College planning can be a daunting task for even the most proactive of students. There are so many factors to consider, a lengthy application process, and more than a few essays that students have to write. However, Hunterdon Central provides many opportunities for students to learn more about the process of applying to college, helping to ease some of the college stress. Recently, Hunterdon Central held a Junior College Planning Night, but there are still more upcoming events in the 2024-25 school year. The Hunterdon County College Fair will be held on Tuesday, March 18, and this event promises to feature many colleges and programs for students to learn about. Make sure to keep an eye out for all of the helpful college information events that Central has to offer!
Junior College Planning Night
On January 9, Central held a Junior College Planning Night in the little theater. This presentation provided the audience with various statistics, including the percentage of Hunterdon Central student applicants accepted to certain colleges, and how many students applied through Early Decision, Early Action, etc. According to the presentation, 67% of Hunterdon Central’s Class of 2024 students went on to pursue higher education at a 4-year school. 42% of students chose to apply through Early Action, meaning they applied earlier in their senior year than those applying Regular Decision. Early Action is a non-binding application process where students are able to receive a decision to a college early (typically on or before January 31).
This presentation provided students with dozens of college planning tips. Central uses a website called SCOIR to help students create applications and build a college list. It is continually stressed that it is important to build a college list based on fit rather than ranking. College rankings change often, and rankings alone are not necessarily the best way to decide on a school. Instead, students should consider how good of a fit the school is academically, financially, and socially. Students should ask themselves: Would I succeed academically at this school? Is the academic rigor too challenging or too easy for what I am looking for? Can I afford this school? Is this school a good size, or are there too many or too few students? Other factors to consider are the surrounding location, the student population, and the school’s faculty.
Another important section from January’s College Planning Night was how to complete the activity section of your college application. Colleges want to know what activities you participated in, how many hours a week you spent on them, and how many weeks per year you participated. But along with things like sports, clubs, and work experience (which many students at Central participate in), students should also consider non-traditional activities that take up time, such as caring for elderly family members, or productive hobbies that take up time every week, such as fixing cars in your neighborhood or walking dogs.
Virtual College Admissions Panel
This virtual event was open to all interested in learning more about the college admissions process. The event was recorded, so those who were unable to attend live can view it later on the HCTV YouTube channel.
Last year, the panel had representatives from the University of South Carolina, Lehigh University, Montclair University, Penn State, and Lynn University. During the 90-minute panel, each representative gave a brief overview of their particular school (including size, campus life, academics, etc.) and answered some frequently asked questions regarding choosing a college and building a resume.
An important piece of information from the presentation was that the word “test-optional” means different things to different schools. Depending on the school, not submitting test scores (typically either SAT or ACT scores, which students commonly take during their junior year) may hurt your chances of admission, or it could have no effect at all. Some schools that say they are test-optional will not even consider your test scores, while some may still consider them to help them determine your admission. You should do your research before submitting test scores to a test-optional school to ensure that your test scores will be helpful additions to your college application. Many schools provide percentiles of the average standardized test scores from their admitted student class of the previous year, which can be easily found on their website.
An important thing to remember is that the college you choose will essentially become your home for the next few years of your life. When choosing a college, representatives from the 2024 admissions panel agreed that the best way to help you decide is to visit the college, take a tour, and not be afraid to ask questions. Central allows students 3 excused absences for college visits, so why not take advantage of that? And if you still have questions, reach out to the college admissions office. Colleges get questions all the time, so you shouldn’t be afraid to ask anything. Additionally, Mrs. Nuechterlein, Central’s college and career counselor, is a great person to bring your questions to, whether that be about applications or any other aspect of the college admissions process. At Unit Lunch, her door in the 11/12 Counseling Office is open to anyone seeking guidance.
Hunterdon Central students have many resources to help them with college planning. It is important to ask questions and consider all the different factors before making this decision. However, Central has so many informational events that can help take away some of the stress. Check your email for more information on upcoming college planning events, and make sure to start your college planning early!
