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