READING ROOM REFLECTIONS A College Counseling Newsletter Third and Fourth Form
Spring 2015
FUTURE DATES OF INTEREST March 14 SAT (at home) April 18 ACT (Orange High School) April 22 College Fair at Woodberry May 2 SAT at Woodberry May 4-15 AP exams May 29 Underformers depart June 6 SAT (at home) June 13 ACT (at home)
OUR OFFICE Director Hunt Heffner Associate Director Indira Cope Testing Coordinator Renee Sullivan
T 540-672-6050 F 540-661-4150 www.woodberry.org
Standardized Testing Changes For most parents, the SAT was the test you took when you applied to college. A student’s performance on standardized tests has remained an important factor in admissions for many colleges, but there are now truly two competitors in the standardized test market. Four years ago, for the first time in history, more students sat for the ACT than for the rival SAT. The tests are given equal weight by admission offices and can be used interchangeably at most universities. So now that your son has two viable options for completing the standardized testing requirement for his applications, what’s the difference between the tests and which one should he take? Currently, the SAT comprises ten sections that bounce back and forth between the three content areas of critical reading, math, and writing. On the ACT, there are only four sections — English, math, reading, and science — and students answer all questions on the same content area before moving to the next section. Most test-takers feel like the ACT questions are more straightforward than those on the SAT, but there is less time to answer those questions, making speed a major factor in doing well on the ACT. The SAT verbal sections emphasize vocabulary when compared to the ACT. The math sections of both tests cover basic arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, but the ACT also includes questions on trigonometry. The ACT offers an optional writing section (which we typically recommend students take), while writing currently is a required component of the SAT. Finally, the ACT includes a science section that is more about reasoning skills than specific science knowledge; the SAT offers no comparable section. The SAT, however, is being redesigned with the new version scheduled to debut in the spring of 2016. This change means the current fourth-form class will potentially take two versions of the SAT. We still recommend that students take at least one SAT or ACT during the winter of their junior year. SAT will continue to use the current format through January 2016. The new version of the SAT will be administered beginning March 2016. The major proposed changes to the SAT are a move to “evidence-based reading and writing,” a focus on a “stronger command of fewer, more important topics,” and a return to the two-section, 1600-point format. The writing section will become optional, will provide more time for students to write their essay, and likely will be required by some colleges. More information about the redesigned SAT can be found online at: collegeboard.org/delivering-opportunity/sat/redesign. There will be no changes to the ACT. We are currently in conversations with colleges to learn how they plan to use old and new SAT results in their review of applicants and how “superscoring” policies may or may not change. Also, in light of the changes, we continue to evaluate our test prep options. Online resources through Naviance will still offer self-guided test preparation for both the SAT and ACT. Woodberry does not endorse one test over the other, and we have seen boys do equally well on both. Currently we are not a test location for the ACT, and boys interested in taking it must travel to other high schools to do so. We organize transportation for students who take the ACT during the school year. You can find more information at the tests’ respective websites: sat.collegeboard.org and actstudent.org.
Third and Fourth Form
Spring 2015
Selecting Classes: Underformers Look Ahead Your son’s academic record over his four years of high school is the most important factor in the college admissions process. Colleges recognize that Woodberry is a demanding school and want to see how your son has performed in this environment. The most selective colleges are interested in strong grades as well as a constant and challenging course load. They want students who have performed well in the most difficult classes they are qualified to take. Some Woodberry students find regular classes challenging and do not take any Honors-level classes. Others are ready and able to push themselves with Woodberry’s more advanced classes. A student typically needs a teacher’s recommendation to enroll in most Honors-level classes. Just because a student is recommended for an Honors class, however, does not mean he has to enroll in that class. Balance is important. Conversations with your son and his adviser are key to achieving this balance. Your son and his adviser will meet this spring to discuss his schedule for next year. When necessary, your son can make changes over the summer and during the fall trimester drop-add period.
College Fair Representatives from more than forty colleges and universities will be on campus this spring for our annual college fair. The fair will be held Wednesday, April 22, 2015, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The event is open to all students and is required for fourth and fifth formers.
College Visits Many Woodberry families take advantage of the summer holiday visit to college campuses. Given everyone’s schedule, it is not too early to take rising fourth and fifth formers to a few campuses too. Colleges are ready for you! Plan ahead: Colleges usually host only two or three tours and information sessions per day. Some schools want you to register ahead of time, while others are happy to have you drop in. Go to each college’s website for information about arranging a campus visit. Location, location, location: How many college campuses can you visit in one day? One to two colleges per day is a good rule of thumb. Sometimes a third can be squeezed in, depending on how many visit options the colleges offer and their proximity to each other. Take notes, take pictures: Do something to help you remember the campus. Taking notes or snapping a photo or two may help you recall details later. If you are willing to share a couple of campus photos and impressions with us, we will post them on our college counseling Facebook page for other Woodberry families to see.
Summer Checklist for Rising 4th and 5th formers ___ Begin/complete your community service hours (at least thirty need to be “contact” hours) ___ Be active. Find something you enjoy – service, academic activities, fine arts, athletics – and do it ___ Take time to explore your interests ___ Visit colleges – it’s not too early to start visiting a few campuses
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