1. RAHWAY HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR COLLEGE NIGHT

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

3. COUNSELOR CASELOADS

4. Naviance & the college Search

5. Naviance https://connection.naviance.com
Developing a college list
Log-in to naviance
Click on the "Colleges" tab
Search for colleges
Click on the college
Click on the heart symbol next to the college name to add the college to your "colleges I'm thinking about" list
go back to the "Colleges" tab to view your list

6. The college search Safety schools Target schools Reach Schools
4 or more initiative
Explore colleges on your list
add other schools that interest you
Make sure the colleges on your list offer your major

7. Types of admission deadlines
Early Decision Early Action Regular Decision Rolling Admissions Instant Decision
Pros/Cons

8. College Research
Niche.com- find student reviews on everything from campus safety to the quality of the academics
College Confidential- a message board where students/parents may ask questions to others regarding the college application process
University Primetime- social news regarding the happenings at various colleges
Youvisit.com/education- virtual college tours ??

9. Sat test dates SAT Test Date Registration Deadline October 7, 2017
Deadline has passed
November 4, 2017
October 5, 2017
December 2, 2017
November 2, 2017
March 10, 2018
February 9, 2018
May 5, 2018
April 6, 2018
June 2, 2018
May 3, 2018
Register for the SAT by going to collegeboard.org
SAT registration fee: $46, $60 (with essay)
Late registration: May register for up to 2 weeks after the deadline for an additional fee of $29
SAT Fee Waivers: available to students who receive free or reduced fare lunch, visit the Guidance office for a waiver.

10. ACT Test dates Test Date Registration Date October 28, 2017*
Late registration available
December 2, 2017
November 2, 2017
February 10, 2018*
January 12, 2018
April 14, 2018
March 9, 2018
June 9, 2018*
May 4, 2018
Register by visiting act.org
Fee: $46, ACT with writing- $62.50
Late Registration: $29.50
ACT Fee Waivers: available to students who receive free or reduced fare lunch, visit the Guidance office for a waiver
*test not offered at Rahway High School

11. 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

12. Applying to college Visit schools Participate in admissions interviews
Develop a resume
Request letters of recommendation
Work on your college essay
Determine the application type required by your colleges

13. Letters of Recommendation
Make 2-3 requests for letters from teachers and one from your counselor (consider: your intended major, and the teacher’s familiarity with your work ethic)
Complete both the counselor recommendation survey and the teacher recommendation form questionnaire in naviance
Make an electronic request through naviance
Note: teachers/counselors will not generate a letter or recommendation if the naviance survey is not completed; letters from outside sources are encouraged for scholarship applications 

14. Ways to apply
Online application
Commonapp
Coalition app
Paper application

15. The Application Process
Log-in to your naviance account
Click on the Colleges tab, then click on "colleges I'm thinking about"
Check the box to the left of the colleges you plan to apply to, then click "move to application list" (naviance will then transfer the colleges to your active applications list)
Indicate the application type and click the boxes to indicate that you have submitted your application and to request your transcript
You will be taken to another screen and asked to indicate whether you applied via common app or directly to the institution
If applying through commonapp, enter your name and birthdate to link the accounts (you will only be able to do this if you have already established a commonapp account)
Send an to your counselor indicating which college(s) you have applied to immediately after hitting submit

16. Sending your scores
Once you submit your application, request your transcript via naviance and notify your counselor, you will need to send your SAT or ACT scores to the college
SAT:
Visit collegeboard.org
Log-in
Click on send score s
Search for your college
Pay the $12 score send fee via debit or credit card (4 score reports may be sent for free for up to 9 days after the a student sits for the exam)
ACT:
Visit actstudent.org
Log-in
Click on send scores
Search for your college
Pay the $13 score send fee via debit or credit card (4 score reports may be sent for free if a student indicates the schools during the registration process)

17. Instant Decision Days To sign up: Log-in to naviance.com
Click “colleges”
Click “view all upcoming college visits”
The list of IDD schools will appear, click “sign-up” next to the schools of interest to you
Read the requirements and if you qualify, click “sign me up”
Sign-up through Naviance

18. Resources
Naviance
Rahway.net Guidance page for opportunities & scholarships
The Guidance Gazette
Appointments with counselor
Practice Interviews
Resume Writing
College essay review
College search assistance
Open house information

19. Financial Aid
Financial Aid Workshops: Monday, 10/2 and Monday, 10/16 at 6:30pm in the Computer Lab (bring your tax returns)

20. Financial Aid Financial Aid Applications: FAFSA CSS Profile
Types of financial aid:
Grants
Loans
Merit Aid
Work Study
Scholarships

21. Scholarships Scholarship Websites
How to increase your odds of earning Scholarship $:
Fastweb.com Raise.me – offers micro-scholarships Naviance National Scholarship Search College Board bigfutures 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) Rahway.net Guidance Page Blog Scholarship listing in the monthly Guidance Gazette
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
be sure your applications are complete and submitted by the deadline

22. RHS Scholarship Blog

23. Questions? RHS College/Career Fair Thursday, 10/12 6:30pm GYM