The College Visit
Now that you have narrowed your search to the colleges that are offer your major, are in the radius of your home town, offer the extracurricular activities you are interested in and are in your price range, you want to get a firsthand account of what each of them have to offer.
There are several things you will want to take into consideration before & during your school visit.
Before You Go
Find out what the average GPA and SAT/ACT scores are for incoming freshman. Call the admissions office and ask to speak with an Admissions Counselor; you want to make sure the information you are receiving is from a professional and not a student. Juniors & Seniors often get their hearts set on a school and then later find out that they do not have the academic scores needed to be accepted. As a side note, if you do meet the academic requirements for acceptance, ask what the minimum GPA and SAT/ACT scores are the school require for merit scholarship. You might have an opportunity to receive a scholarship based on your high academic standing!
Confirm with the admissions office that the school offers your intended major. I unfortunately have seen too many students who have either misunderstood the course catalog, the college website, or taken for granted that College Board or Petersons had a particular major listed for a school when, in actuality, it was not offered. Case in point, I knew one student who fell in love with a particular college. The website said they offered the major she wanted to pursue. She went through the entire application process, was accepted, went to orientation, moved onto campus and started classes at the beginning of the semester only to find out that her intended major was not offered to underclassmen. She would have to wait until she obtained an associate’s degree before pursing her major. While the admissions office should have caught this early on when she listed her desired major on her application, students are ultimately responsible for carefully researching their options.
Check the admissions page of each school website to find out what and when campus visits are offered: Most schools offer daily tours and Open Houses in the fall and/or spring. For most schools, the daily tour is given by a current student. They will show you around campus and be able to provide some basic information about the school and what it has to offer.
During an Open House, a representative from each of the academic, athletic, and student activities departments is usually on hand. An Open House can often give you the most bang for your buck; a good overview of all that the school has to offer and personal contact with staff and students. If you are unable to make an open house, you can always call the admissions office and make arrangements to speak with the department representatives during your daily tour.
During Your Visit
Take a notepad with you and make a pros and cons list of things that you definitely liked and disliked about each school. Very few students are able to find a college or university that has 100% of everything they are looking for in a school. Most students visit 3-5 different campuses and trust me, you will not be able to remember all the details of your visit down the road. By taking notes when the visit is fresh in your mind, you will be better equipped to make a well informed decision when the time comes. As a tool to help you with this process, please check out page 2 of the College Planning Guide. The link can be located at the top right of this page. Make sure you jot down when each application deadline is, if there is a separate scholarship eligibly deadline, and when the school will begin to send out acceptance letters. This will help you gage, if necessary, which school applications should be completed first. You will have an opportunity to speak with an admissions representative at the end of your visit to ask these and any additional questions you may have.
Make time to take a ride around the area surrounding the campus. You will get a better feel for community itself and will find out what additional resources are available in that area. Besides stores, coffee shops, food markets, etc. you may want to specifically make note of how available public transportation and on and off campus housing are. This could be a deciding factor in terms of travel back and forth from school to home.
Please check out our College Planning Documents for additional tips and information and be sure to check back next month. I will be discussing options for students who are seeking alternative post-secondary education rather than the traditional four-year college or university.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Taking the SAT or ACT
SAT vs. ACT
Despite many recent studies on the quality of standardized testing and its relevance on student achievement in college, (see below), SAT and ACT testing for high school students continues to be a time honored tradition. Unfortunately for students, many colleges use these test scores not only as part of the criteria for student admission, but also as merit scholarship qualifications. Needless to say this presents a great disadvantage for those students who have trouble with standardized tests. The good news is that both the SAT and ACT are very “coachable” and there are many options available for students who wish to improve their scores. This month I will be discussing the differences between the SAT and ACT and how to best prepare for each exam. So what exactly are the SAT and ACTs?
The Scholarship Aptitude Test, now known as the Scholarship Assessment Test, was first developed by the College Board in 1926 to assess a student's readiness for college. In 2005, the SATs were updated dramatically. Today’s exams are no longer just the reading and math assessment so many of us took back in high school. The analogies questions have been eliminated and there is now a third section that tests writing skills. The new SAT now has a total of 3 math sections, 3 critical reading sections, two writing sections, an essay, and an experimental section. (The experimental section is used to test out future SAT questions; scores for this section do not count towards the students final score.) The new work time for the SAT exam is 3 hours and 45 minutes (not including breaks in between sections). It is critical that families understand that the SAT is scored by taking the total number of correct answers and subtracting a quarter of point for all incorrect answers (except for grid-ins). For each of the 3 sections (Reading, Math, Writing) the “raw score” is then converted to a final score between 200 – 800. Where the old test had a perfect score of 1600, the highest possible score for the new SAT is 2400.
It is important to note that because the writing section is a recently new feature to the SATs, some colleges are not taking the writing score into consideration for possible admission and scholarship eligibility. Knowing what the admissions requirements are for all the colleges you are considering is critical. The College Board also offers SAT II subject area exams. Before you spend the money and time on taking these, check with the admissions offices of the schools you are applying to. Not all schools require SAT Subject tests (so there may be no need to take them), but for some degree programs, specific SAT II subject tests are required for admission.
The ACT (American College Test) was developed in 1959 as a competitor to the SAT, it consists of 4 different subtests; English, Math, Reading and Science. The essay portion of the ACT is optional, but some colleges may require it, so again, do your research! Unlike the SAT, the ACT is completely multiple choice. Each section is scored by converting the number of correct answers to a scale of 1 – 36. The total score is the average of each of the 4 sections. The ACT lasts anywhere from 2 hours and 55 minutes to 3 hours and 25 minutes depending on whether an experimental section has been added for that particular test date.
So how do you compare SAT and ACT scores? The ACT provides a conversion chart. (see link to the right). Please note that the chart looks at the sum of the Critical Reading and the Math sections of the SAT test only since these are the scores that colleges primarily review for admission and/or scholarship eligibility. Additionally, many high GPA students who struggle with the SAT do exceptionally well on the ACT, so being prepared and taking both tests will allow students to present the best possible results to their first choice colleges.
Although a strong skill foundation is important to do well on both the SAT and ACT, subject knowledge alone is not enough. It is absolutely critical that students understand HOW to take each test. It was not until I had the opportunity to teach the SAT Math Prep class at Sylvan Learning Center that I understood how much strategy goes into doing well on these types of exams. One example, on the SAT you lose ¼ of a point for wrong answers (on the multiple choice questions), but lose nothing for leaving a question blank. Students can do less work and get higher scores simply by understanding which questions to attempt and which to skip (information I wish I had when I took my SATs!)
So how can students maximize their test scores, improve their chances of getting into the college of their choice and increase their chance for merit scholarships? For many, SAT/ACT prep is the answer. There are hundreds of different SAT and ACT prep options out there, from self study books to online classes to small groups to large lecture style classes. The key is finding an option that will match your own learning style & schedule obligations.*
One final note…whether you decide to take the SAT, ACT or both, the easiest way to ensure that all the schools you are applying to get your scores is to allow the SAT and ACT to send score reports to colleges and scholarship programs directly. When registering for either the SAT or ACTs be sure to enter the 4-digit codes for the schools you are applying to. This enables the college of your choice to receive your scores electronically and ensures that your scores reach their destination in a timely fashion. (If for some reason you cannot find your school in the state list search you can call the admissions office of the school you are applying to and ask them for their 4-digit SAT or ACT code.) Although navigating college admissions can be a stressful process for many families, there are many fantastic resources available. As always, feel free to leave comments ask questions or suggest future topics and tune in next month for college visits, the different types, the best times to go, and all the questions you should ask on your visit.
*The Sylvan centers in NH offer 2 SAT Prep options, both in small group settings: A one-day 4-hour SAT Boot Camp that provides some of the basic strategies for taking the exam as well as a review of key math reading and writing content & a 7-week in-depth course that provides students with not only the strategies necessary to take the exam but also extensive content review. Students are given extensive practice on all questions types through weekly homework assignments and additional full length practice tests. Additionally, Sylvan offers free practice SAT and ACT exams and college planning consultations to help guide families through the college admissions process.
References:
2007 University of California at Berkley - High-School Record vs. Standardized Tests as Indicators of Four-Year College Outcomes http://cshe.berkeley.edu/news/index.php?id=31
2009, December 11, Time Magazine – Standardized Testing http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1947019,00.html
Despite many recent studies on the quality of standardized testing and its relevance on student achievement in college, (see below), SAT and ACT testing for high school students continues to be a time honored tradition. Unfortunately for students, many colleges use these test scores not only as part of the criteria for student admission, but also as merit scholarship qualifications. Needless to say this presents a great disadvantage for those students who have trouble with standardized tests. The good news is that both the SAT and ACT are very “coachable” and there are many options available for students who wish to improve their scores. This month I will be discussing the differences between the SAT and ACT and how to best prepare for each exam. So what exactly are the SAT and ACTs?
The Scholarship Aptitude Test, now known as the Scholarship Assessment Test, was first developed by the College Board in 1926 to assess a student's readiness for college. In 2005, the SATs were updated dramatically. Today’s exams are no longer just the reading and math assessment so many of us took back in high school. The analogies questions have been eliminated and there is now a third section that tests writing skills. The new SAT now has a total of 3 math sections, 3 critical reading sections, two writing sections, an essay, and an experimental section. (The experimental section is used to test out future SAT questions; scores for this section do not count towards the students final score.) The new work time for the SAT exam is 3 hours and 45 minutes (not including breaks in between sections). It is critical that families understand that the SAT is scored by taking the total number of correct answers and subtracting a quarter of point for all incorrect answers (except for grid-ins). For each of the 3 sections (Reading, Math, Writing) the “raw score” is then converted to a final score between 200 – 800. Where the old test had a perfect score of 1600, the highest possible score for the new SAT is 2400.
It is important to note that because the writing section is a recently new feature to the SATs, some colleges are not taking the writing score into consideration for possible admission and scholarship eligibility. Knowing what the admissions requirements are for all the colleges you are considering is critical. The College Board also offers SAT II subject area exams. Before you spend the money and time on taking these, check with the admissions offices of the schools you are applying to. Not all schools require SAT Subject tests (so there may be no need to take them), but for some degree programs, specific SAT II subject tests are required for admission.
The ACT (American College Test) was developed in 1959 as a competitor to the SAT, it consists of 4 different subtests; English, Math, Reading and Science. The essay portion of the ACT is optional, but some colleges may require it, so again, do your research! Unlike the SAT, the ACT is completely multiple choice. Each section is scored by converting the number of correct answers to a scale of 1 – 36. The total score is the average of each of the 4 sections. The ACT lasts anywhere from 2 hours and 55 minutes to 3 hours and 25 minutes depending on whether an experimental section has been added for that particular test date.
So how do you compare SAT and ACT scores? The ACT provides a conversion chart. (see link to the right). Please note that the chart looks at the sum of the Critical Reading and the Math sections of the SAT test only since these are the scores that colleges primarily review for admission and/or scholarship eligibility. Additionally, many high GPA students who struggle with the SAT do exceptionally well on the ACT, so being prepared and taking both tests will allow students to present the best possible results to their first choice colleges.
Although a strong skill foundation is important to do well on both the SAT and ACT, subject knowledge alone is not enough. It is absolutely critical that students understand HOW to take each test. It was not until I had the opportunity to teach the SAT Math Prep class at Sylvan Learning Center that I understood how much strategy goes into doing well on these types of exams. One example, on the SAT you lose ¼ of a point for wrong answers (on the multiple choice questions), but lose nothing for leaving a question blank. Students can do less work and get higher scores simply by understanding which questions to attempt and which to skip (information I wish I had when I took my SATs!)
So how can students maximize their test scores, improve their chances of getting into the college of their choice and increase their chance for merit scholarships? For many, SAT/ACT prep is the answer. There are hundreds of different SAT and ACT prep options out there, from self study books to online classes to small groups to large lecture style classes. The key is finding an option that will match your own learning style & schedule obligations.*
One final note…whether you decide to take the SAT, ACT or both, the easiest way to ensure that all the schools you are applying to get your scores is to allow the SAT and ACT to send score reports to colleges and scholarship programs directly. When registering for either the SAT or ACTs be sure to enter the 4-digit codes for the schools you are applying to. This enables the college of your choice to receive your scores electronically and ensures that your scores reach their destination in a timely fashion. (If for some reason you cannot find your school in the state list search you can call the admissions office of the school you are applying to and ask them for their 4-digit SAT or ACT code.) Although navigating college admissions can be a stressful process for many families, there are many fantastic resources available. As always, feel free to leave comments ask questions or suggest future topics and tune in next month for college visits, the different types, the best times to go, and all the questions you should ask on your visit.
*The Sylvan centers in NH offer 2 SAT Prep options, both in small group settings: A one-day 4-hour SAT Boot Camp that provides some of the basic strategies for taking the exam as well as a review of key math reading and writing content & a 7-week in-depth course that provides students with not only the strategies necessary to take the exam but also extensive content review. Students are given extensive practice on all questions types through weekly homework assignments and additional full length practice tests. Additionally, Sylvan offers free practice SAT and ACT exams and college planning consultations to help guide families through the college admissions process.
References:
2007 University of California at Berkley - High-School Record vs. Standardized Tests as Indicators of Four-Year College Outcomes http://cshe.berkeley.edu/news/index.php?id=31
2009, December 11, Time Magazine – Standardized Testing http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1947019,00.html
Monday, May 17, 2010
Starting your College Search
Starting the college process can be an overwhelming experience for everyone involved. The earlier parents and students start to discuss the idea of college, the less stressful and pressed for time everyone will be. Most students don’t start to think about life after high school until their junior year, however, the earlier you begin to plan the better!
So where do you begin? The first 2 questions to ask are:
• Do I have a particular field of study I am interested in?
• How much can I afford?
Unfortunately a college education is expensive; therefore it is important to have an honest family discussion about what financial options are available to you. Here are some questions to get you started.
• Will you need to fund your education on your own through loans and scholarships?
• Is your family able and willing to help you with tuition expenses?
• Was a college fund started for you? How much is available?
While you do not need to know specific numbers at this point, you should at least have a ball park figure. Can you afford to attend a private out of state school such as Western New England College or public in state school such as UNH? Tuition for these two schools can range from $56,000.00 to $18,000.00 a year. (All figures include room & board based on 2009-2010 costs).
Later blog entries will delve deeper into the financial aspects of paying for college and additional options for help (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.). However, if you are a student who thinks they will be financing their education solely through loans there is one key factor to remember: You will have to pay BACK what you borrow once you graduate. A teacher I know attended a private, 4-year school that cost on average $40,000.00 a year. She now has loan payments each month that are higher than the $800.00/month she pays for rent! Keep life after college in mind during your decision making process.
In addition to the financial piece of your college decision, there are several other questions you need to ask yourself:
• Do I prefer a small, medium or large school?
• Do I prefer an urban, suburban, or rural campus?
• How far do I want to be from home? How often do I want to be able to visit? Is commuting an option?
• What am I looking for in a student body?
• Is graduate school part of my plan?
• Do I want a school with a widely recognized name? Or a “hidden gem”?
• What academic programs do I want to pursue? Does the school offer these programs?
• How important are the social aspects of the college (community service, organizations, sports, etc)?
Once you have thought about some of these questions you can begin your search for colleges that can provide what you are looking for. Two websites that can assist you with this are Collegeboard.com and Petersons.com. Both will allow you to do an initial, detailed, and filtered search for what you are looking for in a college or university.
Your goal for this search is to generate a list of 6-12 schools. Your next step is to conduct more in depth research on each individual school (including campus visits) and make comparisons between them. Check out our college planning documents section for some great tracking sheets to use throughout the college planning process. With these tools in hand you will be in a better position to make a great decision about your future!
I hope you found this initial information helpful! If you have any questions or suggestions for future topics please feel free to add your comments below and tune in next month for some great information on the SAT & ACT!
So where do you begin? The first 2 questions to ask are:
• Do I have a particular field of study I am interested in?
• How much can I afford?
Unfortunately a college education is expensive; therefore it is important to have an honest family discussion about what financial options are available to you. Here are some questions to get you started.
• Will you need to fund your education on your own through loans and scholarships?
• Is your family able and willing to help you with tuition expenses?
• Was a college fund started for you? How much is available?
While you do not need to know specific numbers at this point, you should at least have a ball park figure. Can you afford to attend a private out of state school such as Western New England College or public in state school such as UNH? Tuition for these two schools can range from $56,000.00 to $18,000.00 a year. (All figures include room & board based on 2009-2010 costs).
Later blog entries will delve deeper into the financial aspects of paying for college and additional options for help (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.). However, if you are a student who thinks they will be financing their education solely through loans there is one key factor to remember: You will have to pay BACK what you borrow once you graduate. A teacher I know attended a private, 4-year school that cost on average $40,000.00 a year. She now has loan payments each month that are higher than the $800.00/month she pays for rent! Keep life after college in mind during your decision making process.
In addition to the financial piece of your college decision, there are several other questions you need to ask yourself:
• Do I prefer a small, medium or large school?
• Do I prefer an urban, suburban, or rural campus?
• How far do I want to be from home? How often do I want to be able to visit? Is commuting an option?
• What am I looking for in a student body?
• Is graduate school part of my plan?
• Do I want a school with a widely recognized name? Or a “hidden gem”?
• What academic programs do I want to pursue? Does the school offer these programs?
• How important are the social aspects of the college (community service, organizations, sports, etc)?
Once you have thought about some of these questions you can begin your search for colleges that can provide what you are looking for. Two websites that can assist you with this are Collegeboard.com and Petersons.com. Both will allow you to do an initial, detailed, and filtered search for what you are looking for in a college or university.
Your goal for this search is to generate a list of 6-12 schools. Your next step is to conduct more in depth research on each individual school (including campus visits) and make comparisons between them. Check out our college planning documents section for some great tracking sheets to use throughout the college planning process. With these tools in hand you will be in a better position to make a great decision about your future!
I hope you found this initial information helpful! If you have any questions or suggestions for future topics please feel free to add your comments below and tune in next month for some great information on the SAT & ACT!
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