How does a student register for the PSAT?
When and how many standardized tests should a student take?
How are standardized tests scored?
How do I send my SAT and ACT scores to colleges?
Do you recommend taking a test preparation class?
Do you have any test taking strategies?
How many sessions with college admission officers can a student attend?
How and when should students visit colleges?
How many colleges should be on the final list?
What happens in college counseling each year?
During the freshman year, students participate in a group session each semester with the director of college counseling and create the student profile. We encourage students to become involved in a variety of activities. We also offer a career-planning workshop in August.
In their sophomore year, students take the PSAT and the ACT-PLAN. They participate in a group session first semester and in an individual session in the second semester. During the individual session, Dr. Fadely will review PSAT and ACT-Plan scores, discuss and individualize the criteria for making the initial college list and review the college search process. In the spring, the sophomores take a bus trip to visit a large research university and a small liberal arts college.
In their junior year, University students take the PSAT in October and attend biweekly, small-group sessions in the first semester. Students also attend visits by college admission officers at University High School and should begin visiting colleges that interest them. We invite parents to attend a group parent meeting with Dr. Fadely during the first semester. During the second semester, juniors attend an individual meeting to refine the college list created during the sophomore year. This meeting ensures the student’s list includes colleges appropriate to the academic and personal record. Also in the second semester, students attend the family meeting with their parents to discuss the final college list and clarify the college search process.
In their senior year, University students should submit student profiles, the Teacher Recommendation form and final list of colleges to the college counseling office. The faculty will be writing teacher recommendations during August, September, and October and school recommendations will be written at that time as well. Dr. Fadely will always do everything to be available to students during the year and will meet with students and parents as necessary. “E-mail/voice mail Mondays” are in effect all year. If a student has a routine question, he or she should e-mail (jfadely@universityhighschool.org) or leave a voice mail message (733-4475, ext. 104) and Dr. Fadely will get back to the student by the end of that week. Students should never hesitate to contact him with a pressing matter regarding the college application. The college counseling office must receive college applications a minimum of two weeks before the application is due to the college. The college counseling office processes applications in the order received. University will mail:
- The Secondary School Report
- The University High School profile
- The student’s transcript
- The school recommendation
- The mid year report following first semester grades
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How does a student register for the PSAT?
University High School handles the registration for the PSAT, ACT-Plan and AP tests. There is no cost for the PSAT and ACT-Plan. Parents will receive an invoice for the cost of the AP tests during the second semester.
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When and how many standardized tests should a student take?
We recommend that students take the SAT a minimum of two times. Colleges usually take the highest sub-scores. Students should take the first SAT test during the second semester of the junior year. Students should take the ACT in the June following their junior year.
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How are standardized tests scored?
Students will receive three scores from the SAT: critical reading, math and writing. The range of scores for each section is 200-800. The average score for the critical reading, math, and writing section is about 500.
Students receive a composite score for the ACT. The maximum score is 36. The ACT provides sub-scores in math, English, reading and science.
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How do I send my SAT and ACT scores to colleges?
Each time a student registers for the SAT or ACT, he or she can select four colleges to which scores will be sent. Students can choose additional colleges at that time for an additional cost. Students can send scores to colleges at any time for an additional fee. To send additional SAT score reports, contact the College Board at (800) SAT-SCORE or online at www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/scores/sending.html. To send additional ACT score reports, contact ACT, Inc. at 319/337-1313 or online at https://www.actstudent.org/scores/send/asr_current.html
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Do you recommend taking a test preparation class?
This is a personal decision. We do not endorse any particular program. We can provide information about some of the options available locally. Please contact the college counseling office for more details. The College Board provides an SAT question of the day (www.collegeboard.com/apps/qotd/question) as well as an online practice test at www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/test.html
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Do you have any test taking strategies?
The SAT penalizes for wrong answers. The ACT score reflects the number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing so a student should answer every question on the test. The organizations that create the tests have websites with suggested strategies. For the SAT test, visit www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/test_tips.html
For the ACT test, visit www.actstudent.org/testprep/tips/index.html
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How many sessions with college admission officers can a student attend?
Students can miss up to five classes each semester to attend sessions with visiting college admission officers. Attending a session during a student’s study hall does not count towards the five missed classes.
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How and when should students visit colleges?
Students should begin visiting colleges during their junior year. The best time to visit is when the college is in session. This gives students the chance to sit in on classes, observe campus activities and meet the students at the college. To set up the visit, contact the admission officer listed on the University High School Edline site in the college contacts section. If there is no admission officer listed for the school in which you are interested, contact the college’s Office of Admissions and ask to speak to the person that handles the state of Indiana. Please call at least two weeks in advance of your visit. When possible, visits should include a personal interview with an admissions officer, a campus tour, observation of at least one class in your academic area of interest, an interview with a professor in the area in which you intend to major, an information session and an overnight stay with an existing student.
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How many colleges should be on the final list?
We recommend that a student apply to five colleges with a mix of safety (1-2 colleges), good fit (2-4 colleges) and reach schools (1-2 colleges). A maximum of seven college applications is ideal. If you cannot imagine attending a particular school, it should not be on the list. Some students submit 10 – 15 applications in an effort to increase their chances of admission. This increases the amount of work a student must do but does not increase the odds of college acceptance.
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