SENIOR COLLEGE NIGHT RAHWAY HIGH SCHOOL

AGENDA OVERVIEW OF GUIDANCE CASELOADS NAVIANCE & THE COLLEGE SEARCH ADMISSIONS TESTS THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIPS QUESTIONS

COUNSELOR CASELOADS Ms. Gleason A-D Ms. Goldman E -L Ms. C. Mannix M-Q Mr. Zech R-Z Ms. Sainte All students with IEP or LEP services. Ms. J. Mannix A ll students in the ACE program.

NAVIANCE Purpose Career exploration College Planning Streamline the Application Process Communication with students Features Personality Inventories SuperMatch College Search Resume Writing Scholarship search College visit sign-up edocs Application tracker

Use Naviance’s SuperMatch College Search to create a college list aviance.com/family- connection/auth/logi n/?hsid=rahway Safety schools Target schools Reach Schools 4 or more initiative THE COLLEGE SEARCH

SAT TEST DATES SAT Test DateRegistration Deadline October 3, 2015Deadline has passed November 7, 2015October 9, 2015 December 5, 2015November 5, 2015 January 23, 2016December 28, 2015 March 5, 2016February 5, 2016 May 7, 2016April 8, 2016 June 4, 2016May 5, 2016 Register for the SAT by going to collegeboard.org SAT registration fee: $54.50 Late registration: May register for up to 2 weeks after the deadline for an additional fee ($28.00). SAT Fee Waivers: available to students who receive free or reduced fare lunch; visit the Guidance office for a waiver.

ACT TEST DATES Test DateRegistration Date October 24, 2015Deadline has passed December 12, 2015November 6, 2015 February 6, 2016January 8, 2016 April 9, 2016March 4, 2016 June 11, 2016May 6, 2016 Register by visiting act.org Fee: $39.50, ACT with writing- $56.50 Late Registration: May register for up to two weeks after the deadline for an additional $25 ACT Fee Waivers: available to students who receive free or reduced fare lunch; visit the Guidance office for a waiver.

TEST SCORES ARE IMPORTANT BUT THEY ARE NOT EVERYTHING! Many excellent colleges are now accepting applications without requiring ACT/SAT score submission Some of these schools include: Montclair State University, Temple University, American University, Bowdoin College, Bryant University, The College of the Holy Cross, Providence College, Stonehill College, & Worcester Polytechnic Institute Visit fairtest.org for a complete listing of test optional schools To be considered a strong candidate for admission to test optional schools, you will need to prove a strong academic record

YOU HAVE YOUR TEST SCORES AND YOUR COLLEGE LIST, NOW WHAT? Visit schools for open houses and campus tours (be sure to register with the admission office when making these visits) Participate in admissions interviews (if offered) Develop a resume Ask at least two teachers for letters of recommendation (consider your intended major) Work on your college essay Determine whether or not the colleges on your list accept the common application Know your deadlines!!

STATE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS In order to graduate, seniors must achieve a qualifying score in one of the following tests: PARCC, PSAT (3 different tests), SAT, ACT, Accuplacer, ACT Aspire or ASVAB. Seniors will have several opportunities to takes these tests (ASVAB: October 14) and the Accuplacer (November 24 and December 16). All seniors who have not to date achieved a passing score are enrolled in math literacy and language arts literacy classes. Students MUST attend.

TYPES OF ADMISSION DEADLINES Early Decision Early Action Regular Decision Rolling Admissions Instant Decision

Instant Decision DatesCollege/University October 21 (noon)Berkeley College December 2 (10:00 am)Bloomfield College December 9 (10:00 am)Caldwell University December 8 (9:00 am)Fairleigh Dickinson December 1 (10:00 am)Felician College November 19 (9:00 am)Johnson & Wales November 16 (9:00 am)Kean University December 10 (11:30 am)Long Island University October 28 (12:30 pm)Marymount Manhattan October 19 (2:30 pm)Mercy College October 20 (9:00 am)NJ City University December 11 (10:00 am)NJIT December 3 (9:00 am)Pace University NYC November 18 (10:00 am)Rutgers (Newark only) December 4 (10:00 am)St. Peters University November 20 (9:00 am)Seton Hall University November 17 (9:00 am)William Paterson Univ

HOW CAN GUIDANCE HELP? Practice Interviews Resume Writing College essay review College search assistance Scholarship resources Open house information College Fairs- HBCU for seniors in November, the RHS College Fair on October 13 and other college fairs in the area (see handout)

FINANCIAL AID Types of Financial Aid Grants Loans Merit Aid Work Study Scholarships All families are encouraged to complete the FAFSA regardless of income. We will offer help in completing your FAFSA on several evenings beginning in January. Financial Aid Night: November 17, 2015 at 7pm in the Auditorium

SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarship Websites How to increase your odds of earning Scholarship $: Treat the scholarship search like a part-time job Be thorough with your applications! Highlight any volunteer work or community projects that you have been involved with Make sure your applications are complete and submitted by the deadline Fastweb.com Naviance National Scholarship Search College Board bigfuture scholarship search Mycollegedollars on facebook Congresswoman’s Roybal-Allard’s “Paying for College” Resource Guide (can be accessed online or attained through the Guidance Office) Guidance Scholarship newsletter Rahway.net Guidance Page Blog

QUESTIONS?

LOCATED IN THE GYMNASIUM RHS COLLEGE FAIR 2014