Juniors and Parents Night II Mike Squarcia Director of Guidance Voorhees High School

This presentation is posted on the VHS guidance webpage: S/Guidance/

Preview: Application Process  Fall Junior Year  Start developing college list  Take PSAT  Attend College Fairs  Check college requirements  Develop a testing plan: SAT or ACT

Preview: Application Process  Spring Junior Year  Spring Break College Visits  Plan and Complete the Junior Packet  Strong Junior Packet = Strong Recommendation  SAT or ACT tests  Continue researching colleges and plan summer activities  Summer College Open House  Summer Enrichment Programs

Preview: Application Process  Change to Naviance Electronic Documents  Request Teacher Recommendations  1 st request in person (before the end of this year)  2 nd request with Naviance (fall)  Transcript Requests  Documents will be sent electronically  Transcripts  Recommendation Letters  Confirmation

Students Take Charge  It is essential that the student take charge of the college process  Parents should offer support but not do it for the student  Colleges want to hear from the student  Students should spend some time on the junior questionnaire  Parents should complete the Brag Sheet

Searching for College Mike Squarcia Director of Guidance Voorhees High School

Naviance   What is Naviance?  A powerful interactive link between home and school, opening avenues of communication  An individualized, customized and secure website that supports academic planning for Voorhees and beyond  A resource that helps students and parents make better decisions about college opportunities and careers

Naviance  What can you do on Naviance?  Build a resume, complete on-line surveys, and manage deadlines for making decisions about colleges and careers  Research colleges  Compare GPA and standardized test scores to actual historical data from our school for students who have applied in the past  Senior Survey  Must complete this before graduation!  Check off where you have been accepted/denied and your final choice for attendance.

Voorhees Student’s Homelogic Username and Password

College Tools

College Search

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Getting the Most Out of Your College Visits Mike Squarcia Director of Guidance Voorhees High School

Before Planning a Visit  Assess Yourself  Academic Areas of Interest  (Possible Majors)  PSAT  Interest Inventories  Talent and Skills Assessments

Before Planning a Visit  Develop a Profile of YOUR College  Large or Small  Urban, Suburban or Rural  What part of the country?  Price Range

Before Planning a Visit  Gather Information  Talk to your family and friends  College Web Search  Request Viewbooks and Materials from colleges of interest  Register for SAT or ACT

Before Planning a Visit  Get Organized!  Put together a college resume  Get transcripts together  Develop a college portfolio or chart (checklist)  Look at possible interview questions

Start Planning  What schools should I visit?  Schools that offer your major of interest  Schools that fit your profile  Schools where you can be  Successful Academically  Stimulated Intellectually  Happy Socially

Start Planning  When should I visit?  Best when classes are in session  Spring Recess: April  Late Summer if classes start early  Summer Orientations

Start Planning  Typical scheduled visits last 2 to 3 hours  Try not to do more than 2 per day  Overnight visits can give you a much better perspective

Before the Visit  Call to schedule a visit at least 2 weeks ahead of time  Make sure you get clear directions so you get there on time (first impression)

Before the Visit  Hand in the COLLEGE VISITATION FORM 3 day before your visit.

Before the Visit  Make arrangements to see specific people or areas you want to see  Ask about Open House  If you need to cancel, call ASAP

During Your Visit  Be a Good Detective  Ask people questions  Listen in on conversations  Take notes  Visit your area of interest  Labs, classrooms, facilities

During Your Visit  Sit in on a class  Look at the housing  Look at bulletin board postings  Read the school newspaper  Look at the athletic facilities

During Your Visit  Show you are INVESTED  Arrange for an interview  Plan a second visit (possibly overnight)  Ask specific questions  Tell them what you like about the school

Be Ready If You Have an Interview  Purpose:  To gather information about you  To evaluate how you and the school match up  To recruit you by showing off the school

 Prepare some possible answers to questions  Don’t be afraid to show your weakness, it makes you more interesting and believable  Show how you will be good for the institution Be Ready If You Have an Interview

Before You Leave  Say Thank You  Drive or walk around the entire campus  Beyond the tour route  Check out the surrounding town/ city  Social Life  Safety

After Your Visit  Write a note of appreciation to admissions staff  Make sure you have contact information  Stay in contact with the school  Share your visit with your teachers and counselor

Open House: What to Expect  Large Group meeting with all prospective students  Small group guided tours highlighting specific features  Return to the large group for follow up information  Take time to fill out the forms or cards

Good Luck School Shopping!  If you can’t get there in person, take a virtual tour