College-Planning-Handbook-rev.-2016

COLLEGE PLANNING FOR JUNIOR YEAR September: Attend College Night at Bishop O’Dowd High School.. Mar-May: Review this booklet with an emphasis on: Ø General information on colleges Ø Tes

Counseling College Planning Guide

Dear Students and Parents:

We are pleased to present you with our College Planning Guide It is specific

to Bishop O’Dowd with references to our Family Connection/Naviance

account, and to the way we work with and advise our students Providing a wealth of information, we hope this manual will guide you through the

complex maze that is college admissions today We work closely with our students and guide them through every step of the college process, including helping you and your student through the maze of financial aid Please use this guide, and us, as your primary resources While we acknowledge there are many other sources you might access to help you, we ask that you start here and stay in close contact with your counselor

While we feel our entire guide should be read closely and carefully, there are

two sections to which we would like our Seniors to give special attention The

section titled “Important Deadlines” is critical to making the process run smoothly Please meet them! Please also pay particular attention to the

section titled, “Writing Your College Applications.” Included are our detailed instructions on the counselor and teacher recommendations Your attention

to these details will help make this process run smoothly both for yourself and for the counselors and teachers

From now until you graduate, we will be referring to this guide many times as

we meet with you throughout the junior and senior years Please become familiar with it – the information is thorough, and many of your questions can

be easily answered in the guide In fact, we will often refer you to the guide

You will find this to be an exciting and joyous time that may occasionally cause you anxiety and self-doubt This is also a time for self-discovery, a time

to deeply explore who you are You can relieve much of the anxiety if you read all your materials carefully, observe deadlines, and organize yourself early And take a deep breath! Work to the best of your abilities in all your classes and you should have no regrets Enjoy these final months of high

school by making the most of your time here

Wishing you well,

Bishop O’Dowd Counseling Department

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

COLLEGE PLANNING FOR SOPHOMORE YEAR……… 3

COLLEGE PLANNING FOR JUNIOR YEAR 4

COLLEGE PLANNING FOR SENIOR YEAR 7

D ATES TO R EMEMBER .9

G OOD A DVICE T O K EEP I N M IND .11

IMPORTANT DEADLINES 12

TESTING PROGRAMS FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS 13

PSAT/NMSQT 13

ACT 13

C OLLEGE B OARD E XAMINATIONS (SAT R EASONING AND SAT S UBJECT T ESTS ) 14

R EGISTRATION FOR C OLLEGE B OARD E XAMINATIONS .14

S CORE R EPORTS .15

R EVIEW C OURSES .16

GENERAL INFORMATION ON COLLEGES 17

T HE U NIVERSITY VERSUS A L IBERAL A RTS C OLLEGE .17

S PECIAL P ROGRAMS .18

C OLLEGE C ALENDAR S YSTEMS .18

GETTING READY TO APPLY FOR COLLEGE 19

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS AND OPTIONS 20

A DMISSIONS O PTIONS .20

Regular Admissions 20

Early Decision 21

Early Action 22

Service Academies/ROTC 22

Candidates’ Reply Date Agreement 23

Wait List 23

THE COLLEGE ESSAY 24

WRITING YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS 26

C OUNSELOR RECOMMENDATIONS .26

T EACHER RECOMMENDATIONS .27

FINANCING COLLEGE: COSTS AND RESOURCES 29

C OST OF A TTENDANCE (COA) 29

F INANCIAL A ID R ESOURCES .30

COMMON MYTHS STUDENTS HAVE ABOUT COLLEGES 34

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS 35

S OME C OLLEGE G UIDES AND O THER H ELPFUL B OOKS ON THE P ROCESS .35

U SEFUL W EBSITES .37

A FEW PARTING THOUGHTS (Some famous college graduates and their colleges)……… 40

COLLEGE PLANNING IN SOPHOMORE YEAR

IN GENERAL:

Ø Work hard in class If you were not serious in your freshman year, this is your up” year Though some have a rough freshman year, when colleges see lower grades on

“wake-a tr“wake-anscript they look for upw“wake-ard trends in subsequent ye“wake-ars

Ø Develop good study habits It is not too late to develop good study habits They will carry you through college and will contribute to success in your working life – develop these skills now when you have the support of your parents and your school Don’t be afraid to ask for help – this is how students earn good grades and how you will be a success in a future career

SPECIFICALLY:

Ø Take classes that not only interest you, but that also challenge you At the same

time, seek a healthy balance

Ø Take the PSAT This is a practice SAT that you will take in mid-October on O’Dowd’s

testing day

Ø Consult with your counselor to determine if there are any SAT subject tests you should

take in June Pay attention to registration deadlines for the June test

Ø On your visit to the Counseling Resource Center you will complete the personality profile called “Do What You Are” as well as the career assessment called “Career

Interest Profiler.” Continue to work on your resume

SUMMER:

Ø Review this College Planning Handbook!

Ø You have many options Find something meaningful or restorative – volunteer work,

paid work, travel, enrichment classes, or simply developing a passion Read – it will

help you earn better scores on your SAT or ACT! Ask your English teacher or

counselor for recommendations, or read something that connects you to a passion or

interest (Sports Illustrated does have good writing)

Ø Visit a college or two Begin to learn about the different types of colleges (small vs large, university vs liberal arts) by visiting schools close to home (UC Berkeley, St Mary’s, Santa Clara, USF, SF State, CSU Hayward, Sonoma State) or near where your family may be vacationing Don’t just walk around campus; book appointments for tours and go to information sessions Don’t get too serious about the search process yet, but make it fun and exploratory You will learn about different campus cultures, what you like (which can and often does change), and it may open you to possibilities you have not considered There is no pressure now; think about how you learn and what fits

for you This is practice because next year you will take it seriously!

COLLEGE PLANNING FOR JUNIOR YEAR

September: Attend College Night at Bishop O’Dowd High School While it is still fresh in

your mind, brainstorm what you liked (or not) from the information you gathered

October: PSAT/NMSQT is administered Read what the College Board website says about

it, and read the information booklet on the exam Pay particular attention to test taking strategy Get a good night’s sleep!!

Jan/Feb PSAT results are distributed to students You are assigned a special ID number so

you can review an analysis of your results at the College Board site Learn from your mistakes and speak with your counselor for further interpretation

During the scheduling meeting with your counselor, make sure your course

selections for senior year are in line with your college aspirations Take the most academically challenging classes that are appropriate for you Your counselor will work with you on setting up a testing plan Since we no longer administer a pre-ACT, we suggest you take both an ACT and an SAT in your junior spring so we

can determine which is the best test for you In Family Connection, under

“Document Library,” you will find a chart differentiating the SAT from the ACT

Sign up online for an SAT test (include the writing option) for March or May (or ACT, with Writing option, for April or June) and SAT Subject Tests in June, if applicable (see your counselor for this)

UC’s no longer require SAT Subject exams Certain majors require a math and/or science exam Check individual UC campus websites for specific major testing requirements (applies primarily to Engineering and Chemistry majors but check those websites) Some highly selective private colleges/universities still require two or three SAT Subject Tests

Mar-May: Review this booklet with an emphasis on:

Ø General information on colleges

Ø Testing programs used for college planning and admissions

Ø The application process

Ø Bishop O’Dowd Counseling Department DEADLINES!!

Ø Financial aid information

Ø BECOME AN ACTIVE USER OF FAMILY CONNECTION! Meet with your counselor to create a list of prospective colleges and discuss strategies for visits, interviews, and applying

of prospective colleges, to understand where their child might gain admission and have a positive fit, and to gain a clear understanding of how our process unfolds

April through August:

Ø Complete the first round of SAT/ACT testing during the junior spring semester (if you are lucky, it may be your only round!)

Research college web sites for:

Ø Campus life – diversity of student body; social options/activities provided by the college; community service opportunities; campus ministry options; are students active and involved beyond

academics

Ø Take a virtual tour

Ø Academic programs; majors; opportunities to create your own major and/or possibilities for interdisciplinary majors

Ø Research and internship opportunities for undergraduates

Ø Libraries (most campuses have more than one) and the hours they stay open, the extent of their collections, is it a pleasant place to study?

Ø What is the career placement center like – what types of career workshops and assessments are offered for juniors and seniors; who interviews on campus; availability of summer internships on

or off the campus

Ø Residence hall options; menus being served that week; are there options for vegetarians as well as for others with special dietary needs; social events (lectures, concerts, road trips, etc)

Ø Read the school newspaper and learn what are the hot issues on campus

Ø If you are an athlete, check out the facilities and gauge your abilities; contact a coach

Ø Contact an admissions officer; ask to link up with a student ambassador who can tell you what life is really like on campus The admissions office will take this as another indication of your interest

Ø What is happening in the town/city/region?

Augment your research with college guides (we are partial to the Fiske Guide to Colleges) See other recommended books at the end of this booklet

Use Family Connection as a primary source of information Under “Document Library” there is

a description of the Naviance features that will help you understand how to use the program

COLLEGE PLANNING FOR SENIOR YEAR

July through December (broad picture):

As you continue your research, e-mail colleges as to questions that might arise regarding their programs Write a rough draft of your college essays; topics can

be found at college websites and at the Common Application site

Meet with college representatives who visit BOD during the Fall semester – see the “Visit Schedule” in Family Connection, under the “Colleges” tab and sign up Write and rewrite essays; share with your counselor for help!! Attend College Night in September Complete applications

August: Note requirements and deadlines Register to take October SAT, and others, if

needed UC will accept SAT tests taken from junior year through December of

senior year The same holds true for CSU, however Cal Poly SLO asks that your testing be complete by October test (and they often prefer the ACT with Writing option Many private schools will also accept a January test date, but verify this

with the college Be very aware of each college’s test requirements for admission

Fill out and turn in Senior Questionnaire if you did not do it over the summer Counselors will meet with you regarding college after the questionnaire is returned, and in the order they receive them For ED/EA applicants (see section titled “The College Application Process and Options”) it

is essential that you turn in your questionnaire early – no later than the end August

The application portals for the UC and Common application open on August 1 so you can get a head start on some applications!

September: Attend College Night Narrow your college choices to a reasonable number of

schools (6 – 10; count the UC’s as “one” school since it is one application) At

Family Connection check to see if representatives from colleges on your list are visiting O’Dowd These are updated regularly Sign up to meet with them through Family Connection Why?

Ø The college rep is usually the person who will be the first reader of your application She will be your advocate with the admissions committee Meet this person, ask intelligent questions, and help her remember you

Ø If you cannot visit the campus, this may be your best chance to personally indicate your interest

Ø Later, when your application is read, your rep will count meeting you as a plus in your favor (of course you want to make a strong impression)

October: Early Decision/Early Action (ED/EA) candidates – it is absolutely essential that

you turn in your counseling paperwork to your counselor by October 10, and you must observe the same deadline with your teachers If required at your

ED/EA college, register for CSS Profile at the College Board’s website (link to

Write application essays and have them reviewed/critiqued by your counselor

Regular decision candidates: Submit paperwork to counselors and teachers

for recommendations by November 10 even if applications are not due until February If you know only one or two schools to which you definitely plan to

apply, we ask you still submit the paperwork by November 10 You can ask that your recommendations be sent to additional schools at a later date in the semester

Our deadlines are firm if you want a letter of recommendation that is thorough, complete, and well-articulated

Senior grades are important – the work you do in fall semester is crucial to your acceptance Admissions committees at private colleges will see the 7th semester grades of regular decision candidates before they make decisions on your applications, and they may ask for your progress report grades before they go to

committee in the winter WORK HARD!! If you are an early ED/EA candidate, colleges may ask our office for your midterm grades – it is essential you work at a consistently strong level

November: File UC and CSU applications by November 30 UC applications can only be

filed only between November 1 and November 30 CSU applications can be filed between October 1 and November 30 Early decision/action applications have filing dates this month Remember – regular decision candidates request

recommendations no later than November 10 Financial aid forms for ED/EA colleges (private schools who use the CSS Profile) will be due early as well December: Complete testing for UC/CSU applications When you are done with testing,

order your official scores to be sent from the College Board to each college to which you are applying With score choice, take care that you are sending the correct number of scores that colleges need – they will vary Many

schools will ask for all your scores They will pick your best to put you in the best light UC’s and some out of state publics will use your best sitting; CSU’s, and most privates will pick your best section scores from multiple sittings

Remember: They are looking for ways to accept, not to deny you!

Check Family Connection and scholarship bulletin board (in the Counseling hallway) for local and national scholarship information

Begin compiling information for financial aid applications and their deadlines, which vary The FAFSA portal opens on December 1 but cannot be filed until

after January 1; CSS Profile opens earlier and may have an earlier date if applying ED/EA

January: Parents complete and file the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) You

must mail/file between January 1 and March 1, however to be considered for some scholarships, earlier deadlines may apply Check each college for deadlines If you are also using the CSS Profile for private schools, due dates will vary, with some starting as early as January 15 Pay attention to deadlines

February through April:

Colleges will begin to inform you of their decisions Their deadline to notify is April 1, though some take longer You have until April 30 to decide which offer you will accept When you have made a decision, reply to that college It is a nice gesture to inform the others that you have accepted another offer and to thank them for their interest in you

A note on housing: When accepted to colleges with limited housing, apply as soon as you receive notice, even if you are not sure you will attend While you may lose a deposit, it is far worse to not have housing your freshman year This is particularly critical for public colleges, some of which do not have sufficient space to accommodate all freshmen

During second semester, maintain or improve academic grades Remember, your acceptance is always conditional and can be rescinded if after you graduate, your college sees a significant drop in your spring semester grades

In late June/early July we mail your final transcript to the college you chose Grades are of special significance to wait list candidates

Dates to Remember

College Night September

UC Applications Due between November 1 and November 30

CSU Applications Due between October 1 and November 30 (may vary)

Private Applications ED/EA varies by campus but usually in November Check dates

Regular Decision varies from December 1 to March 1

Financial Aid Night Held at O’Dowd in early January

CSS Profile Regular candidates can file as early as October 15 – ED/EA

candidates must file early; often at the same time as your application Pay attention to dates set by each college – some merit scholarship programs require earlier filing

FAFSA File between January 1 and March 1 but check deadlines for each

college Some scholarship programs require earlier filing

SAT Reasoning Test October (last test date for some selective CSU’s), November (last

test date for most ED/EA applications), December (last test date for all UC and some CSU schools)

SAT Subject Tests Same as SAT Reasoning dates

ACT Fall semester testing dates – different Saturdays from the SAT

Good Advice to Keep In Mind

We recommend the following words of wisdom given by Fr Aloysius Galvin, S.J., of

Georgetown Prep:

“You, the applicant, really hold and control all the aces and trumps in the deck; your senior course selection, your grades, GPA and testing scores, your activity record, (in school and out), your written application, your essay(s), your interview That’s a strong hand, one to be played with care and thoughtfulness, with energy and courage Play it well.”

1 Initial Attitude: Peace Be positive about yourself and confident of your future Be

honest with yourself about who you are Keep an attentive ear open to parental and other advice Run your own ship and steer your own course, trying to sail free from subtle peer pressure In a word, keep a clear head and a free heart This is a process that began earlier than senior year At any given moment during high school you may have had an opinion about your college choices, and each time, that opinion probably changed You will be different in junior spring than you are in fall – what you thought you loved a year ago could be different from what you love now or what you may love in April when you make your decision Be patient

Remember that the application/acceptance/matriculation enterprise is not a canonization process, nor is it intended to be an ego trip for family or student, nor is it a measure of your worth It is a search for a home away from home where you will be productive and happy, grow and prosper There are many fine colleges out there You are the chooser Do not let the process eat you up

or determine your worth Be yourself and find the right fit

2 A Typical Application Pattern will include schools that are:

Ø “Long Shots,” “stretches,” or “reaches” or schools which you might love, but would have difficulty getting into

Ø “Targets” or schools to which you have a possibility of acceptance

Ø “Safeties” or schools to which you are sure of acceptance

Fall in love with your safety schools as much as your stretch schools If you did your research well, you chose those safety schools because you liked them Keep this in mind

3 Initial List and Selection of Possible Choices: There are many colleges you may not

have heard of that have strong programs, quality faculty, distinguished alumni, impressive

graduate school placements, excellent facilities, good research opportunities, etc A college’s

“reputation” or “brand name” is not necessarily a marker of a great school

No college, whatever its merit or general reputation, is in itself better or best The “name” of some colleges is based more on their graduate school rather than their undergraduate school, and others gain a reputation based on their athletic teams Some college reputations lag behind their

real quality The college you select should fit YOU and not your friend or your parents The only college that deserves the title good, better, or best is the one that is the BEST FIT FOR YOU – WHERE YOU CAN REACH YOUR HIGHEST POTENTIAL

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

SAT Testing: Fall semester: Testing dates on 1st weekends of October, November, and

December Registration deadlines are one month prior to test

Spring semester: Testing dates are usually on 3rd weekend or 4thweekend of January, the 2nd weekend of March, and 1st weekends of May and June Registration deadlines are one month prior to test

ACT Testing: Fall semester: Testing dates are in October and December for 2010 and

generally a week after the SAT test date Registration deadlines are at least one month prior to test

Spring semester: Testing dates are in February, April, and June, and

again, generally a week after the SAT test date Registration deadlines are

at least one month prior to test

Application & Recommendation Deadlines:

September 1: Final date for EA/ED candidates to return completed

Senior Questionnaire to counselor

October 1: Final date for EA/ED candidates to ask counselor and

teachers for a recommendation and to give them required documents and list of colleges (see pp 25-27) Envelopes also must be included

November 10: Final date for regular decision candidates to ask counselor

and teachers for a recommendation and give required documents and list

of colleges (see pp 25-27)

Financial Aid: October 1: Registration portal opens for CSS Profile which is required

by many private schools; register online at www.collegeboard.com NOTE: Deadlines and priority dates vary at schools and you can quickly check them at college websites by searching the site with: “Financial Aid deadlines.” See Counseling handout on financial aid for more tips and strategies regarding financial aid

January 1: FAFSA filing period begins Check college websites for

priority dates as well as regular filing dates They will vary Merit

scholarships often ask you to file by an earlier “priority” date

Last week of February: Final time for submitting Cal Grant GPA

verification forms to Counseling We submit the Cal Grant forms, as a group, to the Cal Grant website

March 1: Final filing date for FAFSA and CSS Profile (see note above regarding earlier and priority filing dates)

TESTING PROGRAMS FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Bishop O’Dowd School Code 052185 (Use on all SAT and ACT test registration materials) Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)

The PSAT is a practice version of the SAT that measures verbal and mathematical

abilities important in college work It is normed on juniors and given only once a year, in

October This test is not required for college admissions, nor will colleges ever see your PSAT scores The PSAT serves two purposes:

1 It provides information on student abilities to do college work and it helps

students estimate the caliber of college he/she could attend It also familiarizes students with the types of questions that are on the SAT

2 It helps students who are seeking recognition and financial assistance Several

organizations use the results to determine scholarship recipients They are the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the National Achievement Scholarship Program for Negro Students, and the National Hispanic Recognition Program Winning one of the awards, as well as being named a National Merit Commended Student, can be beneficial for college admissions

Score Reports: The revised PSAT (2016) reports a combined reading and writing score

and a math score scaled between 160 and 760 for a combined score from 320 to 1520 National Merit qualifying scores are computed on a different scaled score; see your counselor for your NMSQT selection index score NMSC uses the Selection Index to determine candidates for their scholarship programs The score threshold for scholarships varies every year

Use your score report and test booklet to learn where your problem areas might be and how you can improve your results when you take the SAT Reasoning Test Read the score report carefully as the information can be very helpful Your access code will allow you to use Khan Academy’s free test prep that will be tailored to how you performed on the PSAT

American College Testing Program (ACT)

Colleges and universities in the Midwest have traditionally preferred the ACT assessment

to the SAT The ACT tests you on knowledge you have learned and the abilities you need to succeed in college It is scored differently than the SAT and some students find they perform better on the ACT than the SAT

The ACT is a four-part exam that tests abilities in English, Math, Reading, and Science Within each of these areas, sub scores are also generated, indicating your strengths and

weaknesses ACT offers an optional Writing test along with the regular ACT It is scored

separately and will not be included in your composite score ACT with Writing is required for admission to the UC/CSU system so you must include the optional Writing test when you register Admissions requirements for the ACT will vary among colleges and universities – you

must check each individual college for their requirements ACT’s website, www.act.org, has a listing of colleges and universities that require or recommend taking the writing test

Colleges throughout the U.S accept the ACT or the SAT See your Counselor to

determine which test might be best for you Because you took the PLAN in sophomore year, you have a predicted ACT score In converting this score to an SAT, we can make some

assumptions as to how you will test on the ACT compared to the SAT See “Document Library”

in Family Connection for a comparison of the ACT and SAT Reasoning

College Board Examinations (SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Tests)

1 SAT Reasoning Test: Beginning with the March 2016 test date, the SAT

Reasoning test will consist of just two sections (Math and Evidence-Based Reading) for a total score of 1600 (3 hours long) The optional Writing test will also be evidence-based (50 minutes long) and we strongly urge you add this option since some of your colleges, such as UC’s, will require

it If you are unsure, talk to your counselor about this Please see the link

at Naviance, Document Library, Counseling Resources, for a full description of the changes for the March 2016 test If you retake the

SAT, we recommend you take it no more than once or twice more

Studies show that scores do not improve unless you do significant prep and study heavily between test dates

2 SAT Subject Tests: These are one-hour exams that measure a student’s

achievement in various high school subject areas Some colleges require

or recommend two exams for admission and/or placement in college

classes You may take as many as three exams in one day If you plan to take subject exams, you should take them in June of the year in which you complete the subjects Retakes can be done in the fall

Registration for College Board Examinations

Register for exams online at www.collegeboard.com There is also a link from Family Connection Following are guidelines that will make the process run smoothly:

1 Keep a record of your user name and password and always use Bishop O’Dowd’s

CEEB code of 052185

2 When you register, use your name as it is on your social security card and the

name you will use on your college applications So that the College Board

keeps all your records in order and reports your scores accurately, it is important

to give your name and all other information in exactly the same manner on all College Board forms/website and in all communication with the Board For

example, using initials or a middle name one time and not the next may cause confusion and your scores may be delayed or not reported to your colleges, or

colleges will not match your scores with your application Important Note: If

your name is different on your transcript, now is the time to make sure all your names “agree” otherwise colleges may set up two files for you when you apply

3 Pay attention to deadlines The earlier you register for an exam, the more likely

you will have first choice of your preferred location for the exam (check with your counselor for recommended testing sites)

The College Board website is rich with information Explore it and use it You will find the

site provides tutorials and information that can be very helpful At the website you can:

1 Compare SAT Subject exams by taking a brief diagnostic test online of the exams

you are considering College Board will analyze your results

2 A full prep class for the revised SAT is now provided by Khan Academy, for

all students, free of charge You may also practice by taking four different

full-length SAT exams online! Become familiar with test taking strategy

(Remember, with the revised SAT you there is no longer a guessing penalty!)

3 Learn about financial aid and have your need estimated Do calculations for both

institutional and federal methodologies Link is at Family Connection

4 Complete the CSS Profile (available in October of your senior year) Check the

financial aid section of this booklet for more information

5 Under “Plan for College” read articles that help you develop action plans, learn

better time management skills, get help with procrastination and senioritis (see motivation article), and many more

6 Go to the AP Test Prep Center and pick up valuable hints that could help your

performance on the AP exams

7 Get help with writing your college application essay that will augment the help

you receive from your teachers and counselor

8 SENIORS – See the Decision Making Guide when you start considering your

college acceptances This can be an agonizing decision for many – your counselor can help you too

Score Reports

Score reports are sent to the student’s home We do not show your SAT Reasoning and Subject Test scores on your transcript

All colleges will require an official score report to be sent to them It is your

responsibility to see that your scores are sent to your colleges For obvious reasons, do not send scores in junior year We also receive all your scores, electronically Important note:

Because of the College Board’s Score Choice Policy, you may not want to order your scores sent

to your colleges until you have seen them Here are some considerations:

1 Score choice is an optional feature, e.g you can still send all your scores to colleges, and most colleges will continue to consider only your best scores

2 Colleges continue to set their own test requirements and they will vary from college

to college (UC’s and CSU’s will be uniform within their systems) It is your

responsibility to note the different requirements

3 If you choose Score Choice, you may send Reasoning scores to colleges by sitting (test dates and not by section) and by individual Subject test

4 At the time you register for your last SAT exam (Reasoning or Subject), you may

request that the scores to be sent to four colleges for free An extra fee is charged for reports to additional colleges

5 NOTE: Except for UC’s, most colleges will use your highest verbal and math scores

(called “superscoring”), mixing them from different sittings Same applies to ACT scores Some schools will still require all scores be sent Read the college policies

carefully!! REMEMBER: Most colleges are looking for reasons to accept you, not

to reject you

Review Courses

If you decide to consider a course, investigate it thoroughly Ask for verification of all claims of results Weigh the investment in both time and money Information regarding test preparation programs is available in the Counseling Center and through your counselor

Revolution Prep offers prep courses on the BOD campus and will also cover tips and strategies, and include content tutoring as well as several diagnostic tests, carrying a guaranteed raise of 200 points from the first diagnostic to the actual test Private tutors are also available if you wish

one-on-one help See your counselor for references Free test prep is available at the College Board site through Khan Academy The Official SAT Study Guide Is also an excellent

resource for those who benefit from independent study Please review the College Board

website for these resources

Finally, ask yourself what you can do in your regular schoolwork, in your free time, or in

working with fellow students or adults to prepare for the SAT’s Sign up for “Question of the Day” (a daily e-mail) at the College Board website, or download the app for your phone

The mere 10 minutes a day that you spend on this will accustom you to SAT questions In general, read! Outside read can also include editorials in a well-respected newspaper, magazines with good writing (Time, Sports Illustrated, Atlantic Monthly, etc.) If you are a consistent reader and pursue these activities regularly, you will likely have stronger verbal scores

GENERAL INFORMATION ON COLLEGES

The University versus a Liberal Arts College

Choosing a university or a liberal arts college can have a tremendous impact on your own personal development Before you fully settle on one or the other, keep an open mind about the advantages of both, and think about the way you learn and how you like to relate to your

teachers, how you socialize and make friends, and the extra curricular activities you enjoy or hope to pursue, including how available the opportunities are for those activities

At a university the student body can range from small to very large (3,000 to 45,000

students) Multiple areas of study are available, often in different colleges, e.g Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Business, Conservatories (music or theater), and Agriculture Universities are known for their graduate schools and research activities Resources can be wide-ranging

Universities will generally have museums that are well regarded and have extensive library

holdings However, keep in mind that often some resources are available primarily to graduate students Professors who prefer research to teaching commonly choose to affiliate with

universities and may teach only two or three undergraduate classes a year There are exceptions, yet accessibility to classes taught by the most exciting and finest teachers can be competitive, and classes large To be successful, students must learn be self-reliant and be comfortable taking the initiative Many classes are large (50 – 1000 students) and your grade may depend on a

combination of only two or three measures (paper/midterm/final); class discussions may be

limited

At a liberal arts college the student body can be small to medium-sized They do not

have PhD programs, but some will have Masters’ degree programs In general, professors who choose to work at these schools do so because they love to teach and mentor undergraduates They are approachable and interested in their students, and a very high percentage of classes are small, often taught in seminar style Professors at liberal arts colleges are also researchers, and because there are generally fewer or no graduate students, undergraduates are offered the

opportunity to participate in research All of the professors are expected to publish as well,

though their primary duties are to the undergraduates, and they are hired because they are

engaging teachers (or believed to be) If you anticipate attending graduate school someday, you will be able to ask for recommendations from professors who really know you and the work you

do There is a strong sense of community in liberal arts colleges

Some liberal arts colleges have joined forces with others in close proximity to form a

consortium Students attending any college in the consortium may cross-register for classes at any of the other schools, use the libraries, etc Consortiums expand your social opportunities, and provide many advantages of a university while maintaining the integrity of a smaller college Some well-known examples include:

Amherst, Smith, Mt Holyoke, Hampshire, and U Mass at Amherst (Five College

Consortium)

Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Scripps, Harvey Mudd, and Pitzer (Claremont Colleges) Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Swarthmore, University of Pennsylvania

Special Programs

Cooperative Education: This is a college program in which a student alternates between

semesters of full-time study and full-time employment in a student’s major area The student is usually paid for the work, and the opportunity is invaluable as a resume-building experience and

a valuable networking opportunity Sometimes five years are required to complete a bachelor’s degree program This type of program usually appeals to someone who has very well-defined career plans Look at Northeastern University in Boston for the best example of a coop school

3-2 Program: Usually found in a liberal arts college, this is a program by which the college

works in cooperation with another university that offers technical preparation for professional careers (business and engineering for example) Five years of study are required, resulting in a

BA or BS from the liberal arts school (three years) and a second degree from the school offering the technical degree (two years) The distinct advantage of this program is the graduate obtains a broad, liberal education that enables creative, flexible thinking as well as a technical education that can be advantageous in the job market This type of program can enhance a graduate’s prospects for management within a technical field Some examples are engineering through Occidental and Cal Tech or through Whitman and Columbia

College Calendar Systems

Semester System: Like Bishop O’Dowd, the academic year is divided into two periods

Semester exams usually occur at the end of each period

Trimester or 3-3-3 System: The school year is broken into three ten-week periods of study

(September to mid-December, January to Mid-March, and April to early June) Students usually take three courses each term

Quarter System: Like the trimester system except there is an additional quarter in the summer

An advantage to students is that any quarter can be used for work (think about the opportunities

of not competing for jobs during the summer months) Theoretically, a student could earn a degree in three years

4-1-4 System: This is an adaptation of the traditional semester system After the three to four

month fall semester, there is a one month term in which students take one or two classes that are often conceptually unique They might include travel to Hawaii for biology, to Florence for art history, to an archeology dig, or simply a fascinating class taught on campus This often

provides a welcome break that stimulates and rejuvenates

4-4-1 System: Similar to the 4-1-4 system except the one month term falls at the end of the

school year, opening up interesting possibilities that can combine with summer plans

Block System: An example is Colorado College in Colorado Springs Students take one class

for three and one-half weeks and then have four to five days off before starting the next block class Eight classes are completed in the year This allows for an intensely rich experience, and

in many instances, allows you to study away from campus (in an archeology class the students might become part of a team at a dig in New Mexico, biology students take off into the

mountains for a few days to study the ecosystem, etc.)

GETTING READY TO APPLY FOR COLLEGE

Senior year is unquestionably the busiest, and the hardest, of your high school years You must continue to work in school at your highest academic level, and you must spend extra time on your college applications, keep up with your extracurricular activities, and cope with the emotional ups and downs of looking ahead to separating from your family This is an exciting,

challenging, and sometimes difficult time for you as well as your family In preparation for your senior year and the application process, some of the following tips will help insure a smoother process for you:

Ø The summer following junior year is important! Rest, work, visit colleges, pursue an interest, follow your passion, broaden your personal experience, and do community volunteer work Highly selective colleges ask how you spend your spare time and, if you have a particular talent, developing interest, or passion, they expect to see you follow through with it at a consistent level Colleges seek students who have interesting,

developing interests, and they often equate this with people who will contribute to

campus life when they are college students

Ø Read and write! Always have a book you are reading for pleasure Read editorials for three reasons: To broaden your horizons and familiarize yourself with current issues; to develop your vocabulary; and to encounter good writing style Not only will these activities help you with your SAT, but they will make you more interesting to colleges, and just perhaps, a new interest will be sparked that moves you in a new direction You

may also find inspiration for your college essay Remember, this is a process!

Ø Complete your Senior Questionnaire during the summer (you can find it at the

Counseling website), and turn it in to your counselor This is your chance to reflect – essay ideas may come from it Be thorough – if you have not seen your counselor much

during your high school years, this may be a starting point to help him or her get to know you better Believe us when we say that we really do rely on the questionnaire to give us more information about what makes you tick and to use as a starting point for

conversation with you PARENTS: Your input is invaluable – you provide another perspective on your teenager We truly appreciate your thoughts and ask that you please return your input (the last page in the questionnaire) to your son or daughter’s counselor – mail it in separately if necessary

Ø NOTE: In the fall of your senior year, you will meet with your counselor in the order she/he receives your Senior Questionnaire At that initial meeting, if you are applying to private schools, you will receive a folder with information about our process and how it unfolds in Naviance, financial aid resources, our recommendation process and forms teachers will need from you, how to send your test scores to colleges, as well as

checklists to see you through the process You will also receive information on the UC and CSU applications Every high school has a system that works for them – this is ours

and we ask that you respect it Keep on top of the process!

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS and OPTIONS

The application process actually begins when you decide where you will apply

Hopefully you will have a chance to visit campuses, but if you cannot, we strongly recommend you meet with the college admissions officers who visit Bishop O’Dowd (check College Visits

on Family Connection often!) Typically an admissions officer covers a specific region of the United States with the express responsibility of getting to know the students, their counselors, and the high schools in their region This contact can be particularly important since the

admissions officer who visits is usually the first reader of your application, and he or she will be the admissions committee member who is most familiar with Bishop O’Dowd and the quality of our students This person can be a strong advocate for you Make your presence known!!

As you begin to sort out your list, you will no doubt find some schools you love and others you merely like, although throughout the months of application and waiting, the ‘loves’

and ‘likes’ often switch places The best advice we can give you is to learn as much as you can about each of the schools on your list Make contact with the admissions office in each of these schools – learn to love each one There are good reasons for this:

Ø If your first choice school rejects you, you will be happy with the schools that do accept you

Ø If you have visited and/or made contact several times, the admissions committee takes this a strong sign of your interest If you never make contact, they could turn you down because they feel you are not interested, even if you are a dynamite student

Ø Ask yourself two questions: “Can I get in?” and “Do I want to get in?” You may not be able to answer “yes” to the first question for every college, but you must be able to answer “yes” to the second for every single college to which you apply

Admissions Options

When considering all of the following options, keep in mind that this is a process, and

you will change throughout the months to come This final year and a half of high school is a time of tremendous growth Think about how different you are now from when you entered high school as a freshman Assuming you are reading this in the spring of your junior year, you will

be considerably different a year from now when you are weighing decisions in your senior spring By keeping an open-minded perspective, you will have an easier time making and

accepting your decisions You are stepping into new territory that is rich and varied, exciting

and daunting, and finally, a big decision Explore the territory carefully and intelligently – you

may never again have such an opportunity

Regular Admissions: Most colleges require applications to be submitted by a specific deadline,

and members of the admissions committees begin reading an applicant’s file once all the

required documents are received You will be considered within the larger pool of applicants and colleges will notify you of their admissions decisions by the commonly adhered to date of