What are the differences in special education services in college vs. high school?
In High School
-all students have the right to an education
-the school district is responsible for identifying the disability
-school district designs the IEP
-school district ensures that the IEP is implemented
-the teacher(s) functions as an advocate(s)
-fundamental alterations to the program of study are made
-personal services are provided (ex: aide)
-success is more of a right
-transportation to and from school is provided
-the parent or guardian is the primary advocate while students learn to become their own advocate
In College
- a college education is a privilege not a right
- the student is responsible for providing documentation that establishes verification of the disability
-the student identifies his/her needs in collaboration with his/her counselor
-the students are responsible for their own progress
-the students must advocate for themselves
-fundamental alterations of programs are not allowed. Classroom accommodations may not alter the fundamental nature of a course or impose an undue burden on an instructor/institution
-personal services are the student's responsibility
-the opportunity to succeed is provided, but is not a right
-transportation to and from school is not provided
How do the ACT and SAT scores compare?
Please visit the standardized testing page on this site for an in depth answer and concordance chart.
When should I retake the SAT or ACTs?
Here at NEA you will take your SAT's in March and your ACT's in June of your junior year. Before attempting the SAT's again in June of your junior year we encourage you to wait for your ACT scores to come back. You may find you did much better and there is no need to retake any exams. If you decide you would like to retake the exams we encourage a September date for the ACT's and an October date for the SAT's to ensure that your scores are back in time for any early action/decision applications.
What is the difference between rolling admissions, early decision, and early action?
*Adapted from the Princeton Review, College Speak
Early Decision: A lot of colleges and universities accept applications in multiple groups, or “rounds.” The first round at many schools is an early decision round. To apply in this round, you will need to submit your application by an early date (usually in October or November) and indicate "early decision" on it. You can only apply early decision to one school. Why? Because if you are accepted, you are pretty much required to go. (The only opt-out is if the school’s financial aid package truly does not meet your need. Unfortunately, you’ve already committed to the school, so you won’t have much negotiating power in this process. And you may miss deadlines at other schools while it unfolds.)
Early Action: Similar to early decision, early action will require you to submit your application by an early date (in October or November).
In fact, early action might be described as just a watered-down version of early decision—though, depending on your perspective, this may be a good thing. With early action, you can apply to a college or university early and show it that it’s one of your top priorities. You won’t, however, be obliged to attend if you’re accepted. As such, you can apply early action to multiple schools.
Rolling Admissions: Schools with rolling admissions policies have no strict deadline by which you must submit your application. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis (as long as each applicant meets the school's requirements) until the class is full. Note that many schools with rolling admissions will have a “priority deadline.” While it’s not a hard deadline, you should try to meet it, if at all possible. Submitting your application by this date will help to ensure that the class won't be full by the time you apply. It will also put you in a good position to receive financial aid, which may be depleted if you apply later.
Open Admissions: Some colleges will admit all students who apply as long as they’ve completed high school (or passed the GED).
When is the best time to visit colleges?
Short Answer- ANYTIME! Anytime is a good time to learn more about a college. The more colleges a student sees, the more information they have about their “best fit”.
More in Depth Answer- Once you have narrowed down your list to 10 or so colleges in the spring of your junior year, you should begin visiting your choices that summer. Although there may not be much happening on campus in the summer you will still be able to get an overall feel for the school. If you hate it you can cross it right off of your list and if you like it I encourage you to visit again in the Fall when school is back in session.
In High School
-all students have the right to an education
-the school district is responsible for identifying the disability
-school district designs the IEP
-school district ensures that the IEP is implemented
-the teacher(s) functions as an advocate(s)
-fundamental alterations to the program of study are made
-personal services are provided (ex: aide)
-success is more of a right
-transportation to and from school is provided
-the parent or guardian is the primary advocate while students learn to become their own advocate
In College
- a college education is a privilege not a right
- the student is responsible for providing documentation that establishes verification of the disability
-the student identifies his/her needs in collaboration with his/her counselor
-the students are responsible for their own progress
-the students must advocate for themselves
-fundamental alterations of programs are not allowed. Classroom accommodations may not alter the fundamental nature of a course or impose an undue burden on an instructor/institution
-personal services are the student's responsibility
-the opportunity to succeed is provided, but is not a right
-transportation to and from school is not provided
How do the ACT and SAT scores compare?
Please visit the standardized testing page on this site for an in depth answer and concordance chart.
When should I retake the SAT or ACTs?
Here at NEA you will take your SAT's in March and your ACT's in June of your junior year. Before attempting the SAT's again in June of your junior year we encourage you to wait for your ACT scores to come back. You may find you did much better and there is no need to retake any exams. If you decide you would like to retake the exams we encourage a September date for the ACT's and an October date for the SAT's to ensure that your scores are back in time for any early action/decision applications.
What is the difference between rolling admissions, early decision, and early action?
*Adapted from the Princeton Review, College Speak
Early Decision: A lot of colleges and universities accept applications in multiple groups, or “rounds.” The first round at many schools is an early decision round. To apply in this round, you will need to submit your application by an early date (usually in October or November) and indicate "early decision" on it. You can only apply early decision to one school. Why? Because if you are accepted, you are pretty much required to go. (The only opt-out is if the school’s financial aid package truly does not meet your need. Unfortunately, you’ve already committed to the school, so you won’t have much negotiating power in this process. And you may miss deadlines at other schools while it unfolds.)
Early Action: Similar to early decision, early action will require you to submit your application by an early date (in October or November).
In fact, early action might be described as just a watered-down version of early decision—though, depending on your perspective, this may be a good thing. With early action, you can apply to a college or university early and show it that it’s one of your top priorities. You won’t, however, be obliged to attend if you’re accepted. As such, you can apply early action to multiple schools.
Rolling Admissions: Schools with rolling admissions policies have no strict deadline by which you must submit your application. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis (as long as each applicant meets the school's requirements) until the class is full. Note that many schools with rolling admissions will have a “priority deadline.” While it’s not a hard deadline, you should try to meet it, if at all possible. Submitting your application by this date will help to ensure that the class won't be full by the time you apply. It will also put you in a good position to receive financial aid, which may be depleted if you apply later.
Open Admissions: Some colleges will admit all students who apply as long as they’ve completed high school (or passed the GED).
When is the best time to visit colleges?
Short Answer- ANYTIME! Anytime is a good time to learn more about a college. The more colleges a student sees, the more information they have about their “best fit”.
More in Depth Answer- Once you have narrowed down your list to 10 or so colleges in the spring of your junior year, you should begin visiting your choices that summer. Although there may not be much happening on campus in the summer you will still be able to get an overall feel for the school. If you hate it you can cross it right off of your list and if you like it I encourage you to visit again in the Fall when school is back in session.