College Selection Process How to navigate the often

College Selection Process How to navigate the often confusing world of college admissions

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? n You are looking for the right fit n Where a student is happy socially and academically n Where they feel they belong

COLLEGE ADMISSION TRENDS n n n n Competition is increasing 80% - 20% Rule Hot Schools More Early Decision/Early Action/Waitlist Greater use of technology Tuition increases Financial Aid packages at expensive schools are improving Percentage of financial need met varies from school to school Federally funded Financial Aid Programs are intact The SAT has changed—More students are taking ACTs Colleges are looking for diversity and talent Increased enrollment at Community Colleges International students/Global brands

Admission Requirements n Strength of Transcript n G. P. A. n Class Rank n Extra Curricular Activities n SAT/ACT Scores

Academic Requirements for College n 4 years of English n Two years of a World n Three to Four years of Language n 16 Carnegie Units n SAT and/or ACT Test Social Studies n Three years of Math n n n Algebra I Geometry Algebra II n Two years of a lab science

Types of Admissions n Rolling Admissions n Early Action n Early Decision n Regular

Decisions/Decisions n Major n Geographic Location n Setting n Urban n Suburban n Rural n Size n Cost

Admission Policy n Open n Less Competitive n Very Competitive n Highly Competitive n Most Competitive

Open Admissions n CUNY n Neumann College n Shenandoah University n West Virginia State College n Wilmington College

Less Competitive n Below C average, below 500 on the SAT’s, top 65% of the class n Cabrini College n Chestnut Hill College n Colby Sawyer College n Davis & Elkins College n Georgian Court University n New Jersey City University n St. Leo’s University

Competitive n B- or better, 500+ SAT Scores, top 50% of the Class n Coastal Carolina University n Hofstra University n Kutztown University n Monmouth University n Quinnipiac University n Roger Williams University

Very Competitive n B average, top 35% to 50% of the class, 573 to 619 n n n n on the SAT’s Bennington College Dickinson College Elon University Marist College Michigan State University Penn State St. Joseph’s University of Delaware

Highly Competitive n B+ average, top 20% of the class, 620 to 625 on the n n n n SAT’s Clemson University College of New Jersey Gettysburg College James Madison University Loyola College Muhlenburg College Providence College

Most Competitive n Even superior students will find it difficult to gain n n n n admission to these colleges. Boston College of William & Mary Johns Hopkins Ivy League Georgetown University Stanford University Washington & Lee Service Academies

New Jersey Colleges/Universities n Bloomfield College n New Jersey City Univ n Caldwell College n NJ Inst. Of Tech n Centenary College n Princeton University n College of New Jersey n Ramapo College n College of St. Elizabeth n Richard Stockton Coll n Drew University n Rider University n Fairleigh Dickinson Univ n Rowan University n Georgian Court Univ n Rutgers University n Kean Uiversity n St. Peters College n Monmouth University n Seton Hall Univ n Montclair State Univ n Stevens Inst of Tech n William Paterson Univ

Class of 2015 The Application Process

Application Options Common Application n Single, comprehensive application n Used at over +500 schools n www. commonapp. org Institutional Applications On-Line Applications n Increasingly popular n More efficient Traditional paper applications

Components of the Application for the student The Application Form 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Biographical information Extra curricular and personal activities Honors and awards Essay Supplemental forms for the Common Application for specific schools Standardized test scores sent officially from the College Board or ACT by the student Payment

Additional Components of the Application 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Teacher recommendations The transcript – request card/Naviance School report, mid-year school report School profile Final Transcript: requested by the student

Discover Your Resources Find Colleges that Match Complete Applications Communicate with your Counselor NAVIANCE SUCCEED

Family Connection by NAVIANCE SUCCEED n What can students do using Family Connection? n n n View Guidance News/ Bulletins Complete Learning Styles Inventory Complete Personality Assessment Complete a Career Search Complete a College Search Compare Colleges Develop a Prospective College List Develop a Resume Access Scholarship Search Engines (Local & National) Select Links to Third Party Sites (Collegeboard, NCAA, FAFSA) Complete Graduation Survey

Family Connection by NAVIANCE SUCCEED Completing the Application Process in Naviance 1. Sign onto the Common Application website and create an account using an email and password 2. Complete the Education Section Add at least 1 college Go to “Assigned Recommenders” Sign the FERPA (Release of Authorization) 3. Go back to Naviance Family Connection 4. Match your Common Application account with your Naviance account 5. Add the colleges to which you are applying (both Common App & Non. Common App colleges) 6. Request transcripts both in Naviance and in Guidance 7. Send a teacher “Thank You” 8. Monitor the status of applications

College Testing Schedules SAT ACT

SAT www. collegeboard. com n TEST DATES n Registration deadline n October 11, 2014 n September 12 n November 8, 2014 n October 9 n December 6, 2014 n November 6 n January 24, 2015 n December 29 n March 14, 2015 n February 13 n May 2, 2015 n April 6 n June 6, 2015 n May 8 REGISTER ONLINE NOW

ACT testing dates www. actstudent. org n TEST DATES n Registration deadline n October 25, 2014 n September 19 n December 13, 2014 n November 7 n February 7, 2015 n January 9 n April 18, 2015 n March 13 n June 13, 2015 n May 8 REGISTER ONLINE NOW

SCHOOLS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE TEST SCORES FOR ADMISSION CONSIDERATION www. fairtest. org

WHO WANTS FREE MONEY? n APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! n www. manasquanschools. org n Go to “HIGH SCHOOL” n Go to “STUDENT SERVICES-GUIDANCE” § Click on “SCHOLARSHIPS” OUTSIDE SITES FOR SCHOLARSHIPS (NATIONAL): NAVIANCE account www. fastweb. com www. meritaid. com www. cappex. com

FINANCIAL AID NIGHT December 4, 2014 7 pm in the Auditorium

COLLEGE NIGHT n Wednesday, October 8 th, 2014 6: 30 pm – 8: 30 pm n MHS Gymnasium n Over 100 Colleges and Universities n Trade Schools n Military/Service Academies

GOOD ADVICE n n n n Relax, don’t panic, stay sane Avoid perfect college syndrome Look at overlaps, second tier schools Keep an open mind Be patient Take some chances Talk to kids on the campus Find out about social life Check housing, food Check if you can graduate in 4 years Watch deadlines!!! Go to a school you can afford Rely on your Guidance Counselor for help