College PrepCollege PrepGetting ready to take Getting ready to take

the next stepthe next step

A program for Seniors A program for Seniors and their parentsand their parents

Making decisions that will Making decisions that will affect the rest of your life affect the rest of your life

can be overwhelmingcan be overwhelming The world beyond high school is full of The world beyond high school is full of

opportunity, decisions, and questions.opportunity, decisions, and questions. Two year or four college? Stay at home or go Two year or four college? Stay at home or go

away? What do I want to major in? How will I away? What do I want to major in? How will I afford college? Where do I want to end up? afford college? Where do I want to end up? What kind of career am I thinking about? How What kind of career am I thinking about? How much money do I want to make?much money do I want to make?

How do you sort it all out?How do you sort it all out?

Careful planning is the keyCareful planning is the key

What are colleges What are colleges looking for?looking for?

GPA and class rankGPA and class rank Rigor of curriculumRigor of curriculum Community service, clubs and activitiesCommunity service, clubs and activities Involvement in Athletics, Arts, Music, Involvement in Athletics, Arts, Music,

etcetc Standardized test scores (SAT, SAT II, Standardized test scores (SAT, SAT II,

ACT)ACT) College EssayCollege Essay Personal InterviewPersonal Interview Letters of recommendationLetters of recommendation

Grade Point AverageGrade Point Average

Grade Point Average (GPA) is computed Grade Point Average (GPA) is computed at the end of the junior year. The GPA at the end of the junior year. The GPA includes all grades for any high school includes all grades for any high school credit bearing class the student took in credit bearing class the student took in grades 8 – 12.grades 8 – 12.

Courses of higher levels (AP, Honors, Courses of higher levels (AP, Honors, Articulated) carry weighting with them Articulated) carry weighting with them for the purpose of computing GPA. AP = for the purpose of computing GPA. AP = 1.10, Honors = 1.05, Regents = 1.01.10, Honors = 1.05, Regents = 1.0

Students receive GPA in fall of their Students receive GPA in fall of their Senior Year.Senior Year.

Class RankClass Rank

GPA’s are ordered numerically, GPA’s are ordered numerically, and Class Rank is determined.and Class Rank is determined.

Students are grouped according Students are grouped according to percentiles.to percentiles.

This rank will indicate to This rank will indicate to admissions counselors how well admissions counselors how well the student did in relation to the student did in relation to their peers.their peers.

Rigor of CurriculumRigor of Curriculum

Colleges have ‘suggested’ Colleges have ‘suggested’ minimum academic minimum academic requirements for applicantsrequirements for applicants

Look at college website. They Look at college website. They typically have a page outlining typically have a page outlining these academic or admissions these academic or admissions requirementsrequirements

Students are always encouraged to achieve Students are always encouraged to achieve more than the minimum of the suggested more than the minimum of the suggested requirements. We recommend as many requirements. We recommend as many academic courses as possible in order to academic courses as possible in order to stay competitive.stay competitive.

Don’t forget:Don’t forget: AP coursesAP courses Articulated coursesArticulated courses Other advanced courses or independent Other advanced courses or independent

studiesstudiesThese all help strengthen your transcriptThese all help strengthen your transcript

Register for SAT and/or ACT tests Register for SAT and/or ACT tests SAT – To register: SAT – To register:

www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com ACT – To ACT – To register: register: www.act.orgwww.act.org

**If you are a special education **If you are a special education student planning to take either of student planning to take either of these tests, you these tests, you MUSTMUST see your see your IEP teacher and counselor before IEP teacher and counselor before you registeryou register

Standardized Tests

ACTACT Four parts to the test: math, verbal, science, social Four parts to the test: math, verbal, science, social

studiesstudies There is a writing section as well, which is There is a writing section as well, which is

optional.optional. Each section is scored separately, with a total Each section is scored separately, with a total

composite score of 36composite score of 36 The cost of the ACT is $29. The cost of the ACT The cost of the ACT is $29. The cost of the ACT

with with the writing section is $43the writing section is $43 Dates & deadlines:Dates & deadlines:

Test date: October 23 Test date: October 23 Late registration: Sept 18 – Oct 1Late registration: Sept 18 – Oct 1Test date: December 11Test date: December 11Registration deadline: November 5Registration deadline: November 5

SAT ISAT I Three parts to the test: math, critical Three parts to the test: math, critical

reading and writing. The writing section reading and writing. The writing section is is notnot optional. optional.

Each section is 800 points, with a total Each section is 800 points, with a total possible score of 2400possible score of 2400

The cost of the SAT is $43.00The cost of the SAT is $43.00 Dates & deadlines:Dates & deadlines:

Test date: November 6Test date: November 6Deadline: October 8Deadline: October 8

Test date: December 4 (Ken East Test date: December 4 (Ken East only)only)

Deadline: November 5Deadline: November 5

SAT IISAT II

Certain schools will require SAT II scores. Certain schools will require SAT II scores. These are subject tests offered in the These are subject tests offered in the

following areas: US History, World following areas: US History, World History, Math, Biology, Chemistry, History, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Latin, Italian, Physics, French, Spanish, Latin, Italian, German and modern Hebrew.German and modern Hebrew.

Recommend that students take these in Recommend that students take these in June of junior year after preparing for AP June of junior year after preparing for AP exams.exams.

Please check with college of interest to Please check with college of interest to see if these are required.see if these are required.

Consider Test PrepConsider Test Prep

Use Peterson’s online SAT test Use Peterson’s online SAT test preparation – preparation – www.petersons.comwww.petersons.com

Register for E.C.C. SAT prep Register for E.C.C. SAT prep course. Call 851-1800course. Call 851-1800

Atlas Test Prep: Atlas Test Prep: www.atlastestprep.comwww.atlastestprep.com

See KW Guidance website for See KW Guidance website for more suggestionsmore suggestions

Gather Information Gather Information about Careersabout Careers

Use Use www.careercruising.comwww.careercruising.com at home at home or school to explore careers, find or school to explore careers, find careers that match your interest, careers that match your interest, and learn about colleges and and learn about colleges and universities. Log in to the website universities. Log in to the website with Username: kenmore, Password: with Username: kenmore, Password: west west

Use Choices Program at school Use Choices Program at school (Career Center, computer lab) to (Career Center, computer lab) to explore careersexplore careers

Gathering InformationGathering Information

Gather information from Career Gather information from Career Center and websites on colleges of Center and websites on colleges of your interestyour interest

Attend college fairs and visit Attend college fairs and visit colleges of your interest this fallcolleges of your interest this fall

Meet with college representatives Meet with college representatives in Career Center this fallin Career Center this fall..

Look online at colleges and Look online at colleges and universitiesuniversities..

First and foremost, First and foremost,

BE ORGANIZED! BE ORGANIZED!

Use file folders, binders, Use file folders, binders, or spreadsheets to keep or spreadsheets to keep

information together information together and adhere to deadlinesand adhere to deadlines

Your school counselor will make Your school counselor will make an appointment for you to an appointment for you to discuss your Senior Review Plan discuss your Senior Review Plan in late September or early in late September or early OctoberOctober. .

Students will have the Students will have the opportunity to review all credits opportunity to review all credits already earned and those that already earned and those that are required still to graduate.are required still to graduate.

Senior Review

Senior SchedulesSenior Schedules

Some universities will require Some universities will require additional high school coursework additional high school coursework in order for a student to enter into in order for a student to enter into a certain major. Senior Review is a a certain major. Senior Review is a great time to make sure you are great time to make sure you are meeting all requirements! For meeting all requirements! For example, if a student wants to example, if a student wants to study engineering, it is very study engineering, it is very important to take Physics in high important to take Physics in high school.school.

Retake Standardized tests Retake Standardized tests in the Fallin the Fall

Register for SAT and/or ACT (Register for SAT and/or ACT (www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com & & www.act.orgwww.act.org))

SAT cost: $43.00SAT cost: $43.00 ACT cost: No ACT cost: No Writing - $29.00 Plus Writing - Writing - $29.00 Plus Writing - $43.00$43.00

**For SAT and ACT fall dates, **For SAT and ACT fall dates, visit the KW website or the SAT visit the KW website or the SAT and ACT websitesand ACT websites

If you have not made a If you have not made a decision on where to apply, decision on where to apply,

continue to gather continue to gather information…information…

Visit schools – Attend Open Houses Visit schools – Attend Open Houses hosted by colleges & universitieshosted by colleges & universities

Meet with college representatives Meet with college representatives in Career Centerin Career Center

Attend WNY and Rochester area Attend WNY and Rochester area College Consortiums @ Ken West College Consortiums @ Ken West in Octoberin October

SUNY SchoolsSUNY Schools

If interested in a SUNY school, If interested in a SUNY school, attend SUNY College Night at attend SUNY College Night at Buffalo Convention Center. Buffalo Convention Center. Information will be available in Information will be available in the fall at the fall at www.suny.edu/Student/events/studewww.suny.edu/Student/events/student_events.cfmnt_events.cfm or calling (800) 342-3811 or calling (800) 342-3811

Pick up a SUNY viewbook in the Pick up a SUNY viewbook in the Counseling CenterCounseling Center

ApplicationsApplications

Obtain college applications by Obtain college applications by phone, email, or online phone, email, or online applicationapplication

**Please notePlease note: if you are applying to : if you are applying to a college online, you MUST a college online, you MUST request that the Counseling request that the Counseling Center sends a transcript Center sends a transcript

to the collegeto the college

Common ApplicationCommon Application

The Common Application is used by over The Common Application is used by over 400 colleges and universities to simplify the 400 colleges and universities to simplify the college application and admissions processcollege application and admissions process

Complete one Common Application online, Complete one Common Application online, and it can be sent to numerous schools that and it can be sent to numerous schools that participateparticipate

A college application fee is still required for A college application fee is still required for each school you apply toeach school you apply to

Go to Go to www.commonapp.orgwww.commonapp.org for more for more informationinformation

College applications must College applications must be turned into the be turned into the

Counseling Center by Counseling Center by December 1. December 1.

Please make sure to give Please make sure to give us enough time to us enough time to

process the applicationsprocess the applications..

Online ApplicationsOnline Applications

**Please notePlease note: if you are : if you are applying to a college applying to a college

online, you MUST request online, you MUST request that the Counseling that the Counseling

Center sends a transcript Center sends a transcript to the collegeto the college

Which Admission Process Which Admission Process should I use?should I use?

Non-Restrictive Application PlansNon-Restrictive Application Plans Regular decisionRegular decision Rolling AdmissionRolling Admission Early ActionEarly Action

Restrictive Application PlansRestrictive Application Plans Early DecisionEarly Decision Restrictive Early ActionRestrictive Early Action

Letters of Recommendation Letters of Recommendation

and Essayand Essay Some colleges may require letters of Some colleges may require letters of

recommendation and an essay.recommendation and an essay. Ask 1-3 people to write a Ask 1-3 people to write a

recommendation for college recommendation for college applications or scholarships and applications or scholarships and begin working on college application begin working on college application essay.essay.

Make sure to give your teachers Make sure to give your teachers enough notice so that they can write enough notice so that they can write a quality lettera quality letter

Supplemental Supplemental ApplicationsApplications

Most SUNY schools are now Most SUNY schools are now requiring Supplemental (Part II) requiring Supplemental (Part II) applications.applications.

This is an application that is in This is an application that is in addition to the general SUNY addition to the general SUNY application.application.

Each individual school has it’s Each individual school has it’s own rules about additional own rules about additional requirements.requirements.

Mid Year ReportsMid Year Reports

Some schools may require a mid Some schools may require a mid year report.year report.

These forms can be turned into These forms can be turned into your counselor at any time and your counselor at any time and

they will be processed after they will be processed after second marking period grades second marking period grades

close.close.

Other application Other application materialsmaterials::

Some schools may require Some schools may require additional materials. Check additional materials. Check

websites or contact admissions websites or contact admissions offices for more information.offices for more information.

Some schools will mail a letter to Some schools will mail a letter to the student asking for additional the student asking for additional

or missing information.or missing information.

NCAANCAA

If you are interested in If you are interested in participating in athletics participating in athletics during college, you must during college, you must

register with NCAA register with NCAA

www.ncaaclearinghouse.netwww.ncaaclearinghouse.net

ScholarshipsScholarships

Check the Scholarship file on a regular Check the Scholarship file on a regular basis in the Career Center—The basis in the Career Center—The Scholarship Bulletin is also available on Scholarship Bulletin is also available on the Kenmore West website.the Kenmore West website.

Talk to friends and relatives about Talk to friends and relatives about scholarship opportunities through scholarship opportunities through employers.employers.

Look online for Scholarship opportunities. Look online for Scholarship opportunities. Obtain scholarship information through Obtain scholarship information through www.fastweb.comwww.fastweb.com..

Pay attention to deadlines.Pay attention to deadlines.

Financial AidFinancial Aid

Attend Financial Aid NightAttend Financial Aid NightKenmore West AudKenmore West Aud

December 2 at 6:30 pmDecember 2 at 6:30 pm

File FAFSA Form after January 1File FAFSA Form after January 1stst

www.fafasa.ed.gov

You may create a username and password prior to January 1

College AcceptanceCollege Acceptance

Letters of acceptance usually are Letters of acceptance usually are mailed in early spring. mailed in early spring.

Applicants may either be accepted, Applicants may either be accepted, wait listed or denied admission.wait listed or denied admission.

Once all offers are on the table, Once all offers are on the table, weigh the pros and cons of each weigh the pros and cons of each school, together with the financial school, together with the financial packages offered and make the packages offered and make the best decision for you.best decision for you.

We’re here to helpWe’re here to help……

Please feel free to call us at any time with Please feel free to call us at any time with questions or concerns at 874-8401.questions or concerns at 874-8401.

Mr. Gourlay: A – Gp Grades 10 & 12Mr. Gourlay: A – Gp Grades 10 & 12 Mr. Panepinto: Gq – O Grades 10 & 12Mr. Panepinto: Gq – O Grades 10 & 12 Mrs. Flatau: P – Z Grades 10 & 12Mrs. Flatau: P – Z Grades 10 & 12 Mrs. Blind: A – Gp Grades 9 & 11Mrs. Blind: A – Gp Grades 9 & 11 Mrs. Serio: Gq – O Grades 9 & 11Mrs. Serio: Gq – O Grades 9 & 11 Mrs. Handley: P – Z Grades 9 & 11Mrs. Handley: P – Z Grades 9 & 11

Use our website for additional help:Use our website for additional help:www.kenton.k12.ny.uswww.kenton.k12.ny.us

Kenmore West – Services - GuidanceKenmore West – Services - Guidance