What to keep in mind to “enjoy” this challenging year! Senior Year What to keep in mind to “enjoy” this challenging year!

Agenda Post High School Planning Resources Developing a Well Balanced List Admissions Plans Standardized Testing Application Process Financial Aid & Scholarships Questions & Answers

Post High School Planning Resources Guidance Counselors We are currently conducting senior group and individual meetings Online programs (see handout) Naviance (http://connection.naviance.com/cohasset) Visits & Tours – Always schedule in advance! Open Houses, Tours, Interviews College Representative Visits Students can sign up to meet with college reps in guidance Calendar and registration is available via Naviance College Application Checklist (see handout)

A Well Balanced List Must include schools that vary in selectivity and meet personal criteria. The majority of schools should be in the realistic range Students must be happy with EVERY school on the list, including safety schools. They should not apply to schools they are not interested in attending A Safety school is a college that you will almost certainly be accepted at because your test scores and grades are well above average in comparison to the school's profile A Realistic school is a college in which you have a good chance of acceptance because your grades and test scores fall into the middle range of accepted students A Reach school is a college in which chances of admission are unlikely but sometimes possible. Your grades and test scores are lower than the middle 50% of accepted students

Be sure to check each school for any ED/EA plan restrictions Admissions Plans (1 of 2) Early Decision is binding If accepted under this plan, you must withdraw other applications and attend unless financial need is not met With ED, there may be a slight admissions advantage if you meet the typical admissions criteria for that school Early Action candidates apply early and if admitted have until May 1 to reply Tends to be more competitive as there is no obligation to attend May be viewed by schools as a favorable indication of interest Students may be accepted, denied, or deferred into the regular admissions pool Be sure to check each school for any ED/EA plan restrictions

The Candidate Response Date for all schools is May 1, 2018 Admissions Plans (2 of 2) With Rolling Applications, submit your applications early Colleges are making enrollment decisions as they receive applications. Submitting early may increase your chances of admission Regular Decision is the standard application procedure in which students apply by the regular deadline and receive a response prior to May 1st The Candidate Response Date for all schools is May 1, 2018

Standardized Testing (1 of 2) SAT Reasoning/Subject Test Dates October 7th (late registration ends September 27th) November 4th December 2nd SAT Subject Tests Take if required by colleges of interest (typically required by highly competitive schools) Each test is one hour, if required two are typically needed (very few require three) Check requirements with individual colleges A list of test optional schools is available at www.fairtest.org

Standardized Testing (2 of 2) ACT Can replace or supplement the SAT Reasoning test at almost every college When taken with the optional writing section may sometimes replace the Subject Tests Offered on October 28th and December 9th If your child takes both the ACT and SAT, consult with guidance regarding which test results to send Always check each school’s specific testing requirements

The Application Process (1 of 2) What does the student send? Application and fee Essay and any required supplements Official SAT and/or ACT scores (via the testing website) We recommend students do not self-report test scores via the common application

The Application Process (2 of 2) What does guidance send? Transcript (must be formally requested by the student via Naviance for each school at least two weeks prior to deadline) Secondary School Report Form School Profile Counselor and Teacher Recommendations Mid-year and Final grades Students are responsible for checking with each school to confirm their file is complete

Naviance All documentation sent from guidance is transmitted electronically to the colleges There are few colleges that require hard copies Students are required to request transcripts and teacher recommendations via Naviance Instructions were presented this week and are also available on the college application checklist (handout)

Financial Aid & Scholarships FAFSA CSS Profile Cohasset Community Scholarships Regional Scholarships State Scholarships Stanley Koplik/John & Abigail Adams

FAFSA - Updates The FAFSA is available on October 1st You are required to report financial information from last year Some families’ income may have changed after the 2016 tax year. If this is the case for you, you must complete the FAFSA with the info it requires and after filing, contact the financial aid office at each school to explain your situation. They have the ability assess your situation and make adjustments to your application.

We are here to support you! Final Thoughts Parent Information Form (optional) Available through Naviance and the guidance website Apply early, well before deadlines May 1st is decision day Students interested in other postsecondary options should see their guidance counselor as well Question & Answer We are here to support you!