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Navigating Your Way to College

Post Secondary Planning

Lunch & Learn

East Pennsboro Area High School

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East Pennsboro High School Counseling Department

Mrs. Hillary Miller (HMiller@epasd.org)

School Counselor to Students Last Names A-F and Cumberland Perry Career & Technical Center

Mrs. Christina Zeller (CZeller@epasd.org)

School Counselor to Students Last Names G-O

Mr. Mark Bohlen (MBohlen@epasd.org)

School Counselor to Students Last Names P-Z and Student Exchange

Mrs. Christy Lohnes (CLohnes@epasd.org)

Counseling Office Secretary

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AGENDA

Application Process for Post-Secondary Schools

Student Resources

Important Dates

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4-Year College/University

Ask yourself these questions…

What career am I interested in and does it require an undergraduate degree or higher?

What type of lifestyle do I want for my future?

What’s my financial plan?

College Scorecard — A website built by the US Dept of Education examines colleges and technical schools for retention/graduation, student debt load and salary potential for graduates.

How do I know if this plan is right for me?

Christina:

College is an investment, so it’s super important for students to think about their future and if their career interests require a post secondary degree. It’s not uncommon for students to be unsure about exactly what they want to do in their future (part of being a high school student is starting to explore your interests and abilities - for example taking classes that you think might interest you). Students should begin thinking about their interests and abilities and look to future plans that align with those two things. Best predictor of job satisfaction is a combination of finding something you’re good at AND like to do.

College Scorecard

This is a helpful tool created by the US Department of Education that provides a side by side quick snapshot comparison of schools that your student selects.

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Application Process for Post-Secondary Schools

What schools are looking for

College entrance exams (Digital SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT)
Increase course rigor throughout high school
Grades that demonstrate improvement or consistency for those that are high achieving
Extracurricular activities
Recommendation letters
College essays

Christina:

College Entrance Exams

College Board (PSAT, SAT, SAT Subject and AP) has gone digital for exams while the ACT exam has a digital or paper option - register electronically via the College Board or ACT websites if your student plans to take the SAT or ACT.

Letters of Recommendation

Give teachers and/or counselors a minimum of two weeks notice. Teacher’s LOR need to be requested through Naviance. Students should follow up with their teacher to let them know their request was made. Counselor LOR’s should be done via email or in person (student must fill out recommendation letter brag sheet in Naviance)

Application Essays

Senior year English courses work on a personal essay. Students can also utilize their English teacher to proofread their essay with advance notice. Often times the same essay can be utilized across college applications.

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What Qualities Colleges Want

Leadership
A willingness to take risks
Initiative
A sense of social responsibility
A commitment to service
Special talents or abilities

Your Application Shows Your Qualities

Extracurricular Activities
Summer jobs and activities
College essay
Letters of recommendation

Application Process for Post-Secondary Schools

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SAT Information

Register for the SAT online: Registration Link
Digital SAT: will be shorter in length, lasting two hours and 14 minutes instead of three hours, with more time per question.
Reading & Writing: 54 total questions / 64 minutes total - discrete questions: 4 option multiple choice
Math: 44 total questions / 70 minutes total - discrete questions: 4 option multiple choice & student-produced responses
Maximum score of 1600

Hillary: Collegeboard transitioned to digital SAT exams and will continue that way. Here is some helpful info about the changes:

Some schools are still test-optional; really up to the school to make this decision and it will be outlined in the application.

We offer the PSAT/NMSQT exam for all juniors in October 21st. Recommend seniors take exam end of junior year and then again in the fall of senior year.

Some students elect to also take the ACT exam - ACT is a longer test but it is broken into smaller sections - English, Math, Reading, and Science. Both ACT and SAT are peer normed tests (so you’re scored in comparison to your classmates). ACT has an optional essay section while the SAT no longer does. Take both if your time and budget will allow - preparing for one test will almost equally prepare you for the other

We don’t offer SAT exam here at East Pennsboro, but surrounding (bigger) school typically do.

Also a link to register - if a student qualifies for free/reduced lunch, can email school counselor for SAT fee waiver code

We suggest students taking the SAT twice; once the end of Junior year and again in the fall of their Senior year

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What students should look for

Location
Size
Majors Offered
Financial aid packages
Retention/Graduation rate
Job Placement/Career Assistance
Special programs, such as study abroad
Clubs and activities on campus
Housing options

*See slide 16 for resources

Application Process for Post-Secondary Schools

Hillary: Important for students to consider all aspects of a prospective college/university to help them make an informed decision. In student Naviance account, Super Match college search feature is super helpful! Also, college board My Big Future tool

Naviance - Super Match feature

College Board - Big Future feature

*The College Tour - ability to tour colleges virtually (show example)

Naviance SuperMatch - found under the colleges tab in naviance

The College Tour - a student led effort to help shows prospective students what campus life will look like. Available for many popular schools, less available for smaller/regional schools

BigFuture - College planning service through collegeboard

Students are permitted 3 excused absences for college visits junior and senior years. Form found on our counseling website

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Two most common types of College Applications

School Specific Application

Common Application

Apply to schools directly through their website

Create one application to submit to multiple schools
1081 schools accept the Common Application
Counseling office uploads and submits supplemental documents

Application Process for Post-Secondary Schools

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Decision Options and Deadlines

Regular Decision (RD)

January or Feb.

Students submit an applications by a specified date and receive a decision in a clearly stated period of time

Early

Action (EA)

October or Nov.

Students apply early and receive a decision well in advance of the institution’s regular response date

Rolling Admission

No Hard Date

Institutions review applications as they are submitted and render admission decisions throughout the admission cycle

Early Decision

Oct. or Nov.

Students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted, they definitely will enroll. The application deadline and decision deadline occur early

Restrictive Early Action

Oct. or Nov.

Students apply to an institution of preference and receive a decision early. They may be restricted from applying ED or EA or REA to other institutions. If offered enrollment, they have until May 1st to confirm

Non-Restrictive Application Plans

Restrictive Application Plans

Non-Binding

Binding

Non-Binding

Application Process for Post-Secondary Schools

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Start here:

Did you apply to college via the CommonApp

No! I have applied directly to the college/university.

Yes! I have applied via Common App.

Click here to match your CommonApp to Naviance!

Add your colleges/universities manually to Naviance.

College Application Process

If you need letters of recommendation request them from:

- your teachers via Naviance

- your school counselor via email

Request your official transcripts through Naviance.

Request to have your SAT (collegeboard.org) and ACT (act.org) scores sent.

You’ve successfully applied to college!

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Important information regarding transcripts

Official transcripts needing to be sent to colleges/universities need to be requested through Naviance only.

Initial transcripts are requested at the time of application

Mid year transcripts are requested after final grades for first semester have been submitted

“What is the difference between an unofficial and official transcript?”

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Links for…

Adding colleges and universities to Naviance Manually

Matching CommonApp and Naviance

Requesting transcripts through Naviance

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Important Takeaways

● Students should apply to their chosen colleges through the specific

college website or Common App.

● Students are responsible for sending SAT and/or ACT scores.

● Submitting requests for transcripts and letters of recommendation

take place through Naviance.

● Students should take responsibility for the process of sending and

submitting materials.

● Students MUST consistently check their emails for communication

from their colleges!

● Colleges may choose to request mid-year reports, so students should stay on top of grades

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Important Dates

ASVAB on September 23rd

FAFSA opens October 1st

PSAT 11/NMSQT on October 21st

Financial Aid Night on November 16th

Students should sign up for College Rep Visits through Naviance

Check scholarship list in Naviance

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Student/Parent

Resources

Google Classroom for Seniors: Class Code: m6h62mn

Google Classroom for Juniors: Class Code: 7jk33oi

Google Classroom for Sophomores: Class Code: jb6xq2oj

Google Classroom for Freshmen: Class Code: 5qptmdcw

Naviance

EPAHS Counseling Website: Career and College Home

The College Tour

Occupational Outlook Handbook

O*Net

CareerLink

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Tips for Parents

Be realistic and non-judgmental

Be in the “back seat” - and not the drive of the college search and application processes

Be open to dialogue and responsive to questions

Help your child be aware of deadlines and fees due

Know that things have changed since your college days

Try not to overemphasize your own alma maters

Try not to compare your student with others

Celebrate successes!