MLHS School Counseling Department Junior Kickoff to College: Beginning the College Selection and Admissions Process MLHS School Counseling Department Dave

Dave

Naviance A comprehensive tool that can be used to help students and parents through college and career planning Conduct a college search and compare colleges Review Game Plan and completed career surveys Track deadlines and submission of documents Schedule visits with college representatives at MLHS Search for scholarships Invite teachers to upload recommendations Receive communications from School Counseling Department Complete brag sheet and activities sheet Maria

Self-Awareness Who are you? Time for thoughtful reflection and self-analysis. Think about your strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, preferences, etc... Consider your personal priorities in a school- size, social vibe, academic programs, cost, sports, prestige, political vibe, distance from home, diversity, extracurricular life, surrounding area etc… Parents can be helpful with this part of the process. Dinner table discussion, but not every night! Once you know what you want, then you may set out to find the colleges/universities that best match your interests and goals. Develop List through Naviance using the College Search criteria Maria

Naviance College Search Maria

College Search Maria

During the College Search Process Maintain contact with your counselor Gather information from colleges and current students Visit colleges (demonstrate interest) Keep an open mind Recognize admissions standards vary from year to year Use good judgment when listening to the opinions of others Maria

Building Your College List Make sure every school on your list is a “first choice” school Know why you are applying to each Be realistic about academic requirements Think outside the box Randi

Colleges I am Thinking About Randi

Compare Me Randi

Viewing College Information Randi

College Information (cont’d) Randi

College Campus Visits Register (online or phone) Information sessions, campus tours, open houses, etc. Talk to other students on campus Look at facilities, surroundings, professors, dining hall and students Hang out in town Pick up the school newspaper Keep notes on the visit and specific requirements and take pictures Betsy

College Rep Visits to MLHS Betsy

Evaluating an Applicant Academic Factors Transcript: High School Grades Three-year GPA Rigor of program and senior year course selection Rank (MLHS does not rank) 1st quarter senior grades (often required for early applicants, but not automatically sent) Standardized Test Scores SAT/ACT scores (if required) Subject test scores (if required) Test optional/flexible colleges: www.fairtest.org Note- Your name on your transcript must match your name on your application and test scores. Use your legal name. Dave

Evaluating an Applicant Personal Factors College essay Recommendations (consider your brag sheets) Demographics Demonstrated interest Extracurricular activities Honors and awards Community service Interview (not all schools offer them) Legacy Supplements Special talents (art, athletics, music, theater, auditions) Dave

Brag Sheet and Activities in Naviance Lorie

Brag Sheet Lorie

Activities Lorie

MLHS School Profile Every school has a Profile that is updated each year Contains the school’s statistical data and other information Features past performance as a benchmark Colleges compare the strength of a student’s transcript to the strength of the offerings, to peers, and to the pool of applicants MLHS’ Profile is a strong statement about our school, our students, and our community Dave

High School Transcript Courses taken and final grades earned in grades 9-11 with annual and cumulative GPA. Includes senior year courses as well. Midyear Report shows an average grade made up of Q1, Q2, and midterm exam grades. This report is submitted to colleges in February. MLHS GPA is calculated using all classes except PE, Audit, and Pass/Fail classes MLHS GPA is weighted on 4.0 scale Betsy

Standardized Testing PSAT results became available in December and are a valuable study guide Understanding Your Score program on Jan. 24 SAT and SAT Subject Tests www.collegeboard.org ACT with or without writing www.actstudent.org AP scores are used for class placement or credit only at most colleges. Recently, some colleges use AP scores as the “test flexible” submission in place of SAT or ACT Please note: Students are responsible for knowing the specific requirements for each of their schools Randi

Naviance: Test Scores Randi

Student Athletes and the NCAA NCAA Regulations Division I Schools Division II Schools Division III Schools Cumulative GPA Blue Transcript Request Form NCAA’s Cumulative GPA and test scores Register/File with NCAA in June of junior year Lorie

Financing Your Education Family discussions about the role of finances in college selection Families can begin applying for need-based financial aid in October 2017 FAFSA www.fafsa.ed.gov Some private colleges also require the CSS Profile www.collegeboard.org Merit-based aid available as well Scholarship search engines Fastweb.com, collegeboard.org Attend Financial Aid Night during fall of senior year Lorie

What is Expected of Students Take ownership of college process Complete and submit applications, brag sheet, transcript request forms (due 3 weeks before your first deadline), essays, etc. Arrange to have official test scores sent directly to colleges at collegeboard.org and actstudent.org Provide teachers with self-evaluation forms several weeks in advance of application deadline Proofread your college essays and have them reviewed by counselor and/or an English teacher Meet ALL deadlines Dave

What is Expected of Parents Support and encourage your child, offering advice and guidance where appropriate Be aware of your own preferences or biases regarding college choices Be open to new ideas and suggestions on colleges to consider Support an ethical approach to the admissions process Be realistic Your children are expected to complete their own applications Betsy

Be Your Child’s Cheerleader! Lorie

What is Expected of Counselors Offer students suggestions and guidance about colleges based on the information they provide and preferences they express Help students create a balanced and realistic list of colleges they would be happy to attend Write a counselor recommendation and submit supporting application documents Meet all deadlines (as long as students have met counselor/guidance office deadlines) Betsy

Next Steps Schedule Junior College Planning Meeting Jan. 13- Feb. 10 or Mid-March through May Review contents of Junior Packet Consider timing for campus visits Develop a standardized testing plan Consider who you want to ask to write a letter of recommendation Recommend 2, but can vary based on college requirements Keep your grades up and begin thinking about next year’s course selection Complete Brag Sheet and Activities Sheet in Naviance Summer College Workshop Aug. 8-10 (if you are available) Dave

Additional Resources Ms. Green – College and Career Counselor Individual student appointments available after initial college planning meeting with counselor College and Career Bulletin Summer College Workshop in August Naviance Recommended Readings College Unranked, Colleges That Change Lives, Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be, Looking Beyond the Ivies: Finding a College That’s Right For You. Trusted Guides The Fiske Guide, The Insider’s Guide, The Best 381 Colleges Randi

Resources on MLHS Website Dave

School Counseling Department Additional Resources School Counseling Department Telephone: 973-334-8580 Fax: 973-316-0815 CEEB Code: 310855 Mrs. Grasso: mgrasso@mlschools.org Mrs. Lewandowski: llewandowski@mlschools.org Mrs. Sullivan: bsullivan@mlschools.org Mr. Wolfelsperger: dwolfelsperger@mlschools.org Ms. Green: rgreen@mlschools.org Ms. Stalter: lstalter@mlschools.org