College Counseling Senior Parents September 18, 2017 Getting it Done

College Counseling: Senior Parents Resources Your College Counselor Naviance Family Connection College Counseling Handbook Online Access through the parent portal College Publications, Guide Books, and Web Sites

College Visits TO THAYER: Published in Naviance, TNN Purpose: information sessions; meet admission reps. Students sign up on Naviance Class Conflict: get the teacher’s permission 24 hours in advance. CAMPUS VISITS: Weekends, holidays preferred when possible. Check with teachers in advance. Notify Thayer of impending absences. Columbus Day, October 11th, Veteran’s Day - no school for seniors

Early Deadlines Early Decision: binding for applicant Early Action: not binding for applicant. Applicant free to apply to more than one early program. Early Action (single choice): not binding for applicant but restricted to one early application (Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford). Boston College: has Restricted Early Action; applicants not permitted to apply to another school for Early Decision.

Final Lists ED/EA rounds – develop a Plan A and Plan B. Seek balance: possibles and likelies should outnumber reaches. Review the list on Naviance. Consult with college counselor on selectivity ratings. Consider “financial safety schools,” if necessary. This might include public universities and it might include colleges designated as likelies where the student has more opportunity to earn a merit scholarship. Can also use the net price calculator on college’s website to project the financial aid you are likely to receive.

The Common Application Over 700 colleges accept it. Should be completed online at www.commonapp.org Link with Naviance account – (1) sign FERPA waiver on Common Application account; (2) enter the student’s Common Application email address in “Common App Account Matching” under “Colleges I am applying to” in Naviance.

Other Applications Coalition Application Nearly 60 schools accept it. Almost all ALSO accept the Common App University of Maryland, University of Florida, University of Washington are exclusive users of the Coalition Application. Institution-Specific Applications Elon, Georgetown FastApps or Priority Applications Loyola College-MD, Fordham, Drexel, Loyola U. - Chicago State-wide Systems (University of California) UCAS (United Kingdom) Can apply to only five different universities

College Essays Drafts started during the summer – over 80% of students already submitted to college counselor; Benelli Writing Center also available to help students with their personal statements. Some Common Application colleges require supplemental essays. Check the schools on the student’s Common Application list to see if there are additional questions or written responses required for each institution. For colleges that don’t take the Common Application, identify their essay question to see if student’s CA essay will work or if need to write a different essay.

Standardized Testing Registration deadline (late fee) for 10/7 SAT is 9/27. Deadline for 11/4 SAT is 10/5. Deadline for 10/28 ACT is 9/22. October & November exams: results typically available for early deadlines at most colleges (with some exceptions for November testing). December exams: results available in time for almost all regular decision deadlines.

Reporting Test Scores Students must submit their scores directly to each college from the testing agency. Students should review testing requirements at colleges where they are applying (ie., are SAT Subject scores required? Is the school test optional?) Score Choice – students can choose which tests they want to send Superscore – most colleges take the highest scores from different sections of the SAT; some colleges do the same with the ACT but less common

Teacher Recommendations Students should be prepared to request two teacher recommendations (preferably from more recent teachers). At least one should come from a teacher in an academic subject. Seniors should contact teachers in person to request recommendations before the end of Sept.; make arrangements with teachers one month before the first application deadline. Most recommendations are submitted through Naviance; a few colleges require submission by mail or direct request to the teacher via email.

Transcripts & College Counselor Recommendations Students need to meet with their college counselor to request transcripts and identify in Naviance the colleges where they are applying. They should make this meeting at least two weeks before their first deadline. This gives us time to prepare the college counselor recommendation, the student’s transcript, and other documentation. For deadlines between 12/31 – 1/3, all colleges must be identified in Naviance as applications by December 4.

Supplemental In-office Forms From Student: Senior Questionnaire & Resume – complete online in Naviance From Parents: Parent Response Form, return via email or regular mail.

Financial Aid FAFSA – available on 10/1 – www.fafsa.ed.gov CSS/Profile – available on 10/1 – css.collegeboard.org Scholarships – deadlines throughout the year. Check with individual schools to determine which ones offer merit-based scholarships. Naviance, fastweb.com, and scholarships.com are good resources to search for scholarships available from sources outside the colleges. Check with your local high school guidance office for additional scholarship opportunities in your town. START EARLY – don’t wait until April!

Student Responsibilities Be the main point of communication with all parties involved in the process (college counselor, teachers, coaches, college admission personnel, etc.) Complete application documents honestly and in own words Be aware of standardized testing policies for colleges on list & submit test scores in advance of deadlines Know the admission requirements and deadlines for each college where the student is applying Stay on top of academic work

Counselor Responsibilities Advise students on college selection and list balance Provide feedback on written portions of the applications (application forms, activity lists, essays, etc.) Support students in decision making Counsel students and parents about critical steps in the college planning and application process Communicate with admissions representatives on student’s behalf throughout the process Submit a comprehensive letter of recommendation in support of the student

Parent Responsibilities Provide support and guidance, but do not take over the college search and application process. Empower students to communicate with the Thayer community members who are aiding their college process (college counseling, teachers, coaches, etc.). Encourage students to communicate directly with college admissions personnel throughout the year. Be upfront about financial limitations so expectations are realistic. Oversee the financial aid process.

Contact Us Thad Robey, trobey@thayer.org, 781-664-2222 Christine Woods, cwoods@thayer.org, 781-664-2218 Nellie Brennan Hall, nbrennanhall@thayer.org,781-664- 2227 Selene Eymer, seymer@thayer.org, 781-664-2201 Follow Us TACollegeCounseling