Welcome To The College Application Workshop Jennifer Gioglio (A-D) Gina Vanak (E-K) Debbie Burch (L-Q) Erin Masotta (R-Z) interim counselor for Rebeca Castellano

Complete the college search process and try to finalize a list on Naviance Update all contact information, especially addresses for student and parents Use the “Checklist” in the “About Me” tab to stay organized on ‘next- steps’ Senior Class Visits - “Welcome Packets” were distributed and reviewed in senior flexes last week Senior Workshops - sign up in the counseling office for time with the school counselors to work on your college application materials – week of September College Fair, Danbury Mall - October 21, 2013 from 5 to 9pm Financial Aid Night - October 28, 2013 at BHS from 7 to 9pm Sign up for Brookfield e-news for automatic updates on important events. Where to begin?

Key Terms Early Decision (Only 1 School): These offers are binding. If you are accepted to this school, you are pledging to attend, without regard to financial assistance! Early Action (multiple schools) This is not binding, but allows students to receive notification sooner Regular Admission Decision in the spring or earlier. Rolling Admission - apply early Applications are reviewed as they are received. An admissions decision is made once the committee has reviewed all of the materials.

SAT/ACT Testing How many times should I take the SAT I? Register for SATs on Send scores directly to colleges. Counseling Office will not include standardized test scores on your transcript. Do I need to take SAT II’s? (SAT Subject Tests) Achievement tests Know how many you need to take – check school’s website Should I take the ACT instead of SAT? English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, Optional Writing ACT with writing can be accepted instead of SAT II subject tests at many schools.

Testing Dates Testing Dates SAT Test Dates October 5: register by 9/6 … Late registration by 9/20 November 2: register by 10/3 … Late registration by 10/18 December 7: register by 11/8 … Late registration by 11/22 January 25: register by 12/27 … Late registration by 1/10 ACT Test Dates ACT Test Dates October 26: register by 9/27 … Late registration by 10/11 October 26: register by 9/27 … Late registration by 10/11 December 14: register by 11/8 … Late registration by 11/22 December 14: register by 11/8 … Late registration by 11/22 February 8: register by 1/10 … Late registration by 1/24 February 8: register by 1/10 … Late registration by 1/24 Early decision/action applicants should plan to complete testing no later than the October test dates, and notify schools of upcoming test dates!

Family Connection/Naviance

Using the Checklist

Enter the schools you are considering in “Colleges I’m thinking about” section Enter the schools you are considering in “Colleges I’m thinking about” section **This is a good way to get more information about schools you are not sure of. Naviance will ‘invite’ you to meet with the rep when they visit BHS** Enter the schools you will apply to in “Colleges I’m applying to” section Enter the schools you will apply to in “Colleges I’m applying to” section **Pay attention to application deadline dates and required paperwork** **This is a good way to monitor the application type and deadlines for each school!** Enter Colleges on Naviance

Q: What is the Common App and when should I use it? A: The Common Application is a standardized application online which will distribute your data to those schools to which you indicate you are applying. Check the document requirements on Naviance to see whether or not you should use the Common Application to submit your documents. The Common Application

Common Application

Step 1: Complete the FERPA release in your common application under the “Add Recommenders” section. Note that the education section needs to be complete first. Step 2: In the “Colleges I’m applying to” section of Naviance enter your common app and match your accounts. This permits BHS to prepare and release your transcript and counselor letter FERPA (Federal Educational Right to Privacy Act) Rights to see or waive the application documents submitted on your behalf after submission. **We recommend that students “waive” their rights** FERPA

FERPA

Application Checklist Complete application and fee payment online Complete application and fee payment online Essay: upload to online application or mail Essay: upload to online application or mail Resume (highly recommended) : upload to online application or mail Resume (highly recommended) : upload to online application or mail Send any other supporting documents you want to include Send any other supporting documents you want to include Send your SAT scores via Collegeboard.org AND/OR ACT scores via ACT.org Send your SAT scores via Collegeboard.org AND/OR ACT scores via ACT.org Hand in transcript request form and indicate if a counselor recommendation is needed Hand in transcript request form and indicate if a counselor recommendation is needed

Always answer the question asked: don’t try to make one essay answer every question Always answer the question asked: don’t try to make one essay answer every question Write about a topic that you are passionate about – put your personality into it! Write about a topic that you are passionate about – put your personality into it! Get feedback…Ask your counselor or English teacher to review your essay for content. You are responsible for spelling and grammar! Get feedback…Ask your counselor or English teacher to review your essay for content. You are responsible for spelling and grammar! The Application Essay

A resume outlines your academic and work experience and highlights your talents, awards and accomplishments and makes your application package 3-D A resume outlines your academic and work experience and highlights your talents, awards and accomplishments and makes your application package 3-D Review your resume on Career Cruising Review your resume on Career Cruising Bring in a hard copy to the counseling office to keep in your college file so that we may nominate students for appropriate programs/awards! Bring in a hard copy to the counseling office to keep in your college file so that we may nominate students for appropriate programs/awards! Resume

Request your Documents ** ALLOW AT LEAST 10 SCHOOL DAYS FOR DOCUMENT PREPARATION ** Part 1: Request Transcript Complete a transcript request form for each college, indicating whether or not you are using the Common App for that college, and whether or not you need a counselor letter for that college Complete a transcript request form for each college, indicating whether or not you are using the Common App for that college, and whether or not you need a counselor letter for that college Part 2: Let your counselor know if you NEED a counselor letter. You should provide Mrs. Beneway with: Updated resume Updated resume Completed Parent Input Form (Brag Sheet) Completed Parent Input Form (Brag Sheet) Completed Student Questionnaire Completed Student Questionnaire

Transcript Fee Schedule Transcript Fees: First 5 transcripts: FREE Transcripts 6-10: $5.00 total, not for each Transcripts 11+: $5 each

For Counselor Recommendation Letters… The following documents should be turned in with your transcript request form: Parent Input Form Student Questionnaire Resume

This can be found on the right-hand side of the student home screen in Naviance. Folder name: Senior forms …. Print out what you need, and bring in the completed form to Mrs. Beneway in the counseling office for processing Document Library

Teacher Letters of Recommendation Allow at least 10 school days! Find out how many teacher recommendations are required for your application Find out how many teacher recommendations are required for your application Complete gold “Formal Letter of Recommendation Request” form and give one to each teacher along with the Common App Teacher Evaluation or school- specific evaluation form Complete gold “Formal Letter of Recommendation Request” form and give one to each teacher along with the Common App Teacher Evaluation or school- specific evaluation form How do the letters get sent out? : This is specific to each teacher. Have a conversation with your teacher! How do the letters get sent out? : This is specific to each teacher. Have a conversation with your teacher! **The counseling office does not hold or process teacher letters of recommendation**

TEACHER LETTERS: Talk with your teachers about letters of recommendation. Provide them with at least ten school days in advance of the college deadline … the more time you provide them, the better! Talk with your teachers about letters of recommendation. Provide them with at least ten school days in advance of the college deadline … the more time you provide them, the better! Follow up with a written note of thanks to each teacher Follow up with a written note of thanks to each teacher Your teacher will submit letter of recommendation either directly to the student OR directly to the colleges themselves. Your teacher will submit letter of recommendation either directly to the student OR directly to the colleges themselves.

Talk to your teacher and they are mailing your letter, give this form to your teacher to mail in with your letter If your teacher is sending your letter electronically, there is no need to give this form to your teacher(s). Common App Teacher Evaluation Form

Important Deadlines College Deadlines: November 1 November 15 December 1 December 15 January 1 Application Documents In By: October 18 October 31 November 13 December 2 December 6 Give the counselor at least 10 school days for processing before a deadline. Please pay attention to those that fall around holidays. Counselors cannot accommodate last minute applications!

UCONN ECE Credits ece.uconn.edu **Turn in form by tomorrow 9/13**

National College Athletic Association Who needs to register? How do I register?

Financial Aid ***Financial Aid Night at BHS - Monday, October 28, 2013** CSS/Financial Aid Profile: Not all schools require this Must apply on-line FAFSA: Free Application For Federal Student Aid Apply for Pin NOW – both student and parent Everyone must fill this out. It is the federal form. Complete ASAP after Jan. 1 using estimated tax information - must apply online NOT - This site is a scam. Be very careful. Other useful sites

Scholarships Local scholarships are posted on Naviance and generally become available after January 1, 2014 National scholarships – see links posted on BHS School Counseling website Research scholarship opportunities Business Community organizations Special Interest Scholarships offered by colleges Be aware of scholarships scams

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