new palt high school planning college · the college application process can seem overwhelming....

PlanningGuide

NEW PALTZ HIGH SCHOOL

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College

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w w w . n e w p a l t z . k 1 2 . n y . u s

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INTRODUCTION

Calendar ...................................................................5

College Admissions Factors ....................................6

STEP I: TESTING

SAT Reasoning ..........................................................8

SAT Subject Tests ......................................................8

ACT ............................................................................9

SAT Test Dates ...........................................................9

ACT Test Dates ..........................................................9

STEP 2: RESEARCHING COLLEGES

Asking the Right Questions ...................................11

Resources Available ..............................................11

College Information on the Internet ....................12

The College Visit ....................................................13

College Visit Notes.................................................14

Contents

NEW PALTZ HIGH SCHOOL MAILING ADDRESS: 196 Main St., New Paltz, NY 12561 CEEB CODE: 333355

GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT: (845) 256-4120 FAX: (845) 256-4129 Secretary: Rebecca Fiorese

Director of Guidance: Kathryn Flanagan ................... [email protected] Counselors: Stacey Sands ........................... [email protected] Stephanie Shoemaker ............ [email protected]

COLLEGE BOARD: www.collegeboard.com Automated Phone: (800) 728-7267 Customer Service: (609) 771-7600

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IntroductionThe college application process can seem overwhelming. However, if you follow the systematic approach that is recommended in this guide and work closely with your school counselor, you will easily navigate the entire process one step at a time.

The college application process is comprised of four major steps. The first two steps are geared towards completion in your junior year and the second two steps deal with the application process directly, which happens during your senior year. Please keep in mind that meeting all deadlines is critical to your success throughout this book. We encourage you to read this packet in its entirety prior to the beginning of the process. It will be helpful to refer to each section as you complete each task. Of course, your school counselor is available to assist you at any time throughout the process. We look forward to working with you as you begin this new and exciting adventure.

Picking a college is an important decision because the experience can greatly affect the quality of one’s future. It can be the most exciting four years of your life. On the other hand you can plod through largely untouched and unaffected... many teenagers give more thought to learning to drive than to picking a college. Confront yourself honestly. Why, really, are you going... for fun or for some other reason? What are your abilities and strengths? What are your weaknesses?

What do you want out of life, or in life, something tangible or intangible? Are you supremely confident or hesitantly unsure of yourself? Do you want to give or to get? Are you a self-starter or in need of nurture and structure? Are you socially self-sufficient, marching to your own drummer, or do you need warm, familial support? Do you live in the fast track? And so on. If the student doesn’t look to him/herself, s/he is vulnerable to herd thinking–one of the principal causes of bad decisions. It takes both clarity and courage to look at oneself probingly and then to make decisions based on what one sees there and not be influenced by friends or classmates. After you have questioned yourself you can effectively choose a college; but only after you have examined it, too.

~ Loren Pope (author of Looking Beyond the Ivy League and Colleges That Change Lives)

Most people think of college as preparation–for a profession, a job, or graduate school. But it is also a chunk of life–six percent of our days and years. Here we make lifelong friends. We discover intellectual strengths. We begin to forge a philosophy. It can be a peak experience, exciting and enjoyable. Finding the right college is a project in itself, and is not one to be taken lightly. Since it is you who will attend, and not some statistical average, you must spend time determining your needs. What, for example, do you want out of college? What kind of person are you? What are your likes and dislikes, hopes and ambitions? Are you gregarious or solitary? Have you decided on a career, or are you still searching?

Often students pick a college more or less at random, on the chance recommendation of a friend or because of a well-known name. They commit themselves to spending four crucial years in an environment chosen by accident. It’s four years of your life. With planning and forethought, you can make them the best.

~ Dr. John Brooks Slaughter (President, Occidental College)

Before You

Begin

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September Check Guidance website for dates of upcoming College Fairs Check with the Guidance office for fall list of college visits to NPHS

October Take the PSATs AP students register for AP exams

December Review PSAT results

February Register for March SAT as recommended

March Register for May SAT & Subject Tests Send for college viewbooks & catalogues Explore colleges on-line

Planning Calendar for Juniors

Write admissions essay: ask English teachers and your counselor to review For students with special talents, check each college for requirements (auditions, portfolio, etc.)

Athletes: Submit NCAA form (www.ncaa.clearinghouse.net) if you haven’t already done so

Prepare videotapes Contact coaches

November Complete CSS Profile Financial Aid form if a school requires it (http://profileonline.collegboard.com)

Check all application materials and dates Register for December SAT/ACT

December Contact colleges for financial aid and scholarship information Get Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) form online Continue to check scholarship file, bulletin boards, and website Notify counselor of any applications sent online Submit all applications with January 1 deadlines before December break

January Complete FAFSA Continue to work on applications with a February 1 deadline or later

April 1-15 General Deadline for colleges to accept or reject you

May 1 Deadline to select a college and make a deposit Call college financial aid office and check on aid status Notify other schools of your decision

Ongoing Submit Transcript Request Forms, Secondary School Report Form to Guidance

September Register for October SAT or ACT Continue visiting colleges Narrow list of potential colleges Request or download college applications Schedule college interviews (possible ED/EA colleges first)

October Early Decision/Early Action (ED/EA) applicants:

Prepare teacher recommendation folders, submit to teachers Submit all ED/EA application School Report Forms and Transcript Request Forms to Counselor

Submit autobiography, parent/guardian questionnaire, waiver to guidance Review your transcript, including GPA and rank Work on résumé Continue college visits and interviews Finalize college application list Check college entrance requirements Ask teacher(s) for letter(s) of recommendation Register for December SAT/ACT Schedule college interviews Check Guidance bulletin boards for open house dates, college visits, etc. Attend college open houses Talk with visiting college reps: check Guidance bulletin board for dates, listen to NPZ, and get a pass from a Guidance secretary

Apply for Early Decision. Check application deadlines! Give Guidance at least a two-week lead on each application

Research scholarships online: check scholarship file in Guidance

Although school counselors make every effort to assist in locating a suitable college, they cannot ethically recommend, evaluate, or choose the college the student should attend. The responsibility for meeting entrance requirements and deadlines rests with the individual student and his or her parents/guardians.

April Register for June SAT & Subject Tests Schedule a meeting with your Counselor re: college search Begin visiting colleges

May Take AP exams (if enrolled in AP classes) Attend College Fairs

June Review for Regents Exams Finalize course selections for senior year Take SAT Subject Tests if appropriate

SUMMER Continue visiting colleges Begin to record thoughts for application essays (refer to Common Application essay questions)

LOOKING AHEAD: SENIOR YEAR

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Grade Point Average (GPA) – Your GPA is the weighted average of all final grades earned in all courses through junior year.

SAT scores/ACT scores – Contrary to popular belief, colleges do not rely solely on a standardized test score, which is but one factor in the big picture. Please remember that colleges look at “the whole person” when making their decisions among thousands of applicants. Generally, however, the more competitive the college, the more important SAT/ACT scores will be.

Activities and Awards – Colleges do not expect that students will have led every student organization, but they do look at the depth of your involvement. It’s important to let them know WHY you’re involved and not just in WHAT you’re involved.

Letters of Recommendation – Submitting your Pre-Application paperwork will allow your counselor to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf. It will be up to you to decide which teachers should write your letters of recommendation. Your counselor will help you understand that you don’t have to get an “A” in a teacher’s class in order to ask him/her for a letter.

Personal Essays – The essay is your opportunity to convey “who you really are” to an admissions officer. How do you spend your free time? What are your passions? What or who has influenced you? What do you value? What obstacles have you overcome? Until now, much of your application consists of numerical and biographical data and other people’s perceptions of you. The essay is a great vehicle for demonstrating your unique strengths, interests or abilities.

College Admissions Factors

The Strength of Your Transcript is almost always the most important factor. What courses did you take at NPHS and how well did you perform in them? A transcript lists all your high school courses and all final grades earned; it also indicates Regents scores. It does not include teacher comments or attendance records.

COLLEGES ALSO LOOK AT OTHER CRITERIA SUCH AS:

The Personal Interview – The function of the interview will vary from college to college. Colleges that either require or recommend one will likely weigh it more heavily in their decision process. In any case, speaking to an admissions counselor will increase your knowledge of the school and possibly benefit you in the admission process.

The Hook – Beyond academic prestige, colleges also seek to build a diverse community of students with different ethnic and social backgrounds, athletic abilities, artistic talents, leadership qualities and other features. In the jargon of college admissions, your particular talent, legacy status, background, or extracurricular involvement is sometimes referred to as the “hook” that may catch an admissions counselor’s attention.

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Testingstep

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SAT I: Reasoning Test

SAT II: Subject Tests

ACT

Test Dates

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SAT I: Reasoning TestThe SAT Reasoning Test measures your critical reading, mathematical reasoning and writing skills. These are abilities you develop over time through the work you do in school and on your own. Your SAT scores can help you and colleges better understand how you compare with other students preparing for college. The SAT does not measure motivation, creativity, or special talents, even though these qualities will contribute to your success in college and throughout life. Be sure to stop by the Guidance Office to pick up a copy of the SAT Program Registration Bulletin. It contains helpful information on the registration process and on test-taking tips.

The SAT is a three-hour and forty-five minute test made up of the following sections:

SAT II: Subject Tests

Writing A 35-minute multiple choice section and a 25-minute short essay section=60 minutesThe writing section assesses grammar, usage, and word choice and includes both multiple choice questions and a direct writing measure in the form of an essay.

The multiple choice writing questions measure your ability to:• Improve sentences and paragraphs• Identify errors (such as diction, grammar, sentence construction,

subject-verb agreement, proper word usage, and wordiness)

The short essay measures your ability to:• Organize and express ideas clearly• Develop and support the main idea• Use appropriate word choice and sentence structure

Adapted from The College Board Online

Critical Reading Two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section=70 minutes The critical reading section measures:• Sentence Completions• Passage-based Reading

Mathematics Two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section=70 minutes The mathematics section has two types of questions: five-choice multiple choice questions and student-produced response questions. Math questions test your ability to solve problems involving:• Numbers and operations • Algebra and functions• Geometry • Statistics and probability • Data analysisStudents may use a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, although it’s still possible to solve every question without a calculator.

If I don’t know which schools I’ll be applying to, should I take SAT Subject Tests this year?If you typically receive above average grades in your classes, and if your PSAT combined score is over 185, you should consider taking SAT Subject Tests. Also, if you have a serious interest in a particular college and it requires SAT Subject Tests, you may wish to take them. Be advised that SAT Subject Tests require an acquisition of knowledge far beyond a Regents level course. You must prepare for SAT Subject Tests on your own using appropriate review books and other supplemental materials.

Which tests should I take?The SAT Subject Test in Math 1C is often taken during the junior year. However, students in any grade should demonstrate competency in a subject prior to taking an SAT Subject Test; completing a particular course at the advanced/AP level is especially helpful.

Can I take SAT Subject Tests as a senior?Absolutely! However, May or June of Junior year is the ideal time to take SAT Subject Tests.

What are the SAT Subject Tests?They are college admission tests in specific subjects. Each test is one hour long.

Do all colleges require SAT Subject Tests?No. In fact, of the more than 3,000 colleges in the U.S., approximately 35-50 require SAT Subject Tests.

Which schools require the SAT Subject Tests?Usually the most selective schools (in terms of admissions standards), such as Ivy League schools, require the SAT Subject Tests.

How many SAT Subject Tests are necessary and which subjects are required?No college requires more than three tests; but which tests are required varies at different colleges, and in different programs within a given college. Some college programs may require a science or a math, and others will leave the selection up to you.

This will provide an opportunity for you to re-take (or take additional) SAT Subject Tests in October, November and/or December of your Senior year.

How do I sign up?You register the same as for the SAT. You may complete a registration form (located in the Guidance Office), or register with the College Board by phone or online (have your credit card number and social security number handy).

Which months are best for taking the SAT Subject Tests?The May or June administrations coincide with the conclusion of your courses.

How many SAT Subject Tests can I take in one day?You may take up to three on any one test day; however, you may not take the SAT and SAT Subject Tests on the same day.

R e g i s t e r a t c o l l e g e b o a r d . c o m

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ACTThe information below will answer some of the FAQs about the ACT. If you would like more information, you may wish to visit the ACT website at www.actstudent.org.

How long is the ACT? The test consists of 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3-1/2 hours to complete (including breaks).

Who takes the ACT? While most students in the Northeast take the SAT, some may opt to take the ACT instead of (or in addition to) the SAT. ACT results are accepted by virtually all US colleges and universities. Your counselor will help you decide whether you should take the ACT.

Can I take the ACT at New Paltz High School? New Paltz is not a designated test center for the ACT. Check the ACT Registration bulletin for the nearest test center.

What is the ACT? The ACT assessment is a national college admission examination that consists of tests in: English, Math, Reading and Science Reasoning. New for this year is an optional writing test. All colleges will accept The ACT in place of the SAT; some will substitute it for both the SAT & SAT Subject Tests.

How is the ACT different from the SAT? The ACT is curriculum based. It is not an aptitude or IQ test, or a reasoning test like the SAT. Instead, the questions are directly related to what you have learned in your high school courses in English, math and science.

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Notes

Asking the Right Questions

Resources Available

College Information on The Internet

The College Visit

College Visit Notes

step

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Researching Colleges

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What type of college would I like to attend? Liberal arts? Business? Engineering? Trade or technical? ____________________________________________

What is my tentative choice of a major? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

In what geographical area do I want the college to be? ______________________________________________________________________________________

How far do I want to be from home? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do I want to attend a _______small college (under 1,000 students), _______mid-sized school (1,000-10,000) or a _______large university (10,000+)?

A _______two-year or _______four-year program?

Coeducational or single-sex institution?_______________________________________ A historically black college or university? ________________________

In what environment do I want my college? _______Urban? _______Rural? _______Suburban?

Will I live _______on campus or _______live at home and commute?

What are the costs? How will these costs be met? _____________________________________________________________________________________________

What special services (e.g., tutoring, learning disabilities accommodations, special assistance for the physically challenged) do I require? ________

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Asking The Right QuestionsEvery student aspires to find the “right” college and it is very possible to achieve that goal. Students and parents should keep in mind, though, that there is seldom just one right school and 4,096 wrong schools. In reality, there are a number of “right” colleges and universities out there just waiting to be discovered by you. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you begin your search.

Resources Available There is a wealth of information available to teach you about the unique aspects of each college or university. As you spend time reading and researching, you will begin to narrow your list of colleges to the 6 or 8 to which you will apply. The New Paltz High School Guidance Office is well-equipped with software, college guides, viewbooks, catalogs, and videos. To help you distinguish among those different resources, each is defined below:

College Guides (available in the Library) – These large volumes contain a brief description of every college in the country. The information includes college location, phone number, web address, number of undergraduate men and women, programs of study offered, SAT ranges for the previous year’s freshmen, admission requirements, application deadlines, etc. Some guides offer information by major, by state, by region of the country, or simply by alphabetical listing.

Viewbooks – Every college publishes a viewbook, which is a magazine-type publication that provides a general overview of the college, including pictures and answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Catalogs – Every college also publishes a catalog, which includes detailed information such as tuition and all fees, academic calendar, requirements for every major offered, course descriptions, campus policies, etc. This is a very informative and important resource that is often overlooked by students.

Video/Virtual Tour – Many colleges provide a videotape or virtual tour on line that portrays their institution, students, faculty, and staff in order to give you a “feel” for their unique college community.

The Public Library offers many of the same resources as the Guidance Office for those of you who wish to do research during the evenings and weekends.

Bookstores offer many publications about the college admissions process, the application essay, SAT preparation, etc.

College Visits - Each fall term, approximately 75 different colleges send representatives to NPHS so that students can meet with them in small groups to learn of the different offerings and requirements at each college. Dates and times are announced on NPZ-TV. Students are strongly encouraged to attend these brief but informative meetings. It’s also a great way to make a “connection” with someone at a college that may interest you.

College Open Houses - During the fall, and sometimes in the spring, many colleges host an “Open House” on their campus. At that time you and your family may meet with different college representatives, take a tour of the campus, talk with students, and attend brief information sessions.

College Fairs -Three area college fairs are held in the fall: The Mid-Hudson College Fair at Marist College, the Tri-Valley College Fair at Pine Bush High School, and the Kingston High School College Fair at Kingston High School. Dutchess County Community College hosts a college fair in the spring. Please check the guidance website for updates on dates and times.

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Please note below just a few of the many websites available. In addition, every college has a web page. Addresses are located in any College Guide. College website addresses are often “www.collegename.edu.” (www.fordham.edu | www.pace.edu | www.colgate.edu)

GENERAL RESOURCESCollege Board Online ................................................... www.collegeboard.com

ACT, Inc. ..............................................................................................www.act.org

Campus Tours: Virtual College Tours .............................www.campustours.com

Careers & College .........................................................www.collegexpress.com

Careers & College ..............................................www.careersandcolleges.com

CollegeNET.......................................................................... www.collegenet.com

College Quest/Petersons ...............................................www.collegequest.com

CollegeView ..................................................................... www.collegeview.com

Kaplan Education Centers ....................................................... www.kaplan.com

Princeton Review .......................................................................www.review.com

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY LISTSBraintrack University .............................................................www.braintrack.com

National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities .....................................www.naicu.edu

Foundation for Independent Higher Education ............................ www.fihe.org

University Links ............................................................................... www.ulinks.com

FINANCIAL AIDFast Web ................................................................................... www.fastweb.com

Federal Trade Commission: Scholarship Scams .....www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/education/scholarships.htm

FinAid ............................................................................................... www.finaid.org

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) ............... www.fafsa.ed.gov

Higher Education Services Corporation ...........................www.hesc.state.ny.us

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators ........................................................www.nasfaa.org

Student Aid on the Web ................................................ www.studentaid.ed.gov

STUDENT ATHLETESNational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics .........................www.naia.org

National Collegiate Athletic Association .................................... www.ncaa.org

National Recruiting Network ......................................www.nationalrecruits.com

NCAA Clearinghouse Online ................................www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIESCouncil for Exceptional Children ..........................................www.cec.sped.org

Learning Disabilities Association of America ........................... www.ldanatl.org

College Information on the Internet

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The College Visit

PLANNING YOUR VISITVISIT COLLEGES STARTING AS EARLY AS APRIL OF YOUR JUNIOR YEAR. In the fall, return to those colleges that interest you most for a day of visiting classes, talking with students, staying overnight, etc.

IT IS BEST TO CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR COLLEGE VISIT. Try to schedule your visit well in advance of the date you prefer. It can often be difficult to make lodging reservations without at least one month’s notice. Scheduling interviews should also be done at least one month in advance. Most campus tours and general information sessions do not require advance reservations, but it is important to know the schedule prior to your arrival on campus.

LIMIT YOURSELF TO NO MORE THAN TWO CAMPUS VISITS A DAY. In order to get a sense of the unique qualities of a campus, it’s important for you to be relaxed and spend several hours touring the campus and talking with members of the college community. If you feel rushed and worried about timing, your visit will be less effective. Reserving an entire day and even scheduling an overnight stay on campus will give you the maximum opportunity to thoroughly explore campus life.

LOCAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE ARE EXCELLENT SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR PLANNING YOUR TRIP.These organizations will be able to provide you with local maps, lodging information, tourist sights and activities, and suggestions regarding the local climate. Be sure to explore the surrounding area. You may also have access to the counselors’ resource book, Visiting College Campuses, published by The Princeton Review.

WHEN YOU VISITBEGIN YOUR VISIT AT THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE AND OBTAIN THE FOLLOWING:

Map of the campus

Catalogue and application

List of the day’s activities

A school newspaper

A campus tour schedule

Information session timetable

SPEAK TO STUDENTS ON CAMPUS ABOUT:

Their likes and dislikes

Quality of professors

Social life

Academic pressure

Type of food

Dorm life

Campus security

Key campus issues

Extra-curricular activities

Take good notes after each visit (see worksheet on page 14).

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Name of College: ____________________________________________________________Date of Visit:________________________________

The best thing about this college is: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Academic Offerings: How is the curriculum structured? What are the strongest programs? Are there rigid requirements? What are the offerings in your field of interest? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Campus Facilities: What was the appearance of the campus? Are facilities modern and accessible? Where has the college spent its money: on classrooms/athletic facilities/dormitories/library? ________________________________________________________________________________________

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Location: What are the pluses and minuses of the college’s location? _______________________________________________________________________

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Social Life: What is the overall social environment on campus? Does it tend to be Greek-oriented? Centered on athletics? Intellectually and culturally alive? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Student Body: If you visit in the summer, be sure not to judge a college by just one tour guide. If you visit when classes are in session, what impressions did the students leave you with? Are they outgoing and friendly or elitist and snobby? ____________________________________________

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Overall Impressions: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Questions that still need to be answered:___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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College Visit Notes

NEW PALTZ HIGH SCHOOL MAILING ADDRESS: 196 Main St., New Paltz, NY 12561 CEEB CODE: 333355

GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT: (845) 256-4120 FAX: (845) 256-4129 Director of Guidance: Kathryn Flanagan.................... [email protected] Counselors: Stacey Sands ........................... [email protected] Stephanie Shoemaker ............ [email protected]

new palt high school planning college · the college application process can seem overwhelming....

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