AHS Key Terms and Words Fit and Match admissions/applying-to-college/college- application-process/v/applying-to-the-right- number-of-colleges admissions/applying-to-college/college- application-process/v/applying-to-the-right- number-of-colleges Access Possibility Thinking Post-Secondary Planning CARE – Connected, Caring, Character – Authentic, Associations, Associates – Rigor, Real – Engaged, Evidence, Enthusiastic

THE SEARCH IS ON… Willard Dix, a former admissions officer at Amherst College and counselor at University of Chicago Laboratory High School:Amherst College “... the “best” college is the one that will challenge you appropriately, open your eyes to new ways of thinking, and help you develop and broaden your talents as you take your place in the world ahead. Plunging full-on into college life will be rewarding no matter where you are.” Is college for everyone…probably…eventually

JUNIOR YEAR Upward Trend Rigor in # and Degree of Courses - 6 is light/8 is heavy/7 is just right IB in Field(s) of Interest College Fairs and Beginning List of Interesting Places ACT/SAT Prep – Class- Free- Discovery Syllabus – Tutor- Not free- targeted tutoring – IS- free- takes discipline and routine attention – DO NOT TAKE A TEST WITHOUT A CONSULTATION WITH Kathy & Melissa Extracurricular Activities – Clubs – Sports – Academic Interests – Service

Junior Year - FALL Meet with your counselor (Josh and Emily) to review the courses you’ve taken, and see what you still need to take. Check your transcript. Even if your grades haven’t been that good so far, it’s never too late to improve. Colleges like to see an upward trend. HIGH TESTERS! If you didn’t do so in tenth grade, sign up for and take the PSAT/NMSQT. In addition to National Merit Scholarships, this is the qualifying test for the National Scholarship Service and National Hispanic Scholar Recognition Program. You should have a College Admissions TEST PLAN by January. Know your information/social security number. Book with PWs

Junior Year - FALL Speak to college representatives who visit your high school. IN FRONT HALL. If you want to participate in Division I or Division II sports in college, start the certification process. Check with your counselor to make sure you are taking a core curriculum that meets NCAA requirements. WORKSHOP at Fair. If you are interested in one of the military academies, talk to you guidance counselor about starting the application process now. If you are interested in GAP year programs, the military, work, tech or vocational schools process is the same

Naviance Information Management System – Colleges – Journal – Teacher Recs PrepMe – connection/auth/login?hsid=aspen connection/auth/login?hsid=aspen

Prep Me Free to students Accessible anywhere where there is Wi-Fi Parsed/ Digestible Checks and Balances Focuses on Mastering Skills not just Tips and Tricks Up to 33 hours of Review and Practices Personalizes the schedule to test dates

VISITORS In Front Hall – Colleges Visiting Us! Mini-Interviews Possibility Shopping Show on Naviance where Visitors are scheduled.

If you plan to play a varsity sport, try to arrange a visit with the coach. Don’t schedule more than two college visits on any one day. Get directions for each destination, and plan to arrive on campus early. Parking for Admissions Download campus maps from the colleges’ websites.

Possible Times for College Visits: * Spring Break * Ex. Ed. Week Fall ’15 & Spring Break * In conjunction with family trips * As an add-on to sports or other extracurricular activities * Summer Break (late August is best) * October Break & Thanksgiving

Next ? ! Meet Face to Face Schedule with Terry in person Long Weekends Junior Meeting #3 Bootcamp- June 11 and August 20 Jobs and internships over summer break Process of 18 months-24 months