A Guide to Planning Your Future Post Secondary Pathways Class of 2014

H-K HS School Counseling Department Maryann Grimaldi, Dean of Academics Peter Ettlinger, School Counselor Stacey Mahoney, School Counselor Kaitlin Sullivan-Freimuth, School Counselor Katherine Grimaldi, School Counselor Intern Christine Smith, Secretary Gina Voytek, Secretary

Senior Scheduling The most important piece of your college application will be your TRANSCRIPT. Keep this in mind as you go forward with scheduling for Senior year. Always do more than the minimum! 4 academics is the minimum 5 academics is better 6 academics are recommended for most of our college bound students

Junior Handbook- What is Inside? Pathways Choosing the College that is Right for You Types of Post Secondary Education Helpful Hints When Choosing Colleges Testing for College Admissions Application Process Naviance Financial Aid Information & Checklist Military Service Employment Sample Resume Calendar for Junior & Senior Year Glossary Sampling of College Requirements for Admission The Bottom Line Worksheet Writing Your College Essay

Pathways Some postgraduate options: Question to consider: four year college two year college technical training institutes military employment Question to consider: How do I decide what is the right Pathway for me? How do I decide what I want to do for a career or a major? Actions to take: Meet with your counselor Plan senior year courses to align with college major or career interests, i.e. consider Career Connections Seek employment in career interests Consider Early Completion for January 2014 (starting college courses/work a semester early) Take an interest inventory Try job shadowing

Steps Toward Your Future Select four or more strong academic courses for senior schedule Register for SAT I Reasoning and/or ACT with writing Register for SAT II Subject test if appropriate, or the ACT with Writing Start searching for colleges (Naviance) Make plans to visit colleges (February/April Vacation) Attend the H-K College Fair – April 10th Be open to opportunities for career focused events

Steps to Searching for the Right Pathway Make an appointment with your counselor Review the blue planning book to help navigate your future Read the college guides and career catalogues available in the Counseling Office Search Naviance (http://connection.naviance.com/hkhs) & other web sites (collegeboard.com, individual school web sites, CT Labor Department- www.ctdol.state.ct.us etc.)

College Selection Selectivity Every college can be ranked for selectivity or difficulty of admission. Ivy league colleges, like Dartmouth and Yale, would be among the most selective and colleges with open admissions like Middlesex Community College would be among the least selective. All students should choose colleges that they can see themselves attending and fall within the following categories: REACH: Chances of admission are slim (20% or less). School is very competitive for this student. RANGE: Chances of admission are about 50%. School is a good match for this student. SAFETY: Chances of admission are excellent (80% or better). Schools often offer these students merit money.

Admissions Selectivity The challenge is for each student to find appropriate colleges and post-graduate programs in each category. Everyone’s categories are the same but their colleges/ programs will be different.

Admissions Selectivity Students should make appropriate choices selecting 2-3 schools within each the three categories: REACH RANGE SAFETY Students should have options when making their final decision.

Affordability & Selection Look at schools financially, not just academically. Can you afford this school? Have a serious discussion with your son/daughter to discuss what exactly you can contribute. We recommend having at least one school that you can afford even without financial aid.

Options to potentially earn college credit while still in high school AP- Advanced Placement AP English Literature & Composition AP English Language & Composition AP Biology AP Statistics AP Spanish AP Studio Art AP Calculus AP Psychology AP French AP Chemistry AP Music Theory AP Human Geography College Career Pathways Three Core Courses plus one Career Cluster Courses UConn Early College Experience Physics Environmental Science Spanish Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Four Pre-Engineering Courses with potential for college credit Wesleyan High School Scholars Program Middlesex Partnership Program Online Courses Virtual High School Middlesex Community College

Other Things To Consider When Discussing Affordability Distance from home Travel Costs Books/ Course Materials Personal Expenses Car/Parking Fees Financial Aid Awards from different colleges

Post-Graduate Admission Resources Web-based college search engines: Naviance, Collegeboard, College Navigator, College Websites College Catalogs- online at the college sites and many are available in the Counseling Office Print information- Counseling Office has handbooks, catalogs, manuals, and view books Other resources College Fair, April 10, 2013 (during school hours) College Rep visits during lunch (Fall 2013) Area job fairs (scheduled throughout the year)

Standardized Testing NOTE TO STUDENTS: You MUST upload a picture of yourself onto your admissions ticket beginning in March for SATs and February for ACTs. You will NOT be admitted to the test without this!! SAT Reasoning January 26, 2013 March 9, 2013 (held at HK) May 4, 2013 (held at HK) June 1, 2013 SAT II Subject Tests SAT II’s should be taken as close to the completion of the specific course May 4, 2013 ACT (with writing) February 9, 2013 (held at HK) April 13, 2013 June 8, 2013 (held at HK) Test Optional Sacred Heart University, Connecticut College, Assumption, Merrimack, Stonehill, St. Anselms, Union, St. Michaels, Providence College For a complete list see: www.fairtest.org

SAT & SAT Subject Test SAT I Reasoning Measures Critical Reading, Math and Writing/ Essay (max score 2400- 800 each) CR & M are still the most important part of the SAT scores Some schools are looking at the Writing for placement in Freshman English courses SAT Subject Tests– One Hour Subject Specific Tests (max 800) More selective colleges Check with each school “Recommended” vs. “Required”

ACT The ACT tests: English, Math, Reading, and Science knowledge. We highly recommend that you take the Writing section. Most colleges are looking for the writing to be included to make it comparable to the SAT. Highest composite score – 36 Some colleges will take the ACT in place of the SAT Subject Tests (check with your potential schools)

SAT & ACT Comparison SAT (Critical Reading & Math) ACT Composite Score 1600 36 1580 35 1520 34 1470 33 1420 32 1380 31 1340 30 1300 29 1260 28 1220 27 1180 26 1140 25 1110 24 1070 23 1030 22 990 21 950 20 910 19

Testing Registration Online Registration 070324 – enter this code on your registration materials!! Online Registration SAT- www.collegeboard.org ACT- www.actstudent.org

A little bit of help… Use your PSAT score report Prep Courses/Tutoring Test corrections Review types of questions Prep Courses/Tutoring Homework and effort are a must for these classes Online Small groups Books available in library

FINANCIAL AID

How to Apply FAFSA- MUST be completed by all applicants for federal student aid. www.fafsa.edu.gov Must be done every year One Parent & the Student must get a PIN You MUST apply on-line. Worksheets are available here at the school to help you prepare the necessary information. Can be completed any time after January 1st of your student’s senior year (2014)– you will need the previous year’s tax information Check each individual school for deadlines! Get this done early!! $$ is first come, first serve Attend Financial Aid night in late November/early December 2013

More on Financial Aid CSS/ Financial Aid Profile Used by some colleges, universities and private scholarship programs to award their own private institutions and programs that use it. Register via www.collegeboard.org Check with your schools to see if they require this. Not all schools do as this is NOT for federal student aid Check each individual school for deadlines! Get this done early!! $$ is first come first serve You may begin registering as of October 1st of your student’s senior year (2013).

What will my Aid Package be? Financial Aid Formula: Cost of Attendance - minus Expected Family Contribution - minus Pell Grant (extremely limited- low income) - minus Aid from other sources local, private & state scholarships EQUALS = $$ Your Financial Aid Package Financial Aid Packages include: □ LOANS □ Work Study □ Grants □ LOANS □ LOANS □ Parent Loans Cost calculators can be found on many college websites under “Financial Aid” ?? E= MC2 ??

The “Award Letter” or What Families Need to Know Next What is the annual cost of attendance? Expected family contribution (EFC)? Grants/scholarships? Criteria for continued offer year to year Student loans? Parent loans?

Loan Statistics Breakdown of funds (Undergraduate) as of 2008 Grants= 43% Loans = 52% Work Study = 1% Education Tax Benefits = 4% Breakdown of funds (Graduate) as of 2008 Grants = 33% Loans= 64% Educational Tax Benefits = 2% Many parents could borrow $140,000 from the federal parent loan to pay for four years. Statistics taken from CollegeBoard Trends & Student Aid Report

National Collegiate Athletic Association Clearinghouse NCAA documents that high school athletes meet minimal academic standards and will be able to participate in college athletics DI & DII athletes ONLY NCAA requires all to register online Submission of SAT score and grades accompanied by a release form provided by NCAA website ** www.eligibilitycenter.org **

Communicate with your Counselor For any additional questions please have your student stop by and ask or feel free to email Maryann Grimaldi- mgrimaldi@rsd17.org Peter Ettlinger- pettlinger@rsd17.org Stacey Mahoney – smahoney@rsd17.org Kaitlin Sullivan-Freimuth- ksullivan@rsd17.org Katherine Grimaldi- intern - kgrimaldi@rsd17.org

Happy Searching… Visit schools over vacations (Monday-Friday) Attend H-K College Fair: April 10, 2013 Utilize Naviance Senior Parent Night will be held in September 2013 and we will discuss more at that time Financial Aid Night will be held in November or December 2013