The document provides an overview of the college admissions process, including the top factors that colleges consider like grades, test scores, essays, interviews and extracurricular activities. It also compares the SAT and ACT exams and provides tips for preparing smarter for standardized tests and getting into a first choice school through Kaplan test preparation resources.

1. Accepted:
Getting into Your
First-Choice School
Prep smarter, score higher—guaranteed or your money back!
1-800-KAP-TEST | kaptest.com/college

2. Agenda
• Top factors in college admissions
• SAT and ACT test comparison
• What makes a successful essay
• Interview tips
• Prep smarter, not harder

3. But First—Let’s Say Hello!
• Grade?
• Taken the SAT or ACT?
• Math vs. Reading?
• Dream school?
• Biggest application
concern?
Bart
Alvara

4. Top Factors in
College
Admissions

5. Top Factors in College Admissions
1a) Grades in College Prep Courses
Advanced Placement
International Baccalaureate
Dual-enrollment Courses
Source: National Association of College Admissions Counseling, “2010 State of College Admission”

6. Top Factors in College Admissions
1b) Strength of Curriculum
Rigor
Relevance
Quantity
Source: National Association of College Admissions Counseling, “2010 State of College Admission”

7. Top Factors in College Admissions
2) Admissions Test Scores
SAT
ACT
AP & Subject Tests
Source: National Association of College Admissions Counseling, “2010 State of College Admission”

8. Top Factors in College Admissions
3) High School GPA
Overall
Don’t fall behind
Don’t lose focus
Source: National Association of College Admissions Counseling, “2010 State of College Admission”

9. Admissions Test
Scores

10. SECTION FORMAT/ TIME QUESTION TYPES SCORE
2010
Averages
Math 3 Sections Multiple Choice
Grid-Ins
200–800 516
The SAT at-a-Glance
200–800Critical
Reading
5013 Sections Multiple Choice
Writing 3 Sections Multiple Choice
Essay
200–800
0–12 7.1
492
Tota
l
10 Sections
3 hours, 45
minutes
Multiple Choice
Grid-Ins
Essay
600–2400 1509
Experimental Multiple Choice1 Section Not Scored N/A

11. Understanding SAT Scoring
• Correct Answer: +1 point
• Omitted Question: 0 points
• Incorrect Answer (multiple choice) : −1/4 point
• Incorrect Answer (non-multiple choice math questions) : 0 points
The SAT at-a-Glance
Test Day Tip:
If you can eliminate 1 answer choice, guess!
Test Day Tip:
If you can eliminate 1 answer choice, guess!

12. FORMAT/ TIME
English 1 Section Multiple Choice 1–36 20.5
The ACT at-a-Glance
Math 1 Section Multiple Choice 1–36 21.0
Reading 1 Section Multiple Choice 1–36 21.3
Science 1 Section Multiple Choice 1–36 20.9
Writing 1 Section Essay (Optional)
1–36 20.8
2–12 7.1
4–5 Sections
2 hrs, 55 minutes
3 hrs, 25 minutes
Multiple Choice
Essay
1–36 21.0Total:

13. • Correct Answer: +1 point
• Omitted Question: 0 points
• Incorrect Answer: 0 points
Understanding ACT Scoring
The ACT at-a-Glance
Test Day Tip:
Answer every question. If you don’t know the answer,
guess!
Test Day Tip:
Answer every question. If you don’t know the answer,
guess!

14. • ACT has “Science” reasoning questions.
• ACT has four trigonometry questions.
• SAT essay is required and first.
• ACT essay is last and not always required.
• SAT is 20 minutes longer.

15. Common Myths
• The SAT is an IQ test.
• The ACT is easier.
• Only take the ACT if you’re good at science.
• Competitive schools only accept the SAT.

16. 75th
Percentile
ACT Composite Score*
75th
Percentile
SAT Score CR+M+W*
Schools
32–36 2080–2400
27–31 1800–2070
22–26 1510–1790
17–21 1210–1610
INSERT LOCAL SCHOOL NAME
INSERT LOCAL SCHOOL NAME
INSERT LOCAL SCHOOL NAME
Test Score Comparison
INSERT LOCAL SCHOOL NAME
*25 percent of students scored above.

17. College
Application Essay

18. The College Application Essay
Fact: 80% of colleges use the essay to make their final admissions
decisions.

19. The College Application Essay
Here are some ideas to help you start thinking about your essay:
Get started!
My favorite/least favorite activity…
I am most proud of…
When I am older, I want to be known/remembered for…
Someone who has inspired me…
Something (in my personal life or current events) that has
changed the way I think…
I made a difference in another person’s life when…
I feel passionately about (this issue, topic, subject, hobby, etc…)
I never thought I would be able to…

20. Additional
Factors

21. The Student Interview
The student interview is your chance to become more than just words and
figures on your application or transcript.
1. Before the Interview
• Research
2. During the Interview
• Stay calm
3. After the Interview
• Send the interviewer a thank-you card
and email• Prepare questions
• Dress appropriately
• Answer questions honestly and
thoroughly
• Convey your excitement

22. The Student Interview
Commonly asked questions:
✓ Why do you want to attend this college?
✓ What will you contribute to our campus community?
✓ How would your friends describe you?
✓ Why do you want to major in ________ ?
✓ Can you elaborate on ________ from your application?

23. Campus Visits
A campus visit allows you to get a
firsthand feel for the college and counts as
demonstrated interest, so get packing!
✓ Visit as many of your target schools as possible.
✓ Schedule a visit when classes are in session and the admissions office is open.
✓ Speak to students, professors, and coaches to get a clear idea of what campus life is
like.
✓ If you’re really interested, consider doing a summer program.

24. Advanced Placement Exams
AP Expert Tips:
• If you can get 50% of the questions right, you’ll receive a score of 3!
• Practice free response questions with a timer
• Answer every question!
• Answer the questions you can get right first

25. Additional Factors
Academic Factors
• Class rank
Non-Academic Factors
• Portfolio
• Counselor recommendation
• Additional test scores: SAT Subject Tests, AP exams, IB exams
• Extracurricular activities
• Demonstrated interest
• Work experience

26. Social Media
82% of college admissions officers use social media to recruit
students!*
Here are some things you can do to take advantage of this growing
trend:
• Manage your privacy settings
• “Like” and “follow” schools that interest you
• Participate in conversations that showcase your interests and talents
• When engaging with a school, check for typos, don’t use shorthand (“u”, “r”), and
don’t use inappropriate language
• Don’t post anything you wouldn’t feel comfortable putting on your applications
• Be mindful, but be yourself! This is an opportunity to interact with schools apart from
your applications
*Kaplan’s 2010 College Admissions Officer Survey

27. A Checklist
A few things to consider
when choosing which
schools to apply to:
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28. College Prep
Timeline

29. • PSAT in October
• Take AP and SAT Subject Tests
after completing courses
• Summer prep for PSAT
College Prep Timeline
• Extracurricular activities
• Prep for AP/Honors

30. • PSAT in October for National Merit
• Focus on academics—this is the
critical year!
• Research admissions requirements
for chosen schools
• Prepare for SAT and/or ACT
• Take required SAT Subject Tests
College Prep Timeline
• Take SAT and/or ACT for the last time
• Take required SAT Subject Tests
• Request letters of recommendation
• Fill out FAFSA and research
scholarships
• Visit schools

31. Prep Smarter,
Not Harder.

32. It’s All About You!
Consider Your…
• Goals
• Timeline
• Schedule
• Learning preference

33. Prep smarter, not harder.
How do you learn best?
In the classroom? One-on-one?Online?

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38. Upcoming Practice Tests
• PSAT Practice Test – Saturday, Sept. 14 @ 9:00AM
– Apx. 3 hours long
– Bring two #2 pencils & a calculator
• SAT/ACT Combo Practice Test – Saturday, Sept. 14 @ 9:00AM
– Apx. 4 hours long
– Bring two #2 pencils & a calculator
GRAB A FLIER ON YOUR WAY OUT FOR SIGN-UP INFO.

39. Upcoming Prep Classes
• Prep for the Nov. 2 SAT
– 10 sessions (4 practice test, 6 courses)
– First Class Begins – Saturday, September 21 @ 2:00 PM
• Prep for the Dec. 14 ACT
– 10 sessions (4 practice test, 6 courses)
– First Class Begins – Sunday, November 3 @ 2:00 PM
Sign Up at: www.kaplanatschool.com/prosper
GRAB A FLIER FOR SIGN-UP INFORMATION

40. For more information please call or visit our Web site.
1-800-KAP-TEST | kaptest.com/college
Kelsey Pudenz, 817-357-7832
Kelsey.pudenz@kaplan.com