Follow us on Twitter @elhscounseling ELHS Senior Parent Night Liz Maiese, A-Cho Emily Cacace, Chr-Go Allison Kosswig,   Gr-L Christy Bryant, M-P Lisa Ramaccia, Q-Sm Nadine Barnes,     Sn-Z “Like” East Lyme High School Counseling on Facebook for updates and info. Follow us on Twitter @elhscounseling

Where are our students headed… Military Apprenticeship Post-secondary/College College Employment Apprenticeship Military

How Competitive is College Admissions? Boston College Number of Applications: 28,956 Students admitted: 29% Average (CR/M) SAT: 1365 ACT: 31 Central CT State University Number of Applications: 8,173 Students admitted: 60% Average (CR/M) SAT: 1015 ACT: 21 UConn Number of Applications: 35,979 Students admitted: 44% Average (CR/M) SAT: 1300 ACT: 28

Where did the class of 2017 go? 74.9% of students attending a 4-year school 12.3% of students attending a 2-year school 39.3% of the students continuing their education are attending a school in CT. Students attending public colleges/universities: 24 students at Three Rivers 35 students at UConn ~ Storrs 6 students at UConn Avery Point 19 students at other CT state schools

Making the List

Finding the Focus Naviance College Search Explore the college’s websites Visit campuses and Open Houses Attend ELHS College Fair (Tuesday, October 3rd) Campus Resources (majors, programs, study abroad, curriculum offered, clubs) Talk to Family & Friends (perspective) Academically achievable (GPA, SAT & ACT) Can this be “home”

Use Naviance Scattergrams to help determine likelihood How many colleges? Two or Three “Reaches” Just meet the SAT & GPA Ranges Two or Three “Targets” Right in the Middle or Better Two or Three “Safeties” At the Far End or Beyond Use Naviance Scattergrams to help determine likelihood *Students should only apply to schools they will attend!

Applying… What you need to know

Admission Deadlines: Early Decision • Students apply to a college 1st semester senior year. Deadlines: Nov. 1, Nov. 15 or Dec. 1 (depending on school). • Students notified by a published date if they were Admitted, Denied or Deferred for Regular Admission. Pros: Sometimes students have a better chance of being admitted. • Students know where they are going by end of December. Cons: • Students must enroll at that college if accepted. • No true negotiation power for financial aid.

Admission Deadlines: Early Action Students may apply to certain colleges in 1st semester, but the decision is Not Binding. Pros: If admitted, students have a “place to go” early Cons: student must make Nov./Dec. application deadlines.

Admission Deadlines: Rolling Admission/Regular Decision Open or Rolling Admission: Students apply to colleges between Nov. 1 and Regular Deadline and colleges respond in 2 – 4 weeks. Regular Decision: Students apply by deadline. Students notified in March-April Students make their decision by May 1. Suggestion: All students apply by Dec. 1

College Application Options Common Application Coalition Application School Application

The Common Application Most colleges require electronic submission of application. Over 500 colleges accept the Common Application – be sure to check for supplement Payment is made electronically with credit card. http://www.commonapp.org/ready http://www.commonapp.org/

Coalition The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success was developed to improve the college application process for all students as they search for and apply to their perfect college. The platform provides a single, centralized toolkit for students to organize, build, and refine their applications to numerous institutions. Second year – colleges still accepting alternate applications http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/resources-intro.html

School Application Most are electronic application Payment is online School forms on Naviance still accepted Very few schools use paper/pencil

Tips for Completing the Application First, Read the Directions Obtain Appropriate Personal E-mail Address Be Consistent: Names (no nicknames), Facts Be Precise: Names, Addresses, School Code: 070177, GPA, Social Security # Be Succinct: Provide only what is asked, and leave out activities that occurred before grade 9 Be Thorough: Use your resume to list up to 10 extracurricular activities, highlight leadership roles, volunteerism, and work • Be Safe: keep a copy of everything sent and save your e-mail correspondence

Hints for the Essay Make “Optional” Mandatory Pick topic Talk with an adult (English teacher, parent, counselor) Answer the Question Be Honest Be Creative Write about more than just the facts Watch Your Language Proofread, Spell Check, Proofread October 11th-Essay help from 8-11am in the ELHS library

Extra steps: Show Your Interest Visit Web Site and Register/sign-in Campus Visit/Tour/College Fair Interview: Why do you want to attend this college? Check-out the Residence Halls Try the Food Talk to Students Sit-in on a Class and/or Do an Overnight Can’t Visit? Talk with a Student or Professor Give Attention to Every College on your List

The ELHS College Application Process

Standardized Tests SAT Date Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline (extra fee) Oct 7, 2017  Sep 8, 2017  Sep 27, 2017 Nov 4, 2017  Oct 5, 2017 Oct 25, 2017  Dec 2, 2017 Nov 2, 2017 Nov 21, 2017 ACT Date Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline (Extra fee) October 28, 2017 September 22, 2017 October 6, 2017 December 9, 2017 November 3, 2017 November 17, 2017 Test scores must be sent directly from the testing company. Test registration and score reporting can be done at: www.collegeboard.org for SATs and www.act.org for ACTs Test Optional: http://fairtest.org/

Student Responsibilities Personally ask teachers and counselor to write letters of recommendation and request them through Naviance. Complete Counselor Questionnaire, Teacher Rec form, resume. Send SAT/SAT Subject Tests scores to the colleges through www.collegeboard.org Send ACT scores to the colleges through www.actstudent.org Submit application, Supplements, Essays, Fee Request Transcripts through Naviance and go to the College & Career Center to complete the request.

ELHS Responsibilities Teachers: Upload and submit Teacher Written Evaluations and Forms through Naviance. School Counseling Department: Submit through Naviance or Mail a hard copy of: Transcript School profile Secondary school report form Counselor recommendation (if necessary) 1st Quarter Grades Mid Year Transcript Final Transcript

Recommendations No more than 2 teachers who know the student well. Common App limits the number of applications that can be sent – the number can be found in “recommenders” Determine if School Counselor rec. is required by any school. Ask teachers & counselor, in person, to write a letter. Complete necessary paperwork: For counselors: Counselor recommendation form & resume on Naviance For Teachers: varies. May require teacher rec form, transcript, resume If sending electronically: confirm and request on Naviance. If sending snail mail: supply with form, stamped , addressed envelope and timeline. (allow for extra mailing time) Thank you notes

Looking at Cost Financial Aid (FAFSA) now begins October 1st and is based on “Prior Prior” year taxes (2016) CSS Profile will also use “Prior Prior” year information Other tools: Net Price Calculator on each school’s website

Follow @FAFSA and Like FAFSA Helpful Websites https://fafsa.ed.gov/ FAFSA4caster: estimates aid https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/ FAFSA assistance https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/ College Search http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ https://apply.commonapp.org/ApplicationRequirements/PublicFile?fn=ReqGrid.pdf CommonApp Grid Follow @FAFSA and Like FAFSA

What Should Seniors be Doing Right Now Meet with counselor Update Naviance Email List of colleges to which you are applying Counselor Questionnaire Resume Request Recommendations from teachers Send SATs and/or ACTs Complete Applications Complete Essay Visit

DON’T FORGET! College Fair: Tuesday, October 3rd 6:30-8:00pm ELHS Commons Financial Aid Night: November 2, 6:30pm Be sure to check CSS Profile deadlines! ASVAB Test: Wednesday, October 11th Senior information will be sent via Naviance e-mail/Facebook/Twitter