Academics
College Counseling
Resources
The College Counseling Office offers resources to assist students throughout the college process. In addition to those referenced below, students can receive additional resources through meetings and communications with their college advisor.
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Standardized Testing Philosophy
Sophomores and juniors will take the PSAT at EHS in October. They also have an opportunity to take a practice ACT in November. These practice tests do not require any formal preparation, but EHS offers a PSAT overview session the Sunday prior to the PSAT.
We recommend juniors take the SAT or the ACT (some students opt to take both) in the spring (March, April, May, or June) of their junior year. Students or parents must register for these exams directly on the College Board and ACT websites. This testing timeline is discussed in individual college counseling meetings. Every student is different and testing timelines and strategy will vary. College counselors will advise students and parents individually about the best approach.
STANDARDIZED TEST PREPARATION:Not every student requires or benefits from formal test prep. Many students will be successful studying from an SAT book or using free online resources, such as Kahn Academy and ACT test prep.
Some students feel more confident after taking a course or working with a tutor. While EHS does not recommend any one test prep service, Capital Educators will conduct a course on campus beginning in January. Course details and registration information will be sent out later this fall.We recommend that juniors review the results of the PSAT and practice ACT prior to beginning any kind of formal standardized testing preparation. Please contact the College Counseling office with any questions about standardized testing. -
2023-24 Standardized Test Dates: SAT and ACT
2023-24 SAT TEST DATES AND REGISTRATION DEADLINES
SAT Test DateRegistration DeadlineLate DeadlineAugust 26, 2023July 28, 2023August 15, 2023October 7, 2023September 7, 2023September 26, 2023October 11, 2023EHS will register 12th grade students for this on-campus school-based SAT (optional).November 4, 2023October 6, 2023October 24, 2023December 2, 2023November 3, 2023November 21, 2023March 9, 2024 (Digital*)February 23, 2024February 27, 2024April, 2024 (Date TBD)EHS will register 11th grade students for this on-campus school-based SAT (optional).May 4, 2024 (Digital*)April 19, 2024April 23, 2024June 1, 2024 (Digital*)May 16, 2024May 21, 2024
Visit the College Board website for registration information: https://www.collegeboard.org/2023-24 ACT TEST DATES AND REGISTRATION DEADLINES
ACT Test DateRegular DeadlineLate DeadlineSeptember 9, 2023August 4, 2023August 18, 2023October 17, 2023EHS will register 12th grade students for this on-campus school-based ACT (optional).October 28, 2023September 22, 2023October 6, 2023December 9, 2023November 3, 2023November 17, 2023February 10, 2024January 5, 2024January 19, 2024March, 2024 (Date TBD)EHS will register 11th grade students for this on-campus school-based ACT (optional).April 13, 2024March 8, 2024March 22, 2024June 8, 2024May 3, 2024May 17, 2024July 13, 2024June 7, 2024June 21, 2024
Visit the ACT website for more information: http://www.actstudent.org/
Additional Resources
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Scoir
Scoir is a college admissions network that connects students, families, high schools, and colleges. Episcopal students and their parents use SCOIR as a resource in the college planning, selection, and application process. College counselors use this system to track and analyze data about college and career plans, providing up-to-date information specific to Episcopal High School. School-specific materials are also submitted to colleges through Scoir.Scoir helps students and parents:- Research colleges by accessing quick links to college websites and up-to-date college profiles
- Review scattergrams that present actual historical data of EHS students' acceptances, waitlists, and denials
- Analyze acceptance history of EHS students during the last four years to help determine a student's likelihood of acceptance
- Build a resume and manage timelines and deadlines for college decision making
11th grade students and parents have been invited to register and create an account with Scoir. If you have questions about Scoir, please contact the College Counseling Office at 703-933-4037 or college@episcopalhighschool.org . -
Standardized Testing
Testing requirements vary from college to college. A growing number of colleges have become "test optional," which means they do not require applicants to submit standardized test results. It is important to be aware of the testing requirements of each college on your list.
If applying Early Decision or Early Action, it is especially important to be aware of testing requirements. The October — and sometimes November — SAT test dates are early enough for scores to be considered in the early plans of some, but not all, colleges and universities.
Students who qualify for and plan to take extended time tests must contact Episcopal's Academic Support Center to make arrangements. Both the SAT and ACT programs have very specific and somewhat rigid qualification standards for extended-time testing qualification.
Registration deadlines are important! Students are required to register for all admission tests ahead of time, and the testing agencies are very strict about registration deadlines, which are well in advance of the testing dates. Testing centers—and especially the one located near EHS—fill up early, so register for the tests as early as possible.Please note: Students must send/report their own scores directly from the test website to each college they apply to.
Many colleges require students to have all scores sent directly from the SAT and/or ACT website.
PSAT/NMSQT
STANDARDIZED TESTSTaken in October of sophomore and junior years. The Preliminary SAT (PSAT) is used primarily as a practice test to prepare students to take the SAT in the junior and senior years.
SAT Reasoning TestTaken in winter and/or spring of junior year and/or summer/fall of senior year.ACTTaken in spring of junior year and/or summer/fall of senior year
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)Colleges usually require students whose native language is not English to take the TOEFL.
LEARNING DIFFERENCES AND NON-STANDARD TESTSThe SAT and ACT tests are offered in different forms to accommodate students with learning differences or disabilities. Students who qualify for these tests may take them with extended time and in other special needs formats.
At many institutions, there are no special tracks or special programs for students with learning disabilities. Other colleges can offer extensive programs and accommodations. Admission committees will consider a student’s academic record at Episcopal to be an important predictor of the student’s success in college.
Taking Non-Standard TestsThe Educational Testing Service of the College Board offers non-standard administration of the SAT and Advanced Placement exams to qualified students. Please note the process for requesting extended time for the SAT (from College Board) is a separate process from requesting it for the ACT.
Approval for accommodations is separate from, and not guaranteed by, approval for academic accommodations by Episcopal High School.
For additional information, visit the College Board website.
The ACT has established policies regarding documentation of an applicant's disability and the process for requesting accommodations. For details, visit www.act.org/aap/disab/policy.html.
No distinction is made on the score report for students who have taken the SAT or ACT exam with extended time. Scores appear exactly as scores from regular administrations.
In order to qualify for accommodations on College Board and ACT tests, students must have a complete psycho-educational evaluation. Please contact Episcopal's Academic Support Center for more information on required documentation. -
Recommended Websites
COLLEGE SEARCHES AND ADMISSIONS INFORMATION ACT College Board Colleges That Change Lives
Site based on book by best-selling, highly regarded college advisor Loren Pope. Insights about some wonderful and sometimes overlooked places.Fiske Guide Books
From the author of the reliable and popular Fiske Guide to Colleges comes a full array of college admission-related resources.The National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC)
A good resource for an array of information and websites.ONLINE APPLICATIONS *Online applications are typically found on each college's own website. The Common Application
Many colleges and universities participate in the common application, which can streamline your college application process.The Coalition for College Access FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION College Board FastWeb
Financial aid and scholarship search engine. Updated daily.FinAid
The most comprehensive financial aid site.The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Sallie Mae
Financial planning for college and loan informationINTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Includes a handbook with information about eligibility in college athletics for the student/athlete.ALTERNATIVE AND YEAR-OFF PROGRAMS Gap Year Association
College Counseling Events
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Indiana University
Location: College Counseling Conference Room (2nd Floor Hoxton House) -
Seton Hall University
Location: College Counseling Conference Room (2nd Floor Hoxton House) -
George Washington University
Location: College Counseling Conference Room (2nd Floor Hoxton House) -
University of Maryland, College Park
Location: College Counseling Conference Room (2nd Floor Hoxton House)
