Monroe Township High School College and Career Counseling Center SENIOR PARENT INFORMATION SESSION UNDERSTANDING THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

College and Career Counseling Center Nicole Cruz Damaris Dominguez Anthony Gambino Cathy Ielpi Lauren Mironov Diane Peterson Brooke Yudell District Supervisor of Guidance Michele Critelli, Ed.D.

COLLEGE APPLICATION CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 1.Meet with your school counselor 2.Finalize your list of colleges 3.How will you apply? 4.Request letters of recommendation 5.Send scores OCTOBER 1.SAT and/or ACT testing 2.Complete and edit your college essays 3.Early Decision or Early Action dates often begin in October 4.Check in with those individuals writing your recommendations 5.Submit FAFSA form for

COLLEGE APPLICATION CALENDAR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1.Attend our Financial Aid Information Session on 11/15/2016 at 6:30PM 2.Continue to submit applications 3.Watch deadlines 4. ard.org/css-financial-aid- profile JANUARY 1.Contact financial aid offices to ensure proper completion of forms 2.Continue to do well in your classes. Midyear grade reports will be sent out in late January/early February to colleges

COLLEGE APPLICATION CALENDAR FEBRUARY AND MARCH 1.Read any admission decisions that arrive CAREFULLY. *All will require action on your part APRIL 1.Review admission decisions and financial aid award letters 2.Placed on a wait list? Contact the admission office directly if you are still interested 3.MAKE A FINAL DECISION

COLLEGE APPLICATION CALENDAR MAY 1.Mail in your enrollment form and deposit check to your chosen school. *May 1 is the most common deadline. JUNE 1.Final transcripts will be sent out to your chosen school at the end of June.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS -Important Reminders- Finalizing the List 1.Is it a reach school? Safety? Target? 2.How many is too many? 3.Should I apply early? Sending Scores Please keep in mind that there are application processing fees. Applying to a lot of schools can become costly

THE APPLICATION PROCESS -Important Reminders- To Use Common App or Not to Use Common App… A. Common Application, may reduce some application steps. There are now over 500 member colleges and universities accepting the Common Application. *You must create your Common App account and then sync it with your Naviance account. Remember to sign the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) at Common App. B. College’s Application The respective college may allow for completion of the application directly. *Colleges sometimes waive the application fee when using this method.

NAVIANCE 1.Make sure you know your Naviance Login information 2.You will add your list of prospective colleges to your Naviance account. This will be done by selecting “Colleges I Am Applying To” in Family Connections. *This is required to ensure submission of your transcript and supporting documents. 3.Letters of Recommendation are uploaded to your Naviance account by teachers.

STANDARDIZED TESTING SAT October 1 (late registration only) November 5 December 3 Fee: $45 (no writing) $57 (w/writing) School Code: ACT October 22 December 10 Fee: $42.50 (no writing) $58.50 (w/ writing) School Code:

IMPORTANT WEBSITES – For aspiring college athletes – The official website for the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid - By filling out one form, you can apply online for nonfederal financial aid from almost 400 colleges and scholarship programs. – Create your pin for the FAFSA form myths about the FAFSA debunked – The New Jersey higher education student assistance authority website. – 1000’s of scholarship opportunities are available – This is a brand new website created by the US Department of Education. You will find important statistics to help you with your decision-making.

Important Dates Continuing Education Fair – Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 6:30pm Financial Aid Seminar – Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at 6:30pm Historically Black Colleges and Universities Fair - Sunday, November 13, 2016 at Mercer County Community College

PLEASE JOIN REMIND (A – (Braun to (Exantus – (Kozar to (O’Scannell – (Reich to (Sonikar – Z) To the number: Please check out the CCCC webpage, our monthly newsletter or call our office. We are always available to assist you.

BREAK OUT SESSIONS Media Center A – Esposito Left Lecture Hall Exantus – O’Neal Right Lecture Hall O’Scannell – Smith PAC Sonikar - Z