1. Senior Planning Night Class of 2015 Presented by your School Counselors

2. Tonight's Agenda Junior year recap College application process Naviance refresher Financial aid resources Tips and Takeaways Q & A

3. Junior Planning Seminar Topics SAT's & ACT'sInterviews do's and don'ts Self-assessmentThe Common Application Naviance & college search Mock Admissions ResumeBrag sheet

4. Where will your path take you?

5. Need a break or time to decide? Consider a gap year Gap Year Fair Conard High School February 10, 2015 6:00 PM

6. Resources to help with college planning Naviance - Hall Home Page college search college compare Collegeboard.org Campus visits, tours and overnights College rep visits to Hall College Fair at Conard October 22 - 6:30-8:00 PM College websites Blogs Contact former Hall grads Meet with your school counselor

7. College Rep Visits to Hall Ways to find out who is visiting: Naviance Under colleges tab - make sure to sign up before visit Monitors in hallways Posted outside School Counseling Office

8. College Applications Procedures (your blue booklet) Important Dates Frequently Asked Questions Senior Checklist Sample Forms Permission to Release Records

9. Putting it all together Student sends: Application Fee Essay Supplement* SAT/ACT official scores Teacher sends: Teacher Recommendation [Student must give pink recommendation form to teacher] School Counseling Office sends: Transcript School Profile Counselor Recommendation Mid-year and final grades 1 st quarter grade, if requested – use form

10. Link on homepage of Naviance Over 450 college and universities use it Complete it over several sessions Supplements for many schools Hall counselors & teachers submit materials through Naviance

11. Need Help Getting Started? oAttend Common App Workshop oThursday, 9/18 periods 4-7 and 2:15 in C129 oFront page of Common Application oClick on ‘Help Center’ Training Resources Video, Submitting Your Common Application oFERPA oWaiving your rights

12. Naviance Refresher

14. Financial Aid & Scholarships Sources of help: College websites and financial aid office(s) o Net Price Calculator Financial Aid Workshop o November 19th, 7PM, Conard High College Goal Sunday - Jan. 25, Hall High Scholarships listed in Naviance

15. Financial Aid & Scholarships FAFSA & CSS PROFILE > Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) - fafsa.gov oMust be completed to apply for financial aid to any institution - there is NO fee oUsed to prove need for many scholarships oWill determine your ‘EFC’ - expected family contribution oCan submit on January 1, 2015 for 2015-16 school year oYou will estimate at first and then update once your taxes are completed > CSS Profile - collegeboard.org oRequired by many private schools - there is a fee oMay have a deadline PRIOR to January 1, 2015

16. Important Facts Review School Code – 070900 We don't rank Weighted GPA - 4.0 scale Class of 2015 - 349 students No more “Guidance Counselor” - use “School Counselor” School Counseling fax: 860.929.5127

17. Tips to take away: KEEP YOUR GRADES UP! Many colleges want quarter grades – submit request form Report ALL decision results for accuracy of Naviance. FINISH THE RACE STRONG! Colleges will check your second semester grades Course schedule changes are reported to colleges KEEP EVERYTHING IN PERSPECTIVE! Don’t let the process overwhelm you, use your resources Have fun!

18. Tips Continued: Top three mistakes on applications: 1.Missing deadlines and not paying attention to individual college admission requirements 2.Using the wrong college name in essay 3.Parent over-involvement We are here to help ALL year - not just the fall. Visit your counselor regularly!

19. Timeline Student Brag Sheet Parent Brag Sheet Resume Tentative College List College Essay Finalize College List College Application Materials Transcript request form Teacher recommendation form (pink sheet) Application

20. Questions?