Cohasset High School Senior Workshop

Senior Workshop Agenda Developing a Well Balanced List Naviance Scattergrams SAT Score Conversion Resources College Visits Admissions Plans Standardized Testing College Application Checklist Releasing Your Records What’s Next?

An Individualized Process It is normal to feel both excited and stressed about the college process Focus on fit – There is a school for everyone but it takes time and research to find it Stay focused on the goal – to have a choice of schools from which to select the college you will attend Start early! You cannot control the outcome but you can control the process. This could help increase your chances of admission

Developing a Well Balanced List Establish the criteria that are most important to you Ex. Size Location, Financial Aid, Academic Programs, Athletics, etc. A well balanced list should included schools that vary in selectivity and meet your criteria. The majority of your schools should be in the realistic range You must be happy with EVERY school on your list, including safety schools. You should not be applying to schools you are not interested in attending

Developing a Well Balanced List A Safety school is a college that you will almost certainly get into because your test scores, class rank and/or high school grades are well above average in comparison to the school's profile At least two safety schools are recommended. It is extremely important that you like your safety schools as much as your realistic and reach schools!

Developing a Well Balanced List A Realistic school is a college that you have a good chance of getting into because your grades and test scores fall into the middle range of accepted students

Developing a Well Balanced List 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 Please note: There are a small number of highly selective colleges that are reach schools for every student. Admissions standards at these schools are so high that even perfect grades and SAT scores do not guarantee acceptance

Naviance Scattergrams Use Scattergrams to estimate your chances of admission for the schools that interest you Each graph contains multiple years of Cohasset High School college admissions data Scattergrams are the easiest way to help you determine your chances of admission at a specific college or university

Reach, Realistic or Safety? Suzie Student Suzie Student Your Name Your Name Source: http://connection.naviance.com/cohasset

What tools will help me develop my list? Resources Naviance – http://connection.naviance.com/cohasset If you do not have your account information your counselor can retrieve it College/University websites Specific information, photos, virtual tours, statistics, etc. College visits Schedule a tour and inquire about interviews www.cohassetk12.org – Guidance webpage Check every couple of weeks for updates and helpful information

College Visits PLAN AHEAD – You want them to know you were there!. Schedule a tour, set up an interview, sign up for an information session DON’T SEE TOO MANY IN ONE DAY – College Visits are exciting and provide lots of useful information, but too much in one day can be exhausting VISIT WHEN THE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION PREPARE A LIST OF QUESTIONS PRIOR TO THE VISIT – This way you ensure you will get all the answers you need PICK UP A CAMPUS NEWSPAPER – What the current issues that students are thinking about? TALK TO AS MANY STUDENTS AS POSSIBLE – Try to get the perspective of more than just your tour guide TAKE NOTES – If possible do this on your way home while things are fresh in your mind. ENJOY THE DAY – Try to picture yourself as a student there, this could be your home for the next four years!

Admissions Plans (1 of 2) Early Decision is binding- if accepted by your first choice, you must withdraw other applications and attend unless financial need is not met. With ED, there may be an admissions advantage. Early Action candidates apply early and if admitted have until May 1 to reply. This is an excellent option for safety and target schools. Always check early admissions plan details. There may be restrictions about where you can apply if you are submitting an early application. See your counselor ASAP if you plan to apply under any early admissions plan

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 and can help with housing Regular Decision is the standard application procedure in which students apply by the regular application deadline and receive a response prior to May 1

Standardized Testing (1 of 2) SAT and SAT Subject Tests October 7 November 4 December 2 ACT October 28, and December 9 May replace the SAT Reasoning and/or SAT subject tests at some colleges when taken with writing

Standardized Testing (2 of 2) Important Information Testing requirements can vary greatly between colleges You must check the specific requirements for each school that you are interested in Subject Tests tend to be required at more selective colleges. They can sometimes be replaced by the ACT with writing If considering ED or EA, all required testing should be completed by November There is a small but growing number of schools that are test optional. Visit www.fairtest.org for detailed information

College Application Checklist Student Evaluation Form Activity Resume (on Naviance) Standardized Test Scores Letters of Recommendation Application/Essay/Supplements Transcript Release Process Other LD Documentation NCAA Clearinghouse Financial Aid forms

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)

The Application Process (2 of 2) What does guidance send? Transcript (must be formally requested via Naviance at least two weeks prior to deadline) Secondary School Report Form School Profile Counselor and Teacher Recommendation Mid-year and Final grades It is YOUR responsibility to confirm each college has the COMPLETE application on file

Naviance Electronic Submission The guidance office and teachers will be sending all documentation electronically via Naviance There are a few things we need to accomplish first in order to make this possible…

Step 1 The Common Application (1 of 2) The Common Application is used by a majority of colleges and universities It will enable you to complete one application online and submit it to multiple colleges Go to http://www.commonapp.org Set up an account with a username and password

The Common Application (2 of 2) Click the “My Colleges” tab Search for a college in which you plan to apply Check the box next the school and add it to your college list in common app Access the “Common App” tab Click on the “Education” section and answer all required information in the “My current or most recent school” section Other questions in the Education section can be answered at a later time

The Common Application (2 of 2) Access the “My Colleges” tab Click “Recommenders and FERPA” Complete the FERPA Release Authorization Carefully read through the options Most students select to WAIVE their right as it helps to maintain the integrity of their recommendations

FERPA (1 of 2)

FERPA (2 of 2)

Step 2 Common App/Naviance Match Go to http://connection.naviance.com/cohasset Sign in using your email address and password If you have forgotten your password, try “Cohasset” If that does not work raise your hand and we will reset your account Click Family Connection/Colleges/Colleges I’m Applying To Enter your email in the space provided in order to match your Common App and Naviance accounts

VERY IMPORTANT! There is a formal process to releasing your transcript that must be completed a MINIMUM of two weeks prior to the deadline Simply telling your counselor where you plan to apply does not prompt us to send your transcript, you must formally release your transcript for every school

Releasing Your Transcript Complete your records release acknowledgement in the guidance office (requires student and parent signature) and pay the one time $5 fee Add your list of schools in the Common App under “My Colleges” Add your list of schools in Naviance via “colleges I’m applying to” (located in Family Connection under the “Colleges” tab) By adding schools to this list you are automatically requesting your records to be sent NO transcripts can be sent until both steps have been completed

Teacher Recommendations If you have not done so already, you should verbally request a letter of recommendation from one teacher and provide the teacher with a copy of your activity resume. If a school requires more than one teacher recommendation, please see your counselor. Do not ask for more recommendations than are required by your schools unless there is a special circumstance. Log into NAVIANCE (after verbal request has been made) Click on Family Connection (link is on the left side of the page) Click on the “Colleges” tab Click on “letters of recommendation” Click “add request” Select a teacher from the drop down Select “all current and future colleges I add” Unless there is an exception to this Add a personal note (optional) Click “submit” Schools must be added in you “colleges I’m applying to list” and you must request the recommendation again each time you add a new school

Keys to Success Start Early Stay Organized Visit, Visit, Visit! Contact your counselor when questions arise

What’s Next? Review handouts from today – share them at home! Complete your Self Evaluation/Resume in Naviance Set up a time to meet with your counselor Register for any final standardized tests Finalize your Well Balanced List Request teacher recommendations Begin completing applications Continue to stay involved and most importantly, work hard and do well in school!

Any Questions?