1. Follow us on Twitter @elhscounseling
ELHS Senior Parent Night
Liz Maiese, A-Cho Emily Cacace, Chr-Go Allison Kosswig,   Gr-L Christy Bryant, M-P Lisa Ramaccia, Q-Sm Nadine Barnes,     Sn-Z
“Like” East Lyme High School Counseling on Facebook for updates and info.
Follow us on

2. Where are our students headed…
Military
Apprenticeship
Post-secondary/College
College
Employment
Apprenticeship
Military

3. How Competitive is College Admissions?
Boston College
Number of Applications: 28,956
Students admitted: 29%
Average (CR/M) SAT: ACT: 31
Central CT State University
Number of Applications: 8,173
Students admitted: 60%
Average (CR/M) SAT: ACT: 21
UConn
Number of Applications: 35,979
Students admitted: 44%
Average (CR/M) SAT: ACT: 28

4. Where did the class of 2017 go?
74.9% of students attending a 4-year school
12.3% of students attending a 2-year school
39.3% of the students continuing their education are attending a school in CT.
Students attending public colleges/universities:
24 students at Three Rivers
35 students at UConn ~ Storrs
6 students at UConn Avery Point
19 students at other CT state schools

5. Making the List

6. Finding the Focus Naviance College Search
Explore the college’s websites
Visit campuses and Open Houses
Attend ELHS College Fair (Tuesday, October 3rd)
Campus Resources (majors, programs, study abroad, curriculum offered, clubs)
Talk to Family & Friends (perspective)
Academically achievable (GPA, SAT & ACT)
Can this be “home”

7. Use Naviance Scattergrams to help determine likelihood
How many colleges?
Two or Three “Reaches”
Just meet the SAT & GPA Ranges
Two or Three “Targets”
Right in the Middle or Better
Two or Three “Safeties”
At the Far End or Beyond
Use Naviance Scattergrams to help determine likelihood
*Students should only apply to schools they will attend!

8. Applying… What you need to know

9. Admission Deadlines: Early Decision
• Students apply to a college 1st semester senior year. Deadlines: Nov. 1, Nov. 15 or Dec. 1 (depending on school).
• Students notified by a published date if they were Admitted, Denied or Deferred for Regular Admission.
Pros:
Sometimes students have a better chance of being admitted.
• Students know where they are going by end of December.
Cons:
• Students must enroll at that college if accepted.
• No true negotiation power for financial aid.

10. Admission Deadlines: Early Action
Students may apply to certain colleges in 1st semester, but the decision is Not Binding.
Pros: If admitted, students have a “place to go” early
Cons: student must make Nov./Dec. application deadlines.

11. Admission Deadlines: Rolling Admission/Regular Decision
Open or Rolling Admission:
Students apply to colleges between Nov. 1 and Regular Deadline and colleges respond in 2 – 4 weeks.
Regular Decision:
Students apply by deadline.
Students notified in March-April
Students make their decision by May 1.
Suggestion: All students apply by Dec. 1

12. College Application Options
Common Application
Coalition Application
School Application

13. The Common Application
Most colleges require electronic submission of application.
Over 500 colleges accept the Common Application – be sure to check for supplement
Payment is made electronically with credit card.

14. Coalition
The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success was developed to improve the college application process for all students as they search for and apply to their perfect college. The platform provides a single, centralized toolkit for students to organize, build, and refine their applications to numerous institutions.
Second year – colleges still accepting alternate applications

15. School Application Most are electronic application Payment is online
School forms on Naviance still accepted
Very few schools use paper/pencil

16. Tips for Completing the Application
First, Read the Directions
Obtain Appropriate Personal Address
Be Consistent: Names (no nicknames), Facts
Be Precise: Names, Addresses, School Code: , GPA, Social Security #
Be Succinct: Provide only what is asked, and leave out activities that occurred before grade 9
Be Thorough: Use your resume to list up to 10 extracurricular activities, highlight leadership roles, volunteerism, and work
• Be Safe: keep a copy of everything sent and save your correspondence

17. Hints for the Essay Make “Optional” Mandatory Pick topic
Talk with an adult (English teacher, parent, counselor)
Answer the Question
Be Honest
Be Creative
Write about more than just the facts
Watch Your Language
Proofread, Spell Check, Proofread
October 11th-Essay help from 8-11am in the ELHS library

18. Extra steps: Show Your Interest
Visit Web Site and Register/sign-in
Campus Visit/Tour/College Fair
Interview: Why do you want to attend this college?
Check-out the Residence Halls
Try the Food
Talk to Students
Sit-in on a Class and/or Do an Overnight
Can’t Visit? Talk with a Student or Professor
Give Attention to Every College on your List

19. The ELHS College Application Process

20. Standardized Tests
SAT Date
Registration Deadline
Late Registration
Deadline (extra fee)
Oct 7, 2017 
Sep 8, 2017 
Sep 27, 2017
Nov 4, 2017 
Oct 5, 2017
Oct 25, 2017 
Dec 2, 2017
Nov 2, 2017
Nov 21, 2017
ACT Date
Registration Deadline
Late Registration
Deadline (Extra fee)
October 28, 2017
September 22, 2017
October 6, 2017
December 9, 2017
November 3, 2017
November 17, 2017
Test scores must be sent directly from the testing company. Test registration and score reporting can be done at:
for SATs and for ACTs
Test Optional:

21. Student Responsibilities
Personally ask teachers and counselor to write letters of recommendation and request them through Naviance.
Complete Counselor Questionnaire, Teacher Rec form, resume.
Send SAT/SAT Subject Tests scores to the colleges through
Send ACT scores to the colleges through
Submit application, Supplements, Essays, Fee
Request Transcripts through Naviance and go to the College & Career Center to complete the request.

22. ELHS Responsibilities
Teachers: Upload and submit Teacher Written Evaluations and Forms through Naviance.
School Counseling Department:
Submit through Naviance or Mail a hard copy of:
Transcript
School profile
Secondary school report form
Counselor recommendation (if necessary)
1st Quarter Grades
Mid Year Transcript
Final Transcript

23. Recommendations No more than 2 teachers who know the student well.
Common App limits the number of applications that can be sent – the number can be found in “recommenders”
Determine if School Counselor rec. is required by any school.
Ask teachers & counselor, in person, to write a letter.
Complete necessary paperwork:
For counselors: Counselor recommendation form & resume on Naviance
For Teachers: varies. May require teacher rec form, transcript, resume
If sending electronically: confirm and request on Naviance.
If sending snail mail: supply with form, stamped , addressed envelope and timeline. (allow for extra mailing time)
Thank you notes

24. Looking at Cost
Financial Aid (FAFSA) now begins October 1st and is based on “Prior Prior” year taxes (2016)
CSS Profile will also use “Prior Prior” year information
Other tools:
Net Price Calculator on each school’s website

25. Follow @FAFSA and Like FAFSA
Helpful Websites
FAFSA4caster: estimates aid
FAFSA assistance
College Search
CommonApp Grid
and Like FAFSA

26. What Should Seniors be Doing Right Now
Meet with counselor
Update Naviance
List of colleges to which you are applying
Counselor Questionnaire
Resume
Request Recommendations from teachers
Send SATs and/or ACTs
Complete Applications
Complete Essay
Visit

27. DON’T FORGET! College Fair: Tuesday, October 3rd 6:30-8:00pm
ELHS Commons
Financial Aid Night:
November 2, 6:30pm
Be sure to check CSS Profile deadlines!
ASVAB Test:
Wednesday, October 11th
Senior information will be sent via
Naviance /Facebook/Twitter