Joanna m. graham

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College Admissions an overview

• Joanna m. graham

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agenda
Overview of college admissions Overview of standardized testing its role in undergraduate admissions process How to select a test Timelines Resources for parents students
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A LITTLE ABOUT MYSELF
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COLLEGE ADMISSIONS AN INTRO

• What do colleges look for?
• Academic Performance / Grades
• Academic Courses (Quality Rigor)
• Standardized Tests (SAT, ACT, SAT II, AP)
• Essays
• Extracurricular Activities
• Recommendation letters

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Academic performance/grades

• Course selection
• Did you challenge yourself? (Honors/AP/IB)
• Grades Every year counts!
• GPA
• Did you continually improve?
• Did you take a semester off?
• Class Rank (if applicable)

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Extra curriculars recommendations

• Activities Quality over quantity!
• School sports, clubs, performing arts
• Outside school volunteering, community
  involvement
• Part-time work/internships
• Recommendations
• Choose people who know you best
• Interview (if applicable)

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ADMISSIONS TESTING 101

• SAT
• 3 sections critical reading, math writing
• Length 3 hours, 45 minutes (including three
  breaks)
• Score range 200800 per section, 6002400
  overall
• Question types
• Critical Reading Sentence Completions, Reading
  Passages
• Mathematics Algebra, Geometry, Statistics
  Probability
• Writing Essay, Identifying Errors, Improving
  Grammar Usage
• Offered 7x/year (October, November, December,
  January, March, May June)

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ADMISSIONS TESTING 101

• SAT SUBJECT TESTS
• Why take them?
• For admission
• Some schools require them as part of admissions
  process
• For placement
• Test out of beginner classes
• Fulfill basic requirements (e.g. gen ed)
• Offered 6x/year (October, November, December,
  January, May June) But exams vary

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ADMISSIONS TESTING 101

• SAT SUBJECT TESTS
• Content/Knowledge
• Math I World History Chemistry
• Math II Literature Physics
• U.S. History Biology
• Foreign Language
• Spanish Chinese French
• Japanese German Korean Hebrew Latin Ita
  lian

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ADMISSIONS TESTING 101

• ACT
• 5 sections English, Math, Reading, Science
  Writing (optional)
• Length
• English (75 questions, 45 min)
• Math (60 questions, 60 min)
• Reading (40 questions, 35 min)
• Science (40 questions, 35 min)
• Writing (1 prompt, 30 min)
• Score range 0 36
• Offered 6x/year (September, October, December,
  February, April, June)

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ACT vs sat
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Preparing for the sat ACT

• READ WRITE Practice, practice, practice
• USA Today, Washington Post, Economist
• Dont cram!
• Familiarize yourself with question types
• Take a practice test www.sat.collegeboard.org/pra
  ctice or www.actstudent.org
• Take PLAN or PSAT/NMSQT as a sophomore or junior

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Preparing for sat subject tests

• When to test?
• After completing HS course work
• BUT foreign language, math literature tests
  should be taken after 2 yrs of study
• How to prep?
• Review your coursework

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College admissions 101

• How to pick a school?
• FIT, FIT, FIT!!!
• Location
• Student body size, diversity
• Student life activities, housing
• Academic programs
• Graduation and retention rates
• Financial aid and scholarships
• SCHEDULE A VISIT!!!

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PLANNING A VISIT

• Research!
• Utilize social media, websites forums
• Take a tour
• Visit the admissions office speak with an
  admission counselor
• Attend a class
• Ask about financial aid
• Talk to students and faculty

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Financial aid

• ADD IT UP!
• Determine all costs (tuition, housing, books,
  living expenses)
• Estimate your familys contribution
• SHOW ME THE MONEY!
• Search for scholarships
• Explore other options loans, work-study, grants,
  etc.
• Fill out FAFSA application

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Timelines

• If you are in 9th grade
• Create a 4 yr plan Goals for the next 4 yrs?
• What interests you?
• Get involved!
• Explore summer opportunities
• Start saving!
• If you are in 10th grade
• Meet with your high school counselor
• Take the PLAN or PSAT/NMSQT
• Attend college career fairs

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Timelines

• If you are in 11th grade
• Research visit schools
• Get organized!
• Identify resources (family, friends)
• Research financial aid scholarship options
• Meet with your counselor
• Take the SAT, SAT Subj, ACT (spring) AP exams
  (if applicable)
• Create a resume
• Athletes, military, ROTC start early!

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Timelines

• If you are in 12th grade
• Narrow your list of schools
• Create a master calendar (tests, deadlines, etc)
• Review scholarship and financial aid requirements
• Prepare your applications
• Share essay drafts applications with someone!
• Ask for recommendations EARLY!
• Request transcripts schedule interviews, if
  needed
• Stay healthy No senioritis!!!!

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Sat ACT resources

• SAT Practice Materials
• www.sat.collegeboard.org/practice
• SAT Fees
• http//sat.collegeboard.org/register/us-services-f
  ees
• SAT Subject Dates
• http//sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-subject-t
  est-dates
• ACT Practice Materials
• www.actstudent.org/testprep/index.html
• www.actstudent.org/sampletest/index/html
• www.actstudent.org/writing/sample/index.html

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Other resources

• Scholarship Search
• www.collegeboard.com/scholarships
• Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator
• www.collegeboard.com/payforcollege

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Questions?

• Joanna Graham
• jmg0204_at_gmail.com
• [phone]