intellectual interests

• Be yourself

• Get a second opinion

• Write and rewrite

• This is your chance to show admission officers the personal side of you.

Guidance Responsibilities

• School records as requested by college or

university: transcript, LHS Profile and counselor

statement.

• At least a 2 weeks notice is necessary in order to

ensure that we can meet your deadline.

LHS PROFILE

• HS requirements

• College placement rate

• Levels of instruction

• Mean National, State and LHS SAT scores

• NHS requirements

• Extracurricular Activities

• College Matriculation

LHS PROFILE – Class of 2019

8% 6% 12% 12% 17% 17% 12% 16%

GPA DISTRIBUTION %

10

7

14 14

19 19

14

18

2.19Below

2.592.20

2.992.60

3.393.00

3.793.40

4.193.80

4.594.20

5.004.60

Nu

mb

er

of

Stu

den

ts

Weighted GPA

Weighted Grade Point Average Distribution - Class of 2019

Transcripts

• Parent/Student sign release of transcript form.

• Two week notice to the Guidance Office.

• For November 1st deadline, must notify school counselor by October 15th.

• For January 2nd deadline, must notify school counselor by December 10th.

• Authorization will be entered into Naviance by counselor and date transcript is mailed.

• Inform counselor when the application is submitted so transcripts will follow.

• Counselors will submit transcripts and letters of recommendations

• $2.00 fee per packet

CSS/PROFILE

• Colleges use PROFILE to award nonfederal student aid funds. Some colleges require non-custodial parent to complete a non-custodial profile form.

• Register at www.collegeboard.org with a credit card.

• Available on October 1, 2018.

• 2 step process Registration and Application.

• A $25.00 registration fee that includes submission to one college plus $16.00 per each additional college requiring profile.

CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE

• Register at least 2 weeks before the earliest priority filing date.

• Apply at least 1 week before the earliest priority date.

• Registration begins October 1, 2018

• After you complete your PROFILE, you will receive an online PROFILE acknowledgement.

• Questions: help@cssprofile.org or 1-305-829-9793.

• Watch the deadlines, ED and Regular Decision.

• Free Webinar on completing the CSS Profile. Go to

student.collegeboard.org

FAFSA

• FAFSA can be completed on-line at

www.fafsa.ed.gov

• FAFSA forms can be filed starting October 1, 2018.

• Information from 2017 Taxes will be used.

• Financial Aid Evening Workshop at LHS will be held

at 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 25, 2018.

MEFAMassachusetts Educational Finance Authority

• Obtain FAFSA ID

• Federal School Codes List

• Learn about Federal

Financial Aid

• Learn about Massachusetts

Financial Aid

• File FAFSA Online

• File Online CSS/Financial

Aid PROFILE®

• Free National Scholarship

Search Calculate your EFC

• Attend High School

Financial Aid Seminar

• Understanding Financial Aid

Terms.

Scams

• “You’re a finalist” in a contest you never entered.

• “The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”

• “You’ve been selected by a national foundation to receive a scholarship.”

• “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”

• “I need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.”

• “We guarantee $2500 in financial aid or your money back.”

Scholarships

• National, State, Local organizations

• College Scholarships

• Posted in Naviance

• Fastweb.com

• Applying for scholarships takes a great deal of

research and time – start early.

John and Abigail Adams

Scholarship

• Tuition waiver at MA state colleges and

universities. (Range $910 - $1714)

• Awarded to students who score in the top 25% of

10th grade MCAS in their district

• Notification in November 2017.

MCAS Certificate of Mastery

• This scholarship also offers tuition waiver at MA

State Colleges and Universities. Awarded to

students who meet the following requirements.

1. Score of advanced in at least one 10th grade MCAS

subject and proficient or advanced on the remaining

sections of the 10th grade MCAS tests.

2. Two additional academic accomplishments in addition

to their qualifying MCAS scores.

MCAS Certificate of Mastery

• 2 AP exams with a score of 3 or higher

• 2 SAT Subject Test exams (with qualifying scores)

• 1 AP exam and 1 SAT Subject Test exam

• 1 SAT Subject Test exam and 1 other accomplishment.

• Qualifying students must complete an application (available in guidance).

“College is a match to be made

not a prize to be won.”

• There is no clear cut formula for college admissions.

• Perspective is very important.

• Which colleges will help you continue your academic,

personal, athletic, social and philosophical

development?

• Treat every college as though it is your first choice.