Planning for

College
What you need to know
about the college
admissions process
 Simplify the College Planning
Process
College opportunities exist for everyone. These
five steps can help simplify the planning process:
 1. Understand your situation

 2.Understand admissions factors

 3.Learn about College Admission

Testing
 4.Explore college options

 5.Develop a financial plan

 What Do I Need To Know About
Myself?
 G.P.A.  Financial Resources
 SAT/ACT Scores  Athletic or special
 Course Background talent
 Extra-curricular  Important school
activities to support qualities
major interest  Learning Style
 Chances of acceptance
if I meet general
criteria
Factors colleges consider when looking at a
student profile.
Primary Factors Additional Factors
 -Quality/Rigor of
Academic Courses  -Extracurricular

Activities
 -Academic
Performance/ Grades  -Essays
Grade Point Average  -Letters of

 -Test Scores (ACT, SAT, Recommendation

SAT Subject Test, AP,
 -Demonstrated
etc.)
Interest
 Explore College Options
 Now that you know what colleges are
looking for, it’s time to put them to the
test.

Which colleges
are right for you?
 What to Consider

 Size and diversity of student body

 Location
 Academic programs
 Campus life –athletics, activities, housing
 Graduation and retention rates
 Financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Above all, think about where you will be the
most happy and successful in your college life.
 Visit Campuses
Get to know a school from the inside:
 Take a campus tour.

 Speak with an admissions counselor.

 Ask about financial aid opportunities.

 Sit in on a class of interest.

 Read the student newspaper.

 Talk to students and faculty. Get to know a school

from the inside.

 Explore College Options.
 Get Organized and Apply
Narrow and categorize your choices:

 -“Safety” schools (1 or 2)

 -“On Target” schools (3 to 4)

 -“Reach” schools (1 or 2)
 Get Organized and Apply
 Know the deadlines for applications and application
requirements.
 Review scholarship and financial aid requirements.
 Revise application essays and share drafts with a
trusted teacher, advisor or family member.
 Ask for recommendations and set firm dates for their
completion.
 Request transcripts and schedule interviews, if
needed.
 Community College
18% of SBHS students attend
Community Junior Colleges
Reasons why Community College is
a good fit for some students:
 Cost

 Grades

 Readiness for College

 Uncertain Study Path

 FINANCIAL AID NIGHT

DECEMBER 2, 2009
Presented by:
Educational Funding Consultants Association
7:00 PM

HIGH SCHOOL
AUDITORIUM
TESTING INFORMATION NIGHT

JANUARY 20, 2010

PRESENTED BY
REVOLUTION PREP
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

 Understanding the PSAT

 SAT vs. ACT
 Profile of SBHS Students Accepted
Most Selective Very Selective Rutgers NJ State Schools
(Ivy League) (EX: Duke, Tufts, Wellesley, TCNJ) (Main Campuses) (EX:Rowan, Ramapo, Montclair, Kean)

Based on a sample of SBHS students who have been accepted to the above groups
of colleges, here are the average statistics they presented -

GPA 4.01 3.83 3.52 3.12

# ACAD.
UNITS 22 21 21 18

# AP’s 9 6 3 0

# HON’s 11 9 6 1.5

SAT- V (CR) 750 670 550 480

SAT- M 780 700 620 530

 Research and Resources
 Naviance

 Test Prep Programs

 College Visits / Recruiting

 NAVIANCE
Powerful Web service for parents and students.

 College and career planning activities

 Dynamic college search and comparison tools
 Multimedia college profiles, with your school’s data
 Scattergrams of past applications from your school
 Scheduled visits by college representatives
 Scholarships and aid opportunities
 News updates from your office or the school
 NAVIANCE

Students can:

 Monitor college transcript requests

 Create resumes of their accomplishments
 Communicate with their counselor
 Conduct custom online surveys including
personality profiles and career interests
 College Representatives and
College Visits
 College Representatives
Students should meet with reps of
prospective colleges here or at fairs
Remember – every contact counts!

 Visit the Colleges you are interested in -

First-hand experiences: significantly helpful in
decision-making
 Making a Decision

 Try to visit colleges where

you’ve been accepted.
 Compare financial aid packages.

 Reply ON TIME and send your

deposit.
 Get ready to graduate!
 College Planning Recap
Remember: College opportunities exist for
everyone!
•Simplify the planning process:
 -Understand admissions factors.

 -Learn about College Admissions

Testing.
 -Explore college options.

 -Develop a financial plan.

NOW WHAT? Your next steps should be to
 Register for SAT or ACT and plan to take 2
tests before the end of this year. Plan for SAT
II- Subj. Area Tests if needed.
 Review your current grades and adjust your

work level if needed.

 Assess your academic record prior to making

course selections for senior year.

 Identify what about you makes you special

(the “hook”).
 Your next steps should be ……
 Clarify what you are looking for in a college
and discuss criteria and parameters at home.
 Visit, visit, visit!

 Decide which teachers to ask for

recommendations and do this before the end
of junior year.
 Begin to develop resume of activities /
honors – school and community.
 Oh, yeah …. Did we mention VISIT,
VISIT, VISIT ?
 GOOD LUCK
Remember – there is no perfect
school, nor is there just one
“right” school for a student.
Look for good matches and go
with the best fit