1. Post Secondary Planning
School Counselors: Nicole Grilli and Kendra Swenson

2. Nipmuc Graduation Requirements
English - 4 credits
Math – 3 credits
History – 3 credits (WEX, US I, US II)
Science – 3 credits (Including Biology)
Physical Education – 1 credit
Passing scores on all 3 MCAS tests
Total of 26 credits – including elective courses
Keep in mind that most 4 year colleges have a Foreign Language requirement of at least 2 years of the same language.
All Massachusetts State Schools REQUIRE 4 years of math, and 3 years of a lab science. Other private colleges may require 4 years of math as well.

3. Post Secondary Options
4 year college
2 year college
Apprenticeship
Military
Work
Certificate Program
Gap Year
We encourage students to schedule an appointment with Beth Hennessey in the 21st Century Learning Center

4. Pathways to a 4 Year Degree
Graduate from Nipmuc
2 year school
Transfer
4 year school
Gap year/Military, Work
Earn Bachelor’s Degree
End Goal = Employment

5. Overview of the College Process
The college search process and Naviance
Standardized testing and test preparation
College application components
College visits
Timeline

6. College Process and Components
College Application
Common Application
College website
Essay
Students can choose 1 of 7 prompts on the Common Application
SAT/ACT
Official score reports must be sent directly to colleges through Collegeboard and ACT website
Naviance
Teacher letters of recommendation
Transcripts sent by the School Counselor
School Counselor written evaluation
NCAA Division 1&2
NCAA Elgibility Center

7. SAT/ACT Test Test Preparation SAT Collegeboard.org Test Date
Registration Deadline
March 10, 2018
February 9, 2018
May 5, 2018
April 6, 2018
June 2, 2018
May 3, 2018
Log into Collegeboard Account to Access:
SAT practice tests
SAT question of the day
Khan Academy
Free online resource
Students can link their PSAT scores to Khan Academy to pinpoint areas for practice.
Local SAT Prep Courses
Kaplan
Log onto ACTstudent.org for ACT practice tests
ACT
Actstudent.org
Test Date
Registration Deadline
February 10, 2018
January 12, 2018
April 14, 2018
March 19, 2018
June 9, 2018
May 4, 2018

8. College Visits
Campus tours are a great opportunity for students to get on campus and discover if the college maybe the right fit for them.
Juniors and Seniors receive 3 excused absences each year for college visits.
Schedule a tour with the Undergraduate Admission’s Office.
Visit the main buildings, sit in on a class, visit inside the dormitories, cafeteria, library, etc.
Ask questions! Find out what the school offers as far as activities, internships, academic assistance, etc.

9. Naviance
Naviance/Family Connections is a web-base comprehensive and widely used college and career planning software program, that assists our students, parents, and counselors in various areas of your child’s education and post-high school planning process.

10. Naviance Through the Years
Grade 9
Grade 10
Strengths Explorer
Students can discover their strengths and interests and make connections with future career opportunities through this self- assessment.
Career Interest Profiler
This is a self-assessment tool that looks at students’ desired preferences and skills in a work environment and creates a matching list of occupations.
Grade 12
Grade 11
Scattergram
Request teacher letters of recommendation
Transcripts
View all college application status and materials
Common Application Match
SuperMatch
Students can use this tool to match their post secondary preferences and current credentials to potential schools.

11. SuperMatch tool on Naviance

12. Scattergram for Bridgewater State University

13. Supporting Your Student in Creating a College List
Match schools – student’s academic credentials fall well within (or even exceed) the school’s range for the average freshman.
Reach schools – student’s academic credentials fall below the school’s range for the average freshman. 
Safety schools – student’s academic credentials fall above the school’s range for the average freshman. 
College lists should contain a variety of schools including match, reach, and safety schools.
Students should explore both public and private schools.
A typical student applies to 5 – 7 schools.

14. Tips for Parents
Encourage student involvement in extracurricular activities (inside and outside of school)
Attend college visits with your student
Access the parent portal in Naviance
Help your student explore different career options and/or majors
Help your student dream big while also formulating realistic expectations

15. What Should Your Junior Be Doing Now?
WINTER
SPRING
SUMMER
Stay involved with extracurricular activities
Continue to gather college information through Naviance, school counselor, parents
Prepare for standardized tests
Begin narrowing college choices
Schedule college visits
Research college admissions requirements (GPA, SAT scores, SAT subject tests)
Organize college information
Contact recommendation writers
Register and complete standardized testing
Finalize college list
Continue to visit colleges
Start application essays
Organize financial aid options

16. Questions?
Nicole Grilli – Kendra Swenson –