GL Guidance Department Presents: College Planning for Juniors Overview

1
GL Guidance Department Presents
and ends, where?
College Planning for Juniors
Overview

• Time Line
• Testing
• Beginning your
• search
• Research Tools

• The College Visit
• What colleges
• look at
• Special Interests
• College Panel

2
GL Guidance Department

• Ms. Joyce Hayes, Director of Guidance
• Mr. Christopher Coughlin, Counselor
• Ms. Carolyn Dennerlein, Counselor
• Ms. Marissa Gold, Counselor
• Mr. Cliff Lauterhahn, SAC
• Ms. Michelle Morin, Counselor
• Ms. Deborah Zeleznik, Counselor

(www.bhpsnj.org/glweb)
3
Highlights of a Time Line

• Junior Year
• Prepare take the SATs/ACTs
• Research and review college information
• Compile list of potential colleges
• Contact colleges and set up tours/visits
• Ask for recommendations

• Senior Year
• Meet with counselor
• Confirm letters of recommendation
• Go to college representatives presentations
• Attend College Fairs
• Make final college selections
• Organize applications

(CPH pages 6-8)
4
Prepare for Taking the Standardized Tests

• Test Preparation
• When should you take the SAT/ACT?
• How do I sign up?
• www.collegeboard.com (SAT)
• www.act.org (ACT)
• 4) Should you take the SAT II?
• 5) Which scores are taken?

(CPH p. 9 - 13)
5
Beginning Your SearchNarrowing the Field
(CPH p. 14,15 35,36)

• Type of School
• Admissions
• Size of Institution
• Location (Distance from home)

• Setting (Rural, Urban, or Suburban)
• Academics
• Activities Athletics
• Cost

Lafayette
Dickinson
Rowan
Boston U
UConn
6
Research Tools

• Websites
• College Catalogs
• Guidebooks
• College Fairs
• Campus Visits
• School Counselor

(CPH p. 17)
7
What is Naviance? Web-based resource that
supports career and college planning. What can it
do? Share plans Compare colleges Links to
selected third party resources (i.e. College
Board, Financial Aid, College Athletics, College
searches, etc.) Track deadlines Show schedule of
college visits How can you access Naviance? You
may access Family Connection by going to the GLHS
Guidance Homepage. How do I register for
Naviance? Type your registration code (included
in your college planning handbook), in the New
User box. Click register and follow the
prompts to set up your account. What next? Fill
out the About me section Start your college
search Research colleges
(CPH p. 18)
8
The Visit

• Arrange for a Tour
• Call the institutions Undergraduate Admissions
  Office
• Ask when tours are offered
• Inquire about meeting with an Admissions
  Counselor too

• Questions to Ask
• Housing
• Security
• Dining
• Transportation
• Health Services
• Library

(CPH p. 16, 35 36)
9
What do colleges look at?
College applications will include six main
components
School Report Rec. Letter
Application
The Candidate
Academic Record
Teacher Rec.s
Test Scores
Activities
(CPH p.21 22)
10
Special Interest Groups

• The Arts and Athletics (CPH p. 29)
• Refer to your teacher or coach
• Contact the specific college program/team
• Be your own advocate
• For more information
• www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
• www.portfolioday.net

11
The Role of the Guidance Department in the
College Process

• After Tonight
• Individual meetings with Juniors
  (parents invited) Feb. into Spring
• Brag sheets/Student Questionnaire/Parent Release
  forms handed in June 1st
• Small group meetings with Seniors Sept.
• Individual Senior meetings Fall
• Financial Aid Night Dec.

12
College Panel

• 1 Boston University, Ms. Lauren Kalikow
• 2 Dickinson College, Mr. Greg Moyer
• 3 Lafayette College, Ms. Anne Marie Ferriere
• 4 Rowan University, Mr. Albert Betts
• 5 University of Connecticut, Mr. Jayson Hodges

13
Panel Questions

• Is it better to declare a major or go into a
  school undecided? How does it look if one
  declares undecided?
• Can a student declare a major at application time
  and then change it later once they have been
  admitted to the college? Does it matter?

14
Panel Questions

• Can you explain Rolling Admission? When is it
  best to apply?
• Is there an advantage to applying Early Action as
  apposed to Regular Decision?

15
Panel Questions

• What do you feel is one of the most important
  criteria in the decision process?
• How do you review a transcript?
• Does it look better to get a C in an AP course
  rather than a B in Honors or an A in a non-honors
  course?
• How much weight does the essay hold?

16
Panel Questions

• Any preference with regard to the SAT or ACT?
  How do you use the SAT IIs?
• Will any of the colleges present follow suit to
  do away with Early Action or Early Decision?
• How do you target students for scholarships?

17
Panel Questions

• Can you talk about letters of recommendation?
  How are they perceived and who should they come
  from?
• For students who are in need of support on
  campus, what types of services are usually
  provided?