1. COLLEGE PLANNING NIGHT Welcome Parents and Students! The College Planning Process How do I choose a college? Where do I start? What do I do? Applications? Types of applications? Deadlines? Test Scores? The Essay? HELP!!! how to choose a college Naviance cost Financial Aid & Scholarships NCAA

2. DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL COUNSELING Allison Delaney(A-F) Catherine Macri (G-Ma ) Kristen Raulerson(Mc-S) Sheila Bedard, Director(T-Z) Linda O’BrienCounseling Secretary Deborah Ingoglia Career Center

3. HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE: FACTORS TO CONSIDER  Financial considerations  Location  Size  Safety  Specialized programs  Support  Extracurricular activities  Comfort level  Personal long-term goals

4. VISITING A COLLEGE  Have specific questions in mind  Participate in a tour  Schedule special meetings (departments, honors programs)  Counselors can approve college visits for “no count” absences during school time  Arrange well in advance  Get assignments in advance  Obtain verification of visit

5. What is a “ safe ” school for me? These are schools where your chances are highly likely or certain for admission. What is a “ target ” school for me? These are realistic schools or those that match your credentials well. Your GPA and test scores are in line with the averages of those students accepted. What is a “ reach ” school for me? These are schools that are considered a long shot. Your profile may not match exactly that of an accepted student. However, you are encouraged to apply to at least one reach school. You never know what a college may be looking for, beyond the numbers. You may have “it” and your reach school becomes a reality. Making Your List

6. COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS  Make sure application requirements are met.  Make sure counselor has the activities list.  Turn in Transcript Release Form.  Ask for recommendations personally & on Naviance.  Give teachers two weeks notice  Proofread the application and make a copy.  List “colleges applying to” on Naviance Keep your counselor informed!

7. STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR REQUESTING SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Students must be registered on Naviance. Students are responsible for requesting transcripts and recommendations through Naviance.

8. Naviance is essential for submitting applications to all colleges requiring the Common Application, and for sending of all transcripts. https://connection.naviance.com/family- connection/auth/login?hsid=montvillehs also available on School Counseling webpage on the MHS website, as well as Parent Resources

9. Requesting Letters of Recommendation: When asking teachers for recommendations do so in person, at least 2 weeks before you need it, give them a resume, and then make the request via Naviance. Click on colleges tab Click on colleges I am applying to tab Click on add/cancel requests under Teacher Recommendations, selecting the appropriate teachers.

10. STUDENTS are responsible for providing the following information to colleges. SAT/ACT scores (forward from Collegeboard.com or ACT.org List of school/sports/community service activities (in the form of a student resume) NOTE: This information is not provided on transcript.

11. THE APPLICATION ESSAY  If “optional,” do it  Write about what you know  Write about what you are passionate about  Answer the question that is asked  Be as personal as you feel comfortable being, but not too personal  Avoid trying to be “funny” or using gimmicks  Avoid just listing; explain how and why  Get appropriate help  Take time to prepare it well  Proofread carefully and have others proofread (Spell-check is not always your friend!)

12. Common Application Create a Common Application account at: https://www.commonapp.org https://www.commonapp.org (also under links on Naviance home page). Save your username, password, and Common Application ID number! Complete all parts of the Common Application, including any supplements. FERPA Common App Video

13. Why should you consider waiving your right of access? Waiving your right lets colleges know that you will never try to read your recommendations. That in turn reassures colleges that your recommenders have provided support that is candid and truthful. While you are free to respond as you wish, if you choose not to waive your right, some recommenders may decline your request, and some colleges may disregard letters submitted on your behalf.

14. Common Application and Naviance Match

15. If the school is a paper application: Complete application and submit prior to the deadline along with all supporting documents: –paper copies of recommendations –copy of essay Request transcripts on Naviance BEWARE OF

16. EARLY DECISION EARLY ACTION REGULAR ADMISSION Admission Plans

17. Early Decision  Students apply early in senior year by the Early Decision deadline.  Students are notified in a few weeks or less if admitted, denied, or deferred.  Students must enroll if accepted.  Chance of admission may be increased.  Little if any negotiation for financial aid.  Most schools require a signed contract.

18. Early Action  Students apply early and are notified early.  The decision is not binding.

19. Regular Admission  Students apply by deadline.  Notification dates may vary  Rolling: 2 – 4 weeks  Fixed date notification: March – April  Students make decision by May 1

20. NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER See brochure in packet Must register on the website if you plan to play Division 1 or Division 2 athletics in college http://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.html

21. NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER STEPS  Make sure you meet the requirements  Register online well before graduation at https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter  Maintain good academic performance  All SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center by the testing agency. Test scores will not appear on transcripts.  When registering for the SAT or ACT, use the Eligibility Center code of 9999 to make sure the score is reported to the Eligibility Center.

22. FINANCIAL AID  CSS/ProfileCSS/Profile  Required by some private colleges  FAFSA (after January 1, 2015) FAFSA  Additional financial aid applications required by some colleges.  Financial Aid Workshop (TBD)  Counseling and Career News  National, state, and local scholarships

23. THE CAREER CENTER  Naviance Family Connection  College information and applications  Vocational and technical schools  Financial aid information  Internet access  Updated career information  Military service information  College and career visiting guests  The Counseling and Career News

24. READ THE SCHOLARSHIP NEWSLETTER  http://mhs.montvilleschools.org/ http://mhs.montvilleschools.org/  Select Counseling  Scholarship Newsletter Scholarship Newsletter  Available:  On Naviance Family Connection  In the Career Center, Counseling office, and Main office

25. SOME WEB SITES http://www.montvilleschools.org/page.cfm?p=855 www.collegeboard.com www.fafsa.ed.gov http://studentaid.ed.gov www.fastweb.com www.finaid.com

26. WHAT STUDENTS SHOULD BE DOING NOW  Keep strong academically.  Use Naviance Family Connection.  Research colleges and narrow down the list  Attend “open houses”  Keep counselors informed of your activities.  Complete transcript permission form.  Seniors complete applications and essays.  Request recommendations.  Keep counselors aware of all applications  Read the Scholarship Newsletter.

27. Any questions? Thanks for coming!