Senior Parent Night Presented by: Manasquan High School Guidance Department September 21, 2017

College Listing Narrowing your list for “Best Fit” 1. Ensure there are Safety, Target, and Reach schools on the college list 2. Ensure the listing has intended major/majors or areas of interest 3. Demonstrate Interest Search options: Naviance, Big Future (College Board), Individual College Websites, Ruggs Recommendations Naviance provides a comparison and scattergram of GPA and SAT scores for the student vs. students who were admitted/waitlisted/denied to each college Go the college website and review academic programs to ensure they have what you are looking for Attend the campus, go on a campus tour, email the admissions rep, speak to an admissions rep and ask a question, or go to a college fair and introduce yourself to the admissions representative

Colleges: A good fit for YOU Factors to consider 1. Location 2. Size 3. Academic Programs 4. Tuition 5. Campus Life and Community 6. Campus Clubs/Groups/Athletics

College Deadlines Early Decision, Early Decision II, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Rolling Admissions 1. What do these all mean? (Most schools have multiple deadlines) 2. What is binding? – ED and ED2 3. Early Action – applicant advantage Early Decision 1 and 2 are binding and if student is accepted then you are obligated to go Early Action is not binding, the pros are you find out early if you are admitted Regular Decision is not binding Rolling Admissions – the admissions team makes decisions as the applications come (roll) in

Responsibilities – You vs. Your high school 1. College Application 2. Sending standardized test scores 3. Requesting teacher and/or counselor recommendation 4. Creating a resume High School 1. Sending transcript 2. Sending teacher/counselor recommendations

College Application Sections of Common Application 1. Profile and Family 2. Education and Testing 3. Activities 4. Common Application essay- “Tell YOUR story.” 5. College specific questions and/or supplemental college writing Activities: Colleges aren’t too picky about how students spend non-class time, as long as it is meaningful Not necessary to have a long list of activities (although some activities stand out more than others) Commitment, some level of accomplishment, initiative, and leadership are more important Essay: Needs to tell the admissions team something about the student beyond the transcript What qualities did the student reveal and did the admissions team hear the students voice? Did they do an effective job of telling their story? Tips for the Essay: Be honest and write about something small in scale Let your voice be heard If there is something strange about your academic record, explain it Discuss unique talents Interesting or unique insights about a particular topic are welcome Don’t borrow someone else’ phrases ANSWER THE QUESTION

What is Important to Colleges Highest to lowest importance 1. Grades and strength of courses (transcript) 2. Testing (if required) www.fairtest.org 3. Essay 4. Demonstrated Interest 5. Counselor/Teacher recommendations

Application Process Common Application Single, comprehensive application Used at over +500 schools www.commonapp.org Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success Application Institutional Online Applications Traditional paper applications

NAVIANCE Family Connection- How doe this help? Complete a Career Search Complete a College Search Compare Colleges Develop a Prospective College List Develop a Resume Complete Graduation Survey

NAVIANCE Completing the Application Process in Naviance 1. Match your Common Application account with your Naviance account 2. Add the colleges to which you are applying (both Common App & Non- Common App colleges) 3. Request transcripts in Naviance 4. Add teacher recommendation request along with a thank you note 5. Monitor and update the status of applications

www.collegeboard.org SAT TEST DATES October 7, 2017 November 4, 2017 December 2, 2017 March 10, 2018 May 5, 2018 June 2, 2018 REGISTER ONLINE NOW

ACT testing dates www.actstudent.org TEST DATES October 28, 2017 December 9, 2017 February 10, 2018 April 14, 2018 June 9, 2018 July 14, 2018 REGISTER ONLINE NOW

OUTSIDE SITES FOR SCHOLARSHIPS (NATIONAL): APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! www.manasquanschools.org Go to “HIGH SCHOOL” Go to “STUDENT SERVICES-GUIDANCE” Click on “SCHOLARSHIPS” OUTSIDE SITES FOR SCHOLARSHIPS (NATIONAL): NAVIANCE account www.fastweb.com www.zeemee.com www.myscholly.com www.raise.me.

COLLEGE NIGHT Tuesday, October 3rd, 2017 6:30pm – 8:30pm MHS Gymnasium Over 100 Colleges and Universities Trade Schools Military/Service Academies List of Attendees will be updated on the Guidance website

FINANCIAL AID NIGHT FAFSA.ed.gov October 19 or 26, 2017 (TBD) 7pm in the Auditorium FAFSA.ed.gov October 1st