A Parent’s Informal Guide to the College Application Process

Sarah Kim MasonFormer President, SAGT

Parent of CISD graduates and current CISD student

Disclaimer: This is based on personal experience and is not intended to replace any policies or recommendations of Carroll ISD.

Acronyms to Know

SATPSAT

NMSQTACTAP

Pre-AP

SAT

Scholastic Aptitude

Exam

PSAT

PreliminaryScholastic Aptitude

Exam

NMSQT

NationalMerit

ScholarshipQualifying

Test

ACT

AmericanCollege Testing

AP

AdvancedPlacement

Pre-AP

Pre-AdvancedPlacement

Timelines

9th GradePSAT in OctoberCollege visits whenever possible

10th Grade

Summer: PSAT prepCollege Visits

Collect college materialsAttend College Fairs

11th Grade

Summer: PSAT prepOctober: PSAT will be

administered to all JuniorsContinue college visits and attendance at college fairs

Why is the PSAT such a big deal??

The PSAT/NMSQT scores are used to identify participants for National Merit program recognition.

National Merit Program Status

Commended Students

Approximately 2/3 of the top 50,000 PSAT scores will receive letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic

promise, but they will not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships.

National Merit Program Status

Semifinalist Approximately 1/3 of the top 50,000 PSAT

scores will be notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists. Semifinalists are the highest

scoring entrants in each state and are notified through their schools. They are eligible to

advance in the competition for National Merit

Scholarships in the following year.

National Merit Program Status

This is not intended to predict future success of probability of qualifying for the National Merit Program. This is FYI ONLY!

Commended ScoresSelection Index Scores have historically ranged

from 200-215

Semifinalist ScoresSelection Index Scores have historically ranged

from around 220 and above

A Note about Standardized Testing Accommodations

For students with a disability and served either by Special Education or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act,

certain testing accommodations or modifications may be possible

depending on the severity of the condition or disability.

Class RankDoes it still matter?

CISD elected not to rank students like many other high performing districts in Texas.

However, the 10% of the graduating class is, by Texas law, guaranteed admission to a

state school with the exception of UT Austin (which is only required to automatically accept the top 7%)

Class Rank

How important is it?

A 2009 Princeton study of Texas students was consistent with previous national studies from 1988

(Crouse and Trusheim) and 2002 (Pike) that a student’s class rank in high school was a better

indicator of academic success in college than test scores, regardless of socioeconomic status or high

school size.

Class RankLet’s look at some profiles of college freshman

admitted in the top 10% of their class:

Harvard 95%Stanford 81%Vanderbilt 90%

University of Texas 73%Texas A&M University 54%

University of Oklahoma 18%(based on entering class of 2011)

So what can help your GPA?In Carroll ISD

Pre-AP courses7 grade points are added to course grade

AP courses 10 grade points are added to the course

grade

GPA CalculationIn Carroll ISD

GPA calculation begins in 9th grade with the exception of Health and Spanish I

which can be taken in 8th grade.(These are also on-level courses which do

not carry any extra grade points)

GPA CalculationIn Carroll ISD

Weighted GPA’s are not recorded on student transcripts but included for purposes or

calculating class rank. Some universities, however, “strip” extra

grade points when evaluating student applications.

Besides extra grade points, why should I take an AP class?

AP courses show rigor of an academic program

All AP courses follow the same curriculum across the country.

Passing AP exams may earn college credits which saves college tuition.

But I am applying to colleges that do not accept AP exams for credit. It will be a waste of my

time if I have to work that hard!Remember, AP courses earn 10 extra grade

points that are averaged into the GPA.AP exam scores help place students when

planning college schedules.AP exam scores earn recognition:

Distinguished AP Scholar, National AP Scholar

AP Exam Scores

Based on scores 1-5

3 is passingMany colleges only accept scores of 4 or 5

ACT v. SAT

The ACT is composed of English, Reading, Math, and Science sections as well as an

optional Writing section. Scores are reported as a standard score and

percentile score.

The SAT is composed of English, Math, and Writing sections. Each section has a maximum of 800 points for a possible total score of 2400.

ACT and SAT Prep CoursesDo they help?

TestWise by Betty HarrisKaren Dillard College Prep

C2Timarron Prep

HuntingtonStanley Kaplan

Princeton Review SAT and ACT practice booksPrivate Tutors

This is NOT an all inclusive list of prep courses

“The SAT is not a measure of your intelligence but a

measure of your stamina and concentration.”

-CISD graduate andCommended Merit Student

The bottom line….

PRACTICE

PRACTICE

PRACTICE

Choosing Colleges

-Check with the guidance office!-Make a list of colleges in preferential order.-Check which colleges have a “Common App”-Common Application

Keep track of colleges and deadlines

School App Deadline App Fee Scholarship Deadline Teacher Recommendation Essay Comp? App Submitted Status

               

Stanford              

USC              

Claremont/McKenna/Scripps              

Harvey Mudd              

George Washington U              

American University              

Wash Univ. St. Louis              

Duke              

UNC              

U Penn              

NYU              

UT Austin              

SMU              

OU              

Teacher/Counselor/AdministratorRecommendations

-Make sure that you ask someone that knows your academic record.-Ask early, preferably in the summer!-Include a cover letter, timeframe for completion, and resume with clear descriptions of academic record and extracurricular activities.

CISD StudentAddress

Southlake, TX 76092Cell numberHome number

Email Address

Education Carroll Senior High SchoolSouthlake, Texas Class of 2010Class rank: 66 out of 647; top 11% SAT: Reading 690, Math 750, Writing 640ACT: Composite Score 32; 98%ile

AP Exam Scores2008 World History 52009 US History 52009 English Language/Com 32009 Calculus AB 52009 Physics B 52010 Biology 52010 Economics-Mac 52010 English Literature/Comp 42010 Government and Poli Sci 42010 Calculus BC 5

Activities Carroll Varsity Swim and Dive Team2008-present4 year lettermanDistrict finalist 2006-2009, Regional Finalist 2006-2009 Carroll Senior High Drumline, Marching Band2006-2010Section Leader 2007-2009 Carroll Senior High Student Council National Honor Society, memberSpanish Honor Society, member

Volunteer and Work Experience Jamba Juice, Southlake Town Square2009-present GRACE volunteer Grapevine Relief and Community Relief Food Pantry volunteer Honors and Awards National Merit Commended Student Division I Rating State Percussion Solo 2007Division I Rating State Percussion Ensemble 2007Division I Rating State Percussion Solo 2008Division I Rating State Percussion Ensemble 2008Division I Rating State Percussion Solo 2009Division I Rating State Percussion Solo 2010Division I Rating State Percussion Ensemble 2010 Texas Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association State finalist 20091 meter Diving Texas UIL Diving District Finalist 2007, 2008, 2009Texas UIL Diving Regional Finalist 2007, 2008,2009 Academic All-American Swimming and Diving 2010 American Legion Texas Boys State Representative 2009 AP Scholar with Distinction 2009AP National Scholar 2010

See Attached Transcript for High School Coursework completed

Recommendations Continued

-Include exact descriptions of activities and information as needed

-Follow up with a thank you note and small gift of appreciation

Essays-Read and answer the prompt concisely.

-College admission officers have all communicated the same message:

“We want to get to know the student.We want to know if this student is a good fit with this school.”

EssaysHelpful hints:

-Write about what you know

-Read or learn about the school’s mission statement or school philosophy.

-How do your activities, academic interests, etc. fit with the school’s mission?How would you fit in as a student at this school?

Other items to consider:

-SAT subject tests-Language placement tests-FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)-Scholarships

Apply early!-Service Academies require a nomination by a US Congressman, Senator, the President, or Vice-President (US Air Force Academy, US Naval Academy, US Military Academy, US Merchant Marine Academy, US Coast Guard Academy---no congressional nomination required)

Helpful websites:

www.collegeboard.comwww.nationalmerit.orgwww.fafsa.ed.govwww.fastweb.com

Books:A is for Admission by Michele HernandezUS News and World Report Best Colleges

College Essays that Made a Difference (Princeton Review)

Thank you!

To contact me:

skimmason@yahoo.com

References

Crouse, James and Dale Trusheim, 1988. The Case Against the SAT. Chicago, IL and London, UK: The University of Chicago Press .Niu, Sunny X. and Marta Tienda, 2009. Testing, Ranking, and College Performance: Does High School Matter? Princeton University.Pike, Gary. R. and Joseph L. Saupe, 2002. Does High School Matter? An Analysis of Three Methods of Predicting First-Year Grades, Research in Higher Education 43:187-207.