College Counseling Introduction for Premieres and their families

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College Counseling Introduction for Premieres
and their families

• Lycee Rochambeau
• College Counseling Office
• Leah L. Willams, College Counselor
• Dalila Bessaha, Registrar

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COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTING

• SAT Reasoning Test
• ACT Assessment
• SAT Subject Tests
• AP
• TOEFL

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SAT Reasoning Testformally known as the SATI

• Test is generated by a private company called,
  the College Board
• 3 hours and 45 min total
• 3 sections critical reading, math, writing
• each section is worth 800 points
• Test is designed to show your reasoning
  abilities, not just the amount of information you
  have amassed in your schoolwork

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SAT Reasoning Test

• Sections
• Critical Reading reading comprehension, sentence
  completion, and paragraph length critical reading
• Mathematics number and operation, algebra,
  geometry, statistics, and data analysis
• Writing this is the new part! Multiple choice
  questions (35min.) and student written essay
  (25min.)

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SAT Reasoning Test

• Calendar for Rochambeau Students
• March 12th- first administration of the new SAT
  Reasoning test, all should sign up by Feb. 7th
• May 7th- second administration of the new SAT,
  deadline- Mar.25, SAT subject tests offered
• June 4th- suggested date to take SAT subject
  tests, deadline April 29th

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ACT Assessment

• Alternative to the SAT reasoning test widely
  accepted by colleges and the new writing section
  is OPTIONAL.
• Sometimes students who are not great testers will
  do better on the ACT than the SAT
• My suggestion take the ACT in addition to the
  SAT reasoning test

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ACT Assessment Sections

• English 75 questions, 45 min.
• a. 53 usage and mechanics
• 1. punctuation
• 2. grammar and usage
• 3. sentence structure
• b. 47 rhetorical skills
• 1. strategy
• 2. organization
• 3. style

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ACT Assessment Sections

• Mathematics 60 questions, 60 min. see listing on
  handout for details
• a. 40 pre-algebra and elementary algebra
• b. 30 intermediate algebra and coordinate
  geometry
• c. 30 plane geometry and trigonometry

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ACT Assessment Sections

• Reading 40 questions, 35 min.
• a. texts are read and questions asked
  demonstrate your understanding of what is
  directly stated and statements with implied
  meaning
• b. areas covered are humanities, prose fiction,
  natural sciences, and social studies

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ACT Assessment Sections

• Science Reasoning 40 questions, 35 min.
• a. includes bio, chem, physics, geology,
  astronomy, meteorology
• b. emphasizes reasoning skills over recall of
  scientific content
• c. the questions require you to
• 1. recognize features of presented information
• 2. examine relationships between info provided
• conclusions drawn
• 3. draw conclusions yourself and make
  predictions

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ACT Assessment Sections

• Writing 30 min essay test with a single prompt
• a. the prompt will describe two points and asks
  you to write on your position or present your
  view
• b. be mindful of the time limit- it is crucial
  to practice this, since you are used to getting a
  considerable amount of time for each test you
  take
• c. this test is optional. So, decide whether or
  not to take it by the requirements of the
  universities you will be considering.
• d. SUGGESTION Take it. Why not? Now, you have
  the score if you need it and it will not be
  considered by colleges that are not requiring it.

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ACT Assessment Testing Dates

• April 9th 2005- registration deadline is March
  4th 2005
• June 11th 2005- registration deadline is May 6th
  2005
• ACT is not offered as widely as the SAT Reasoning
  test, so choose where you will take the test
  wisely and plan ahead! The centers will fill up.

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SAT Subject Tests(formerly known as SATIIs)

• SAT subject tests are a group of one hour tests
  that measure a students skills in particular
  subject areas
• Check to see if the universities you are applying
  to require them, and which ones (this may change
  depending on the program you are applying to)
• You may have some choices to make with regard to
  these tests and which ones to take, please see me
  for help with this

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SAT Subject Tests

• Tips
• 1. Never go into it cold.
• 2. Take them when the given subject is fresh in
  your mind.
• 3. Make sure you know who requires what test and
  by what date that test can be taken.
• 4. Take advantage of the foreign language tests,
  if you speak a language other than French or
  English.

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SAT Subject Tests

• Meet with me sometime this spring to discuss
  which tests to take.
• Register to take them by April 29th for the June
  4th administration of the tests. You can also
  take the tests in October of Terminale.
• You can take up to three tests on a given testing
  date- so use the time wisely.
• Anyone applying to US universities should take
  Subject tests.

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Advanced Placement Tests(AP)

• AP tests are curriculum based and geared toward
  American students who are completing AP courses.
• AP tests are often taken by students at
  Rochambeau in French language or English language
  (depending on proficiency)
• The tests can help you in the admissions process
  and can help in a process to receive college
  credit for your level in a given discipline.
• You will receive correspondence regarding
  registration for the AP test from the College
  Counseling office in March.

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TOEFL(Test of English as a Foreign Language)

• Measures the ability of nonnative speakers to use
  and understand North American English as it will
  be used in a university setting.
• 4 sections listening (30 points,) reading (30
  points,) structure and writing (30 points
  together.) Total score is reported on a 0-300
  scale.
• Cost 130.00
• Scores are valid for two years

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Should you take the TOEFL?

• For US colleges
• 1. if you score below a 500 on the critical
  reading section of the SAT Reasoning test
• 2.if you have been in the United States for
  under five years
• 3. English is not your first language.

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Should you take the TOEFL?

• For Canadian Colleges
• 1. McGill (for example) states that if you
  satisfy the following requirement they do not
  require the TOEFL Mother tongue/first language
  is English and they have completed the last five
  years of study in a French Lycée located in an
  English speaking country, or are at a French
  Baccalaureate International Option program for
  more then 2 years 
• 2. Concordia states if the student is taking or
  has taken level 3 (Standard English) or level 4
  (Honors English) and has been studying at
  Rochambeau for at least 3 years we will not need
  TOEFL.
• 3. Queens in Ontario states if you have lived
  in the US for over three years (five for their
  business program) you are exempt from having to
  take the TOEFL.

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TESTING PREPARATION
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KINDS OF TEST PREP

• Classes Kaplan, Princeton Review, local smaller
  companies, or through the Lycee
• (MOST EXPENSIVE OPTION)
• Online courses can be useful for very diligent
  students, often run through the same companies
• (MID-LEVEL EXPENSIVE)
• Books Official SAT study guide, Princeton
  Review cracking the SAT, 10 Real SATs, The
  Procrastinators Guide to the ACT, ACT Stanley
  Kaplan, Official Guide to the SAT Subject
  Tests.
• (LEAST EXPENSIVE OPTION)

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When and how do I begin prepping for the SAT or
ACT and SAT Subject tests?

• Do a couple practice tests before the March
  administration of the reasoning test, on your own
  or through a test prep company (this can be done
  for free.)
• Access where you need to improve and begin
  planning preparation for the reasoning test for
  the spring and into the summer.
• Before you take an SAT Subject test in June, take
  a practice test and score it! Time yourself too
• Pursue further SAT subject test prep if need be.

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Deciding where to apply and visiting colleges
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Steps for deciding where to apply

• Have a meeting with college counselor
• Discuss your ideas with your parents
• Take the SAT and/or ACT if needed
• Begin visiting universities on school breaks
• Acquire applications and/or create online profile
  on university website
• Create a college workbook

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Visiting Universities

• Always call to make an appointment with the
  admissions office
• a. information sessions
• b. tours
• c. on-campus interviews
• d. or ask to speak with the regional admissions
  rep

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US Application Process

• Visit universities
• Apply (university specific application, or common
  app)
• Nov. 1st 2005 Early TARGET DATE
• Early Action
• Early Decision
• Jan. 1st 2006 Regular TARGET DATE
• Admission Letters come April 1st
• Deposit Deadline May 1st

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Canadian Application Process

• Visit universities, if possible
• Research academic programs, be familiar with
  offerings before you apply
• Deadlines as early as Jan. 15th and as late as
  March- DO THEM BEFORE CHRISTMAS BREAK!
• Application process less laborious than us, but
  more expensive (app. fees)
• Admission offers are conditional on Bacc score

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UK Application Process

• Research courses available at the universities
• Begin UCAS application early
• work on statement, complete course report
• Submit UCAS application by December 1st
• Admission offers are conditional on Bacc score
• Notify college counselor of offers received

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Questions?