College+Readiness

__//**College Placement Testing**//__ The college is currently redesigning the college placement test. More info to come as soon as it's available.

__//**Need help in your college classes?**//__ As a Craven Community College student, students have **__FREE__** access to their __//**Academic Skills Center**//__. "The Academic Skills Center (ASC) provides academic support to curriculum students who are enrolled in courses at **__all levels__**. The mission is to help students reach their academic, personal, social and economic potential by supporting their intellectual growth, directing them to reach for resources and motivating them to become lifelong learners." The centers are located at **__both__** New Bern's and Havelock's campuses. The staff there provides math, writing, computer, and online tutoring. For more information, please visit their website. To visit the ASC, you need a referral from your college instructor. ASK them for one if you need help in your college class!

__//**SAT and ACT Information**//__ > Click on the links below to get started: > [] > [] > [] > [] > []
 * It's never too early to start preparing for the SAT or ACT. Click here to answer the SAT question of the day!Click here to answer the ACT question of the day!
 * Sophomores can pay to take the **PSAT**.
 * Juniors students can take the **PSAT** free of charge.
 * Juniors will take the **ACT free of charge** on **March 5th** here at ECE.
 * Early College EAST High School's code to register for any College Board test is **__341735.__**
 * ECE does not offer the **SAT** test at our school. Students must go to the College Board website to register to take the SAT at another site.
 * More information about the **ACT** can be found here - http://www.actstudent.org
 * **ACT** Practice Tests and Questions - http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/
 * These sites contain a wealth of free SAT study content including streaming video, a custom study plan creator, and many practice problems. Some even have free practice tests.

College Exploration Information Consider the following factors: -__Geography__- How many hours are you willing to drive to get home on a Friday afternoon? -__Setting__- Urban, Suburban, rural, etc -__Size of College__- small, medium, or large (Big fish in a small pond or small fish in an ocean?) -__Degree Programs__- What do you want to do? Does this college have your major? -__Cost__- Does this fit into your or your family's budget? -__Admission Odds__- Can you realistically expect to be accepted by this college? Does your profile "fit in" with the college's freshmen profile?
 * __How do I pick a college?__**

-talk to older friends and family members about their alma maters -research colleges online through their individual websites or through [|www.cfnc.org], the Princeton Review, and The College Board. -visit colleges (teacher workdays, summer break, spring break, and winter break are great times to go) This word document will walk you through the steps to create your FREE CFNC.org account. CFNC stands for College Foundation of North Carolina. Students will be utilizing this website to plan and apply for colleges, as well as research possible careers and interests.
 * __How do I learn about colleges?__**
 * Research __at least 10__ colleges you //may// be interested in by the end of your junior year.**


 * __The Myth of the "Well Rounded" Student__** - Colleges want **DEPTH** __//not//__ **BREADTH**. It is better to show your **leadership** and **distinction** in one or two activities, not that you were merely a part of 10 different activities.

Am I on Track for COLLEGE?????

__** Freshman and Sophomore Years **__ Focus on earning good grades in all your courses. Begin college and career searches Draft a plan for the rest of your HS career Make sure the classes you are taking are satisfying the requirements for HS graduation and college entrance

__** Your Junior Year (or the year before you graduate) - **__ Start learning about the college process and take at least one SAT this year. //September:// Sign up to take the PSAT/NMSQT //October:// Take the PSAT/NMSQT Go to college fairs in your area //November:// Do college searches //December:// Make a college file. Keep your college search, test information, and application information in it. Review your scores from the PSAT/NMSQT. Where do you need more work? //January:// Start a scholarship search (try fastweb.com) Learn about financial aid (cfnc.org is a GREAT resource) Memorize your social security number //February:// Make a list all your activities, work experiences, awards, etc. (You can save the list in cfnc.org and then copy and paste it to college applications later) Go on tours of college campuses //March:// Register for the May SAT Start looking for summer programs Make a list of your top choice colleges. Request additional information from them //April:// Continue your college search Start thinking of a topic for your personal statements //May:// Take the SAT Make a resume (This can be saved on cfnc.org for later use) //June, July, and August - Keep an active summer:// Work to pay for college Attend a summer program Read to improve your vocabulary Write at least one college essay draft

//August and September:// Categorize your colleges into "safety," "target," and "reach" schools. Review your transcript (CCC and HS) Ask two teachers for college recommendations Determine when is the best time to submit applications for schools with Rolling Admissions Register for the October SAT I or II Take SAT practice exams //October:// Take the SAT I or II Finalize your list of colleges to apply to If applying Early Decision or Early Action, release SAT I and II scores Work on your personal statement. Have people critique it Complete Early Action or Early Decision applications Revise your resume. Add senior year activities and classes //November:// Take the SAT I or II if applicable Meet deadlines for Early Action or Early Decision Meet your high school's deadlines for secondary school reports //December:// Finish your applications including Teacher Recommendations and School Reports Try to submit your applications far before the deadline //January:// Continue scholarship searches Continue applying for scholarships and meet deadlines Fill out the FAFSA! //February:// Request mid-year school reports be sent to colleges Make sure your colleges have received all materials Keep working hard in your classes //March:// Plan a fun excursion to distract yourself from the pre-notification jitters Keep up the scholarship and aid search //April:// Prepare for final exams Revisit colleges that accepted you Review your financial aid packages; speak with the college's financial aid officers if necessary. //May and June:// Notify the college you will attend of your decision Send the deposit to your school is necessary Notify colleges you will not attend of your choice Request a final transcript to be sent to the college you will attend (CCC and HS) Thank your teachers and counselors that wrote recommendations for you //July and August:// Attend orientation meetings for your college Work to pay for college Read required school reading if applicable Register for fall classes
 * __ Your 4th/5th Year (the year you graduate) - __** You'll want to take the SAT at least once again this year. Try to avoid Senioritis.**