East Granby High School Junior Planning Night February 06, 2019

Tonight’s Focus Timeline: What should we be doing now through the end of summer? Researching Colleges Standardized Testing EGHS Application Process Other Post-Secondary Options

Timeline February - June Schedule Individual Junior Planning Meeting with your school counselor (Starting in March) Prepare for AP exams Take state SAT at EGHS Register / Prepare for SAT, Subject Tests and ACT Schedule College Visits

Timeline . . . continued Resume Begin College Essay May/June Resume Begin College Essay Continue to Research and Visit Colleges Preliminary college list Ask two teachers to write a letter of recommendation for you in the fall Register for summer/fall SAT/ACT

Timeline . . . continued Over the Summer… Continue to research and visit colleges Make all necessary revisions to your main essay Register on the commonapp website Begin filling out college applications Fine tune the list of schools you will be applying to in the Fall.

A Good Decision Requires Information Gather information about yourself (Naviance) strengths, weaknesses, abilities, interests Gather information about colleges Admission statistics Location Size Majors/ Programs Financial Aid Retention, Graduation Rate & Employment Rate

Inside College Admissions Video Clip Inside College Admissions https://www.msnbc.com/today/watch/college-searching-tips-from-an-ivy-league-dean-18220611555 Eric Furda, Dean of Admissions University of Pennsylvania

Reach, Realistic and Safety What is the average number of applications?

What Resources Are Available here at EGHS? School Counselor/School Counseling website https://www.eastgranby.k12.ct.us/high/parents/guidance/ Collegeboard Naviance “EGHS Post-Secondary Planning Guide” Open House visits College Rep. visits at EGHS National College Fair

Standardized Testing SAT SAT II: Subject Tests ACT All students should set a goal to have all of their standardized testing completed by November of their senior year.

Remaining SAT and Subject Test Dates Test Date Test Offered Registration Late Fee Deadline March 9th SAT Only Feb 8th February 27th May 4th SAT & Subject Tests April 5th April 24th June 1st SAT & Subject Tests May 3rd May 22nd It is the student’s responsibility to know which tests are required by each college

Remaining ACT Dates Test Date Registration Late Fee Deadline April 13th March 8th March 25th June 8th May 3rd May 20th July 13th June 14th June 24th

Sending SAT and ACT Score Students must contact the testing agency to request scores to be sent to each college. EGHS does not report SAT or ACT scores on the transcript. SAT - www.collegeboard.org ACT – www.ACT.org

EGHS College Application Process Expectations (timely manner, be responsible and always ask) How to Apply (commonapp vs. individual college website) Components of the Application (application, resume, recommendations, essay, transcript, transcript request form)

Resume – Things to Include STUDENT GOVERNMENT PERFORMING ARTS ACTIVITIES YEARBOOK SPORTS: Varsity/JV and any out-of-school clubs or experiences COMMUNITY SERVICE OUTSIDE of SCHOOL LEARNING EXPERIENCES OTHER ACTIVITES (i.e. religious activities, hobbies, clubs, etc.) SUMMER or SPECIAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCES EMPLOYMENT HONORS and AWARDS

Teacher Recommendations School Counselor recommendation One or two Teacher Recommendations Ask your teachers, in person, prior to leaving in June. Use the Teacher Recommendation Form Follow-up…thank you notes

Getting Started on the Essay Brainstorm essay ideas with parents, teachers and friends. Read the six essay prompts on the Common Application. www.commonapp.org (*new prompts will be released in March) Think of an interesting story to tell that answers one of the prompt questions and reveals something about you not already shared in your application. Work on your story over the summer. Good essays evolve and take many edits. Be concise, honest , and creative. Make sure your essay answers the prompt. Make sure an adult edits your essays! Check supplemental writing questions for each individual college – do not short change these!

Transcript Request Form

When to Apply Early Decision I & II Early Action Regular Decision Rolling Admission

Expectations Students are expected to: Complete college applications Complete all processing forms (transcript request form, teacher recommendation form) in a timely manner –two weeks processing time Check email regularly Communicate with your school counselor and teachers for support, questions or requests

What Will the Counselor Send? Transcript School Profile Secondary School Report Form Counselor Recommendation Teacher Recommendations (only for non-commonapp schools)

What is Federal Student Aid? Financial Aid What is Federal Student Aid? Federal student aid comes from the federal government— specifically, the U.S. Department of Education. It’s money that helps a student pay for education expenses at a postsecondary school (e.g., college, vocational school, graduate school). The four categories of federal student aid are: • Grant—Grant money usually doesn’t have to be repaid. Most U.S. Department of Education grants are based on the student’s financial need. • Scholarship—U.S. Department of Education scholarship money is awarded based on a student’s academic achievement and does not have to be repaid. • Work-study—Work-study money is earned by a student through a job on or near campus while attending school and does not have to be repaid. • Loan—Loan money must be repaid with interest.  Rising Seniors and Parents: mark your calendars. College Goal Sunday is a free onsite program that helps students and families complete the free application for Federal Student Aid. The form that is required to apply for financial assistance for higher education. 

Video Clip Types of Financial Aid https://www.gafutures.org/federal-aid-scholarships/financial-aid-basics/types-of-financial-aid/

Financial Aid Collegeboard.com https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search CollegeNET www.collegenet.com/mach25/app Horatio Alger Association https://scholars.horatioalger.org/scholarships/about-our-scholarship-programs/ BestColleges.com College Scholarship Database www.bestcolleges.com/financial-aid/ Fastweb www.fastweb.com Hartford Foundation for Public Giving http://www.hfpgscholarships.org/ Scholarships for Minority Students http://www.onlineschools.org/financial-aid/minority/ http://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/college-scholarships-for-minority-students/ African-American Affairs Commission Scholarship Information

Options? Military Community College Vocational/Trade School Cosmetology School Employment Gap Year

Lastly……. Keep the process in perspective Work together as a family Students must take ownership Discuss finances openly Start early and meet all deadlines