Post Secondary Planning Life After Hamden High School

TODAY WE WILL LEARN ABOUT: What you need to know to finalize your post secondary plans Forms / Applications / processes / timelines Related items: Financial Aid, Scholarships, NCAA

But first – a quick look back. what we should already KNOW

Post Secondary Options Four-Year Colleges & Universities Two-Year Junior/Community Colleges Technical Schools & Colleges Specialty Schools Military Academies & Programs Gap year Employment

Have you started to narrow Ideally apply to 4-7 schools DO YOU HAVE A LIST?? Have you started to narrow Ideally apply to 4-7 schools 1-2 Reach Schools 2-3 50/50 schools 1-2 Safe schools (Merit Money $$$ possible) Have you considered academics and finances when developing your list.

What you need to be doing this Fall

Continue to look for Post Secondary Options Naviance www.collegeboard.com College Representative Visits Scores of schools come into HHS every fall

HHS 2nd Annual College Fair Thursday, October 5th 8:15 am – 11:45 am HHS Gymnasium 90+ Colleges and Universities will be here Parents are welcome to attend

Getting the Application Together Application (online or paper) Application Fee Transcript Colleges may also require: Test Scores Letter(s) of Recommendation Secondary School Reports Student Essay List of Student Activities/Resume Interview

Admissions Options Regular Admissions Rolling Admissions An admissions decision is given as soon as possible after an application is completed and does not specify a notification deadline Early Admissions SEOP Most of the CT state schools have programs for promising students whose record does not reflect their ability

What is Early Admissions? An option that allows you to apply early (usually in November) and get a decision from the college well in advance of the usual spring notification date If you find a college that you’re sure is right for you, consider applying early!

Early Decision vs. Early Action Early Decision (ED) = binding agreement Attendance is expected regardless of financial aid Use only when your heart is set on a particular school APPLY TO ONE ED SCHOOL ONLY! Early Action (EA) = non-binding agreement Use when interest level is high Financial aid can be a factor in your decision

What is the Common Application? Fill out once and send to multiple colleges- A great time saver! An admissions application accepted by over 500 colleges and universities in place of their own without any penalty Visit www.commonapp.org for a complete list of institutions accepting the common application Complete online Be sure to complete all parts of the application, including any supplements

SAT/ACT Information Register and prepare for the SAT/ACT if needed. See your counselor if you qualify for fee waivers. Check with schools to see if they require SAT Subject Tests. Send your official SAT/ACT scores to each college/university through the testing service- It is your responsibility. College Board will send 4 score reports FREE when you sign up to take the SATs (additions/changes can be made up to 9 days after the test). College Board charges a fee for each additional college.

Recommendation Letters You typically need two teacher recommendation letters Try to get one from a subject that pertains to your major You likely will also need a School Counselor letter FERPA WAIVER: Do you waive your right to view your letters? Thank You note

College Essay How many essays do you need? How many of your schools take the Common Application? If a school doesn’t take the Common App, they may have their own essay topic. At least one person should proofread your essay Most likely your English teacher or guidance counselor Word Count is Important

Common App Essay Prompts 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.  2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. 5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

Transcript Request Procedures Obtain the appropriate (Common App-CA and/or Non-Common App) Transcript Release Form in the Counseling Office at the end of September. Obtain parental signature if you are under 18 Bring all materials to the clerks in the Counseling Office. The first 6 schools are free; after that there is a fee of $2.00 per college Your transcripts will not be processed until guidance receives the Release Form.

Access Naviance Account. I’m Applying to” section. Transcript Request Release Process Common Application Schools Register at www.commonapp.com Non-Common App Paper Application Access Naviance Account. Complete “Colleges I’m Applying to” section. Complete FERPA waiver (blue box) and link to Naviance Electronic Applications Turn in Request Release form to the Counseling Office Submit all required Materials to guidance office (#3 on release form) along with 1 stamped and addressed envelope

IMPORTANT!!! When using the Common Application, you will need to link your CA account to your Naviance account. There will be instructions in the Naviance account. Be sure to use the same email address for both of your accounts!!!!!

Deadlines For Transcripts All requests for transcripts only must be submitted 10 SCHOOL DAYS prior to the deadline For Common App and schools that require additional forms and/or recommendations, requests must be submitted 15 SCHOOL DAYS prior to the deadline

Community College www.ct.edu Most programs are 2 year associate degree Process for applying is different than 4 year colleges Send application to individual community college Do not need to send test scores, rec letters or essay

Visit www.ncaa.org to learn more. NCAA Clearinghouse Student athletes intending to play NCAA Division I or II sports must register with the NCAA It is important to learn about the NCAA requirements early and understand the NCAA rules. Typically, students register in their Junior year Visit www.ncaa.org to learn more.

Financial Aid Resources Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)- You may submit this beginning October 1st. Complete the CSS Profile if applicable (used by some schools) Reminder: All young men are required to register for selective service (www.sss.gov or at the post office) at age 18. Federal financial aid will not be given until you do so. Apply for local and regional scholarships View listing on Naviance Search for scholarships on the web- www.fastweb.com Beware of scholarship scams! Attend Financial Aid Night October 30th at 6:30 PM!!

Financial Aid Grants- money received from the federal and state governments and from individual colleges that does not have to be repaid Scholarships- gift aid usually awarded based on merit and achievements Loans- aid that must be repaid Work Study- a federal program providing students with part-time employment

What Should Students Be Doing Now? Finalize list of schools/programs Organize applications and their requirements Read applications carefully and follow directions Check Naviance website and/or the Counseling Office to see what colleges are coming to HHS 5. Attend the Senior College Exploration Day on October 11th

Advice Make an appointment with your counselor ASAP and visit frequently Don’t procrastinate Do well in your classes Try not to stress out

Questions?