Frequently Asked Questions... and Answers

When should I try to have my college applications completed and sent to the colleges?
We suggest that students try to have all their applications completed in time to arrive at the colleges by December 1st. Since all colleges require an official high school transcript as well as a counselor recommendation, you need to factor in a two-week window of time (ten school days) for requesting your transcript and recommendation from Blake's Registrar so that it will arrive in time. Contact Mrs. Cunningham for additional information at 301- 879-1310.

How many colleges should I apply to?
That's up to you, but five or six would be about right. Be sure to have at least two schools on your list that seem like a sure thing, two that are a good possibility, and maybe one that's a stretch.

My student receives testing accommodations at Blake. Will accommodations be available for the PSAT, SAT, AP and ACT?
Yes. A student with a documented disability may be eligible for accommodations on College Board tests. Students must submit the "Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Eligibility Form" available in the Career Center to request accommodations. The form only needs to be submitted once during a student's high school career, unless they change high schools. Once the form is processed, students will receive a letter approving the student's specific accommodations. Each time a student registers for a College Board test, they would attach a copy of the letter to their registration; or if they register online, they would provide the personal identification number assigned to them in the letter.

When should I submit the SSD form?
If the PSAT will be the student's first College Board test, the SSD form should be submitted at least 7 weeks prior to test day to allow for processing and notification. If the SAT is the student's first College Board test, the form must be submitted with the SAT registration by the regular or late registration deadline.

Will my PSAT/SAT score report be "flagged" if I take the test with accommodations?
As of October 1, 2003, the College Board will no longer identify scores reports on standardized tests taken by students who require extended test-taking time due to documented disabilities. Such special testing accommodations have been identified on the score report by the words "nonstandard administration," a practice commonly referred to as "flagging." The decision stems from a 1999 lawsuit against the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The College Board will continue its process of routine documentation reviews to ensure that the eligibility requirements are being consistently and fairly applied to all students.

How Do You Interpret PSAT scores? How Does the PSAT compare to the SAT I?
The purpose of a Practice PSAT is to give you a chance to become familiar with the content and timing of the test so that you are better prepared to take the actual PSAT in October of your junior year. The practice is just a wake-up call to let you know which concepts you have mastered and which areas still need work.
The PSAT and SAT are similar tests. The same kinds of verbal and math questions are included in both the PSAT and the SAT Reasoning Test. The same kinds of writing skills questions appear in both the PSAT and the new SAT, although the SAT will include a Writing Sample and the PSAT will not.

· If you add your math and verbal scaled scores together and add a zero, you will have an estimated SAT score.
· If you add your math, verbal and writing score together, you will have your "Selection Index."

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses the Selection Index score as the initial screening for their scholarship competition. Approximately 55,000 students across the country out of a pool of more than one million will have Selection Index scores high enough to qualify them for recognition and the right to continue on in the competition.

Don't be discouraged if you thought your score was too low. And don't sit back and think you don't need to work hard if you were happy with your score. Use the spring and summer to tackle trouble spots so that you'll be ready to take on the actual PSAT next fall.

How many times can I take the SAT Reasoning Test?
You can take it as many times as you like, but we suggest limiting yourself to three times at most. Colleges will use your highest score and often will combine the highest math and highest critical reading for admission purposes. But keep in mind that your SAT record is cumulative, so colleges will see all the scores when they are sent.

What is the ACT, and how do I know if I should take it?
The ACT is a college entrance exam similar to the SAT Reasoning Test. Both tests help colleges predict your chances of success during the freshman year, and most colleges will accept either exam for admissions purposes. While the SAT test contains only math, reading & writing sections, the ACT  includes sections on english, reading, math & science & writing (optional).  Both tests allow students to use calculators and colleges will accept the ACT or SAT for college admissions purposes.. At a glance, differences between the two tests include:

    -    The ACT math includes some trigonometry, the SAT does not.

    -    The SAT questions within a particular set appear in order of difficulty, not true on the ACT.

    -    The SAT is not all multiple choice, the ACT is.

    -    The SAT has a wrong answer penalty; the ACT does not.

Are fee waivers available for the ACT, PSAT, Advanced Placement, or the SAT Tests?
Yes. See Mrs. Moore for a fee waiver request form. Students who take the SAT Reasoning Test or SAT II Subject tests using a waiver, can also have up to four college application fees waived.

What are the SAT Subject Tests and do all colleges require them?
All colleges do not require the SAT Subject Tests -- actually most schools don't require them! Check on the specific college's website to see if you need to take the subject tests and which ones are recommended. SAT Subject Tests include 22 different subject tests covering five general areas: English, history and social studies, math, sciences, and languages. They help colleges compare the academic achievements of students from different schools where preparation and academic backgrounds may vary. For more information and to register for these tests, visit:  www.collegeboard.com.

When will the FAFSA forms be available?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms (FAFSA - www.fafsa.ed.gov) are usually available in the Career Center sometime in late November.  A Financial Aid Workshop will be held at Blake on November 19, 2008 at 7 pm to introduce the FAFSA.  Melissa Gregory, Director of Financial Aid at Montgomery College, will provide a powerpoint presentation and answer all financial aid questions.  Be aware that the FAFSA cannot be mailed before January 1, 2009, but should be sent soon thereafter. Under all circumstances, make sure it is mailed before March 1st or you could lose out on Maryland state financial grants and scholarships.  Some Maryland colleges request that the FAFSA be submitted by Feb. 15!

What is the CSS Profile?
The CSS Profile is another financial aid form required by some private colleges and universities in addition to the FAFSA to help determine whether a student will receive financial assistance from the institution. Check in the Career Center or with the college to see which colleges require both forms. There is a processing fee for the CSS Profile, however, the FAFSA is free.

What is the TOEFL Test?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language is used to evaluate the English proficiency of people whose native language is not English.  This computer-based test is required for admission by more than 2,400 colleges and universities in the United States.  The cost of the test is $150.00.  Partial fee waivers are available in cases of financial hardship.  Please see Mrs. Moore.  For more information about the TOEFL, including sample questions, visit www.ets.org/toefl.

 

Who can attend college visits in the Career Center?
Juniors and seniors may attend with a pass from Mrs. Moore.  To view the scheduled visits, log into http://connection.naviance.com/blake.  Use your student email and password to enter OR use the Guest password:  210959.  Click on "visit schedule."

How can I get a pass to attend college visits?
Bring your agenda book to the Career Center to be stamped as early as possible, but no later than the day before the day of the visit. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Remember that the classroom teacher makes the final decision on whether or not the student can afford to miss their class to attend a college rep visit.

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