Junior Parent Night March 13, 2014

Introductions…… Ashley Bolognese: A-G (In for Jennifer Magary) Karen Paquette: H-M (In for Emily Barnum; Director of Guidance) Julie Mazzola: N-Z

Agenda Factors Colleges Consider SAT VS. ACT SAT Subject Test Application Types Timeline: Spring, Summer, Fall Numbers Game Parent Responsibilities Sliding Scale Naviance More To Come Questions

FACTORS COLLEGES CONSIDER… Primary Factors Quality/Rigor of Academic Courses Academic Performance/ Grades & Grade Point Average Test Scores (ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Test, etc.) Additional Factors Extracurricular Activities Essays Letters of Recommendation Demonstrated Interest

SAT vs. ACT SATACT Verbal & Quantitative Reasoning Skills Measures Achievement related to High School Curricula Biggest pressure: question difficultyBiggest Pressure: time Critical Reading, Math, Writing *math (Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry) English, Math, Reading, Science *essay *math (pre-algebra through basic trig) Scores: *point deduction for incorrect responses Scores: 1-36 *no point deduction

SAT Subject Tests Hour long exams Can take up to 3 in 1 sitting Students responsibility to find out if the college requires them and which ones they will need to take. More selective colleges may require or recommend one or more Subject Tests for admission or placement.

Application Types REGULAR DECISION: apply by the regular deadline date and will receive notification of admissions based on how that college processes applications ROLLING: colleges process the application as soon as it is complete PRIORITY: often colleges will have a priority date for scholarships and other benefits. EARLY DECISION: apply by an early deadline date, and if accepted (usually by Jan 1) students are legally bound to attend EARLY ACTION: apply by an early deadline date, the college will notify you of acceptance early (on or before Jan 1) you are not obligated to attend

Timeline: Spring Review graduation requirements Review graduation requirements College Visits College Visits Begin Resume Begin Resume Naviance-Supermatch Naviance-Supermatch Counselor Questionnaire Counselor Questionnaire Student/Counselor Meetings (parents are welcome) Student/Counselor Meetings (parents are welcome) Teacher recommendation letters Teacher recommendation letters NCAA Clearinghouse (eligibilitycenter.org) NCAA Clearinghouse (eligibilitycenter.org) SAT – March 8, May 3, June 7 (collegeboard.org) SAT – March 8, May 3, June 7 (collegeboard.org) SAT Subject Tests—May 3, June 7 SAT Subject Tests—May 3, June 7 ACT – April 12, June 14 (act.org) ACT – April 12, June 14 (act.org) Finish Jr. Year STRONG! Finish Jr. Year STRONG!

Timeline: Summer Log onto Common App (after August 1 st ) ( Log onto Common App (after August 1 st ) ( Work on essay (prompts will remain the same) Work on essay (prompts will remain the same) Visit more colleges (use worksheet) Visit more colleges (use worksheet) Reach, Match, Likely Reach, Match, Likely Register for September ACT Register for September ACT Finalize Resume Finalize Resume Finalize Counselor Questionnaire Finalize Counselor Questionnaire

Timeline: Fall (Seniors Already?) STUDENTS SHOULD: Make an appointment with their Guidance Counselor in the fall to discuss final list of schools and deadlines Early Action/Early Decision deadlines require an earlier meeting Share essay with Guidance Counselor and English teacher Participate in the Guidance College Visits!!!!!! If a student has a school on their list, they automatically get reminders Take SATs/ ACTs again in fall if you need or want to Send official SAT/ACT scores to colleges through collegeboard.org and act.org Request transcripts online through Naviance (3 week minimum process time) Sign the FERPA waiver and Match Common App to Naviance

Looking Back…. What Do The Numbers Mean? % …

Parent Responsibilities Review Naviance- help student develop a list of prospective schools Accompany student on college visits Complete Parent Response form on Naviance If student is on an IEP be sure the plan and the required tests are all current within three years of application date

Weighted High School GPA Combined SAT- 1CR&M (ACT) (19) (20) (21) (22) (23) (24) **No Applicant with a GPA below 2.0 may be admitted to a state college or university Sliding Scale for SAT & ACT Scores (State College)

Sliding Scale for SAT & ACT Scores (Applicants to UMass) Weighted High School GPA Combined SAT- 1CR&M (ACT) (20) (21) (22) (23) (24) (25) **No Applicant with a GPA below 2.0 may be admitted to a state college or university

Naviance Family Connection Connection.Naviance.com/Swampscott

What Does It Do?

Students can search and compare colleges

What Does It Do? Produces scatter grams of SHS acceptances… denials…waitlists Produces scatter grams of SHS acceptances… denials…waitlists

What Does It Do? It tells you how you can send applications It tells you how you can send applications

More To Come…. April 30 th : Tufts Admission Rep coming to speak at SHS Breakfast with Guidance Q&A: May 22nd Counselors will be meeting in a large group with the Junior class in June to go over more details. Requesting transcripts, teacher recs. Etc. We will meet again with them as Seniors in the Fall. Common App, Application Process We will meet with all of you in the fall with specifics on the application process.

Thank You For Coming! Any Questions?