College Planning Workshop West Allegheny High School PEOPLE

College Planning Workshop West Allegheny High School

PEOPLE IN THE GUIDANCE OFFICE SECRETARY Mrs. Patty Hoskins phoskins@westasd. org 724 -695 -5250 SCHOOL COUNSELORS Mrs. Sophia Mooney (A-G) smooney@westasd. org 724 -695 -5251 Ms. Lynn Birnie (H-Pe) lbirnie@westasd. org 724 -695 -5252 Miss Laura Montecalvo (Pf-Z) lmontecalvo@westasd. org 724 -695 -5249 Mrs. Sue Kriznik (Special Education, WAVA, WALC) skriznik@westasd. org 724 -695 -5253 Assessment Coordinator Mrs. Lynn Ann De. Bor ldebor@westasd. org 724 -695 -5250

Topics Covered THE COLLEGE SEARCH COLLEGE VISITS ENTRANCE EXAMS SAT ACT COMPASS EXAM ASVAB TEAS THE APPLICATION COMMON APPLICATION ESSAYS LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION SENDING TRANSCRIPTS COST AND FINANCIAL AID TIMELINES

The College Search

The College Search START NOW Factors to Consider Size of Campus/Classes Location: Urban/Rural/Suburban Available Majors Distance from Home Housing Opportunities Available Extracurricular Activities Makeup of the Student Body Campus Atmosphere Cost* *do not exclude colleges based on cost too quickly

The College Search UTILIZE YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR Mrs. Sophia Mooney A-G Ms. Lynn Birnie H-Pe Miss Laura Montecalvo Pf-Z Mrs. Sue Kriznik Special Ed. /WAVA & WALC ATTEND COLLEGE FAIRS National College Fair February 7 th David L. Lawrence Convention Center *marked as field trip for junior students with proper permission/forms UTILIZE COLLEGE SEARCH PROGRAMS Naviance VISIT CAMPUSES MEET WITH COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COUNSELORS (many come visit WAHS, listed in Newsletters and posted in hallway)

The College Search NAVIANCE PROGRAM westasd. org Quick Links Naviance* *all students have a personal username and password (demonstration)

College Visits

College Visits *Students are encouraged to visit colleges/universities They have 5 days excused from school to do so. *forms on website or in guidance office Guided tours are best -dorms -cafeterias -meet with professors -library -writing labs -classrooms/labs -can you imagine yourself as a student here for 4 years? *ask student tour guides what they like and don’t like about their school TAKE NOTES AND PICTURES

College Visits BEST TIMES TO VISIT Weekdays Fall, winter, and spring *Spring of junior year for first visit LESS FAVORABLE TIME TO VISIT Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break Exam weeks Summer

“College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won. ” ~Frank Sachs, Director of College Counseling The Blake School, Hopkins, Minnesota

Entrance Exams

Entrance Exams There are TWO different college entrance exams. ACT and SAT COLLEGES WILL ACCEPT EITHER ONE *Students are recommended to take at least one SAT and one ACT before the end of their junior year fairtest. org lists more than 900 four-year colleges and universities that may not use the SAT or ACT scores for admission purposes. Most community colleges, technical schools, specialized training programs, and military branches do not require SAT or ACT scores. They may require completion of their own entrance exam (i. e. ASVAB, COMPASS, TEAS) BETTER TO HAVE SCORES AND NOT NEED THEM THAN TO NEED THEM AND NOT HAVE THEM

Entrance Exams SAT SCORING A total score will be the sum of two sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math. Total Score Range will be 400 -1600 (200 -800 on each section) Essay result reported separately

Entrance Exams SAT DATES Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline December 7, 2019 November 8, 2019 November 26, 2019 March 14, 2020 February 14, 2020 March 3, 2020 May 2, 2020 April 3, 2020 April 21, 2020 June 6, 2020 May 8, 2020 May 27, 2020 Anticipated 2020 -21 administration dates: August 29, October 3, 7, December 5, March 13, May 8, and June 5. November collegeboard. org/student Fees: 2019 -20 school year* SAT $49. 50* SAT with Essay $64. 50* Late Registration $30 *Eligible students who demonstrate financial need can receive two fee waivers for SAT registration. See your school counselor for details.

Entrance Exams ACT The ACT consists of four multiple-choice tests: English: Usage and mechanics, and Rhetorical Skills Mathematics: Pre-Algebra (20 -25%), Elementary Algebra (15 -20%), Intermediate Algebra (1520%), Coordinate Geometry (15 -20%), Plane Geometry (20 -25%), Trigonometry (5 -10%) Reading: Measures Reading Comprehension (interpreting significant details, sequence of events, main idea, comparisons, cause-effect relationships) Science: Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences. *Writing (*Optional): Making a clear argument main ideas. Explain and illustrate ideas with sound reasoning and meaningful examples. Discuss the significance of your ideas: what are the implications of what you have to say, and why is your argument important to consider? Check for grammar, usage, punctuation, and spelling. ACT Scoring ACT section scores and the composite score, which is the average of the four main sections, range from 1 -36.

Entrance Exams ACT DATES Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline December 14, 2019 November 8, 2019 November 22, 2019 February 8, 2020 January 10, 2020 January 17, 2020 April 4, 2020 February 28, 2020 March 13, 2020 June 13, 2020 May 8, 2020 May 22, 2020 July 18, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 26, 2020 Anticipated 2020 -21 test dates: September 12, October 24, December 12, February 6, April 10, June 12, and July 17. ACT. org Fees: 2019 -20 school year* ACT (without writing) $52. 00* ACT with writing $68. 00* $30 Late Fee *Eligible students who demonstrate financial need can receive two fee waivers for ACT registration. See your school counselor for details.

Entrance Exams TEST PREP! Whether you are taking the SAT or ACT test prep is KEY! Creating a student account early will give you access to test prep services. *Sample questions *Question of the day sent to cell phones *Sample full length tests *College Board (SAT) and Khan Academy partnership provides FREE individualized test prep based on PSAT scores

Entrance Exams If you have an IEP, a 504 Plan, or a medical condition and believe that you might need testing accommodations for either the ACT or the SAT administration please notify your school counselor. Whether or not your receive accommodations will be determined by College Board and/or ACT. If you currently receive accommodations at West Allegheny High School that does not mean that you will automatically receive accommodations for ACT or SAT. The process of applying for accommodations takes a minimum of 6 -8 weeks.

The Application START EARLY August/September Senior Year If you haven’t taken ACT or SAT, don’t wait to apply. WATCH POPULAR DEADLINES November 1 st, November 15 th, December 15 th, January 1 st, or Rolling Admissions? HOW MANY IS TOO MANY? There is no specific number. We suggest 2 -3 “safe schools” 2 -3 “maybe schools” 2 -3 “dream schools” Utilize your school counselor and the college admissions counselors

The Application College admissions offices look at EVERYTHING GPA Curriculum Standardized tests SAT (subject tests*) ACT Extracurricular activities Essay* Letters of recommendation* *May or may not be required More does not equal better

The Application Regular Decision Students submit an application by a specific date and receive a decision in a clearly stated period of time. Rolling Admission Institutions review applications as they are submitted and render admission decisions throughout the admission cycle. Early Action (EA) Students apply early and receive a decision well in advance of the institution’s regular response date. Early Decision (ED) BINDING Students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where if admitted they definitely will enroll. The application deadline and decision deadline occur early.

The Application Most applications are done online or through The Common Application is one application students complete one time and can be forwarded to over 800 colleges. commonapp. org Occasionally schools will still accept paper applications, usually when completed during college visitations. FEES Fees will vary from school to school. *If you qualified for fee waivers for SAT you will automatically be sent (electronically) 4 college application fee waivers from College Board. For other need-based application fee waivers see your school counselor.

The Application ESSAYS “Your essay reveals something important about you that your grades and test scores can't—your personality. It can give admission officers a sense of who you are, as well as showcasing your writing skills. Try these tips to craft your essay. ” ~College Board Get started by brainstorming. Let your first draft flow. Develop the three essay parts – Introduction/Body/Conclusion. Be specific. Give your essay focus. Find a creative angle. Be honest. Don’t write what you think admissions counselors want to hear. Get feedback. Proofread, and make corrections. Not all applications require an essay

The Application LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Not all colleges require recommendation letters When using The Common Application colleges will indicate minimum and maximum letters requested. Remember, more does not equal better Give recommenders ample notice (an absolute minimum of two weeks), and give them information about you to help them write better letters. Chose a teacher who can speak to your work ethic or speak to your area of expertise (if pursuing a specific major). Ask the teacher in person AND request the letter through Naviance.

Sending Transcripts After completing an application you will need to utilize your Naviance account to request that your transcript be sent to that college*. *Be sure to indicate if you have applied using The Common Application If you plan on participating in a Division I or II sport in college you must also request a copy of your transcript be sent to the NCAA Eligibility Center. (Demonstration)

Sending Transcripts What is on my transcript? Courses taken Final grades Current and cumulative QPA Report cumulative, weighted QPA unless otherwise specified Attendance PSAT, ACT results Many colleges will accept your ACT/SAT scores as official when on your transcript. Please do not pay for ACT/SAT scores to be sent from the testing agency unless you are certain a college will not accept them on your transcript. *Keystone scores are NOT on your transcript *Discipline records are NOT on your transcript

Accepted If you are accepted, you have until May 1 st* to commit to your school of choice. *some schools will give “incentives” to commit early (first pick of dorms and/or classes) Denied If you are denied entrance to your school of choice we suggest you contact that college’s admissions counselor. Perhaps it is based on SAT or ACT scores, and if you retest and score higher it might change the college’s decision. Waitlisted Your application has not been approved during the colleges initial round of reviews, but it will be kept on file and reconsidered at a later time. They might request updated grades and/or test scores. Contact that college’s admissions counselor to see if he/she has any insight.

Cost and Financial Aid

Cost and Financial Aid FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) The Office of Federal Student Aid provides grants, loans, and work-study funds for colleges or career schools. fafsa. ed. gov Students may begin filing their FAFSA in October using their and their parents’ “prior-prior year” taxes.

Cost and Financial Aid TERMS TO KNOW Expected Family Contribution (EFC): The number that is used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal student financial aid. *Many states also use the EFC to determine eligibility for state aid, and colleges may use this number to determine eligibility for institutional aid. *This number is calculated from the results of the financial information the student and family provide in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). *The student’s EFC is reported on the Student Aid Report (SAR).

Cost and Financial Aid Total Cost of Attendance Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Financial Need Note: This is not the same as the student’s bill or the amount a family will actually pay for the student to attend college.

Cost and Financial Aid TERMS TO KNOW GRANTS: Can be awarded by federal or state agencies. Grants do NOT need to be repaid. Federal Stafford LOANS: are student loans that must be repaid and are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. First-year undergraduates are eligible for loans up to $5, 500. Amounts increase for subsequent years of study. The interest rates may vary based on when the loan is borrowed. There are two types of Stafford loans: Subsidized Stafford loan - A loan for which the government pays the interest while you are in school, during grace periods, and during any deferment periods. Unsubsidized Stafford loan - A loan for which you are responsible for paying all the interest that accrues at any point in time.

Cost and Financial Aid TERMS TO KNOW Federal PLUS Loans are unsubsidized loans made to parents of undergraduate students. If your parents cannot obtain a PLUS loan, you may be eligible to borrow additional Unsubsidized Stafford loan funds. The interest rates may vary based on when the loan is borrowed. Private Loans can be obtained by parents or students through local financial institutions.

Cost and Financial Aid TERMS TO KNOW Campus-Based Programs are financial aid programs administered by participating schools. There are three Campus-Based programs. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are grants available for undergraduates only; awards range from $100 -$4, 000. Federal Work-study provides jobs to students, allowing them to earn money to pay education expenses.

Timeline!!

During Freshmen Year Create a 4 -year high school plan - think about what you’d like to accomplish and what classes will help you do that. Start thinking about your life after high school including the types of jobs that might interest you. Participate in extracurricular activities. Meet with your school counselor. Take the PSAT 8/9. Explore summer opportunities.

During Sophomore Year Explore career and college options. Think about your personality and strengths and determine potential career pathways that might be a good fit. Take virtual campus tours online. Meet with your school counselor again. Participate in school activities or volunteer efforts. Take the PSAT/NMSQT. You will receive a detailed score report with valuable information to help you prepare for the SAT (and even the ACT) in your junior year. Explore summer opportunities.

Timeline for Juniors October 2019 -August 2020 Research colleges Begin visiting schools Start preparing for entrance exams Register for, and take, SAT/ACT Meet with college admissions counselors *Juniors- attend the National College Fair, February 7 th February 2020 -May 2020 As you schedule your classes for the 2020 -21 school year, think about the schools you plan to apply to and what they require. If you plan on playing a sport in college ask your counselor and/or the athletic director to double check your transcript and course selection to make sure you have what you need for NCAA.

Timeline Summer 2020 Continue college search Prepare to retake SAT/ACT if needed* *if you do nothing between tests, you will not see a change in your scores Community service Begin researching scholarships** **WAHS Guidance website has links for scholarship search websites as well as a list of specific scholarships available. Another national scholarship database is available in Naviance.

Timeline Beginning August/September 2020 Begin applying to colleges *be aware of deadlines Continue your scholarship search *check Naviance and WAHS Guidance Request transcripts *via Naviance Request letters of recommendation Apply for any scholarships *request transcripts if needed September 2020 Attend WAHS Career and College Fair

Timeline September 2020 Attend Financial Aid Workshop *date TBD October 2020 FASFA OPENS for 2021 -22 academic year *January 2021* Notify the guidance office if the schools you have applied to require mid-year transcripts or mid-year reports. August 2020 through May 2021 Continue applications Continue scholarship search Weigh acceptance offers (each school will send a financial aid package) !!COMMIT TO A SCHOOL!! If you do not confirm an acceptance by May 1 st, your spot might be given to someone else

Timeline GRADUATION You will need to notify the guidance office which school you have decided to attend* so we can send a copy of your final transcript to that school after graduation. *as well as the NCAA Eligibility Center if needed

GOOD LUCK!