COLLEGE PLANNING SEMINAR Class of 2017 Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Presented by the Tolland High School Counseling Staff

AGENDA Session I: College Admissions Panel Session II: The College Search Process What’s New in College Planning Junior Year and Summer 2016

ADMISSIONS PANEL We welcome: Christopher Dorsey –Eastern Connecticut Michael Plourd – College of the Holy Cross Cynthia Zeldner – Manchester CC Maria Buono – Quinnipiac University Kristina Rivera – UCONN

What’s New…. Redesigned SAT Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success “Prior-Prior Year” FAFSA

The Redesigned SAT The SAT has never been a “static” test, the last revision was in Key issue for redesign – become more curriculum-based and focus on the factors that matter most in college and career readiness. Questions that more closely reflect what is happening in the classroom. The PSAT that students took in October was also a redesign from previous years, and mirrored the SAT they will see beginning in March.

Key Changes to the SAT Words in Context – no more “obscure” vocabulary Command of Evidence Math that “Matters” - including a section with calculator and one without Problems Grounded in “Real World” Contexts Analysis in Science & Social Studies Passages from U.S. Founding Documents or Global Conversations (freedom, human dignity, etc.) Essay will be OPTIONAL NO PENALTY FOR GUESSING!!!!!!

KHAN ACADEMY The College Board is partnering with Khan Academy to provide free, personalized, focused practice resources for all students. Students who took the PSAT will be directed to Khan Academy when they receive their score reports. Visit the Khan Academy website at

SAT – March 2016 The State of Connecticut has replaced the SBAC for grade 11 students with the SAT. The test date will be Wednesday, March 2, 2016, during the school day. This SAT will NOT include the Writing component. We have been told by the College Board that scores from this test will not be available until May, We are still waiting for further direction from the State regarding registration, etc.

Coalition for Access, Affordability & Success The Coalition represents more than 80 American higher education institutions that share a commitment to providing students with the best possible college experience, beginning with the college application process. Formed with goal of improving application process for all students by designing a set of online tools. Tools will include an online “virtual locker”, a collaboration platform and an application portal. Seeks to have students start thinking about college earlier, and store documents that can be useful later in the college application process.

Coalition for Access, Affordability & Success Still a work in progress Platform will not be available until April 2016 at the earliest For the Class of colleges will still be accepting the Common Application or their institutional applications For more information and a list of the current Coalition institutions, go to their website:

“Prior-Prior Year” FAFSA Beginning in October of 2016 (for aid applicants for the school year), students will be able to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) using “prior-prior year” (PPY) tax data. This is a change from the current practice of filing the FAFSA in early winter (January-February) based on “prior year” tax data. What this means for you….students and parents of the Class of 2017 can use tax data from the 2015 calendar year on the PPY FAFSA.

Financial Aid Seminar Tuesday, December 1, :00 p.m. Will focus on the CURRENT FAFSA process, but is a good primer on what parents will see next year. We will schedule a seminar for parents of the Class of 2017 in early fall, 2016.

Winter, Junior Year Review PSAT scores (on-line December). Use results to determine how to best prepare for the SAT in the spring. Think carefully about course selections for senior year. Colleges expect that you will continue to challenge yourself. Register for the SAT or ACT (or both). All registrations for these tests are done on-line, and have strict deadlines. Begin to think about what type of college is best for you. Consider factors such as academic programs, size, location, activities, cost.

Spring, 2016 Begin your college search. o Use search engines in Family Connection o VISIT colleges – April break is a great time, as college students are in class o College Fairs – Hartford, CT – 3/30/16 – CT Convention Center Springfield, MA – 4/3/16- Big E Complete your RESUME in Family Connection. Pursuing Division I or II athletics? Become familiar with the requirements by going to the NCAA Eligibility Center web site. Investigate requirements for SAT Subject Tests or AP tests

Standardized Test Scores Tolland High does NOT include SAT or ACT scores on official transcripts. Students must have their standardized test scores sent directly from the testing agency (College Board, ACT) to the colleges they are applying to as well as other organizations as needed (NCAA, scholarships, etc.) THS SCHOOL CODE:

Summer 2016 Register for the fall SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Tests. Continue to research and visit schools. Update your resume. Begin to brainstorm and draft your college essays.

THS Counseling Web Page “Quick Links” on right – School Counseling Contains links to : Family Connection College Board (SAT) and ACT Common Application Presentations to students Updated weekly with current news & information FOR MORE on FAMILY CONNECTION SEE THE HANDOUT IN YOUR FOLDER

Resources in Folder A variety of informational handouts are included in your folders, including: Planning Calendar for Junior-Senior Year SAT & ACT Test Dates & Registration Information Family Connection New England Regional Tuition Break Program College Search Ideas What to do on a College Visit Tips for Parents NCAA Eligibility

COUNSELOR ASSIGNMENTS Class of 2017 StudentCounselor Last Name A-ECaitlin F- LJames M-SeMichelle Sh – ZCorinne

Working as a Team Students, Parents and Counselors all have a role to play in the college search and application process!!!! Communication is the key!