Junior Parent Night College Planning Overview

HHS Guidance Counselors Mrs. Tracy Encarnacao, District Director of Guidance Mr. Bruce Powers A - Cal Ms. Stacey O’Brien Cam - Dow Mrs. Susan Beaudoin Dra - Hil Ms. Samantha Massahos Hog – Man Mrs. Jami Dion Mark – Pag Mrs. Melinda Cripps Pal - Sar Mr. Andy Alsup Scar – Z

Agenda Roadmap to College College Search Process What’s in an Application? Standardized Testing Naviance Financial Aid Overview

Roadmap to College Be proactive! Plan your route to college now! Work a bit each month to help prepare for a smooth senior year

March/April Register for SAT or ACT Attend HHS college fair April 8 th - 6:30-8pm - HHS Cafeteria April 9 th - 6-8:30pm - Boston National College Fair Develop a preliminary list of colleges Visit college campuses Meet with guidance counselor If considering Div. I or II athletics, register with NCAA Eligibility Center (

May Attend a local college fair May 21 st - 6:30-8:30pm- NEACAC Regional College Fair at Merrimack College Don’t let your grades slip! This is the last full year of grades that colleges will see! Think about which teachers you would want to write you a letter of recommendation Take SAT or ACT Continue visiting college campuses

June Take SAT/ACT or SAT Subject Tests Meet with your guidance counselor to confirm that graduation requirements are all set Think about the criteria that are important to you as you consider colleges Get comfortable using Naviance Search for meaningful summer job or volunteer opportunities

Summer Months Analyze SAT/ACT scores and plan for future testing Create a list of schools with varying admissions competiveness as well as financially safe options Continue to visit schools Develop a resume Create Common App account Work on college essay

Fall Timeline Sign up to meet with college reps Meet with guidance counselor to review final college list and plan for deadlines Attend Senior Parent Night Follow up with teachers writing your letters of recommendation Complete college essays and review them with an English teacher Familiarize yourself with college admission deadlines

The College Search Process

Begin at the Beginning… There is a path for everyone. Know your options! Do your research- don’t rush the process Do some self-reflection- what are strengths, weaknesses, values, interests? Develop specific criteria for colleges Utilize an online college search tool to help create that preliminary list of colleges Naviance-

What are the options for college? How much training & education am I willing to get to achieve my career & life goals? 2-year Technical School or Community College 4-year University or College

2-Year Technical & Community Colleges Affordable Affordable Transfer Options / MA Transfer Program Transfer Options / MA Transfer Program Licensure/Certification Licensure/Certification

2-Year Admissions Requirements High School Diploma Completion of the Accuplacer exam

Community Colleges of MA Provide well-rounded college experience Campuses offer many of the same clubs and activities as 4-yr colleges Many colleges have intercollegiate or club athletic teams Smaller class sizes MA Transfer

4-Year Colleges and Universities There are over 2,000 4-year colleges and universities in the country. Decide the factors that are important to you to help narrow down a list of schools that are a good match.

Factors to Consider Location Size/Enrollment Programs of Study Selectivity/Admissions Requirements Cost

What’s In an Application?

Parts of the Application What are Colleges Looking For? Application High School Transcript Classes taken/quality of courses GPA SAT/ACT scores Essay Letters of recommendation Involvement/Resume Interview (depends on the school) Application fee

College Applications 2 main types of applications Common Application College-specific Application

The Essay Choose topic wisely Keep focus on you Common Application for Fall 2016 is available in August- start planning before senior year!

Letters of Recommendation Ask teacher by May/June What to consider: Core academic subject Teacher who can speak to your strengths as a student Areas of weakness

Types of Deadlines Early Action Early Decision Regular Decision Rolling Admission Open Enrollment

Selective Programs Certain majors are more selective than others Nursing, fine/performing arts, music Additional materials may be required for admission Portfolio Auditions Early admission deadlines Know your requirements!!!

Standardized Testing

Standardized Tests SAT Reasoning Test SAT Subject Tests ACT

Upcoming SAT Dates Test DateRegistration Deadline May 2, 2015April 6, 2015 June 6, 2015May 8, 2015 SAT is offered at Haverhill $ SAT Reasoning $26 + $16 for each test- SAT Subject Tests SAT is also available in October, November, and December. Visit for updated information!

Upcoming ACT Dates Test DateRegistration Deadline April 18, 2015March 27, 2015 June 13, 2015May 9, 2015 September 12, 2015August 7, 2015 October 24, 2015September 18, 2015 $54.50 with writing section Visit for updated information!

Naviance Manage and track all aspects of the admissions process. Delivers all of the supporting documents for college applications Provides valuable insight into the college admissions process with college search, scatter grams, scholarship information and college application statistics

Perform a College Search Choose the criteria you are looking for in your ideal college

Research Schools

How do you Stack Up?

Keep Track of Schools You Are Considering

Financial Aid The financial aid process may seem overwhelming, but you are not alone!!!

Two Types of Financial Aid Merit-Based Aid Awarded for academic, athletic, artistic talents Need-Based Aid Based upon financial need Determined by standard methodology

Sources of Aid Federal State College/University awards Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Required by all colleges CSS PROFILE Required by some colleges Fee associated with application Institutional Forms Specific to some colleges in lieu of PROFILE

Financial Aid Resources Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority FinAid FAFSA Fast Web

Questions?