COLLEGE FUNDING ON THE WEB-Whether you are a freshman or senior it’s not too late or early to begin searching out possible scholarships. Check out the College Scholarships and Financial Aid page on the NECA website (www.faithwebsites.com/neca). It is located in the High School Guidance section and is loaded with links to various scholarships and searches.
In addition, feel free to visit the College Planning Center of Rhode Island in the Warwick Mall or check it out online at www.collegeplanningcenter.org.
PARENTS-DON’T GET TRAPPED: by putting college savings in a child’s name. Instead, keep college savings in your name, and then pay college costs after the child or grandchild receives tuition assistance. This avoids the reality that the “college financial aid formula requires children to use 35% of their assets…before receiving aid. Parents, on the other hand are expected to contribute only up to 5.6%…Grandparents aren’t required to contribute anything.” Barbara Weltman, How to Turn Your Lunch Money into $1 Million, booklet by Bottomline Publishing.
NCAA INITIAL ELIGIBILITY CLEARINGHOUSE-All college-bound student-athletes who wish to practice and compete at a Division I or II institution must register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. Since 1994 all student-athletes must be cleared through the Clearinghouse before they may practice or compete. The Clearinghouse will determine a student’s eligibility by reviewing an official high school transcript and the official SAT/ACT score. Students should meet with their counselor to review the steps that must be followed. Students may file a paper copy of the NCAA application or may file online www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. Please note that Division III colleges do not participate in the NCAA procedure.
ACT & SAT Achievement/SAT Subject TESTS: Students may pick up registration packets for the ACT & the SAT Achievement SAT Subjects Tests from Mrs. Pratt in the guidance office. Students are required to take the ACT or the SAT Achievement Test for admission to 4 year and some 2 year colleges. Most state institutions require only the ACT or the SAT Achievement Test for admission. Some 4-year private institutions also request the SAT Subject Tests. Many colleges require or recommend one or more of these subject tests for admission or placement purposes. Check the requirements of colleges under consideration before deciding which tests to take. I recommend that juniors try both The SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT before they finish their junior year.
Most admissions officers at colleges will use either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT for admissions and scholarships. Some students find they do better on one test over the other so I advise students to try both tests.
Note: New England Christian Academy’s CEEB code for registering for the SAT or the ACT or for college applications is 222106. You may also register for the SAT online at www.collegeboard.com or for the ACT at www.actstudent.org.
|
SAT Reasoning
|
|
Math
|
|
Time
|
70 minutes
Two 25-minute sections; one 20-minute section.
|
|
Content
|
Multiple-Choice Items, Student-Produced Responses
Measuring: Number and Operations, Algebra I, II, and Functions Geometry; Statistics, Probability, and Data Analysis
|
|
Score
|
M 200-800
|
|
Critical Reading
|
|
Time
|
70 minutes
Two 25-minute sections; one 20-minute section.
|
|
Content
|
Sentence Completions, Passage-Based Reading
Measuring: Extended Reasoning, Literal Comprehension, Vocabulary in Context
|
|
Score
|
CR 200-800
|
|
Writing
|
|
Time
|
60 minutes
35-minute multiple choice; 25-minute essay
|
|
Content
|
Multiple-Choice: Identifying Errors, Improving Sentences and Paragraphs
Student-Written Essay: Effectively Communicate a Viewpoint, Defining and Supporting a Position
|
|
Score
|
W 200-800
Multiple-Choice Sub score: 20-80
Essay Sub score: 2-12
|
HOW DO THE SAT Reasoning Test AND THE ACT COMPARE?
|
|
ACT
ACT ASSESSMENT
|
SAT Reasoning Test
SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TEST
|
|
Test Fee (2006-2007)
|
ACT Only $29.00
ACT Plus Writing $43.00
|
SAT Reasoning $41.50
|
|
Test Content
|
English
Mathematics
Reading
Science
|
25%
25%
25%
25%
|
Critical Reading
Mathematics
Writing
(1/3 of Writing score is the essay)
|
33 1/3 %
33 1/3 %
33 1/3%
|
|
Scoring
|
Scores based on number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing.
|
Scores adjusted for guessingwith most incorrect responses carry a penalty of one-third or one-quarter of a point.
|
|
Scoring Scale
|
English
Mathematics
Reading
Science
|
1-36
1-36
1-36
1-36
|
Critical Reading
Mathematics
Writing
|
200-800
200-800
200-800
|
|
Total Score
|
ACT COMPOSITE 1-36
(Average of four test areas)
|
SAT TOTAL 600-2400
(Sum of Three Test Areas)
|
|
Interest Inventory Results
|
Student’s measured interest is reported in terms of high & low interest areas (Science, Arts, Social Services, Business Contact, Business Operations, Technical), & World-of Work Map regions that match measured interest.
|
NONE
|
|
Prep for College Calendar - Junior Year
(From NACAC Website)
|
|
Begin college selection process. Attend college fairs, financial aid seminars, general information sessions, etc., to learn as much as you can about the college application process. Make sure you are meeting NCAA requirements if you want to play Division I or II sports in college.
|
|
December
|
· Junior year grades are extremely important in the college admission process, because they are a measure of how well you do in advanced, upper-level courses. Grades also are used to determine scholarships and grants for which you may be eligible. So put in the extra effort and keep those grades up!
- During December you should receive the results of your PSAT. Read your score report and consult your school counselor to determine how you might improve on future standardized tests. The PSAT is excellent preparation for the SAT Reasoning Test, which you will take in the spring.
- If you plan to take the ACT, register now for the February ACT. Many colleges accept the ACT (American College Test) or the SAT. Some colleges require the ACT or both SAT and SAT Subject Tests. When you begin to explore different colleges and universities, double-check to see if they prefer or require the ACT, the SAT Reasoning Test and/or SAT Subject Tests.
|
|
|
|
January
|
- Begin to make a preliminary list of colleges you would like to investigate further. Surf the Internet and use the college resources in the guidance office or library.
|
|
March
|
- Write, telephone, or use the Internet to request admission literature and financial aid information from the colleges on your list. There is no charge and no obligation to obtain general information about admission and financial aid.
|
|
April
|
- When selecting your senior courses, be sure to continue to challenge yourself academically.
- Continue to evaluate your list of colleges and universities. Eliminate colleges from the original list that no longer interest you and add others as appropriate.
- Look into summer jobs or apply for special summer academic or enrichment programs. Colleges love to see students using their knowledge and developing their skills and interests.
|
|
May
|
- Attend a college fair to get more information about colleges on your list. NACAC sponsors college fairs in cities across the country during the fall and the spring. Visit NACAC's Web site (www.nacac.com) to check out the schedule for the National College Fairs and the Performing and Visual Arts College Fairs.
- Get a jump-start on summer activities-consider enrolling in an academic course at a local college, pursuing a summer school program, applying for an internship, working, or volunteering. If you work, save part of your earnings for college.
- Begin visiting colleges. Phone to set up appointments. Interviews are always a good idea. Many colleges will tell you they are optional, but an interview will show interest, enthusiasm and initiative on your part and provide an excellent opportunity to have your questions answered. Do a practice interview with your counselor, teacher, employer, or a senior who has had college interviews. Set up interviews as early as possible-interview times become booked quickly!
|
|
June
|
After school ends, get on the road to visit colleges. Seeing the college firsthand, taking a tour and talking to students can be the greatest help in deciding whether or not a school is right for you. Although it is ideal to visit colleges during the academic year, going in the summer will be valuable. Admission offices employ their students to give tours and answer questions from prospective students and their parents.
|
|
August
|
- Continue to refine your list of potential colleges and universities.
- Begin preparing for the actual application process: draft application essays; collect writing samples; and assemble portfolios or audition tapes. If you are an athlete and plan on playing in college, contact the coaches at the schools to which you are applying and ask about intercollegiate and intramural sports programs and athletic scholarships.
- Complete the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse form if you hope to play Division I or II sports. (This form cannot be mailed until you finish your sixth semester of high school.)
|
Please have your juniors consider taking the SAT and the ACT this spring. Also have them sign up for some of the scholarship searches. If any parent is unable to gain access to the internet or would like help in using some of these college websites please contact me. I would be gad to help you navigate the multitude of information available.
Lastly, I have two books in my office that are available to be borrowed on finding scholarships for college. They are: Winning Scholarships for College by Marianne Ragins and How to Go to College (Almost) For Free by Benjamin R. Kaplan. Perhaps your local library has them also. Both of these authors were very successful in finding scholarships to finance their own college education.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
|
