CHOOSING A COLLEGE
You need to know your GPA and SAT scores before you can begin
choosing colleges. Check with your counseling office for a copy of your
transcript.
The transcript will indicate your weighted and unweighted grade point
average. Your SAT scores should also appear on the transcript.
STEP #1
TESTING
Begin with the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship
Qualifying Test) in October of the junior year.
The PSAT is only offered once a year in October at your high school.
You will sign up for the PSAT at your high school.
When you sign up for the PSAT, you will receive the Official Student Guide
to the PSAT/NMSQT. It will include sample questions and practice tests as
well as information on the National Merit Scholarship Competition.
You will receive your score in December along with the questions and
answers.
The results will be mailed to your high school.
Use the test results to study your weak areas and prepare for the SAT in
the spring of the junior year.
Sophomores may take the PSAT. Sophomores will not be considered for
National Merit Scholarships.
THE PSAT
The PSAT includes Critical Reading, Math and Writing sections. The
writing section has multiple choice questions. It does not include an
essay.
Algebra II will not be included on the PSAT.
The PSAT is 90 minutes shorter than the SAT.
The scores range from 20 to 80 for each section.
SAT REASONING TEST (formerly SAT I)
www.collegeboard.com
Toll Free: 866-756-7346
International Locations: 212-713-7789
Juniors take the SAT in the spring of the junior year.
Many students repeat the SAT in the fall of the senior year
The SAT Reasoning Test includes Critical Reading, Math and Writing
Sections.
The test is 3 hours and 35 minutes.
The scores range from 200 - 800 for each of the three sections.
A 25-minute essay is included.
The math section includes algebra, geometry and algebra II.
Pick up a copy of The College Board SAT Preparation Booklet for a
full-length practice test and test-taking tips. It's available at your high
school.
Sign up for the SAT at www.collegeboard.com
SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II)
One-hour subject tests are available in six different subject areas.
These include: literature, history, math, science, language: reading and
language: reading and listening.
Pick up a copy of The College Board SAT Subject Tests Preparation
Booklet from your high school. It includes practice tests and test-taking tips.
Some selective colleges also require students to take two or three SAT
Subject tests in different subject areas.
See the College Board web site for more information.
www.collegeboard.com
The best time to take the subject tests is at the end of the junior year.
Sign up for the SAT Subject Tests at www.collegeboard.com
ACT www.actstudent.org
The ACT is made up of four sections: English, math, reading and science
reasoning.
Most colleges will accept the SAT or ACT
The new ACT has added a writing section
The ACT includes trigonometry and punctuation.
The ACT does not have a penalty for wrong answers.
Students can choose which schools receive their scores.
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS:
Look at the selectivity index on your test results. Is the number over 200?
If your score is high enough to be considered for a possible scholarship,
you will receive a letter.
Some students with scores around 200 are commended. Others with
higher scores up to 240 will possibly be considered as a National Merit
Semifinalists.
Each state has a different cutoff for awards. In California, the cutoff score
for the class of 2006 was 217 for a national merit semi-finalist.
Your school will receive the results and contact you if you are commended
or a semi-finalist in the fall of the senior year.
STEP #2:
NARROW DOWN YOUR CHOICES:
Who are you?
What do you like? Where would you be happy? Where is the best fit for
you?
Public or private college?
Large vs. small. Private colleges are smaller and more expensive.
Large or small?
500, 2500, 5,000, 10, 000, 25,000 students?
Hot or cold weather?
Sun, rain, snow?
Sports important?
NCAA? Use The College Handbook by College Board to find NCAA
programs.
College major?
Use the College Board Book of Majors to find college majors.
Small town or large city?
In or near a big city? small town?, medium size.
In state or out-of-state?
How far do you want to be from your home?
How selective?
Look at the mid SAT range (cr510-610, m520-620, wr560-600)
Are your scores above or below these numbers?
Are you competitive or do you need to look at colleges with a different test
score range?
Students looking at highly selective colleges need to have a weighted GPA
around 3.8 to 4.00 or higher. Some students enter with a 4.2, 4.4 or 4.6 GPA.
What is your grade point average?
3.00 or higher? Top ¼ of your class? Top half of your class?
SAT scores? Most colleges list the SAT range (cr510-610, m520-620,
wr600-620)
Do you take AP classes?
Highly selective colleges expect you to take AP classes.
Special needs?
Learning disability?
Use the K&W Guide to find special program.
Special interests?
ROTC, women only, historically black colleges, art colleges?
STEP #3:
DO THE RESEARCH:
College Visits:
Take advantage of the college visits at your high school in the fall.
Many private colleges host college information sessions on the weekend
at local hotels in large cities.
Attend college fairs in your area.
College Web Sites: Type the name of the college and check out the
website. All colleges have websites.
College Planning Web Sites:
www.mycollegeoptions.com
www.princetonreview.com
www.kaplan.com
College Guides:
Your high school college/career center may have books to check out.
Most public libraries also have many college guides
College video and DVDs
College videos may be purchased from www.collegiatechoice.com or your
high school may have some copies available for you. College DVD's are
available at: www.theU.com
College Night:
Most high schools have a college night program for students and parents.
School Contacts:
Listen closely to your high school counselor when college information is
provided.
Use your high school college/career center frequently.
STEP #4:
ACTION:
Make a list of several colleges you may be interested in attending.
Go to the web site for additional information.
Read more information about these colleges.
Send for applications.
Meet all the deadlines.
Visit colleges during your spring break of the junior year.
Visit additional colleges during summer between the junior and senior year.
Begin your senior year with a list of 8 or 10 colleges that interest you.
WEB SITES:
Testing:
College Board www.collegeboard.com
ACT www.actstudent.org
Test Prep Workshops:
Kaplan www.kaplan.com
Princeton Review www.princetonreview.com
www.number2.com
College Applications:
University of California www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
California State University www.csumentor.edu
Common Application www.commonapp.org
Athletics:
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) www.ncaa.org
NCAA Clearinghouse www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
Special Interests:
Historically Black Colleges: www.hbcu-central.com
Black Collegian: www.blackcollegian.com
Black College Common Application www.eduinconline.com
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities: www.hacu.net
Catholic Colleges: www.catholiccollegesonline.org
Art Schools: www.aicad.org
Steps to Choosing a College
