It is time for Juniors in high school to start the college search. Some of you may have already looked at colleges through your school on a college trip. Some of you may have not even begun to think about college. Do not worry about it, but you should start now!
Here are the questions that you will ask yourself as you fill out applications - Should I do Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision.
Early Decision is binding; meaning if you are accepted by that school - you must attend that school. With Regular Decision the deadline is January, but you do not hear till April.
For Scholarships:
- see www.fastweb.com
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid is due February 15th
- EFC - Estimated Family Contribution
Some other facts:
- If the school does not care, then you SHOULD use a weighted GPA. For Honors, add an extra 5 and for A.P. classes, add an extra 10 points
- Readers of applications give a rating for academics - for grades and for rigor of the curriculum. Take the strongest schedule you can "manage". Some colleges look at the difficulty of the high school, compared to other school in your area.
- Have your children choose activities that match their passion.
- Juniors ask your teachers for letters of recommendation before school lets out for the summer that way they can have plenty of time to write a well thought letter for you. Ask two teachers for a letter.
- Do college visits early
- Earliest suggestions for standardized tests: January SAT and February ACT
- Do Subject SAT tests in your strength area.
- If a freshman does poorly in a class, colleges look for growth and trends, so there is still time to impress a college/university, even with a low grade.
- Junior year is tough. Focus on the grades because cumulative grades do not change much after 1st four semesters of high school.
- If you do not do Early Application, your child will need to do well in 1st and 2nd semester of the Senior year.
- Items needed from schools - Transcripts, ranking and Grades
- Need for Possible Admissions, as told to me by an Admissions representative at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill campus in the summer of 2008: All A's and B's - Taking a couple AP's - Need to do a tough curriculum (not easy classes = high grades) - Leadership in one or two clubs (do not just be a member of multiple clubs).
- General Information - www.GAcollege411.org and www.commonapp.org
- The SAT is a test to see wat you can do in college; whereas ACT is the current curriculum you are working with in high school
- Most colleges do combined score, except Auburn, Texas, and Penn State
University of Pittsburgh:
- Ron Jankowski
- rjj2@pitt.edu
- (412) 624-7150
Q1: What are 3 things that you want a potential student to know about Pitt before they leave campus?
A1: (1) International opportunities
- (A) University Center - USES; study abroad (300 colleges world wide); Liberal Arts - 12% study abroad
- (B) Strength of Honors College - NO membership requirements - students dictate their program
Q2: What is most important to Pitt in an application?
A2: Academic rigor and grades
- Composite ACT & then convert to SAT
- Math ACT & English ACT convert to ACT
- Math ACT & SAT reading
- No Super Score of SAT
- Letters of recommendation
- Essays are part of applications or personal statement
Q3:What sets you apart from other schools in the Northeast
A3: Scholarships - Academic Based
- Arts & Sciences: 10 Helen Phason Scholarships: Engineering - 2, Nursing - 1
- full rides or $10,000 award.
- Scholarship applications by January 15th for National Merit Scholarship - Pitt offers 3 ~ $1,000 awards
Q4: Besides the cold winters, is there anything "you" would change to make Pitt more appealing?
A4: Hispanics (help to other minorities)
Q5: How many applications per fall? How many admissions sent?
A5: School of Nursing (1200+ at least); Honors (1400+ ); 800 applicants to program to 100 students (2nd year - work at school)
Other things Ron mentioned:
- Own shuttle
- Port Authority Bus - school ID ride free
- downtown is 2 miles away
- Pitt Arts ~ reduced rates for all culture - i.e. "Rent" - $20 backstage pass in 2008; Penguins, best available @ $20; Pirates, games for $5
- Ron has been at Pitt since 1993
- Look into IECA