“I believe that we parents must encourage our children to become educated, so they can get into a good
college that we cannot afford.”
Dave Barry
Preparing for CollegeJUNIOR YEAR
Spring 2010• Sign up for SAT’s, ACT’s (May, June)
• Begin College Search• Visit Colleges over Spring Break
Summer 2010• Create your college list
• Begin college application(s) & essay(s)• Work on Transcript Request Packet
• Work on Teacher Recommendation Packet
Preparing for College
SENIOR YEAR
Fall 2010• Begin scholarship search
• Senior Interviews w/Counselor• Request recommendations from teachers
• Complete/Submit Transcript Request Packet
• Finish essays
Tests!
•ACT•SAT•SAT II Subject Tests •AP•TOEFL
What’s the Difference?SAT
• No science section
• No trigonometry questions • Vocabulary emphasized
• Non multiple-choice questions asked
• Guessing penalty
• No English grammar
• Math accounts for 50% of your score
• Questions go from easy to difficult
ACT • Science reasoning section
• Math includes trigonometry
• Vocabulary less important
• Entirely multiple-choice
• No guessing penalty
• English grammar tested
• Math accounts for 25% of your score
• Questions are mixed up
Be a SMARTIE!
Stop And Think!
Register today for the May 1st SAT at collegeboard.com. Deadline is March 31st
June 5th SAT---- Deadline is May 5th
The American College TestACT
Actstudent.orgRegister for the June 12th ACT
Deadline is May 7th
210 – 510School Code
COLLEGE VISITS
Colleges visit Howard High School throughout the year!
• See the Student Services website for the College Visit list.
• Students can sign up for a college visit in Student Services
Internet College and Scholarship Searches
– Beware: do not pay money or give a credit card for a college or scholarship search
College Searches Scholarships-Bridges** -Fastweb.com-Princeton Review -Findtuition.com-Peterson -hcpss.org-College Board -Bridges-USnews.com/education -
Collegeanswer.com
Bridges College Search
• See instruction packet: kept in the career center
• www.bridges.com Choices Planner > School Finder
• SiteID: 28513• Password: o6113ps2
Hints• You can narrow or broaden responses to
get a manageable number of colleges • Create portfolio to save search results and
schools• Compare schools to each other
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
• Types of Applications: Common, On-Line, School Application
• Appearance is KEY! • Most schools require a
social security number• Fill out draft copies of
the application and essay before doing the final
• Make copies of anything you send out
• Make sure you send the correct amount in application fees
• Make sure you mail them in a timely manner
Transcript Request Packet
What is the transcript request packet?
– A packet that all students will need to complete.
– A request to the registrar and counselor for transcripts and a counselor recommendation.
**allow at least 30 school days for processing of the Transcript Packet**
Transcript Request Packet
The packet includes:
• A list of required forms to be completed– Transcript Request Form– Sample Student Academic Resume– Counselor Input Form– Optional Parent Questionnaire– Waiver of Right to See School/Teacher Letters of
Recommendation
• Information on what the registrar will compile for your student’s college
• Mid-year Reports and Final Transcript information
Transcript Request Packet
• Forms that will be due by Monday, June 14th– Student Academic Resume– Counselor Input Form– Optional Parent Questionnaire
• Please have your student turn in their completed forms to either Mrs. Prechtl or Mrs. Surdu, the Registrars.
Transcript Example
Teacher Recommendations
• Select two teachers
• Requests for letters should be typed
• Include a resume and input form with your request
• Some colleges require teacher recommendation forms – you must provide the form
• Teachers need at least 30 school days advance notice
• Teachers will submit letters to the Registrar
QUESTIONS?
7:00PM Guest Speaker Chip Saltsman
• Vice-President, Capgemini• MIT Alumni Interviewer
• Parent