Parents’ Guide toCollege Search

Ronald W. Reagan High School

What Is College Search?• A volunteer program to help high school juniors

understand their higher education options.• A time set aside for members of the junior class to

learn about the programs available to search out options for higher education and available institutions or colleges.

• Online computer programs allowing students to look at:– What strengths to focus on as they decide on a

possible career – What types of institutions of higher learning are

available to enhance and realize their career goals

– What school best fits their needs: location, major, finances

• Registration on College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) to facilitate college application process.

• Registration on College Board to facilitate their search for the right school.

Dear Parents,

Parents, not experts, are a part of the College Search Team. This process is one in which volunteers help members of the junior class to understand what their college search process is and what is available to them during the search and application months. This step is a starting point for the college application process they begin as juniors and continue as seniors.

Volunteers meet with a student one-on-one during the school day. The parents show them what is available in the Student Services Office and also introduce them to the computer programs to begin the process of discussing and thinking about their goal(s) upon high school graduation and what they need to do to achieve their goal(s).

The PTSA coordinates the program. Chairs of this group vary from year to year, please consult the Reagan PTSA directory for current chairpersons.

College Search Quick Facts

2010 - 2011

KNOW YOUR STUDENT SERVICES COUNSELOR: He or she is the best resource for questions concerning college information, financial aid, or other needs concerning the college application process.

A – B Joel Cordray C – G Randy Norris

H – L Jennifer Weaver M – R Tammy Cashwell

S – Z Jamie Sherman Adm Asst. Mitzi Davis

KNOW SAT REGISTRATION AND TESTING DATES: For the current SAT Booklet, go to the bookshelf in Student Services. You can also get all the information you need at www.collegeboard.com. Ronald Wilson Reagan registration # for SAT and ACT is 343-134.

TESTING DATES REGISTRATION DATESOctober 9, 2010 September 10, 2010

November 6, 2010 October 8, 2010

December 4, 2010 November 5, 2010

January 22, 2011 December 23, 2010

March 12, 2011 February 11, 2011

May 7, 2011 April 8, 2011

June 4, 2011 May 6, 2011

KNOW ACT REGISTRATION AND TESTING DATES: For the current ACT Booklet, go to the bookshelf in Student Services. You can also get all the information you need at www.studentact.org.

TESTING DATES REGISTRATION DATESSeptember 11, 2010 August 6, 2010

October 23, 2010 September 17, 2010December 11, 2010 November 5, 2010February 12, 2011 January 7, 2011April 9, 2011 March 4, 2011June 11, 2011 May 6, 2011

SAT/ACT FACTS

• SAT and ACT scores can tell admissions staff how well prepared a student is for college-level academics. The scores also allow colleges to compare college readiness among other students in a standardized way. • Registration for the test can be online (a credit card is required) or by mail.• Online sites are: SAT – www.collegeboard.com

ACT – www.actstudent.org.

•Students typically take the test three times, March and May of their junior year of high school and October of their senior year.• Schools take the best of the scores in each area. Some colleges now waive the need to submit SAT/ACT scores. Look at each college’s website to get more information about this practice.•The ACT® test assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work.The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay. Some colleges will accept the ACT in place of the SAT Subject II tests. Check the colleges you are interested in about this practice.•The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills needed for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well the students analyze and solve problems—skills learned in school that are needed in college. •SAT Subject II tests are usually taken at the end of junior year or during the fall of the senior year. Check your college selections for how many and if specific tests are required.•TESTS MAY NEED TO BE TAKEN EARLIERFOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR EARLYADMISSION.

FREE RESOURCES

WSFCS SAT Prep Course – ½ year

ACT, Inc.www.actstudent.org Free ACT prep on-line

COLLEGE BOARDwww.collegeboard.com Free SAT prep on-line

COLLEGE FOUNDATION OF NORTH CAROLINAwww.cfnc.org Free SAT/ACT practice on-line

NUMBER 2www.number2.com Free SAT/ACT prep online and vocabulary

builder

PRIVATE RESOURCES FOR A FEEMany options are available, please use the Reagan Student Services web site, the Web, or see your student services counselor or the Yellow Pages for researching other testing services.

COLLEGE CONSULTANTS FOR A FEEPrivate consultants are available to help you or your parents to guide your college selection journey, but they represent a significant cost. The following web sites are for agencies who certify college consultants and may help you find a consultant in your area.

www.nacac.com – National Association of College Admission Counselingwww.educationalconsulting.org – Independent Educational Consultants Association

BOOKSThe Truth About Getting In, Katherine Cohen, PhD, Hyperion Publishing, ISBN: 0-7868-8747-8

SAT/ACT PREP RESOURCES

Helpful Internet Sites

Interested in Financial Aid and Scholarships?

Web Sites1.www.college-scholarship.com - 101 top college, university and scholarship websites. Provides links to scholarships, financial aid, help with letters, applications, etc.2.www.srnexpress.com - Scholarship Resource Network – free scholarship search3.www.scholarships.com - Scholarship Resource Network – free scholarship search4.www.fastweb.com free scholarship site5.www.cfnc.org - College Foundation of North Carolina – search site for need or merit based North Carolina scholarships6.www.wsfooundation.org - The WSF offers scholarships based on merit. Many of the scholarship are restricted to Forsyth County residents, although not all of them are exclusive. 7.www.fafsa.ed.gov - Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid provides opportunities for federal grants, loans and work-study from the government or attending university. Complete after January 1 of the student’s senior year of high school.8.Other Resources – check with the Student Services Office, Companies, Clubs, Organizations, Churches, Scouts, etc.

Ms Norris maintains a scholarship newsletter for seniors and updates the scholarship newsletter frequently. Check the Reagan Student Services website for all the details.

PLEASE BEGIN CHECKING INTO SCHOLARSHIPS DURING THE SUMMER BETWEEN YOUR JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR. MANY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER OF YOUR SENIOR YEAR!!!

College Search Questions and Answers

What should students who are going to a community college do for admission?These students should search for 2 year programs and 4 year programs as well. It is best if the students have some idea of what 4 year college they might want to attend because the community college counselors will work with the student to maximize the number of courses that will meet the 4 year college’s transfer requirements. Suggest the student save all papers, tests and syllabuses from their courses to ensure they receive transfer credit for the work.

What to advise students who are hoping for athletic scholarships?These students should talk to their coaches and student services counselors about rules, signing dates, and the NCAA Clearinghouse. Students must complete their junior year of high school before they can file an application with the NCAA Clearinghouse. The website is www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/ncaa/NCAA/common/index.html.

What does the Reagan Student Services advise for when to take the SAT or ACT?Student Services recommends a student take one or both tests during the early spring of their junior year and consider retaking the tests in late spring of their junior year. Some schools also like to see scores from tests taken in the fall of the student’s senior year, dependent on the scores of the test (s) taken during their junior year. Many colleges like to see if the senior score has been enhanced by the completion of the student’s junior year in high school.

What if a student can not afford the SAT/ACT fee?Anyone who qualifies for free or reduced lunch also qualifies for a waiver of the test fee. The waiver is for one test during their junior year and one test during their senior year. If a student does not qualify for a free or reduced fee lunch, the student can still see their counselor or the social worker for other financial help with the SAT fee.

Can a student visit a college at anytime?Colleges suggest students visit their college choice during their junior year. Students should visit each school’s ’website to determine when tours are given and what they may be expected to do to visit their college choices. Saturday tours are not offered year round, therefore, summer or holiday visits should be considered.

Can a student take time off from school to visit colleges?Students are given two days of excused absence to visit schools their junior year ,as well as senior year. Student may be required to bring back a booklet from the school to verify their visit to the school. Students should check with their student services counselor.

Student Services Resources

•College Search volunteers are not experts. The student services counselors are the ones to answer specific questions. Information is available in the Student Services Office.•Bulletin Board

•Online notices in the Announcement section of the Reagan website.

•College catalogues, information books and SAT prep books.

•SAT and ACT booklets.

•Reference Books:•Barron’s Best Buys in College Education, 8th edition•College Board College Handbook•College Board Book of Majors •College Board College costs and Financial Aid Handbook•Fiske Guide to Colleges•Guide to Scholarships •Institutional Profiles of the University of North Carolina•North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities •Occupational Outlook Handbook •Patterson’s Schools Classified, 11th edition•Peterson’s Colleges in the South•Peterson’s Scholarship Almanac•Princeton Review The Best 351 Colleges•Princeton Review Complete Book of Colleges•The Scholarship Book

• College and University catalogues and information pamphlets are grouped by:

•North Carolina Schools•Southern Region Schools•Non-Regional Schools

• There are numerous other small booklets and pamphlets on the shelves in the office

Online College Search Programs

• CFNC – This is the first site the students create a profile on when they begin the College Search Process. The site, www.cfnc.org, allows students to view information on all NC 2 and 4 year college programs, career options, NC state college application information and financial aid information.

• COLLEGE BOARD - This is the second program , www.collegeboard.com the students create a profile on during College Search. The profile allows the online registration for SAT I and SAT II tests. Students will also be able to view their results online after they are posted by the College Board Service.

• MATCHMAKER - After registering on College Board, the students enter data into the Matchmaker program to look for colleges meeting the criteria they have entered into Matchmaker.

• Students may use the Matchmaker program as often as they care to use it. The criteria can be saved and the matches they feel strongly about can be saved for further review. Key criteria to enter are listed below.

• Type of School – the more choices listed as No Preference, the more schools will be available in the results at the end of the search.

• Location – selection can be made by region or by individual state.• Majors – the entry of a major will provide the student with more

detailed wording about majors in a specific area. They may enter more than one major. In the second box the student can click on the specific majors and ADD them to the list which will appear in the third box on the screen.

• The student can continue beyond this point but the results will get very limited. We recommend the student seek the Results after entering the Majors information.

• Upon getting the results, guide the student through one of the school selections. These are the areas the student should pay close attention to as they review a college. Is the size of the school close to what they believe they will be

comfortable with attending? Is their GPA in the range of the top 50% of the students

accepted to the college? What is the admission date deadline? Have they taken an appropriate number of courses to meet

the college’s requirements (i.e.: 3 lab science vs. the number taken at Reagan.)

How do their SAT or ACT scores compare to those admitted to the college?

Does the college have a or any of the major(s) they are considering?

Online College Search Programs

• Take the student back to the first screen of the information for the specific college. Have them click on the school’s web site address and let them browse through the site to get an idea of what a site has in terms of information. Suggest they do this for all of their college selections.

• Have them Add To My List on the left side of the screen any school they wish to review at a later time.

• If College Search does not seem to meet their college needs, you can have them go to Google and enter criteria such as BEST COLLEGES ENGINEERING and they should get a a list of sites listing colleges highly regarded in a specific field. The US News and World Report site is a good reference, it is compiled from the magazine edition which is published each fall.

Final Thoughts

• The college application is usually not an easy process. How many of us as high school students really understood what college was about and what we really wanted to study. College is the time to search, explore and grow in knowledge and wisdom.•Allow for a dream school, one never knows what may happen and dreams do come true. While allowing for a dream school also select a college with a high probability of offering admission to your child, the safety school.•Touring colleges is a great way for your child and for you as a parent to understand what is unique to the college and how its curriculum and traditions may affect your student.•A spreadsheet of college choices with pertinent data is a good way to track the information specific to the college and also key deadlines. Colleges do not care if you miss their deadline, there are thousands of other students who got the application in on time.•Offer your child support and help them examine their options.•Keep calm or at least try to, the process is over before you know it and then you just wait for the results.