RHS Counseling Department o Junior College Planning Night

RHS Counseling Department o Junior College Planning Night

Alphabet Breakdown Class of 2021 Mrs. Cruz: A – Carm Mrs. Vavra: Carn- Gor Ms. Schmid: Gos - Mel Ms. Richard: Mem - Sei Mrs. Walker: Sej – Z

Agenda o o o o o Course Selection Process Counseling News College Search Process Naviance Student Admission Committee Factors Different Application Processes Athletics Admissions & RHS Trends Reminders Questions?

Course Selection Meetings o All Course Selection Sheets were due on Tuesday, January 7 th. Please complete them and turn them into Mrs. Lubbers. o School Counselors will begin meeting individually with current juniors starting on January 13 th. o Late Arrival/Early Release – Senior Privilege o Recommendation: Minimum of 4 academic units to be competitive for a 4 year college o Jump Start, Virtual Enterprise, Teen Pep, (Applications due February 3 rd) January 30: Dual Enrollment Open House at Mercer at 6: 30 pm o Scheduling Meetings with current juniors in June

RHS Counseling News o To date, the Counseling Department processed over 1900 applications to 400+ different institutions. o On average, students in the class of 2020 applied to 7 different schools each to date. o The class of 2019 graduates can be found on 76 different campuses this year: n 87% attend a 4 -year institution n 11% attend a 2 -year institution o Robbinsville High School’s Counseling Department uses Naviance’s Edocs system to process transcripts, counselor letters of recommendation, and teacher letters of recommendation electronically.

Class of 2019: Most Popular Institutions to Attend o Arizona State University o Boston University o Penn State University o Rider University o Rowan University o o o Rutgers University Temple University The College of NJ University of Delaware University of Maryland

College Search Process o Where do we begin? n n n Communication: o What is the student looking for? o What are the parent expectations? o Impt. Topics: Location, Cost, Commuting Initial Research: o Websites and College Guide Books: n Naviance Student n www. collegeboard. org ; www. campustours. com n Princeton Review Books, Ruggs Recommendation Guide Test Drive: Visit, Visit o Visitations fall, spring, and summer n open house, tours and sit in on a class (Schedule) n Meet with college admission representatives that visit RHS § We had well over 100 institutions represented this year

Factors To Consider in Finding the Best Fist o Size of Campus: Large, Medium, or Small o Location: n Distance from Home (accessibility-Plane? Train? Car? ) n Urban, Suburban, or Rural o Quality & Selection of Programs o Resident or Commuter o Diversity of Student Body o Athletics: Div. I, III , Club or Intramural o Extracurricular Activities o Cost o Support Services: n Career Services, Tutoring, Counseling, etc. o Special Programs: n Study Abroad, Internship Opportunities, Graduate Programs, etc.

Naviance Student o College & Career Search Database specific to RHS o Each Junior received a password. n Forgotten Passwords: See Mrs. Lubbers o Link to Naviance Student: http: //connection. naviance. com/robbinsville

College Compare in Naviance Student

Scattergram in Naviance Student with SAT

Scattergram in Naviance Student with ACT

NACAC Admission Trends Survey 2017: Levels of Importance to Factors in Admission Decisions Factor N Considerable Importance Moderate Importance Limited Importance No Importance Grades in Core Course 171 70. 8% 17. 5% 8. 8% 2. 9% Grades in all Courses 173 80. 9% 10. 4% 5. 8% 2. 9% Strength of Curriculum 170 51. 2% 29. 4% 12. 9% 6. 5% Admission Test Scores SAT/ACT 172 52. 3% 30. 8% 14. 5% 2. 3% Essay 168 16. 7% 36. 9% 20. 8% 25. 6% Counselor Rec 167 10. 8% 46. 1% 28. 7% 14. 4% Demonstrated Interest 168 15. 5% 21. 4% 34. 5% 28. 6% Teacher Rec 168 7. 1% 46. 4% 29. 2% 17. 3% Class Rank 172 9. 3% 27. 9% 36. 0% 26. 7% Subject Test 166 6. 6% 3. 0% 19. 9% 70. 5% Portfolio 167 5. 4% 7. 2% 27. 5% 59. 9% Extracurricular 169 3. 6% 34. 9% 40. 8% 20. 7% Interview 168 3. 6% 14. 3% 29. 2% 53. 0% Work 169 1. 8% 17. 8% 41. 4% 39. 1`%

Important Factors for the Admission Committee o What are colleges looking for? n Strength of Curriculum o Senior Year Schedule: 4 Academic Courses Minimum Sample: English, Math, Science, World Language or Social Studies. Some seniors double up in Math or Science. How do Colleges view Early Release/Late Arrival/Study Hall? n Grade Point Average (computed at the end of each year) o Consistency, Upward Trend n Standardized Tests: (SAT/ACT; SATII) n Essay n Interviews (not all require) o Sample Questions Available in Guidance o We do offer Mock Interviews n Demonstrated Interest Level n Extracurricular/Work Experiences/Honors/Awards n Letters of Recommendation

Testing Information o Students tend to take either the ACT, SAT I, or combination of both three times n Create a testing plan. View all dates and plan ahead. By the end of the junior, students should have at least 2 – 3 tests completed. Going into the summer: students will have their cumulative grade point average & results from standardized test scores. This is the information you need to create a prospective college list. There is still more time to test again in the fall of senior year, if needed. o SAT/ACT: Institutions will only accept them directly from the College Board and/or ACT. Reporting: Score Choice for both. o SAT II: Highly selective schools tend to require SAT II or Subject Tests. Juniors taking an AP course are recommended to take the Subject Test in May of their junior year. o AP Exams: Students can choose to send or not to send in their official score report only to the institution they are attending. o Test Optional Schools: www. fairtest. org o Test Prep: Kaplan, Princeton Review, Huntington, Private Tutors

Differences Between the SAT & ACT SAT ACT -Components: - Components: Evidenced Based Reading & Writing, Math, Essay (optional) -Time: 3 hours without essay 3 hours and 50 mins. with essay English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, & *Writing (optional) *Always register WITH Writing -Time: 2 hours & 55 mins. without essay 3 hours & 35 mins. with essay Composite Score: 1 – 36 (writing domain score 2 – 12) No Penalty for wrong answers or unanswered questions -Scoring: Composite Score: 400 -1600 (SAT Essay is reported in three dimensions, each 2 - 8 No penalty for wrong answers or unanswered questions

About Scores o o RHS does not send SAT/ACT scores. Student/Family sends scores. 4 free score sends with SAT or ACT when taking the test n $12 per school later SAT Score Choice- can select which test dates to send n Some schools require submission of all tests taken- no scores choice allowed. Most, but not all schools super score, n Institutions will consider your highest section scores across multiple test dates o Best EBR&W and Best Math score o Best ACT section scores (only some schools – most use the best composite score)

Test Prep Options o Free: College Board and Khan Academy n Students can get personalized practice recommendation on Khan Academy, based on PSAT/NMSQT results o Take a test prep class n Kaplan, Princeton Review o Use a private tutor

The Essay – Your Voice o o Answer the question Brainstorm first One third about the situation and two thirds about you Use your own “voice” in the process - Don’t write to impress the admission committee o Work on common application essay topics this summer: 1. Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. Share your story. 2. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you? What did you learn? 3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? The common application announced the 2019 – 2020 Essay topics on January 15 th last year.

College Essay Boot Camp with RHS Teacher Mr. Armstrong o o o o 15 hours of hands on writing instruction Write and finish your college essay before the stresses of senior year begin Polish and improve important writing skills Learn how to effectively edit and revise your writing Classes will be held at the Robbinsville Twp. Public Library Learn key strategies for answering supplemental essays and personal statements Dates & Times: (dates/times subject to change) July 13 – 17 (9: 30 am – 12 pm) August 10 – 14 (9: 30 am – 12 pm) August 24 – 27 (5: 30 pm – 8: 30 pm) If interested, contact Mr. Jason Armstrong at writeonfighton@gmail. com

Letters of Recommendation o Counselor Recommendation Packet: - Parent Brag Sheet, Student Brag Sheet completed on naviance/family connection by June 3 rd. □ Students must first ask the teacher to write the letter of recommendation. If they say yes, then the student must complete the Teacher Recommendation Packet: - Part I: Student Questionnaire due by June 3 rd to each teacher - Part II: Students will be given instructions at August 2020 College Workshops & at Sr. College Planning Night in September 2020. Teacher Recommendation Packet can be accessed online via the Counseling Dept. Website. Click “College Planning” then click “College Forms. ”

Click Counseling, College Planning, College Forms

College Application Process Do not wait, apply early in senior yr! n Application Deadlines n Early Action, Early Decision, Restrictive Early Action/Single Choice Early Action, Regular Deadline, & Rolling Admission n Types of Applications: n Institution’s On-line Application, Coalition for Access & Affordability Application (over 140 institutions), & Common Application (if a school accepts Common App. student should use this application; more than 800 institutional members) n Letters of Recommendation n Complete your counselor brag sheets on family connection and hand your teacher brag sheets to your teachers by June 3 rd.

Athletes o NCAA Eligibility Center: n https: //web 3. ncaa. org/ecwr 3/ n Can be submitted at the beginning of Junior Year n Send SAT or ACT to NCAA Eligibility Center directly n Send Official Transcript to NCAA Eligibility Center - Guidance sends transcript at the end of junior year & again at the end of Senior Year. o Athletic Scholarships: Div. I or Div. II only o Student Athletes Ask Yourself: “If I can not compete, would this still be the right school for me? ”

Trends in Admissions o Applying to college is starting earlier every year. Our busiest month is October. o Self-Reporting of Grades instead of sending transcripts. (example: Rutgers, Common Application has a dedicated section) o More offers of Spring admission and other special programs o Many Carolina Schools & Southern State Schools begin accepting applications as early as August. Pay close attention to deadlines. o Majority of RHS students apply using early action, early decision, or single choice early action. o An increased number of RHS families are choosing to “rush” their test scores to colleges.

Helpful Reminders o Change your email addresses to a family account o “Best Fit” not “Best School” Finding the best fit requires visiting and researching o How many? Average: 2 reach, 3 -4 target, 2 -3 probable o Unique to each individual student o Average 8 total o If student applies to highly selective schools, average 12 total o Junior and Senior Grades Matter o Develop a testing timeline n Register for SAT and ACT in Spring of Jr. Year/Fall Sr. Year

Last Minute Thoughts o Remember, the college application process is unlike anything you or your sons/daughters have experienced o The stress level for applying to colleges is high

Tips for Parents o Reassure your son or daughter that you will be proud, regardless of the outcome o Don’t believe everything you hear – get an objective third party opinion o Remember, there is a school out there for everyone

Upcoming Dates o Starting January 13 th: Individual Student Meetings with Counselor for Course Selection and Future Planning o March 31 st: College Fair at Mercer County Community College 6 pm – 8 pm o April 1 st: NJ National College Fair at Meadowlands Expo Center 9 am – 12: 00 pm & 5: 00 pm – 8: 00 pm o April 26 th: NYC National College Fair at Jacob Javits Center 12 pm – 4 pm o June 3 rd: Letter of Recommendation Packets Due to Teachers & Complete Brag Sheets on Naviance Student for Counselors o August 2020: Students Attend RHS Guidance College Workshop at RHS o September 2020: Senior College Planning Night for Students and Parents

Questions?