INTRODUCTION

The Wissahickon School District is very proud of the fact that every year our seniors are accepted at a wide variety of colleges and universities all over the country. The guidance department believes strongly in working closely with our students to help them assess their strengths, identify their academic and career goals, and develop an understanding of themselves. This is integral to the college selection process because there are over 3,500 colleges and universities from which to choose. Our goal is to help students make appropriate choices by acquainting them with the many research tools available to them. This guide has been prepared to introduce students and parents to the college admissions process. This is only the beginning, however. We encourage you to use the expertise of the guidance staff by conferencing, asking questions and making full use of the materials available in the guidance office. It is our hope that with the help of this guide and your guidance counselor that the process of choosing a college will be an exciting and productive one.

GUIDANCE STAFF

Ms. Maria Salvucci 215-619-8112 ext. 2710 Students A-C

Mrs. Rachel Reavy 215-619-8112 ext 2713 Students D-H

Ms. Diana Jones 215-619-8112 ext 2711 Students I-Mc

Ms. Judy Giuliano 215-619-8112 ext 2709 Students Me-Sa

Ms. Angie Ganser 215-619-8112 ext 2708 Students Sb-Z

Mrs. Deneen Glennon 215-619-8112 ext 2712 Guidance Secretary

Mrs. Sue Lawver 215-619-8112 ext 2714 Guidance Secretary

TIMELINE FOR COLLEGE PLANNING

Junior Year

Feb/March

Participate in the Junior Seminar for college planning given by counselors in English classes.

Attend College Planning Night at Wissahickon High School

College bound juniors should take the SAT I and/or SAT II-see attached schedule

April/May

Research colleges and majors to develop an initial list

Contact colleges to make appointments for spring visits

Attend Main Line Regional College Fair at Villanova University

Ask teachers for college recommendations

June

Take or retake, if needed, SAT I or SAT II

The June SAT I/SAT II are given at Wissahickon

Summer

Narrow down the list of colleges to which you will apply

Obtain applications and catalogs from colleges

Continue to visit colleges

If you do not have a summer job, consider community service in your

intended career area

Senior Year

Continue with the highest level of academic preparation

Maintain the best grades you can—colleges require first semester grades

Avoid Senioritis!! Senior grades can be crucial to your admission. All acceptances are conditional until colleges see that your final grades have met their standards

Research sources of scholarships and financial aid

September

Schedule a meeting with your counselor to review your transcript and your list of colleges

Compile a list of application deadlines; especially note early decision/early action deadlines

Finalize teacher recommendations

College admissions representatives visit Wissahickon daily. Sign up in the guidance office

Penn State (University Park) applications should be completed by the end of September

Athletes-complete NCAA Clearinghouse Student Release Form. Form is available online at www.ncaa.org

Schedule your first application meeting with your counselor and begin submitting applications

October/November/December

Review all application deadlines; continue to submit completed applications

National College Fair is held at the Philadelphia Convention Center

College Fair of Montgomery County is held at Montgomery County Community College

Attend Financial Aid Night at Wissahickon High School

Determine required financial aid forms-FAFSA, CSS, Profile, Institutional

January/February

Parents should file financial aid forms after January 1

Submit any remaining college applications

Notify the guidance office of college acceptances

March/April

Respond to offers of admission according to deadlines established by the college

Watch deposit deadlines for acceptance

Request additional time (up to May 1) in writing if you need more time to make a decision

May

May 1^st- last day to accept offer of admission

Notify counselor of your final decision prior to graduation. Submit your final transcript form to the guidance office

June

GRADUATION!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

DEVELOPING A WORKING LIST OF COLLEGES

In your junior year, you should prepare an initial list of colleges for exploration, based on your intended program of study, academic record in high school and preference in relation to size. You may have some specific colleges in mind as well. In addition, you have the opportunity to use the various computer programs available in the Career Center to simplify the research process and help you obtain a list of colleges that meet your criteria. Talk with your counselor and set a personal timetable for completing research, visiting colleges, and taking standardized tests.

SELF-EVALUATION

What are your immediate and long-range goals?

Why do you want to go to college?

What are your academic capabilities and how well have you used them?

To what extent are you motivated to study? How do you respond to intense

competition and/or academic pressure?

List the aspects of your academic, social, and extra-curricular high school experiences you have enjoyed most.

MAKING A LIST-REACH, REALISTIC, SAFETY SCHOOLS

Reach: This is the school that you have always dreamed of attending, but you are uncertain whether your grades and test scores are high enough. The admissions criteria are competitive and a small percentage of applicants are admitted.

Realistic: These are the colleges or universities where you would be happy and comfortable. The academic programs fit your interests, abilities, and needs. Your qualifications closely match those of the average student admitted.

Safety: These are schools where your grades and test scores are in the upper end of the requirement range. Schools in this category should be secure for you.

WHERE TO BEGIN YOUR SEARCH

Starting Points

colleges already of interest to you

suggestions from family and friends

suggestions from counselors, teachers, coaches

research-computer searches, college guides, videos

College Fairs

Main Line College Fair at Villanova University – May

National College Fair – Philadelphia Convention Center- October

College Fair at Montgomery County Community College – November

Resources Available in the Guidance Career Center

computer programs

catalogs, guidebooks, videos

view books, application’s, brochures, and information request cards

scholarship and open house material

summer programs

college reference books

SAT prep books

MEETING WITH COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES

Each year admissions officers from approximately 150 schools visit Wissahickon High School. The times and dates of these visits are on the daily announcements and on a calendar in the Guidance Office. A sign up sheet can be found in the Guidance Office. Request a pass at least one day in advance. Teachers generally will allow you to be excused from class to meet with a representative if you follow the established guidelines.

The admissions officers are anxious to talk with students about the school they represent. The meetings are generally informal group sessions, so be prepared to ask questions.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A COLLEGE

Location

setting (rural, urban, suburban)

proximity to home

region (North, South, East West)

Size

In considering size be very sure to look beyond the raw number of students attending. Perhaps you are considering a small department within a large school, or vice versa. So, instead of the total number of students, consider the average class size for first year-students and upperclassman. Investigate not just the number of faculty, but also how accessible the faculty is to students.

3. Academics

intensity/competitiveness

appropriate majors

accommodations for special needs students

grading system

faculty accessibility

special programs

l study abroad

l research opportunities

l internships

l career services/counseling

4. Campus Life

ambience/sense of community

diversity/political tolerance

student body-resident/commuter

housing-guaranteed for 4 years?

social life

extracurricular activities

fraternity/sorority life

cultural opportunities

suitcase college- do students leave on the weekends?

campus safety

5. Athletic Programs

Division I, IIAA, II, III

intramural programs

COLLEGE ADMISSION TERMS

SAT I- The College Board’s test of developed verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities, given on specified dates throughout the year at test centers in the US. The SAT I is required by many colleges and sponsors of financial aid programs.

SAT II- The College Board’s tests in specific subjects, given at test centers in the US on specified dates throughout the year. Used by colleges not only to help with decisions about admission but also in course placement and exemption of enrolled freshman. Not all colleges require SAT II.

ACT- American College Test battery, which includes tests in English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. Sometimes taken in lieu of or in addition to an SAT I

Early Decision- Students who apply under early decision commit to enroll at the college if admitted. Application deadlines are usually in November or December with a mid-to-late December notification date.

Early Action- Student’s who apply under a college’s early action plan receive a decision earlier than the standard response date but are not required to accept the admission offer or to make a deposit prior to May 1.

Rolling Admission- An admission procedure by which the college considers each student’s application as soon as all the required credentials, such as school record and test scores, have been received. The college usually notifies an applicant of its decision without delay. At many colleges, rolling admission allows for early notification and works much like non-binding early action programs.

Deferred Decision- An admission decision by the college is postponed until a future time.

Common Application- A standard application form accepted by participating colleges. One application is completed, copied and sent to colleges that accept this form of application. Each college may require supplemental material.

FAFSA- Free Application for Federal Student Aid. A form completed by all applicants for federal student aid. Completion of the FAFSA is also sufficient to establish eligibility for PA sponsored aid programs. There is no charge to students for completing the FAFSA. Forms may be filed any time after January 1 of senior year.

CSS Profile- A form required by some colleges, universities, and private scholarship programs to award their own private financial aid funds. Students pay a fee to register and send reports to colleges and programs that use it.

HELPFUL WEBSITES

COLLEGE INFORMATION SITES

College Board- www.collegeboard.com

Peterson’s- www.petersons.com

Princeton Review- www.review.com

US News- www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/eduhome.htm

All about Colleges- www.allaboutcollege.com

American Universities- www.gloabalcomputing.com/university.htm

Two Year College Information- www.cset.sp.utoledo.edu/twoyrcol.html

College Search Sites

College Board College Search Site- www.collegeborad.com

College Net- www.collegenet.com