S P O N S O R E D BY T H E B H S G U I D A N C E D E PA RT M E N T:

M E G A N D O O L E Y, L E A D C O U N S E L O R ( G R A D E S 1 1 A N D 1 2 )

A S H L E Y J A N O S K O, L E A D C O U N S E L O R ( G R A D E S 9 A N D 1 0 )

A M A N D A M O R AW I C K, C O U N S E L O R

A N N A S O S E LY, C O U N S E L O R

L I Z A B E T H S T O L A R Z, C O U N S E L O R

R E B E C C A L A B U S, C O L L E G E & C A R E E R S P E C I A L I S T

A N N E A C U F F, S E C R E TA R Y

G I N N Y H A R K N E T T, S E C R E TA R Y

Junior College and Curriculum Night

T O N I G H T W E W I L L C O V E R T H E F O L L O W I N G T O P I C S A S T H E Y R E L A T E T O T H E C O L L E G E A D M I S S I O N S P R O C E S S :

P L A N N I N GP R E PA R I N GS E A R C H I N G

A P P LY I N G

The College Admissions Process

COURSE SELECTION

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

ENRICHMENT

TESTING: SAT OR ACT, SAT SUBJECT TESTS, AP TESTS

Planning

Course Selection

Create a schedule with balanceCourses should be challenging, but not impossibleTake teacher recommendations seriously. They know

the content and the level of expectation. Colleges will look at a student’s transcript within the

context of our school profile.They also will look to see progress. Choose electives based on strengths, areas of

interest and those that show a desire to learn more about a particular topic and with the intention of learning more about an area as a possible major or career path

Extra-Curricular Activities

Why are they important? Provide opportunities for growth Show areas of interest Provide opportunities for leadership Allow students to shine in areas that may not be

apparent on a transcript Allow students to show passion, dedication and

commitment Provide opportunities for positive contributions to

school and community Show development of special skills outside the

classroom

Enrichment Opportunities

Go beyond what is available at school Employment Volunteer work (beyond what is required for

graduation) Giving back to the community Gaining different perspectives Working with different people, or sets of circumstances

Summer Enrichment Take a different course, or try something new Spend some time in a different community Take a college level course Travel

Testing

College Admission Testing SAT

Designed to see if students have reasoning and problem solving skills.

The focus is not so much on whether or not a student knows the answer, but rather, can they go about figuring out the answer.

ACT The ACT is a more curriculum-based test. The questions are more direct and straightforward; more

knowledge based. The test is designed to see how much information students have

retained A student MUST take the ACT WITH the Writing portion to be

acceptable to colleges.

How will I know which test to take?

Colleges will accept scores from either the SAT or the ACT

Take both practice tests. Both the PSAT (Pre-SAT Test) AND the PLAN (the Pre-ACT Test) are offered at Bernards High School.

The PLAN can only be taken in the spring of 10th grade, while the PSAT can be taken in the fall of 10th grade and again in the fall of 11th grade.

Each test is designed to mimic the real test; students will receive a score report which will give them a true assessment of how they will perform on the actual test.

Based on those results, a student may make a decision to take one test over the other.

What if I didn’t take either the PLAN or the PSAT?

Familiarize yourself with the differences between both testsTake the practice tests (on-line or on paper from books)Sit for the Princeton Review PRA (free for Bernards High

Students!) Free opportunity for all Bernards High Students to sit for a

portion of the SAT and the ACT to get a feel for each test. Students and parents will receive the results and suggestions

for interpreting the results and deciding which test to take. The test is offered on January 26th at 8:30am in the HS Cafeteria The results evening is offered on Wednesday, February 6th at

6:30pm

Talk to your guidance counselor for additional programs that offer similar practice review assessments

Should I take both tests?

Students should avoid over-testing whenever possible.

Some students do choose to take both tests to compare the results and then choose which scores to send out with their applications.

Not necessary, time consuming and costly.However, the tests are offered in different

months, so it is possible.

Subject Tests

SAT Subject Tests Specific one hour-long tests offered in several

different subject areas. Some schools may require for admission or

placement purposes, however they are not required by all schools.

If a school does require the subject tests, most will require 2, but no more than 3.

For additional information regarding the SAT Subject Tests go to: http://sat.collegeboard.org/about-tests/sat-subject-tests

Test Preparation

How should I prepare for the tests? Practice, practice, practice Take a full-length practice test on-line

www.number2.com www.4tests.com

Take each test one-time and then decide which test to take again Remember to always check with the colleges that you are interested

in, to see if they have any additional or specific requirements. SAT Test Prep

There is no lack of companies that offer test prep. Speak to your guidance counselor about what type of prep your child

would be best suited for Group Classes On-line Classes Private Tutoring Boot Camps

AP Tests

AP Tests Students enrolled in an AP course are expected to take

the AP Exams in May. AP Exams test students' ability to perform at a college

level and correspond with the college-level work that was completed in the classroom through the AP course.

Most colleges give students credit, advanced placement or both on the basis of AP Exam scores.

Students must take the AP exam to receive credit; participation in the course without the AP Exam will not qualify for credit. For more information please visit: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/Controller.jpf

There is no “one size fits all” for testing

This is an individual decision; utilize the available resources: Speak to your guidance counselor Speak to your teachers Parents and students need to talk about how much

time and effort can or should be put into preparation Determine your own individual time table for testing.

Each student has different commitments at different times. Do what is right for you!

Testing is only one piece of the admissions criteria. Time is far better spent focusing on current course work, and extra-curricular activities

HOW WILL I PREPARE FOR THE COLLEGE SEARCH

PROCESS?

Preparing

Preparing for the College Search

Set the toneDiscuss your plans, and set some goalsMeet with your guidance counselorEstablish your own time tableKnow yourself and answer some basic questionsDecide what resources you will be utilizing and

stick with those. Too much information can be confusing and counter-productive

Take the inventories in Naviance: You must know your personality, interests, abilities and

learning styles to look at the settings that will be appropriate for you.

HOW WILL I GENERATE A LIST OF COLLEGES TO APPLY TO, THAT ARE

RIGHT FOR ME?

Searching for Colleges

Use your resources!

Guidance CounselorCollege & Career CounselorTeachers and AdministratorsCollege guides

Ruggs Recommendations on the Colleges The Fiske Guide to Colleges The College Finder The Princeton Review’s Best 377 College

Web-sites www.collegeboard.org www.inlikeme.com www.fairtest.org https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search

Finding the right “fit”

What does finding the right “fit” mean? In what environment will I be most comfortable? How far away from home do I want to be? Am I a city person? Or, Do I want the social life to be on

campus? Do I enjoy group discussions? Do I like active participation? Will I be lost in a large setting? Do other students that are admitted have similar grades and

test scores as me? Do I want to be able to balance academics with a social life? Find a college that will challenge you academically, fulfill you

personally and satisfy you socially prepare you for the future Does it need to have a particular religious affiliation? Will I play a sport?

How will I begin a search

Naviance! This is an invaluable tool that will provide you with everything you need to get started Inventories Search Criteria. Answer the questions from the previous sides

and an initial list will be generated College Data

Scattergrams College profiles including admissions criteria and deadlines Quick access to each college website Allows you to save your list of colleges Bernards acceptances for the past 3 years Summer and enrichment programs Scholarships Additional resources

Scattergram (Reach)

   

Scattergrams (Target)

Scattergrams (Likely)

 

Beginning the search

Go to a college fairVisit a variety of college campusesMeet with College Representatives that visit

Bernards in the fallKeep an open mind. Your guidance counselors

have had the opportunity to meet with hundreds of college representatives

Create a list and then continue to refine it. Keep a list of colleges that you are considering in Naviance and share these with your counselor

Be Realistic

Set realistic expectations. Don’t expect to find the “perfect” college, but rather several schools that fit your criteria

There are many colleges that will offer a rewarding and challenging experience for you, while preparing you for the challenges in the job market

Use the scattergrams to get a picture of the admissions statistics, but also stick to schools that look for students with similar strengths and interests as yours

Avoid going into the process with notions of “best” and “top” and “tier”

Be Realistic

Cast a wide net to keep your options openLastly, for parents: Be a supportive resource

for your child! Be involved, but don’t take over. This process is just

that. A process, which has as much value as the outcome itself.

NCAA

Student AthletesRegister with the NCAA Clearinghouse

http://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.jsp

Review eligibility requirementsMake sure your coaches and your

guidance counselor knows your intentions

Keep lines of communication open

WHAT DOES A COLLEGE APPLICATION CONSIST OF?

Applying

The Application

The Application itself Common Application

Single application that students can complete and submit to over 450 participating colleges

All colleges and universities are welcome to become members and new schools continue to join every year. www.commonapp.org

Why use the common app? Saves time Stay organized Available August 1, 2013

Institutional Application

The Transcript

Courses by gradeFinal GradesGrade Point Average

Colleges will evaluate these within the context of our school profile BHS profile can be accessed from the

shsd website. Click on guidance and scroll down guidance files.

Test Scores

Many colleges will review student’s test scores as criteria for admission.

Test scores ARE NOT part of a student’s transcript and must be sent directly from the testing center

Are test scores always required? No. A number of schools have become “test-optional”

www.fairtest.org http://sat.collegeboard.org/scores/send-sat-scores http://www.actstudent.org/scores/send/

Essays and Personal Statements

Each school will have specific requirements regarding the essay

Why is this a requirement Gaining admission to college goes beyond grades and test scores. Use this opportunity to personalize your application Don’t restate what is elsewhere on the application, but rather tell

them something about yourself they would not otherwise know.Topics:

Some ask for a general personal statement Others ask for a writing sample While still others ask students to respond to particular questions

Personal experience A situation that taught you something An experience that had a profound affect on you

Essay (Continued)

Start early!Enlist helpWrite from the heartDO NOT have someone else write it for youPractice, edit, proofread!Organization is key: Make sure you know well

in advance if a college requires more than one essay!

Utilize your resources and don’t wait until the last minute

Activity Sheet/Resume

Create a resume that lists: After-school activities Community activities including community service

and volunteer work Employment Athletics Leadership positions Honors and awards Naviance

Can create a resume in Naviance through family connection

Teacher Recommendations

Provides insight into students daily interactionsTeachers can comment on student’s participation,

progress, level of involvement, organizational skills, analytical skills, etc.

Make sure you know if your teacher requires additional information

Copy of your resume, a brag sheet, etc.

Which teachers should I ask? Current teachers are best Teachers that you have had positive interactions with Teachers that know you well Perhaps teachers in the areas of your interest In the end, ask teachers that will present you in the most positive

way possible

School Report and Counselor Recommendation

Valuable information for the collegesGuidance counselors know all pieces of the

whole studentCounselors require a student brag sheet from

all students before writing the letterAgain, don’t wait until the last minuteCounselors appreciate a “brag” sheet from

parents as well The more information they have, the more thorough

and specific the letter will be

Interview

Sometimes requiredSometimes recommendedSometimes offeredSometimes not offered

Interview (Continued)

If required:Prepare questionsDo you homework….know the school!Be yourself and answer question honestlyMake up a list of questions ahead of time and

practiceAgain it is an opportunity for you to determine

if this is truly a fit for you. The interviewer is trying to determine if your background fits within their particular campus environment

Financial Aid

Federal AidState AidInstitutional AidOutside scholarshipsAid is either “need” based or “merit” basedFile the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

after January 1, 2014Some schools will also require the css-profile or an

institutional form While researching colleges go the school’s financial aid

page to get an idea of aid available. By law, every college website needs to provide a net price calculator

Financial Aid (Continued)

For more information go to: http://www.fastweb.com/ http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ http://www.hesaa.org/Pages/StudentsParents.aspx https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/f4cForm?execution=e1s1 http://www.fafsaonline.com/fafsa-on-the-web/fafsa-forecaste

r.php

Attend a financial aid workshop May 6th, 6:30pm in the Community Room December, 2013 the guidance department will host its

annual Financial Aid Night Make an appointment with either your guidance counselor

or the College & Career Counselor

Frequently Asked Questions

When should we start visiting?When should we ask for teacher

recommendations?Who can help us with the search?How can I get a scholarship?How can I set myself apart from other

candidates?When do we actually apply?