Bishop Guertin High School College Process Information Night Class of 2017 August 31, 2016 6:30pm

“I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.” Harry S. Truman

Tonight’s Agenda 1. Review of Folder 2. Where Are The Students Now? 3. Where Are Parents Now? 4. What Has Been Going On? 5. Where the Students are Heading 6. What Do You Need To Know? 7. College Admissions – what are colleges looking for? 8. What Happens Next? 9. Financial Aid 10. Upcoming Events 11. Meet with your student’s Counselor 12. Questions

Where Are The Students Now? The difference from where they are and where they should be (according to you). Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him, and to let him know that you trust him. Booker T. Washington

Where Are YOU Now? The process belongs to the student. Anxious This is a VERY anxious process – we can help! Honest It is very important to be honest with your child about finances and ideas about the future. Authentic The process belongs to the student.

Where Are YOU Now? Middlebury College – What Parents Should Know Patience Not easy, but know that it will get done -make appointment with your child once a week Loss and Gain This is an emotional process for both you and your child. As distant as they may be now, they do return. Middlebury College – What Parents Should Know

What has been going on… All seniors: Have logged onto the Common Application Participated in an Essay Writing Seminar Have met with their counselors both in groups and many, have met individually Have received numerous emails from the counselors regarding various aspects of college admissions and what to do next Have been given a packet of information regarding the process at BG Some English teachers have started (or will in the next few weeks) working with students on their essays.

Where the students are heading… 1. Meeting with Counselors a. Reviewing college list – narrowing the list (8 -12 schools) b. Talking about the process c. Discussing recommendations, essays and testing schedules d. Determining Admissions Programs (ED/EA/Single deadline/Rolling) e. Discussing the NCAA Eligibility Center Application f. Working on Military Academy Congressional recommendations 2. Visiting Colleges a. Planning College Visit Days (5 total this includes National Testing on October 19th) 3. Finishing the Common Application a. Completing general information b. Working on Essays c. Working on Supplements d. Signing FERPA Agreement 4. Keeping grades up!!!!

Where the students are heading… 4. Registering for Fall Testing October, November, December 5. Attending Fall College Fairs BG College Fairs - September 11th and 12th NEACAC College Fairs: SNHU September 19, 6 -8:30pm UNH October 3, 6:30 -8:30pm. 6. Keeping grades up!!!! BG Website/ Family Connection/MyBG -Great source of information check often!

What You Need To Know Electronic Process: Application Process 1. Naviance= Family Connection 2. Common Application 3. Coalition Application 4. VIP/Priority/Fast Apps *Be sure to use a family e-mail account or one you will remember and check often*

What You Need To Know Application Process Paper: 1. VERY few colleges use/accept paper applications (not recommended) 2. Responsibility of the family 3. All required forms must be submitted by the student to either the college or the counselor 4. $5.00 processing fee to be billed in January

What You Need To Know *paper or electronic* Application Process - Student’s Role *paper or electronic* 1. Deadlines are important a. Transcript Request Sheet (3 Weeks prior to the Counseling Office deadline) 2. Testing a. Student’s responsibility to send score report to colleges b. Remember many colleges are test optional 3. Teacher Recommendations 4. Essay/Supplements

What You Need To Know A word about the essay…. a. It can stop the process in its track b. It needs to be the STUDENT’s essay c. The senior English Teachers will work with students as will the counselors d. There is no perfect essay

What You Need To Know The Application Process - Counselor’s Role Write a recommendation for each student Electronic or paper submission of: a. Transcript b. Letters of Recommendation -Counselor -Teacher – will show on Family Connection as Mrs. Bedard and Mrs. Poznanski -School Report Form

Frank Bruni’s Book: “Where You Go Is Not Who You Are” College Admissions What are colleges are looking for? 1. GPA         2. Type of academic program and courses 3. Testing 4. Essay 5. Recommendations 6. Extracurricular Activities Frank Bruni’s Book: “Where You Go Is Not Who You Are”

What Needs To Happen Next 1. Visit Colleges 2. Go to College Fairs 3. Meet with Counselor ~Parents and Students ~Check Family Connection and MyBG 4. Narrow down and fine-tune College List 5. Fill out FAFSA starting October 1st.

Quick note about Financial Aid The financial aid timeline has changed dramatically It will not change the Admission Cycle Our Financial Aid Night is moved up from December to September 27th to accommodate and inform you of all the changes

What Needs to Happen Next Things to remember for the students to do: 1. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center www.eligibilitycenter.org 2. Check NHIAA,NHHEAF and MEFA websites for more information on college information, financial assistance, and athletic recruitment www.nhheaf.org www.nhiaa.org www.mefa.org 3. Check with congressional offices for Military Academy appointments - due dates are usually in early October

Upcoming Events and Sources of Information BG College Fairs September 12 and13 NEACAC Fairs September19 and October 3 Financial Aid Night September 27 Parent Coffee October 14 National Testing Day October 19 Sources of Information BG Website Family Connection BG Pride College Admission Handbook

BG Counseling Staff Counselors Mr. Dylan Mullin mullind@bghs.org Mrs. Brenda Poznanski poznanskib@bghs.org Mr. Neil Pare paren@bghs.org Mrs. Leah Sutherland sutherlandl@bghs.org Administrative Assistant Mrs. Deborah Bedard bedardd@bghs.org

Room Assignments Mr. Mullin Room 09 Mr. Pare Café Mrs. Poznanski Room 10 Mrs. Sutherland AV Room

Thank You and Good Luck!