COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE SOPHOMORE NIGHT Anna Saracino Robert

COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE SOPHOMORE NIGHT Anna Saracino, Robert Lavelle Great Valley High School counseling Department

Sophomore-Year Timeline ◦ Spring 2020 ◦ Keep Grades Up ◦ Explore/Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities ◦ Keep a Resume (NAVIANCE) ◦ Take a practice ACT or SAT ◦ Kaplan Practice Exam at GVHS- February 8 (register online by 1/31/20) ◦ Create a College Board account on Collegeboard. org to review PSAT scores and enroll in free test prep through Khan Academy (PSAT results report was returned in homeroom) ◦ Create an ACT account on Actstudent. org to review practice ACT tests and questions ◦ Attend Sophomore Meeting with your Counselor ◦ Student/ Counselor meeting to review transcript and to discuss college/ career planning topics ◦ Carefully select core courses and elective options for junior year ◦ Courses should match interests and abilities. Consider overall balance in schedule.

Sophomore-Year Timeline ◦ Spring 2020 ◦ Begin to Explore College Major/Career Options ◦ Review results of Personality Inventory in NAVIANCE ◦ Begin to Explore College Options ◦ Factors: Size, Setting, Distance from home, Test Scores, Student Body, Academic & Cultural environment, Student body, Campus Life, Activities/ Sports, Support Services, Major, Research/ Co-Op Opportunities ◦ Use search tools in NAVIANCE to identify good-fit colleges ◦ VISIT College/Universities and attend College Fairs ◦ PACAC Regional College Fairs- https: //www. pacac. org/college-fairs March 23 rd at 6: 30 pm at Valley Forge Casino Resort May 21 st at 6: 30 pm at Villanova University Register for a barcode at www. Strive. Fair. com ◦ Schedule college visits on admissions websites or by calling the college admissions office ◦ Take Advantage of Summer Opportunities ◦ Explore opportunities under the Enrichments tab under “Colleges” in NAVIANCE ◦ For students taking AP or HRS courses, consider taking SAT Subject Tests in June.

Junior-Year Timeline ◦ Fall 2020 ◦ ◦ ◦ Take PSAT in school (October) and practice ACT opportunities (Sept and Feb) Attend Financial Aid Workshop (September) Sign-up in NAVIANCE to meet with College Reps who visit GVHS (Sept-Nov) Junior Parent Student Night - November Junior Student & Parent Meetings (November – February) Continue to identify factors of importance/Begin the College Search Process ◦ Winter 2020/Spring 2021 ◦ ◦ ◦ College Visits/Research Colleges and Build Preliminary List Schedule and take SAT/ ACT and SAT Subject tests (prep just before taking the test) Continue to narrow your list of colleges (target: 6 -10 schools) Attend College Fairs Ask for 2 teachers for Letters of Recommendation For students in AP and Honors Courses, consider taking SAT Subject Tests in May/June

Junior-Year Timeline ◦ Summer 2021 ◦ ◦ ◦ Finish Search Process/Begin Applications Work on Application Essays Take Advantage of Summer Opportunities/ Continue Involvement in Activities Document College Application Requirements and Deadlines Finalize/Update Resume Add Colleges of Interest to “Colleges” tab in NAVIANCE ◦ Fall 2021 ◦ Finish Application Process (apply online at each college) ◦ Attend Senior Meeting with Student & Counselor ◦ Submit FAFSA (October) and complete any additional Financial Aid forms required by each college/university where you will apply ◦ Send SAT/ ACT score results to each college where you apply

Important Factors in Admission Decision • High School Transcript (Academic Record)!!! • Grades and Rigor are the most important factors • Courses should reflect ability and interests • Senior year grades are shared with colleges in the Mid-Year report • Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Tests) • Review requirements on NAVIANCE or on college’s webpage • YOU- Who Are You As a Person!? • Essay(s), Interviews (if required/recommended), Letters of Rec, Resume • Application • Completed and submitted online

Important Factors (NACAC)

VISIT COLLEGES • Arrange a visit! • Schedule an information session and campus tour • Great time to visit- SPRING BREAK! • See school when students are on campus- ask questions~ • Sit in on a class, eat lunch on campus, visit the dorms, talk with students • Bring a Notebook! • Jot down your likes and dislikes as SOON as you leave campus • Your impressions of a school are important and will help you to determine good fit and factors of importance. Your notes may help in making a decision about where to apply and enroll

Build Your Resume • Include activities, jobs and volunteer hours that you have been involved with since the beginning of 9 th grade • Use appropriate grammar (you are not texting!!!) • Take on leadership roles and stay involved • Consider a summer program that is related to your career goals or that is on a college campus of interest • Example resumes available in NAVIANCE • Resume tab available to document experiences in NAVIANCE

QUESTIONS? GHVS Counseling Department Sophomore Night 2020