Parish Hill High School Senior College Night

PARENTS What excites you most about your son/daughter going to college? What are your worst fears or worries about your son/daughter going to college? If you could let your child know only one thing about your feelings about him/her going to college it would be… STUDENTS What excites you most about going to college? What are your worst fears or worries about college life? If you could let your parent/guardian know only one thing about your feelings about college it would be …

Senior Calendar September  Check test dates for SAT I & SAT II exams and register  Narrow college list down  request catalogs & applications  make list of deadline dates for SATs, college apps and financial aid  begin asking teachers for letters of recommendation

Senior Calendar Continued  October  Take SAT I exam  Come to PHHS Senior College Night  Work on admissions essays  Visit colleges/attend open houses  Attend college fair  November  Take SAT I or II exam  Check on Financial Aid/Scholarship applications  Begin preparation of college applications and check deadlines

Senior Calendar Continued  December  Come to PHHS Financial Aid Night  Dec 17 th - Pick up FAFSA Worksheet and get PIN number (DO NOT SUBMIT BEFORE JANUARY 1)  Watch for Scholarship Bulletins  January  Rank final list of colleges  Finish applications  Submit FAFSA form ASAP  Keep copies of FAFSA & tax returns

Senior Calendar Continued  February  Check to see if midyear grades have been sent  March  Look for Student Aid Report (SAR) containing federal financial aid information  Submit tax forms to financial aid office if requested

Senior Calendar Continued  April  Look for college acceptance and financial aid award letters  VISIT THE SCHOOL BEFORE YOU ACCEPT  Make your final decision and send in deposit by deadline (May 1)  Notify schools you will not be attending  Watch for important deadlines  housing, financial aid, etc.  May/June  Finish High School  Finals  Relax and enjoy the summer!

Factors to consider when choosing a college  Admission Requirements  Academics  Social Life  Population  College Setting  Cost  Financial Aid

Types of Colleges to Apply to:  Reach  A school that you may not get into based on SATs and grades, but would go to if accepted  Match  A school that matches your academic profile and you will “most likely” be accepted  Safety  A school that you are “guaranteed” to be accepted to  This may not be your first choice, but at least you will have a college to go to in the Fall  Financial Safety  A school that you can afford if you do not get financial aid

Early Decision/Early Action  Early Decision  Have to commit to that school if you are accepted  Early Action  Will get early decision, but do not have to commit to that school until May 1 st  These options are good for students who know for sure where they want to go

Extracurricular Activities  Colleges will look for involvement in sports, activities, volunteer work, community service (in and out of school), church activities, etc.  Be a good person – people will be needed to write recommendations based on your personality – colleges want well-rounded, responsible, students  Don’t spread yourself too thin – keep up your grades and attendance

SAT I Test  Seniors take in the Fall/Winter  Cost is $45.00 – payable to The College Board  School Code is  Know your Social Security Number  Bring in Application & money – Guidance will check and send out – mistakes are common  2008 Fall Dates – January 24  Deadline for registration –Dec 26

SAT II Exam  Check ASAP with colleges to see if necessary and what tests are required  Usually taken in Fall of senior year  Individual achievement test usually relating to area of interest  Usually three taken at one sitting – each about 1 hour in length  Preparation is mainly through high school classes, but additional prep available in booklets, books and on the web

College Applications  Available at College Fairs, guidance, call, , write  Many will be sent through SAT Test & College Fair signups  Many are available on the web can be printed and sent  Use Common Application if possible   Type on computer if possible or print neatly  Don’t forget your Social Security Number  PROOF READ

Open Houses/Campus Visits  Most colleges have Open House/Campus Days in Sept – Nov – usually on weekends  Call before visiting – tours are available  Ask questions  talk to students (not your tour guide)  “Why did you choose this school?” “What do you like about it?”  DO NOT ACCEPT TO A SCHOOL YOU HAVE NOT VISITED!

College Essays  One is usually written in senior English classes  Be creative – this is not a resume  Guidance has info available on writing essays  Brainstorm a topic, select a topic that is interesting and personal, answer the question, be original, be yourself  PROOF READ!

Recommendations  Students should fill out recommendation questionnaires from guidance  Make copies for counselor and teachers  Ask at least two weeks before needing it  List on questionnaire – schools applying to and date needed  Follow-up with teachers at deadline

NCAA Clearinghouse  Divisions 1 & 2 must register for NCAA Clearinghouse  Division 3 does not need to register, but should talk to coach  There are many rules/regulations  See Ms. Gallant with questions and to register for Clearinghouse

Military  ROTC  Available at many colleges – requires commitment after college – college usually free  National Guard  Tuition reimbursement available  Regular military  Must serve after high school graduation – tuition reimbursement available during and after service  Military Academies  Process starts early – Very competitive admissions – requires commitment after graduation from academy  Remember that a recruiter’s job is to sign you up – Investigate/Read carefully – This is your life

Sending your application  You can send your application electronically (sometimes no application fee) but remember to send transcript, essay, recommendations, etc.  Use PHHS Application Checklist to send transcript and other material  It is best to send all material under one package – so nothing is lost  Give your counselors at least two weeks to send out your transcript and other material – at least talk to them if you can’t so they know what your plan is

Senioritis Watch out for senior slump – colleges do get midterm grades and final grades – they have the right to deny or rescind admission Also, keep in mind that 20 or more absences from a class can result in loss of credit for that class. 3 absences less that 5 minutes equals an absence. A tardy of more that 5 minutes is considered an absence.

Financial Aid/Scholarships  PHHS will have Financial Aid Night in December to help with FAFSA Form and information  FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the main form, which is sent to all colleges and is primary source of financial aid  PROFILE – An additional financial aid form required by some colleges – Available in September of Senior Year – Need to pay for each college and must send for applications – can file at

Financial Aid/Scholarships Cont.  Some colleges have their own financial aid form  Scholarship Bulletins will be published and distributed to all seniors 4-5 times throughout senior year – Also will be available on the PHHS website at  Scholarship searches available through CHOICES at PHHS and on the web.  DO NOT PAY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH

College Info and Application Websites      – Common Application   – for CT Colleges & Universities  – for MA Colleges & Universities  

Financial Aid Websites         