Kenmore WestKenmore WestCollege PlanningCollege Planning
presentationpresentation
September 26, 2013September 26, 20136:30 pm6:30 pm
Many decisions are neccesary Many decisions are neccesary when planning for collegewhen planning for college
Two year or four college? Two year or four college? Attend a local school or go away? Attend a local school or go away?
What do I want to major in? What do I want to major in? How will I afford college? How will I afford college?
What kind of career am I thinking about? What kind of career am I thinking about? How much money do I want to make?How much money do I want to make?Where do I see myself in 5-10 years?Where do I see myself in 5-10 years?
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 looking What are colleges looking forfor??
GPA GPA Strength of transcriptStrength of transcript Standardized test scores (SAT, SAT II, Standardized test scores (SAT, SAT II,
ACT)ACT) College essayCollege essay Letters of recommendationLetters of recommendation Community service, clubs and activitiesCommunity service, clubs and activities Involvement in athletics, arts, music, Involvement in athletics, arts, music,
etcetc InterviewInterview
Grade Point AverageGrade Point Average
Grade Point Average (GPA) is Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated in the fall of senior year. calculated in the fall of senior year. The GPA includes all grades for any The GPA includes all grades for any high school class the student took in high school class the student took in grades 8 – 11.grades 8 – 11.
Courses of higher levels (IB, AP, Courses of higher levels (IB, AP, Honors, Articulated) carry weighting Honors, Articulated) carry weighting with them for the purpose of computing with them for the purpose of computing GPA. IB = 1.10, AP = 1.10, GPA. IB = 1.10, AP = 1.10, Honors = 1.05, Regents = 1.0Honors = 1.05, Regents = 1.0
Students receive GPA in fall of their Students receive GPA in fall of their senior yearsenior year
Strength of transcriptStrength of transcript
Colleges have “recommended” Colleges have “recommended” minimum academic requirements minimum academic requirements
for applicantsfor applicants
Look at college websites under their Look at college websites under their Admissions section for Admissions section for
requirements requirements
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. requirements.
We recommend challenging yourself as much We recommend challenging yourself as much as possible in order to stay competitive.as possible in order to stay competitive.
Don’t forget:Don’t forget: AP coursesAP courses Articulated coursesArticulated courses Other advanced courses or independent Other advanced courses or independent
studiesstudies
These all help strengthen your transcriptThese all help strengthen your transcript
Register for SAT and/or ACT testsRegister for SAT and/or ACT tests
SAT – To register: www.collegeboard.comSAT – To register: www.collegeboard.com
ACT – To register: www.actstudent.org ACT – To register: www.actstudent.org
**If you are a special education student **If you are a special education student planning to take either of these tests, you planning to take either of these tests, you MUSTMUST see your IEP teacher and counselor see your IEP teacher and counselor
before you registerbefore you register
Standardized tests are not required for Standardized tests are not required for admission to a two-year community collegeadmission to a two-year community college
Standardized Tests
ACTACT
Four parts to the testFour parts to the test: : English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning
There is also an optional writing sectionThere is also an optional writing section
Each section is scored separately, Each section is scored separately, with a total composite score of 36.with a total composite score of 36.
The cost of the ACT is $36.50, with writing section is $52.50. The cost of the ACT is $36.50, with writing section is $52.50. Both include sending scores to 4 schools at no additional cost.Both include sending scores to 4 schools at no additional cost.
Upcoming test dateUpcoming test date: October 26, 2013: October 26, 2013Registration deadlineRegistration deadline: by September 27: by September 27
($23 late fee)($23 late fee)
See KW Counseling website or ACT website See KW Counseling website or ACT website for additional 2013-14 datesfor additional 2013-14 dates
SATSAT
Three parts to the test: Math, Critical Reading and Writing Three parts to the test: Math, Critical Reading and Writing The Writing section is The Writing section is notnot optional optional
Each section is 800 points, with a total possible score of Each section is 800 points, with a total possible score of 24002400
The cost of the SAT is $51.00 The cost of the SAT is $51.00 (this includes sending scores to 4 schools at no additional (this includes sending scores to 4 schools at no additional
cost)cost)
Dates & deadlines:Dates & deadlines:
Test dateTest date: November 2: November 2Registration deadlineRegistration deadline: October 3: October 3
See the KW Counseling website or College Board website See the KW Counseling website or College Board website for additional 2013-14 test dates & informationfor additional 2013-14 test dates & information
SAT & ACT SAT & ACT
Fee waiversFee waivers
Students are eligible for a fee Students are eligible for a fee waiver for these exams if they waiver for these exams if they
receive a free or reduced lunchreceive a free or reduced lunch
Students can ask for a waiver Students can ask for a waiver
in the Counseling Centerin the Counseling Center
SAT Subject testsSAT Subject tests
SAT subject tests are hour long, content-based tests that SAT subject tests are hour long, content-based tests that allow you to showcase achievement in specific subjects allow you to showcase achievement in specific subjects where you excel. Students choose the test(s) that best where you excel. Students choose the test(s) that best
show achievement & interest.show achievement & interest.
Certain schools will require a SAT subject test Certain schools will require a SAT subject test for specific majorsfor specific majors
Subject tests are offered in the following areas: Subject tests are offered in the following areas:
Literature, US History, World History, Math, Biology, Literature, US History, World History, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Latin, Italian, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Latin, Italian,
German and modern HebrewGerman and modern Hebrew
Recommended that students take these in June Recommended that students take these in June of junior year (after for AP exams)of junior year (after for AP exams)
Please check with college of interest to see Please check with college of interest to see if these are required.if these are required.
SAT/ACT Test PrepSAT/ACT Test Prep
Students can prepare for these tests Students can prepare for these tests in a variety of ways. in a variety of ways.
Prep classesPrep classesWebsitesWebsites
BooksBooks
For a full list of test prep opportunities, For a full list of test prep opportunities, see the KW Counseling website.see the KW Counseling website.
Sending your scores
Many colleges prefer you send your SAT and/or ACT scores directly from the testing
company (for security purposes)
When you register for either test, you can send your scores to FOUR colleges for free
ACT and College Board will charge a fee to have your scores sent to additional colleges
SAT & ACT score report fee: $12
Colleges & your scores
When most colleges look at your SAT/ACT scores from different administrations, they will look at
your top score for each section, or your “Super Score.”
Example:May 2013 SAT scores: Writing – 500, Reading – 550, Math – 600October 2013 SAT scores: Writing – 550, Reading – 500, Math 650
Colleges will use: 550 for Writing, 550 for Reading, and 650 for Math to determine acceptance or
placement in a Math or English course
Information about CareersInformation about Careers
Use online resources such as:Use online resources such as:
The Occupational Outlook HandbookThe Occupational Outlook Handbookwww.bls.gov/ocowww.bls.gov/oco
NY Career ZoneNY Career Zonewww.nycareerzone.orgwww.nycareerzone.org
Naviance – website for career and college searchesNaviance – website for career and college searches
Look for more resources on the Look for more resources on the KW Counseling webpage – Career PlanningKW Counseling webpage – Career Planning
Naviance Family Connection
Naviance is a website used by KW for all students to research college information & careers,
manage applications, create a resume, and more
Students log in by using their KW Novell username and password
All current 11th & 12th graders are registered on Naviance.
All current 9th and 10th graders will be
registered this school year.
Gathering InformationGathering Information
Gather information from the KW Career CenterGather information from the KW Career Center
Look online at colleges and universitiesLook online at colleges and universities
Attend college fairs and visit colleges Attend college fairs and visit colleges of your interest this fall.of your interest this fall.
Meet with college representatives in Career Meet with college representatives in Career Center this fallCenter this fall (see website for complete (see website for complete
listing)listing)
Visit schoolsVisit schools – you won’t know if it’s a good – you won’t know if it’s a good fit for you until you step foot on campusfit for you until you step foot on campus
Your school counselor will make an appointment Your school counselor will make an appointment for you to discuss your Senior Review for you to discuss your Senior Review
in September or Octoberin September or October. .
During the Senior Review, students will review During the Senior Review, students will review all credits earned and those that are required all credits earned and those that are required
to graduate.to graduate.
Students will also review post-high school plans Students will also review post-high school plans with their counselor and review the college with their counselor and review the college
application process.application process.
Counselors will follow up with students Counselors will follow up with students through the year as neededthrough the year as needed
Senior Review appointments
ApplicationsApplications
All applications can be All applications can be
completed onlinecompleted online
Students can go to individual college websites to Students can go to individual college websites to begin the application process or use the begin the application process or use the
Common Application or SUNY website. These Common Application or SUNY website. These sites can be used to fill out one application and sites can be used to fill out one application and
have it sent to more than one school.have it sent to more than one school.
www.commonapp.orgwww.commonapp.org
www.suny.edu/sunywww.suny.edu/suny
College ApplicationsCollege Applications
SUNY websiteSUNY website
Online application is secure, fast, easy and Online application is secure, fast, easy and available whenever you want to apply. You can available whenever you want to apply. You can start the process, save your work, add campus start the process, save your work, add campus choices at any time and come back to complete choices at any time and come back to complete your application at a later date. Cost is $50 per your application at a later date. Cost is $50 per
SUNY school.SUNY school.
No cost for applying to a two-year No cost for applying to a two-year
community collegescommunity colleges
Common ApplicationsCommon Applications
The Common Application is used by The Common Application is used by
almost 500 colleges and universities.almost 500 colleges and universities.
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 participate.participate.
A college application fee is still required A college application fee is still required
for each school you apply to.for each school you apply to.
Once a student submits a college Once a student submits a college application online, it is the application online, it is the student’s student’s
responsibilityresponsibility to tell their counselor so to tell their counselor so transcripts can be sent. transcripts can be sent.
Colleges do not notify us when an Colleges do not notify us when an application is submitted. This is application is submitted. This is
crucial to whether or not you will be crucial to whether or not you will be accepted.accepted.
Colleges will not review a student’s Colleges will not review a student’s application until they have all of your application until they have all of your paperwork & information (transcript, paperwork & information (transcript,
SAT/ACT scores, letters of SAT/ACT scores, letters of recommendation, essay, etc)recommendation, essay, etc)
Letters of Letters of Recommendation and EssayRecommendation and Essay
Some colleges may require letters Some colleges may require letters of recommendation and an essay.of recommendation and an essay.
Ask 2-3 people to write a recommendation for college Ask 2-3 people to write a recommendation for college applications or scholarships and begin working on applications or scholarships and begin working on
college application essay.college application essay.
Make sure to give your teachers enough time so it can Make sure to give your teachers enough time so it can get to the colleges on time. Give teachers your get to the colleges on time. Give teachers your
resume (can be created on Naviance) so that they resume (can be created on Naviance) so that they can write a quality letter.can write a quality letter.
You may be able to use a general essay you’ve already You may be able to use a general essay you’ve already written but some colleges may want you to write an written but some colleges may want you to write an essay on a specific topic. Ask your current English essay on a specific topic. Ask your current English
teacher teacher for help with your essay.for help with your essay.
Supplemental ApplicationsSupplemental Applications
Some schools require a Supplemental Some schools require a Supplemental or Part II application.or Part II application.
This is an application This is an application in addition in addition to the general application.to the general application.
Each individual school has it’s own Each individual school has it’s own procedures about additional procedures about additional
requirements. Be sure to read requirements. Be sure to read application instructions carefully.application instructions carefully.
Mid Year ReportsMid Year Reports
Some schools may require a mid year Some schools may require a mid year report to check on your 12report to check on your 12thth grade grade
classes and grades.classes and grades.
Mid year reports from the college can be Mid year reports from the college can be turned into your counselor at any time. turned into your counselor at any time.
KW will sent a copy of your 2KW will sent a copy of your 2ndnd marking marking period report card, if the college period report card, if the college
requires this.requires this.
Other application Other application materialsmaterials::
Some schools may require additional materials Some schools may require additional materials
(ie. art schools may require submitting a (ie. art schools may require submitting a portfolio)portfolio)
Check websites or contact admissions offices Check websites or contact admissions offices
for more informationfor more information
Students interested in a health or medical field Students interested in a health or medical field must apply early because these programs fill must apply early because these programs fill
up quicklyup quickly
Some schools will mail a letter to the student Some schools will mail a letter to the student asking for additional or missing informationasking for additional 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 basis in the Check the Scholarship file on a regular basis in the Career Center. The Scholarship Bulletin is also Career Center. The Scholarship Bulletin is also
available on the available on the Kenmore West Career Center websiteKenmore West Career Center website
Talk to friends and relatives about scholarship Talk to friends and relatives about scholarship opportunities through employersopportunities through employers
Look online for Scholarship opportunities. Obtain Look online for Scholarship opportunities. Obtain scholarship information through www.fastweb.comscholarship information through www.fastweb.com
Scholarships may require any of the following: Scholarships may require any of the following: application, transcript, essay, or letter of application, transcript, essay, or letter of
recommendationrecommendation
Pay attention to deadlinesPay attention to deadlines
Financial AidFinancial Aid
Attend Financial Aid NightAttend Financial Aid NightKenmore West AudKenmore West AudDecember 5, 2013December 5, 2013
6:30 pm6:30 pmA financial aid office representative from a local A financial aid office representative from a local
college college will guide you through the financial aid process.will guide you through the financial aid process.
File FAFSA Form between Jan 1 - 31File FAFSA Form between Jan 1 - 31www.fafasa.ed.gov
You may create a username and obtain a PIN prior to January 1 on the FAFSA website
*Do not let the tuition cost of a private college prevent you from applying. Private colleges often offer
comparable financial aid & scholarship packages for students vs. public colleges
College AcceptanceCollege Acceptance
Students should know whether they have been Students should know whether they have been accepted by early spring accepted by early spring
(every college has a different timeline)(every college has a different timeline)
Applicants may either be accepted, Applicants may either be accepted, wait listed or denied admissionwait 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 school, weigh the pros and cons of each school,
together with the financial packages offered together with the financial packages offered and make the best decision for youand make the best decision for you
Please feel free to call or email us Please feel free to call or email us at any time with questions or at any time with questions or
concernsconcernsLast nameLast name
Mr. Gourlay:Mr. Gourlay: A-CiA-Ci Mrs. Sedita:Mrs. Sedita: Cj – GoCj – Go Mrs. Serio:Mrs. Serio: Gp-LeGp-Le Mr. Panepinto:Mr. Panepinto: Lf-ParLf-Par Mrs. Handley:Mrs. Handley: Pas-SiPas-Si Mrs. Flatau:Mrs. Flatau: Sj-ZSj-Z
Use our website for additional help:Use our website for additional help:www.kenton.k12.ny.uswww.kenton.k12.ny.us
Kenmore West – Services – Counseling & Career Kenmore West – Services – Counseling & Career CtrCtr