Southern Lehigh High School Guidance Department College Planning

Southern Lehigh High School Guidance Department College Planning Night for Juniors February 21, 2019

Factors Affecting College Admission TRANSCRIPT Grade Point Average Rigor of Coursework (Honors & AP Courses) College Entrance Tests – SAT/ACT; Subject Tests (if required) Essay or Writing Sample Counselor/Teacher Recommendation Letters Extracurricular Involvement Student’s Demonstrated Interest Interview (if available)

School Profile Provides colleges with pertinent information about SLHS Size % Going on to college Average SAT scores Information about courses & programs available to students * Located on the SLHS website under Guidance

Deciding Where to Go Activities Admission Requirements/Selectivity Cost Location Major Religious Affiliation Size Special Programs

Research & Visit Colleges Schedule in the spring of junior year, summer, fall of senior year Complete an educational trip form in advance & upon return to school bring a note from your parent Be well-informed about the school BEFORE your visit During the visit, talk with students & faculty Items you may want to take with you: Transcript Standardized Resume Test Scores

College Admissions Rep. Visits Rep visits to SLHS occur primarily in Sept., Oct., & Nov. Students sign up to attend in Naviance Visits are scheduled during Spartan Period

Email Communication Students should use a professional email address to: 1. Communicate with college representatives 2. Register for standardized tests 3. Apply to colleges DO NOT USE SPARTAN DOCS EMAIL ADDRESS!!!

College Entrance Tests ACT Offered April 13th (register by March 8th) Offered June 8th (register by May 3rd) Offered July 13, Sept. 14, & Oct. 26 www.actstudent.org SAT Offered May 4th (register by April 5th) Offered June 1st (register by May 3rd) Offered AUGUST 24, Oct. 5 & Nov. 2 www.collegeboard.org

ACT English (45 min): standard written English & rhetorical skills Math (60 min) Reading (35 min): comprehension Science (35 min): interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, & problem-solving skills Optional Writing (40 min) Scale 1-36 (Each section; includes Composite) Cost is 50.50 or 67 WITH WRITING 9

SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 65 minute Reading section 35 minute Language & Writing Math 55 minutes WITH calculator 25 minutes WITHOUT calculator Optional Essay 50 minutes Scale 1600 (800 Math & 800 ERW) Separate Writing Score Cost is 47.50 or 64.50 WITH ESSAY 10

SAT Subject Tests Required by the most selective colleges & universities for admission English Literature, U.S. History, World History, Mathematics Levels I and II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, & World Languages (French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese) Each exam is one hour in length; can take up to three exams on one SAT test date See which tests may be required for certain majors Total Cost for 2 Subject Tests 70

Common Application www.commonapp.org Over 800 member colleges & universities Application can be submitted to any number of colleges you indicate Individual colleges may have additional requirements (i.e. writing supplements) Must complete FERPA agreement as well as enter your Common App username and password in Naviance in order for your transcript to be sent

Coalition Application www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org NEW as of Fall 2016 Allows for the individualization of application by uploading music, videos, artistic works, etc. Over 100 member colleges 13

Admissions Decisions Early Action – apply EARLY and receive an EARLY decision (non-binding) Early Decision – apply EARLY, receive EARLY decision, if accepted MUST attend and withdraw all other applications (BINDING) Rolling Admissions – as applications roll in, decisions roll out; APPLY EARLY!

Letters of Recommendation Complete the Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire Allow a minimum of 3 weeks for teacher letters Ask your teachers personally first before requesting in Naviance Select 1 or 2 teachers that know you well Not all schools require letters of recommendation (ex. PA state universities) Waiving your right of access: It is best to waive your right of access because colleges and universities will feel as though they are getting a true evaluation of you. However, do what you are most comfortable with.

Counselor Letter of Recommendation Complete the Counselor Recommendation Questionnaire Complete the Parent Input Form Allow a minimum of 3 weeks for counselor letters Ask your counselor personally Not all schools require counselor letters

JUNIOR YEAR - Spring 2019 Think about what you want to do – utilize Personality Profile and Career Interest Profiler to explore careers Explore Naviance and College Board college search engines Develop list of prospective colleges Take the SAT and/or ACT – make sure to list 4 colleges to receive score reports FREE when you register Take AP exams in May if enrolled in course(s) Plan a CHALLENGING & APPROPRIATE senior year schedule Look for summer jobs, internships, volunteer activities Tour college campuses & talk with college reps, professors, and students

SENIOR YEAR - Fall 2019 Register for necessary entrance exams Secure letters of recommendation EARLY Narrow down list of colleges to 5 – 10 Organize your application materials noting requirements and admissions/financial aid deadlines Utilize national scholarship searches as well as Naviance to research local and national scholarship opportunities Attend SLHS Financial Aid Program – Oct. 10, 2019 APPLY EARLY!!!!!

about me Naviance recommendation questionnaire (for students) parent input sheet careers career information, job outlook, assessments – personality type and career interest profiler colleges SuperMatch college maps scattergrams colleges I am interested in/applying to

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Naviance Sessions for Juniors March 1st during Spartan Period Very important that students attend Presentation will be recorded and posted on the high school website

NCAA Initial Eligibility Center www.eligibilitycenter.org Division I or II athletics Sliding scale used to match test scores and core GPA Register now (junior year)

Reminders Parents invited to come March 4th through March 18th to meet with your child and school counselor If you are planning to attend the junior meeting, please schedule the appointment through Google Form by February 22nd Meetings scheduled for 30 minutes from 8:00am until 2:00pm

Reminders March 6th – PACAC Regional College Fair at Cedar Crest College May 2nd – College Fair at Emmaus High School October 10th – Financial Aid Night @ SLHS *Utilize Program of Studies – College Planning Calendar; Career Pathways