1. That is their true power.
Senior Parents’ Night
Our children may not control where they go to college, but they control how.
That is their true power.
Remembering this fact can lower everyone’s stress --- and hopefully bring some excitement into the process
Daniel R. Porterfield
Franklin & Marshall President
Class of 2019

2. College Trends Increased competition Earlier deadlines
Self-reported grades – no recs or official transcripts needed
Fewer recommendations
Increased use of Waitlist and “creative” acceptances
More colleges are “Need” Aware
Increased number of Test Optional Schools
Increased College Marketing/Recruiting
Colleges concerned about “Yield”

3. Getting Started Resume uploaded to Naviance
Letters of Recommendation requested (In person & on Naviance)
Begin online applications – double check all deadlines!
Write essay(s)
Take SAT/ACT and/or send scores (allow at least three weeks for processing)
Transcript Request Form submitted to School Counselor 15 school days prior to the application deadline

4. Helpful Links School Counseling Website – http://simsbury.k12.ct.us
Calendars/Important Dates
Scholarship Information
Forms for Students & Parents
Links to NCAA, Naviance, College Board, etc.

5. Naviance https://student.naviance.com/main
Scattergrams
Five years of SHS college data
College representative visit schedule
students must sign up for visits in Naviance
Career exploration
Document library

6. How to….. Upload Your Resume https://student.naviance.com/colleges
Click on About Me
My Stuff
Journal (Click the + button to upload your resume)
Request a Letter of Recommendation
Colleges
Colleges I’m applying to
Letter of Recommendation
Add Request
Sign up for a College Rep Visit
Click on Colleges
List of colleges visiting on lower left of page
Register for visit

7. Strive for more acceptances than denials!
Scattergrams
Reach
Realistic
Likely
Financial Safety
Strive for more acceptances than denials!

8. SAT https://collegeboard.org https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org
Registering
Sending Scores
How to Send SAT Scores to Colleges:
Official scores need to be sent to college directly from College Board – please allow at least 3 weeks for scores to arrive at your colleges! The registration fee covers 4 score reports if ordered at time of registration or up to 9 days after test date.
Super-Scoring

9. The Common Application
Online Application (700+ Colleges)
Takes about an hour to complete the basic application Info – Use your personal address (not your simsburyschools.net address)
Personal Essay
Supplemental Questions for some schools
Application Fees
Teacher Reports and School Reports all sent through Naviance
Check for accuracy before sending
–help with issues/questions.

10. Transcript Request Form
YOUR COLLEGE
School Counselor Sends
Transcript
Recommendation(s)
School Profile/Secondary School Report
1st Quarter Grades (only if requested)
Mid Year Grades
Student Sends
Completed Application
Application Fee
Essay(s)
SAT/ACT Scores
(from testing service)
College Board/ACT
Test Scores
(students must request report from testing service and pay for reports)
Allow 3 weeks for processing

11. Life Cycle of a College Application
Student Submits
Application Arrives
Supporting Materials
Admissions Committee Review
Admissions Decision
Student Receives Decision
Student Enrolls in School
Life Cycle of a College Application

12. Factors in Admission Decisions
Academic Record
Test Scores
Essay(s)
Letters of Recommendation
Activities and Employment
Other
Research and comply with admissions requirements
Show interest
Clean up social media sites
Be the sole author of your materials
Focus on the areas where the student has control!

13. Financial Aid
FAFSA (October 1, 2018) – application for the 2019/20 School Year Use tax return submitted in Jan-April 2018/based on 2017 income
CSS Profile (for specific colleges - Available in October 2018)
College Financial Aid Application (if applicable)
Scholarships Local Scholarships (application available in January)
Other Scholarships (employment, religious affiliations, etc.)
Use Net Price Calculators (available on college websites) “How to Pay for College” Program September 27th, 2018
7:00PM
Simsbury High School

14. Final Thoughts….. Most kids are apprehensive
Remember, this is a process
Most kids are apprehensive
Keep a balanced perspective
Guide, but don’t do all the work - Encourage independence
Never apply to a college that your child wouldn’t gladly attend if accepted
Find time to enjoy this special time in your child’s life