1. Preparing For Your Future
Presented by the Rush-Henrietta Senior High School Counseling Center

2. Junior Parent Night Outline
Where We’ve Been
Where We Are
The Next 8 Months
Where You’re Going
College Application Process
Standardized Testing
Parent Information
Miscellaneous
Questions

3. Where We’ve Been
Career Interest Inventory in 9th grade (Naviance Family Connection)
Personality Profiler 10th grade students (Naviance Family Connection)
PSAT’s in October
RIGOR!! - Continued stress on students challenging themselves in their coursework

4. Where We Are Now Scheduling 12th grade Courses
4th year of Science, Math, and continued study in LOTE - Strongly encouraged.
Colleges DO look at your senior year!
Challenge yourself with AP Coursework.
Active conversations on the post-secondary planning process
Counselors are assessing where students are in the process and steering them in the right direction

5. The Next 8 Months
Research and investigate your options (use Naviance Family Connection, as well as other resources)
Attend college fairs
Go on college visits
Take your SAT and/or ACT
Begin/update your activities resume
Refine the list of schools you may apply to
Think of a few people who may be able to write you a letter of recommendation
Volunteer Work/Enrichment Experiences/Take Some Courses at U of R or RIT

6. Where You Are Going… College or University
Military/United States Military Academies
Technical Institute
Community/Junior College
Employment
Gap Year
The first step is the student deciding what they want to do after high school. Counselors can assist in exploring but ultimately, it is the student’s decision.

7. The College Search Process
Use the College and Career Center!
Internet, college web sites & Naviance Family Connection
College Fairs/Admission Rep Visits
Campus Visits
College Catalogs

8. The College Application Process
Narrow down the colleges in which you are going to apply. We recommend:
1 “Reach” School
3 Attainable Schools
1 “Safety” School
Become familiar with the applications.
Common Application (Recommended)
SUNY Application
MCC Application
Individual College Applications
The majority of applications are processed on-line.

9. The College Application Process (Continued)
What Colleges Look At:
Transcript
Course Rigor
GPA
SAT and/or ACT Scores
Extracurricular Activities (Resume/Activity Sheet)
Letters of Recommendation
College Essay and/or and Interview
The Application Itself
Supplemental Application (if applicable)
Note: Some colleges may require SAT Subject Tests. Please read application requirements carefully!

10. Standardized Tests
PSAT - Students should have their scores if they took the test in October
SAT Reasoning - you may take as many times as you wish, but we recommend no more than 3 times
ACT - Recommend this be taken in ADDITION to the SAT Reasoning.
SAT Subject Tests - Required by some colleges.

11. The College Application Process (Continued)
What The Student is Responsible For
Inputting colleges they are applying to into Naviance Family Connection
-If using common app, be sure to match student accounts to Naviance Family Connection
Completed Application
Application Fee
Authorization for Release of Information (“Green Sheet”) – This release must be on file for every college to which you apply.

12. The College Application Process (Continued)
What The Student is Responsible For
SAT/ACT Scores – Test scores can be sent by the counseling center, however if a college requires that they come directly from the testing agency, you must make arrangements to have them sent.
Letters of Recommendation –
1. It is your responsibility to personally ask teachers for a letter of recommendation.
2. Invite teachers via Naviance Family Connection.
3. Provide teachers with a “pink sheet,” (available in Counseling Center). This tells them how to and which schools to submit letter to on your behalf.
4. A thank you note is appropriate to those who write on your behalf.
Essay – This is your chance to tell the college about yourself, beyond what your transcript and test scores tell them. You will work on this as part of your senior English class.

13. The College Application Process (continued)
Information sent by the school:
Student Transcript
School Profile
Standardized Test Scores (unofficial)
School Counselor Report/Secondary School Report
WE NEED 10 SCHOOL DAYS TO PROCESS THIS INFORMATION. STUDENTS, PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES!!!

14. The College Application Process (continued)
The college/university decision:
All information is compiled and reviewed before making a decision
The student will be notified of decision by April 15.
As soon as the necessary financial information is submitted, colleges will send out a comprehensive financial aid package (if student is admitted).
Admitted candidate notifies college/university of their decision by May 1.

15. Parent Information Information provided by the Parent/Guardian:
-Financial Aid Information
-FAFSA available January 1st of the senior year
Your role in the process
-We strongly encourage students to take ownership of the college application process. Students should fill out the application, write their essay, and ask for letters of recommendation. Adults are available for support, assistance, and proof reading but should not be filling out the application for the student.

16. Miscellaneous NCAA Clearinghouse - Division I & II Athletics
Auditions and Portfolios
Military Options
Counseling Connection
Counselor web pages
Resources
School Code: #332340
Parent Brag Sheet

17. Suggestions Stay organized Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Research scholarships. There is a lot of $$$ out there
As always, counselors are available to help. Please call, or schedule an appointment with your school counselor for assistance.