MEDFIELD HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 Junior Future Planning Night

Introductions GUIDANCE COUNSELORS (Students with last name beginning with…)  A – DeKathryn Dykas  Di – FStephanie Worthley  G – MaAnne Lodge  Mc – PAmanda Grillo  Q – ZErik Ormberg

Agenda  Future Planning Options  Naviance  The College Search Process  College Visits and Fairs  Common App  Standardized Testing  Suggested Timeline  Financial Aid  The Role of Guidance

Post High School Options College Employment/Internships Military Outdoor Adventure Classrooms Prep School/Post Graduate Year Travel Vocational Training/Trade School Volunteer/Service Programs

Naviance What is Naviance? o “Naviance is a college and career readiness platform that helps connect academic achievement to post-secondary goals.” Naviance is an online tool that is helpful for students and their families in the college search process. Features include: o College Search o College Match o College Compare o Scattergrams o Application History

Naviance Website: o

The College Search Process Finding schools to match your child’s needs  Criteria to investigate: 1. Location & Size 2. Admissions Requirements 3. Academic Offerings 4. Athletics & Clubs/Organizations 5. Housing & Facilities 6. Student Support Services

The College Search Process Fit and Balance  Academic  Financial  Safety, Fit, & Reach Helpful Websites  Naviance  College Board

Finding Balance Fit (Match):  A college where the applicant’s academic credentials fall within (or above) that school’s range for the average freshman. Reach:  A college where the applicant’s academic credentials fall significantly below the school’s range for the average freshman. Likely (Safety):  A college where the applicant’s academic credentials fall above the school’s range for the average freshman.

College Visits When should my family go on a college tour? o Anytime that students are on campus. Typically early spring is a great time to visit, and again in the fall. MHS allows students to miss up to 3 EXCUSED days of school for college visits. (3 junior year & 3 senior year)

College Visits How can my child sign up for a visit? o Check the college website. Colleges will provide visit information within their Admission page. Typically an info session is followed by a campus tour.

College Visits What are Shadow Days? o Some colleges offer this opportunity for prospective students to spend a half or whole day with a current student. They may attend a few classes, visit their dorm, and grab a meal together.

College Visits When are interviews appropriate? o If your student is really interested in a particular school and they offer optional interviews, take it! This could be a chance for your child to shine in other ways. It makes them more than just an application.

College Fairs NACAC College Fair Field Trip  April 10, 2015  Boston Convention Center Other Opportunities  NEACAC (New England Association for College Admission Counseling)  NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling)

The Common Application The Common App is a website used by most colleges to apply directly to their school. Adding schools to this list will provide your student with the colleges deadlines. Common App does link with Naviance. Some schools are not on Common App, and your child must apply directly through the college’s website.

Common App Website:

Terms to Know Regular Decision  January or February application deadline, with notification by March or April Early Action  Typically a November application deadline, with notification in mid-December Early Decision  This is a BINDING application. If your student is accepted Early Decision to a school, they are obligated to attend and must withdraw their applications from all other colleges.  It is a appropriate to apply Early Decision if your child knows and is 100% sure that this is their number one school.  Typically a November or December application deadline with notification by mid-December Rolling Admission  No set deadline. Applications are accepted until are spots are filled.  Admission decisions are often provided within a few weeks of applying.

Standardized Testing What should testing look like for my child? **March and October SAT’s are offered at Medfield High School** **February ACT’s are offered at Medfield High School**

Standardized Testing What is the difference between the tests?  SAT Reasoning Test: A measure of the critical thinking skills your child will need for academic success in college. It assesses how well (s)he analyzes and solves problem – skills learned in school that are needed in college.  Question Types: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing  ACT Test: Assesses high school students’ general education development and their ability to complete college-level work.  Question Types: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science (Writing is optional)

Standardized Testing Where can my child sign up to take the tests?  SAT Reasoning:  SAT Subject Test:  ACT: **Please Note: It is also your child’s responsibility to send their test scores to the colleges to which they are applying.**

Timeline (Suggested) Winter of Junior Year  Initiate the college search  Plan college visits for upcoming vacations  Register for standardized testing  Select senior year courses Spring of Junior Year  Attend college fairs & visit schools  Ask teachers to write letters of recommendation  Meet with your Guidance Counselor

Timeline (Suggested) Summer Before Senior Year  Begin writing the college essay  Refine the college list  Register for fall SAT/ACT (if necessary)  Initiate working on college applications

Financial Aid The cost of college is another factor when searching for the right “fit”. Not all financial aid is “free money”. It is important to note that when your family receives a financial aid package from a college, it may consist of any or all of the following:  Grants & Scholarships  Work-Study  Parent & Student Loans

The Role of Guidance Junior Year:  Classroom group sessions in February and April  College fair field trip in April  Encourage families to set up individual meetings with their guidance counselor  Junior Newsletters  Junior Parent Workshop in April Senior Year:  Senior Parent Workshop in September  Meet with students and families  Recommendation Letter  Send all school materials directly to colleges

To Sum It Up… Breathe! This is a process, it will not happen overnight. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Let your student take control. This is their future. Guide them as best as you can. Be on the lookout for Part 2:  Junior Parent Night with Special Admissions Guests  Thursday, February 5, 2015