1. “Believe, go forward, and inspire!”

2. Overview The College Experience College Search College Visit
What Colleges Are Looking For
Standardized Testing
Letters of Recommendation
College Essay
Timeline

3. COLLEGE SEARCH WHERE TO BEGIN
Pay close attention to retention rates – if a lot of students transfer after their freshmen year it may be an indicator of a greater problem.
Examine the reasons for going, before making a list of colleges to apply for admission. Ask yourself questions such as:
Why, really, are you going?
What are your abilities and strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
What do you want out of life, or in life—something tangible or intangible?
Are you socially self-sufficient or do you need warm, familial support?
What kind of learning community do you want to be part of?

4. COLLEGE SEARCH RESOURCES
Naviance Family Connection
General college websites
College Visits/Open House
College Fairs
College reference books and catalogs

5. College Search Factors
Environment
Location
Size
Proposed College Major
Cost
Admissions Requirements
Special Programs
Extracurricular Activities

6. Importance of visiting the college Timetable for visits
The College Visit
Importance of visiting the college
Timetable for visits
Make an appointment
Tour/information session
Questions to ask
Schedule interview if possible

7. What Colleges Are Looking For
Transcript
Quality of Coursework
Class Rank
Test Scores
Essay
Extracurricular Activities
Recommendations
Interest – visiting campus/interviews/meeting with college representative at MHS

8. Developing a College List
Explore a list of schools utilizing the formula of probable schools, target schools and reach schools.
Research and select 2 Probable schools
Research and select 4 Target schools
Research and select 2 Reach schools
Utilizing a formula similar to this helps diminish stress as you have a broad range of colleges selected.

9. Letters of Recommendation
Will need 2 letters of recommendations
(2) from junior year teachers, (1) ea. from two diff core academic subjects
(1) from counselor (if required by the College)
Ask teachers and counselor in May
Fill out supporting recommendation forms

10. TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS
Requesting a Letter of Recommendation from a Teacher or Counselor
Request your letter in person first.
Request the letter at least two weeks prior to the application deadline.
Make sure the colleges you are requesting a letter for are listed under “Colleges I’m Applying To.”
If the teacher is going to mail the letter of recommendation, please provide them with addressed and stamped envelopes to each college. If the teacher is going to send the letter electronically, you do not have to provide envelopes.

11. Requesting Teacher Letters of Recommendation on Naviance

12. Application Deadlines terms
Early Decision – binding agreement
Early Action - non binding agreement
(Application deadlines for ED & EA begin Oct 15th)
Regular Decision
Rolling Admission

13. STARTING YOUR COLLEGE LIST

14. COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Enter all schools you are applying to in Naviance Family Connection under “Colleges I’m Applying To.”
Include whether you are applying Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Admission, etc. Remember, Early Decision is a binding contract and all other applications will need to be withdrawn if you are admitted.
Applying via the Common Application, mark yes or no.

15. COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Means that it is a Common Application School and you are choosing to apply to that school using the Common Application electronic submission.
Means that it is a school that accepts electronic submission.
Means it is a school that only accepts applications by mail (Bring all Transcript Requests and Secondary School Reports to your Guidance Counselor to be mailed. We will provide envelopes.

16. FERPA WAIVER Fill out the FERPA Waiver in the Common Application.
You must first have all your current school information in the Common App before completing this step.
The FERPA Release Authorization can be found under the “My Colleges” tab in the Common Application.
Click “Yes, I do waive my rights…” or “No, I do not waive my rights…”
Waiving your rights allows your recommender to write an honest statement on your behalf.
Check “By completing this form, I authorize all schools…”

17. COMMON APP MATCHING

18. COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

19. REQUESTING A TRANSCRIPT

20. OTHER THOUGHTS
Social Media According to Education Week, it was reported that the number of college admissions officers who routinely search the Social Media and use Google to get insights on applicants has quadrupled in the past year. When college officials find inappropriate material they often deny admission. Letter Your final high school transcript matters!

21. Contact Your Counselor
Brianna Ledoux
Michael Soucy
Pat Tyler
Kay Hedstrom
Dan Leone