Step One: Figure out Your Interests!

2016-2017

College Planning

Guide

Step One: Figure out your interests!

What do you like to do?

No idea? Try an interest inventory. Naviance has interest inventories you can do online. If you are at the beginning of this process and are having trouble getting started visit the HUB! Mr. Enters, our college counselor, has many resources to help you on your way.

Already know what you like? List some things below. They don’t have to be academic. . .

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Can these interests become a career? Have any career ideas?

1.

2.

3.

Still not sure? At least list your favorite subject and start your college search based on that. My favorite subject is ______.

Try looking on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website to search by subject:

Step Two: Research! Research! Research!

This may not sound fun, but you HAVE to research your options. What do you want your college to look like? Try to answer the following questions. . .

1. Where do you want your college to be located?

a)close to home

b)an hour away but in Pennsylvania

c)a few hours away

d)on the east coast

e)as far away as possible

2. How big do you want your college to be? UMAHS has about 1,200 students.

a)less students than UMAHS

b)about the same size

c)a little bit bigger

d)a whole lot bigger

3. How much can you afford? Don’t assume you will get financial aid!

a) I need the cheapest option

b) I can afford a good amount

c) Money will not be an issue for me

4. Does religion matter in your choice of college?______

5. Are you going to live at the college? If yes, do you want to live in the dorms or an apartment of your own?

6. What type of community/setting would you like the college to be located?

a)city

b)suburbs

c)rural/small town

7. What kind of students do you want to attend your college?

a)just men

b)just women

c)both

8. How important is diversity at the college?

9. If you were living on campus, would it matter if the majority of other students also lived on campus? Some schools are commuter schools where most students leave after class and live at home.

1. Do you want to study abroad during college (study for a period of time in another country)?

1. Are support services important to you? Would you like any of the following:

a)academic counseling

b)career counseling

c)personal counseling

d)student health facility

12. Do you want to apply to an academic honors program?

13. What about athletics? I want to play______

a)Division I

b)Division II

c)Division III

1. Do you have any special education or physical needs?

Now that you have some of your ideas together try searching for colleges that match your preferences! Look on these websites for college search tools:

1. Naviance - Family Connection by Naviance

B. Collegeboard.com (

You can use the chart on the next page in a number of ways. Start by listing schools that match your interests from your college searches in the column labeled “My Colleges”. You can get a list of colleges by using the internet programs listed above. If you’ve taken the PSAT, SAT, or ACT fill in your test scores (most students take the SAT’s in the second semester of their Junior year). It is not necessary to take all of these tests. Speak to your counselor about what test would be most appropriate for you. Your GPA can be found on your final report card or on your transcript. Ask your counselor for the exact number. Find schools that fit you! You should have scores that match the college entrance standards.

NAME:

MY CUMULATIVE GPA (from 10th grade):

MY TEST SCORES:

PSAT:Evidenced Based Reading/Writing ______Math______

SAT: Evidenced Based Reading/Writing ______Math______

ACT: Composite ______

MY COLLEGES / AVERAGE GPA / AVERAGE SAT/ACT / COST per year
(tuition AND room/board)
Example:
Temple University / B average / SAT R: 490-600
M: 510-610
ACT: Comp: 21-26 / 15,688+ 11,146=
$26,834

After you have a list of schools in the My Colleges column, you should begin to research the individual schools. You want to fill in the academic requirements for each school. You can go to the individual school’s web page or an easy way to get the information for the worksheet is on the Naviance College pages.

Don’t want to take the SAT’s? Colleges will also accept a test called the ACT in place of the SAT’s. Even with the SAT being newly designed, there are differences between the two tests. You can find more information on the ACT on the following website:

Don’t want to take any tests? Some schools do not require test scores—for a list visit There are currently over 900 colleges/universities that are test optional or do not require testing for admission. Go to their “College Admissions” tab on the toolbar and select the “Optional List.”

Another option to consider is Montgomery County Community College. They do not require test scores and offer transfer options after a certain number of classes have been completed. For example, you can attend MCCC for two years and take your general requirements. If you maintain a certain GPA, all of your classes can transfer to West Chester University. You can spend your next two years at West Chester and graduate with a Bachelors degree in a West Chester program.

(Keep in mind that MCCC does require placement testing if you have not taken the SAT/ACT or did not score an high enough score on them. The test they use is Accuplacer - .)

Step Three: TESTING!

UMAHS CEEB: 392015

All college bound students should take the SAT at least twice their junior year. We recommend you pick from the months of December, January, March, May, or June. You may take the SAT again in October of your senior year and still get your scores in time for applications. Students considering more selective colleges may be required to take the SAT subject tests in addition to the SAT. These students should consider taking the SAT at the earliest available date to accommodate the need to take the SAT subject tests in May or June. These are one-hour tests, which measure a student’s knowledge about specific subjects.

Students with limited English proficiency should consider taking the TOEFL in the spring as well as the SAT or ACT. Check with each school to see if the TOEFL is required in addition to the SAT or ACT.

PSAT

WHEN: Wednesday, October 19th—juniors are eligible for merit scholarships based on October PSAT scores. Only offered once a year!

SAT

WHEN: We recommend you take two SAT tests before the end of your junior year. Most students will choose testing dates December-June. Dates are listed below:

October 1stRegister by September 1st

November 5thRegister by October 7th

December 3rdRegister by November 3rd

January 21st Register by December 231st

March 11thRegister by February 10th

May 6th Register by April 7th

June 3rdRegister by May 9th

REGISTRATION: Create an account or log in and register online UMAHS does not offer tests on every test date; check for other local high schools online.

COST: $45 without Essay/$57 with Essay. Check with the schools you are interested in to see what they will require the essay section. If you are on free or reduced lunch you can qualify for 2 test fee waivers. Ask your counselor if you think you qualify.

ACT

Colleges will also accept ACT scores instead of the SAT. You will be required to take either the ACT or the SAT for most 4-year colleges.

WHEN: We recommend you take the ACT during second semester of your junior year. Dates are listed below:

September 10th Register by August 5th

October 22ndRegister by September 16th

December 10thRegister by November 4th

February 11thRegister by January 13th

April 8thRegister by March 3rd

June 10thRegister by May 5th

UMAHS does not offer any ACT test dates. When you register online, check for local testing center locations.

REGISTRATION: Create an account and register online

COST: $42.50 ACT without writing section or $58.50 ACT with writing section. Check with the schools you are interested in to see what they will require the writing section. 2 ACT fee waivers are available if you are on free or reduced lunch. See your counselor for more information.

Step Four: Planning for Senior Year

By now you should have a realistic list of colleges where you want to apply. There should be at least one school that you will absolutely be able to get into and absolutely be able to afford (safety). Most of your schools should be realistic options, but it’s ok to have one or two schools that you might not get into on your list as well (reach). List them below:

SAFETY

1.

2.

REALISTIC

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

REACH

1.

2.

Your next step is to plan visits to your list of schools. Look up their admission office telephone number on the school website and set up an appointment to see the campus. UMAHS will allow you to miss 2 days of school junior year to visit colleges. Keep track of your visits on the chart below.

VISITS PLANNED:

School Name / Telephone # / Visit Date
Ex: West Chester U / 610 436-3411 / June 24th 3:00

You will need to supply your colleges with a list of your activities. Use this year to build your extra-curricular resume (see the next page for an idea of how to write a resume). Join some clubs, volunteer in the community, do something productive! There is a list of clubs on the high school website. Find something that interests you and start participating! Keep your grades up! This is the final year that is shown on your transcript, which colleges will see when you apply. Do your best to raise your grades and become involved.

Over the summer, you should finalize your list of schools. Keep the number of schools you apply to a reasonable number; remember that many schools require application fees (see your counselor if you are on free or reduced lunch for fee waivers). Many applications will be available to you online starting August 1st. You will want to look at the Common Application and the Coalition Application websites to see if multiple schools you are applying to can be accessed on one application site:

These applications are used for a large number of schools. It allows you to apply to many different schools with one application. If you cannot access a specific college application on common app or the coalition app, you will need to go to the school’s official website to apply. We’ll have more information on the application process at the end of your junior year.

For now, you should be focused on your college search, keeping your grades up, taking the necessary tests junior year, and joining some activities. We’re here to help! Stop down to the HUB; we’d love to see you.

Upper Merion Area High School Counseling Department

Class of 2017 & 2019
Students Last Names: A-K / Patricia Brower / 610-205-3840 /
Class of 2017 & 2019
Students Last Names: L-Z / Allison Lowry / 610-205-3841 /
Class of 2018 & 2020
Students Last Names: A-K / Kim Jackson / 610-205-3870 /
Class of 2018 & 2020
Students Last Names: L-Z / Nicole Miller / 610-205-3873 /
College Counselor / Erik Enters / 610-205-3839 /
Guidance Technician / Elaine Berman / 610-205-3821 /
Guidance Clerk / Diane Coxe / 610-205-3899 /