COLLEGE PLANNING SEMINAR Class of 2016 Wednesday, November 19, 2014 Presented by the Tolland High School Counseling Staff

AGENDA Session I: College Admissions Panel Session II: Timeline for the College Search Process Junior Year and Summer 2015 Session III: Family Connections

ADMISSIONS PANEL We welcome: Christopher Dorsey –Eastern Connecticut Andrew Carter – College of the Holy Cross Cynthia Zeldner – Manchester CC Maria Buono – Quinnipiac University Caroline McCall – UCONN

Fall & Winter, Junior Year Review PSAT scores (early December). Use results to determine how to best prepare for the SAT in the spring. Think carefully about course selections for senior year. Colleges expect that you will continue to challenge yourself. Register for the SAT or ACT (or both). All registrations for these tests are done on-line, and have strict deadlines. Begin to think about what type of college is best for you. Consider factors such as academic programs, size, location, activities, cost.

Spring, Junior Year Begin your college search. o Use search engines in Family Connection o VISIT colleges – April break is a great time, as college students are in class o College Fairs – Hartford, CT – 3/25/15 – CT Convention Center Springfield, MA – 4/12/15- Big E Complete your RESUME in Family Connection. Pursuing Division I or II athletics? Become familiar with the requirements by going to the NCAA Eligibility Center web site. Investigate requirements for SAT Subject Tests

Summer before Senior Year Register for the fall SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Tests. Continue to research and visit schools. Update your resume. Begin to brainstorm and draft your college essays.

Fall, Senior Year Senior college application assembly to explain the actual application process. Meet regularly with your counselor. Check Family Connection and often for updates.

Working as a Team Students, Parents and Counselors all have a role to play in the college search and application process!!!! Communication is the key!

THS Counseling Web Page “Quick Links” on right – School Counseling Contains links to : Family Connection College Board (SAT) and ACT Common Application Presentations to students Much more!

Family Connection from Naviance Family Connection from Naviance is a web-based program that links students and parents with counselors and our school to improve college and career counseling. Features include: College search and comparison tools Managing the on-line college application process On-line transcript requests Signing up for College Rep visits to THS Scholarship listing Resume writing tool Much more……………

How to Access Family Connection The easiest way to access Family Connection is to use the link on the THS School Counseling.

Family Connection Account & Log-in All students have used Family Connection for a variety of activities, and have their account information. Temporary passwords were ed to parents last year. If you need your password resent, please contact your student’s counselor.

Standardized Test Scores Tolland High does NOT include SAT or ACT scores on official transcripts. Students must have their standardized test scores sent directly from the testing agency (College Board, ACT) to the colleges they are applying to as well as other organizations as needed (NCAA, scholarships, etc.) THS SCHOOL CODE:

COUNSELOR ASSIGNMENTS Class of 2016 StudentCounselor Last Name A-ECaitlin F- LJames M-SiMichelle Sl – ZCorinne