Junior Parent College Information Seminar November 2017

Agenda Welcome/Junior Year Perspective Guidance Seminar 11 Application Options Standardized Testing Resources Counselor Statement Timeline Questions and Discussion

Junior Year A year of exploration and self-evaluation “The most important year” can raise a lot of stress for your child Enjoy your child’s junior year - Parents can set the tone and reduce stress Don’t compare your student to siblings or peers Don’t make colleges the only topic of conversation Consider all options – Gap Year, PG year, Community College Not a prize to be won, but a match to be made

Guidance Seminar Roles and responsibilities The college search process/finding a match Overview of the application types (Common App, Coalition, Institution) Standardized tests College visits and interviewing Essays Resume/activity list Letters of recommendation Mock admissions committee

Transcript Courses and levels Looking ahead to senior year GPA

GPA Chart This histogram represents the most recent distribution of weighted academic grade point averages which includes all 2.5 and 5.0 courses taken through the end of junior year. The individual student’s GPA is printed on the transcript. Only courses taken at Weston High School factor into the GPA.

Application Options/Considerations Early Decision (ED) Early Decision 2 Early Action (EA) Early Action Single Choice/Restricted EA Regular Decision Rolling * It is important to check college websites for accuracy on application options because there are often changes from year to year *

Other Paths College immediately after high school is not for everyone. Gap Year/Semester Dynamy City Year Internships/Travel/Service Post-Grad Year Resources TeenLife.com, americangap.org, usagapyearfairs.org boardingschoolreview.com Consultants such as Center for Interim Programs Often done concurrently with college applications

Standardized Testing Test Dates Registration Deadlines SAT December 2, 2017 November 2, 2017 March 10, 2018 February 9, 2018 May 5, 2018 April 6, 2018 June 2, 2018 May 3, 2018 August 25, 2018 July 24, 2018 ACT December 9, 2017 November 3, 2017 February 10, 2018 January 12, 2018 April 14, 2018 March 9, 2018 June 9, 2018 May 4, 2018

Resources College Board / ACT / Common App / FairTest, etc. College website  very important! Every college’s requirements are different. Fiske Guide, Book of Majors and other books available in the guidance office, including those on arts schools, LD programs. Financial aid – MEFA.org & net price calculators, link from Common App And of course, Naviance! To register for a parent account, contact Katherine Miele at mielek@weston.org or Alison Sumski at sumskia@weston.org

Naviance: Log-in

Naviance: College Search

Naviance: My Colleges

Naviance: Graph (Likely)

Naviance: Graph (Target)

Naviance: Graph (Reach)

Counselor Statement Based on the counselor’s personal relationship with the student, as well as: Introspective Survey Resume/Activity list (important to be current!) Parent Brag Sheet Counselors will be working on drafts starting in the spring, so it is imperative these items are completed by the end of the 3rd quarter Discuss concerns with counselor Letter is holistic

Suggested Timeline School Vacations  College visits December – PSAT Scores will be available March-June  Standardized Testing (SAT & ACT) June  Initial/ working list of prospective colleges Summer  College visits, begin application essay, open Common Application account, and great time to research scholarships September  Guidance Seminar 12; update list of prospective colleges Fall Senior Year  Standardized Testing (SAT & ACT), begin submitting early and rolling applications

Thank you… Keep lines of communication open Have fun with the search With your student With the counselor With teachers Have fun with the search