1. Spring Into CollegeSpring Into College
ReadinessReadiness
Dr. Rebecca JosephDr. Rebecca Joseph
@getmetocollege@getmetocollege
getmetocollege@gmail.comgetmetocollege@gmail.com
2. What do competitive collegesWhat do competitive colleges
look for…look for…
GradesGrades
Academic RigorAcademic Rigor
Standardized Test ScoresStandardized Test Scores
Application EssaysApplication Essays
Counselor ReportCounselor Report
Extracurricular ActivitiesExtracurricular Activities
Teacher Letters of RecommendationTeacher Letters of Recommendation
OtherOther
3. GradesGrades
Colleges look forColleges look for
Continuous strong performanceContinuous strong performance
Upward progressionUpward progression
Particular strength in areas ofParticular strength in areas of
interestinterest
So…So…
4. Academic SuccessAcademic Success
Continue doing well in your coursesContinue doing well in your courses
Do not drop core content areas unless youDo not drop core content areas unless you
are particularly challenged by them-- whichare particularly challenged by them-- which
means keep taking foreign language andmeans keep taking foreign language and
math classes.math classes.
Do the best you can to keep your gradesDo the best you can to keep your grades
up…If you struggle, get help…soonerup…If you struggle, get help…sooner
rather than later.rather than later.
DO NOT let grades drop during seniorDO NOT let grades drop during senior
year, especially the spring.year, especially the spring.
Junior year and fall senior year grades areJunior year and fall senior year grades are
the MOST important of all.the MOST important of all.
5. Academic Rigor meansAcademic Rigor means
How difficult your course load isHow difficult your course load is
compared to options at schoolcompared to options at school
Academic reputation of yourAcademic reputation of your
schoolschool
Particular strength and explorationParticular strength and exploration
in particular content areasin particular content areas
6. Pushing Your Academic RigorPushing Your Academic Rigor
Take the most challenging coursesTake the most challenging courses
you can and keep your grades asyou can and keep your grades as
high as possiblehigh as possible
Take honors and AP classes in yourTake honors and AP classes in your
stronger content areas if you plan tostronger content areas if you plan to
apply to very competitive collegesapply to very competitive colleges
Continue to increase rigor junior andContinue to increase rigor junior and
senior yearsenior year
Understand that colleges willUnderstand that colleges will
compare your academic choices tocompare your academic choices to
those offered at your schoolthose offered at your school
Take summer classes at localTake summer classes at local
collegescolleges
7. Standardized TestsStandardized Tests
Colleges use these tests toColleges use these tests to
compare students acrosscompare students across
schoolsschools
They were never intended forThey were never intended for
the use they are giventhe use they are given
Nonetheless, understand yourNonetheless, understand your
test options…test options…
9. The Test OptionsThe Test Options
The large majority of schoolsThe large majority of schools
requirerequire
SAT ISAT I
oror
ACTACT
And/orAnd/or
Two to three SAT IIs (mostTwo to three SAT IIs (most
competitive test)competitive test)
AP TestsAP Tests
10. Developing A TestingDeveloping A Testing
ScheduleSchedule
The SAT is releasing a new test for class ofThe SAT is releasing a new test for class of
2017.2017.
Juniors. You’re set with old SAT, ACT, APJuniors. You’re set with old SAT, ACT, AP
Tests, and Subject Tests.Tests, and Subject Tests.
Sophomores. You can stay with ACT. YouSophomores. You can stay with ACT. You
can try out new SAT.can try out new SAT.
Freshmen and younger: You can choose.Freshmen and younger: You can choose.
This spring---AP tests in May. SAT SubjectsThis spring---AP tests in May. SAT Subjects
Tests May or Spring.Tests May or Spring.
SAT and ACT are offered seven times aSAT and ACT are offered seven times a
year.year.
11. Standardized Testing NotesStandardized Testing Notes
There are many colleges that do notThere are many colleges that do not
require tests!!! See this site for most up torequire tests!!! See this site for most up to
date list of schools that do not require testsdate list of schools that do not require tests
http://http://www.fairtest.orgwww.fairtest.org/university/optional/university/optional
The ACT allows you to choose which testThe ACT allows you to choose which test
date to send. You have to send out by testdate to send. You have to send out by test
date.date.
The SAT allows some score choice.The SAT allows some score choice.
Colleges have preferences. Superscores.Colleges have preferences. Superscores.
See the following site for the most up toSee the following site for the most up to
date testing requirements of top colleges:date testing requirements of top colleges:
http://http://www.compassprep.comwww.compassprep.com//
admissions_req_subjects.aspxadmissions_req_subjects.aspx
12. Other Key Factors:Other Key Factors:
Application EssaysApplication Essays
Application essays are often the topApplication essays are often the top
none academic component collegesnone academic component colleges
use in admissionsuse in admissions
These essays must be written by theThese essays must be written by the
applicant. Colleges can recognizeapplicant. Colleges can recognize
adult written essays in a split secondadult written essays in a split second
Essays must have a sizzle, aEssays must have a sizzle, a
message, a unique storymessage, a unique story
Essays can tip you in…AdmissionsEssays can tip you in…Admissions
officer remember great, honestofficer remember great, honest
essaysessays
13. Essays: PreparationEssays: Preparation
Spring-Keep track of any first person narratives youSpring-Keep track of any first person narratives you
write.write.
Summer after Junior Year-Begin to think of coreSummer after Junior Year-Begin to think of core
messages about yourself you want colleges tomessages about yourself you want colleges to
understand that may not come across any otherunderstand that may not come across any other
wayway
Summer after Junior Year-Begin drafting one to twoSummer after Junior Year-Begin drafting one to two
long autobiographical essays about yourself…Eachlong autobiographical essays about yourself…Each
one should have a set of core values you want toone should have a set of core values you want to
expressexpress
Fall Senior Year-Develop master list of all essaysFall Senior Year-Develop master list of all essays
Fall Senior Year-Write the fewest essays possible.Fall Senior Year-Write the fewest essays possible.
Overlap them.Overlap them.
Fall Senior Year-Make sure you follow Into-Fall Senior Year-Make sure you follow Into-
Through-Beyond approach.Through-Beyond approach.
Fall Senior Year-Make sure all essays expressFall Senior Year-Make sure all essays express
different information yet complement each otherdifferent information yet complement each other
with core messages about you.with core messages about you.
14. Counselor LettersCounselor Letters
Counselors letters are mandatedCounselors letters are mandated
component of most private schoolcomponent of most private school
applicationsapplications
Counselors have relationships withCounselors have relationships with
collegescolleges
Counselors use different, yet similarCounselors use different, yet similar
categories for ranking colleges for studentscategories for ranking colleges for students
Reach-reach or challenge or unlikey---mostReach-reach or challenge or unlikey---most
difficultdifficult
Reach, strength-difficultReach, strength-difficult
50-5050-50
LikelyLikely
Listen to your counselorListen to your counselor
15. Counselor Letters: TimelineCounselor Letters: Timeline
Junior Year-Get to know your counselor.Junior Year-Get to know your counselor.
Drop into office, ask core questions.Drop into office, ask core questions.
Develop a relationship.Develop a relationship.
Junior Year-Attend all programs offered byJunior Year-Attend all programs offered by
counseling officecounseling office
Junior Year Spring-Develop preliminaryJunior Year Spring-Develop preliminary
college list with counselorcollege list with counselor
Senior Year-CompleteSenior Year-Complete “brag” sheet for“brag” sheet for
counselor. Give as much information ascounselor. Give as much information as
possiblepossible
Senior Year-Refine college list withSenior Year-Refine college list with
counselorcounselor
Senior Year-Continue strong interactionSenior Year-Continue strong interaction
with counselorwith counselor
17. Extracurricular ActivitiesExtracurricular Activities
Colleges want varied studentColleges want varied student
populations. They want students whopopulations. They want students who
enhance their campuses and takeenhance their campuses and take
advantage of resources.advantage of resources.
They look for students whoThey look for students who
participate actively in school andparticipate actively in school and
community activities.community activities.
ConsistencyConsistency
DevelopmentDevelopment
LeadershipLeadership
InitiativeInitiative
18. Extracurricular Activities:Extracurricular Activities:
TimelineTimeline
Freshman-Junior Year- Continue with your currentFreshman-Junior Year- Continue with your current
activities. Do not stop. You can start an activity, butactivities. Do not stop. You can start an activity, but
plan to continue it through senior year.plan to continue it through senior year.
Junior Year- Take on leadership responsibilities inJunior Year- Take on leadership responsibilities in
current activities.current activities.
Summer-Use your summer---Summer-Use your summer---
Get a jobGet a job
Get an internshipGet an internship
VolunteerVolunteer
Take enrichment coursesTake enrichment courses
Continue with camp, sports, and other activitiesContinue with camp, sports, and other activities
Senior YearSenior Year
Take leadership positionsTake leadership positions
Continue your participation in past activitiesContinue your participation in past activities
19. Teacher RecommendationsTeacher Recommendations
Most private colleges and manyMost private colleges and many
public colleges want letters ofpublic colleges want letters of
recommendations from teachers.recommendations from teachers.
They want core academic letters—They want core academic letters—
English, SS, Math, Science, andEnglish, SS, Math, Science, and
ScienceScience
They prefer junior and senior yearThey prefer junior and senior year
teachers or teachers you have hadteachers or teachers you have had
more than once.more than once.
They want teachers who know youThey want teachers who know you
wellwell
20. Recommendation TimelineRecommendation Timeline
Freshman-Junior Year-ContinueFreshman-Junior Year-Continue
developing strong relationships withdeveloping strong relationships with
teachersteachers
Junior Year-Do not throw away anotherJunior Year-Do not throw away another
core graded assignmentscore graded assignments
Junior Year-If core teachers are planning toJunior Year-If core teachers are planning to
leave school…get contact info.leave school…get contact info.
Senior Year Fall-Ask one to two teachersSenior Year Fall-Ask one to two teachers
from junior year, senior year, or sophomorefrom junior year, senior year, or sophomore
(academic strength) to write letters. Ask(academic strength) to write letters. Ask
EARLY.EARLY.
Senior Year Fall-Give teachers packetsSenior Year Fall-Give teachers packets
with appropriate forms and envelopes andwith appropriate forms and envelopes and
brag sheets. Remind them of all thebrag sheets. Remind them of all the
wonderful things you did in class-written,wonderful things you did in class-written,
oral, and more.oral, and more.
22. Other Readiness TimelineOther Readiness Timeline
Sports-follow all requirements set forth bySports-follow all requirements set forth by
NCAA. Attend summer camps.NCAA. Attend summer camps.
http://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAAhttp://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA
Arts-Develop a portfolio, resume, auditionArts-Develop a portfolio, resume, audition
as required by each college. Fall andas required by each college. Fall and
Winter Senior Year-Develop an audition orWinter Senior Year-Develop an audition or
arts master listarts master list
Other special talents-Develop a portfolioOther special talents-Develop a portfolio
and make sure you have someone whoand make sure you have someone who
really knows your talent help you conveyreally knows your talent help you convey
that to college.that to college.
23. Other Core ReadinessOther Core Readiness
Timelines-College ResearchTimelines-College Research
College research takes timeCollege research takes time
Read key books and websitesRead key books and websites
Talk to friends who are seniorsTalk to friends who are seniors
and recent gradsand recent grads
Talk to friends and familyTalk to friends and family
Check your student on NavianceCheck your student on Naviance
and other school comparativeand other school comparative
offerings.offerings.
25. College Research TimelineCollege Research Timeline
Sophomore-Junior Year-Develop core list ofSophomore-Junior Year-Develop core list of
what match colleges must havewhat match colleges must have
location, size, cost, academics.location, size, cost, academics.
Sophomore Year-Visit local colleges.Sophomore Year-Visit local colleges.
Spring Junior Year-Visit core colleges.Spring Junior Year-Visit core colleges.
Interview when possible. Visit classes,Interview when possible. Visit classes,
meet students.meet students.
Spring Junior Year-Attend local college fairsSpring Junior Year-Attend local college fairs
Summer Post Junior Year-Narrow down listSummer Post Junior Year-Narrow down list
Fall Senior Year-Attend more college fairsFall Senior Year-Attend more college fairs
and attend all relevant college visits at yourand attend all relevant college visits at your
school or in local areaschool or in local area
Fall Senior Year-Visit more colleges andFall Senior Year-Visit more colleges and
narrow down list.narrow down list.
27. Demonstrated InterestDemonstrated Interest
TimelineTimeline
Colleges care that you knowColleges care that you know
them.them.
College VisitsCollege Visits
High School VisitsHigh School Visits
College FairsCollege Fairs
Virtual VisitsVirtual Visits
Social MediaSocial Media
28. ApplicationsApplications
There are many forms ofThere are many forms of
applications.applications.
Most are now onlineMost are now online
Unfortunately, public collegesUnfortunately, public colleges
have their own applicationshave their own applications
Fortunately, the large majorityFortunately, the large majority
use the Common Application.use the Common Application.
Fortunately, all requireFortunately, all require
overlapping features.overlapping features.
29. Applications TimelineApplications Timeline
Summer Post Junior Year-Start a master list ofSummer Post Junior Year-Start a master list of
college application deadlines and requirements andcollege application deadlines and requirements and
passwordspasswords
Summer Post Junior Year-Start writing core essaysSummer Post Junior Year-Start writing core essays
and develop a resumeand develop a resume
Fall Senior Year-Begin completing formalFall Senior Year-Begin completing formal
applications. Devote one hour per day toapplications. Devote one hour per day to
applications. Remember, write fewest essaysapplications. Remember, write fewest essays
possible.possible.
Fall Senior Year-Make sure you followFall Senior Year-Make sure you follow
Test score submissions requirementsTest score submissions requirements
School and teacher paperwork and transcriptsSchool and teacher paperwork and transcripts
requirementsrequirements
Complete all technical forms on applicationsComplete all technical forms on applications
Develop outstanding essaysDevelop outstanding essays
Meet all deadlines.Meet all deadlines.
30. Final WordsFinal Words
You are a work in progressYou are a work in progress
Colleges want to know who you really areColleges want to know who you really are
Yet they donYet they don’t read minds so don’t keep’t read minds so don’t keep
anything core about youanything core about you
But donBut don’t overwhelm them or scare them’t overwhelm them or scare them
awayaway
They want to know how you will enhanceThey want to know how you will enhance
and enrich their campusand enrich their campus
There is so much you can doThere is so much you can do
It is never too late...to develop a strongIt is never too late...to develop a strong
college readiness plancollege readiness plan
31.
32. YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT
If you need my helpIf you need my help
Look at my website: getmetocollege.orgLook at my website: getmetocollege.org
Follow me on twitter: @getmetocollegeFollow me on twitter: @getmetocollege
Email me at getmetocollege@gmail.comEmail me at getmetocollege@gmail.com