RAHWAY HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR COLLEGE NIGHT

aGENDA OVERVIEW OF GUIDANCE CASELOADS NAVIANCE & THE COLLEGE SEARCH ADMISSIONS TESTS THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIPS QUESTIONS

COUNSELOR CASELOADS

Naviance & the college Search

Naviance https://connection.naviance.com Developing a college list Log-in to naviance Click on the "Colleges" tab Search for colleges Click on the college Click on the heart symbol next to the college name to add the college to your "colleges I'm thinking about" list go back to the "Colleges" tab to view your list

The college search Safety schools Target schools Reach Schools 4 or more initiative Explore colleges on your list add other schools that interest you Make sure the colleges on your list offer your major

Types of admission deadlines Early Decision Early Action Regular Decision Rolling Admissions Instant Decision Pros/Cons

College Research Niche.com- find student reviews on everything from campus safety to the quality of the academics College Confidential- a message board where students/parents may ask questions to others regarding the college application process University Primetime- social news regarding the happenings at various colleges Youvisit.com/education- virtual college tours ??

Sat test dates SAT Test Date Registration Deadline October 7, 2017 Deadline has passed November 4, 2017 October 5, 2017 December 2, 2017 November 2, 2017 March 10, 2018 February 9, 2018 May 5, 2018 April 6, 2018 June 2, 2018 May 3, 2018 Register for the SAT by going to collegeboard.org SAT registration fee: $46, $60 (with essay) Late registration: May register for up to 2 weeks after the deadline for an additional fee of $29 SAT Fee Waivers: available to students who receive free or reduced fare lunch, visit the Guidance office for a waiver.

ACT Test dates Test Date Registration Date October 28, 2017* Late registration available December 2, 2017 November 2, 2017 February 10, 2018* January 12, 2018 April 14, 2018 March 9, 2018 June 9, 2018* May 4, 2018 Register by visiting act.org Fee: $46, ACT with writing- $62.50 Late Registration: $29.50 ACT Fee Waivers: available to students who receive free or reduced fare lunch, visit the Guidance office for a waiver *test not offered at Rahway High School

Test scores are important but they are not everything! Many excellent colleges are now accepting applications without requiring ACT/SAT score submission Some of these schools include: Montclair State University, Temple University, American University, Bowdoin College, Bryant University, The College of the Holy Cross, Providence College, Stonehill College, & Worcester Polytechnic Institute Visit fairtest.org for a complete listing of test optional schools To be considered a strong candidate for admission to test optional schools, you will need to prove a strong academic record

Applying to college Visit schools Participate in admissions interviews Develop a resume Request letters of recommendation Work on your college essay Determine the application type required by your colleges

Letters of Recommendation Make 2-3 requests for letters from teachers and one from your counselor (consider: your intended major, and the teacher’s familiarity with your work ethic) Complete both the counselor recommendation survey and the teacher recommendation form questionnaire in naviance Make an electronic request through naviance Note: teachers/counselors will not generate a letter or recommendation if the naviance survey is not completed; letters from outside sources are encouraged for scholarship applications 

Ways to apply Online application Commonapp Coalition app Paper application

The Application Process Log-in to your naviance account Click on the Colleges tab, then click on "colleges I'm thinking about" Check the box to the left of the colleges you plan to apply to, then click "move to application list" (naviance will then transfer the colleges to your active applications list) Indicate the application type and click the boxes to indicate that you have submitted your application and to request your transcript You will be taken to another screen and asked to indicate whether you applied via common app or directly to the institution If applying through commonapp, enter your name and birthdate to link the accounts (you will only be able to do this if you have already established a commonapp account) Send an e-mail to your counselor indicating which college(s) you have applied to immediately after hitting submit

Sending your scores Once you submit your application, request your transcript via naviance and notify your counselor, you will need to send your SAT or ACT scores to the college SAT: Visit collegeboard.org Log-in Click on send score s Search for your college Pay the $12 score send fee via debit or credit card (4 score reports may be sent for free for up to 9 days after the a student sits for the exam) ACT: Visit actstudent.org Log-in Click on send scores Search for your college Pay the $13 score send fee via debit or credit card (4 score reports may be sent for free if a student indicates the schools during the registration process)

Instant Decision Days To sign up: Log-in to naviance.com Click “colleges” Click “view all upcoming college visits” The list of IDD schools will appear, click “sign-up” next to the schools of interest to you Read the requirements and if you qualify, click “sign me up” Sign-up through Naviance

Resources Naviance Rahway.net Guidance page for opportunities & scholarships The Guidance Gazette Appointments with counselor Practice Interviews Resume Writing College essay review College search assistance Open house information

Financial Aid Financial Aid Workshops: Monday, 10/2 and Monday, 10/16 at 6:30pm in the Computer Lab (bring your 2016 tax returns)

Financial Aid Financial Aid Applications: FAFSA CSS Profile Types of financial aid: Grants Loans Merit Aid Work Study Scholarships

Scholarships Scholarship Websites How to increase your odds of earning Scholarship $: Fastweb.com Raise.me – offers micro-scholarships Naviance National Scholarship Search College Board bigfutures scholarship search Mycollegedollars on facebook Congresswoman’s Roybal-Allard’s “Paying for College” Resource Guide (can be accessed online or attained through the Guidance Office) Rahway.net Guidance Page Blog Scholarship listing in the monthly Guidance Gazette treat the scholarship search like a part-time job be thorough with your applications! highlight any volunteer work or community projects that you have been involved with be sure your applications are complete and submitted by the deadline

RHS Scholarship Blog http://www.rahway.net/Page/4582

Questions? RHS College/Career Fair Thursday, 10/12 6:30pm GYM