FLUSHING HIGH SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION Preparing for senior year and post-secondary planning

A WELL-BALANCED SENIOR YEAR Student responsibilities are split between planning their futures and working on high school demands:  Help your student plan for senior year’s commitments now  Understand that social connections are more important than ever  Anticipate conflicting emotions with upcoming change  Reassure students that parents, advisors, counselors, and teachers are there to help provide support

STEPS TO GOOD COLLEGE PLANNING The following steps will help your student:  Begin the college search process with parent support  Plan for deadlines in the post-secondary planning process  Survive and thrive throughout the senior year

STEP 1 MATCH APTITUDES AND CAREER GOALS WITH SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS  Use Career Cruising -  Explore college search websites like CareerZone  Write a resume  Look for schools with a good range of programs in an area of interest

STEP 2 REGISTER FOR A RIGOROUS AND BALANCED SENIOR COURSE SCHEDULE  Core academic courses  Coursework beyond minimum college entrance requirements  Advanced classes/course studies  Elective classes in areas of interest

FHS FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS SubjectYears of Study English4 years Social Studies 4 years ( 2 yrs. Global, 1 yr. US, ½ yr. Eco, ½ Gov.) Mathematics4 years (3 yrs. for graduation) Science4 years (3 yrs. for graduation) Foreign Language3 years (1 yr. for graduation) Art/Music1 year PE3.5 years Health½ year

STEP 3 SIGN UP FOR COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS  SAT Reasoning Test -  ACT with optional writing test -  Both are tests of college readiness  Recommended Spring of Junior year  Last testing opportunity Dec. of Senior year

ACT  25% English  25% Mathematics  25% Reading  25% Science Optional Writing Test Subtests range from 1-36 Composite of 4 test scores (1-36) No penalty for guessing COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS SAT  33% Critical Reading  33% Mathematics  33% Writing Subtest range from Sum of 3 test scores ( ) Score adjusted for wrong answers

STEP 4 BUILD A LIST OF SCHOOLS/PROGRAMS TO RESEARCH Gather information about:  Location  Size  Admissions Requirements – typical test scores/GPA  Academic Offerings – majors/programs  Expenses – tuition, travel to/from school  Financial Aid  Housing  Campus Visits

STEP 5 PLAN SCHOOL VISITS  Walk around campus  Attend a class  Interview admissions officers  Spend a night in the dorm  Talk with other university students  Use campus comparison form as a tool

STEP 6 BUILD A LIST OF SCHOOLS TO APPLY  Discuss the college comparison data and get feedback from others  Students should talk with parents, counselors, advisors, teachers, and friends  Help your son or daughter examine their goals, thoughts and feelings so that they may choose schools for application  Build a well-considered, reasonable list of schools for application

STEP 7 SUBMIT APPLICATIONS Application elements:  Demographic Information/Essays  Academic record  Test scores (SAT or ACT)  School/counselor report  Teacher recommendation

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION To receive letters that add depth and excitement to an application students should:  Ask someone who knows them well  Choose teachers of classes where they were most engaged intellectually, showed creativity, or completed a special project or independent work  Tell the writer how their experience in the classroom or learning style relates to the college of application  Talk to the writer about their dreams for college and a career  Remember to write thank you notes to letter writers including exciting news of acceptance

COLLEGE ADMISSION FACTORS

COLLEGE ADMISSION DECISIONS  Match between college needs and student characteristics  Colleges provide admissions statistics range of GPA and test scores  Holistic review process  Academic Index less frequently used as a sole determinant in admissions decisions

STEP 8 FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  Factors that determine a families financial strength  Schools determine distribution of funds as financial aid packages  Research independent sources of scholarship funding  Athletes should register with the NCAA  FHS Financial Aid Presentation

STEP 9 PLAN SENIOR YEAR  SAT/ACT  College Fairs  Application deadlines  Finals, AP tests  Sports, activities, community service, social events  Graduation

TIPS FOR PARENTS: DOS AND DON’TS FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS  Do discuss restrictions up front  Don’t limit choices based on fees  Do remind your child of deadlines  Do listen and offer advice when asked  Don’t make decisions for your son or daughter  Do encourage and celebrate

FHS ANNOUNCEMENTS  Check pupilpath accounts for upcoming events in the college office.  Attend information session with College Admissions Officers  CUNY Application deadline is fast approaching. Need a copy of tax forms to complete the CUNY forms.  Financial Aid Night will be December 22 with Michael J. Turner. AAFE staff will set up appointments with students needing assistance completing financial aid forms.  Lunch forms must be submitted in order for fee waivers to be processes accurately.

EDUCATION MATTERS ALWAYS  Keep your grades up  Be involved  Network  Ask questions  Try your best!