1. Welcome to Senior Parent Night September 15, 2015

2. Where is your child headed? 2 year college RACC Technical/trade school 4 year college Armed services Employment

3. Graduation requirements Full-time MHS Students English4 credits Social Studies4 credits Math4 credits Science4 credits Arts/Humanities2 credits Health0.75 credits Driver’s Education0.25 credits Physical Education1.32 credits Career Exploration0.25 credits Electives3 credits RMCTC Students English4 credits Social Studies4 credits Math4 credits Science3credits Arts/Humanities1 credit Health0.75 credits Driver’s Education0.25 credits Physical Education1.32 credits Career Exploration0.25 credits Electives5 credits

4. Transcripts include the following information Courses taken and grades earned (9-12) Credits GPAs (yearly and cumulative) Test scores (Sept./Oct. testing not on until month after testing) Rank Attendance Transcripts are sent with all applications Final transcripts are sent to schools in June (Make sure we know your child’s final school selection.)

6. Testing SAT www.collegeboard.com Test DateRegistration Deadline Late Fee Required Oct. 3, 2015Sept. 3, 2015Sept. 22, 2015 Nov. 7, 2015Oct. 9, 2015Oct. 27, 2015 Dec. 5, 2015Nov. 5, 2015Nov. 23, 2015 Jan. 23, 2016Dec. 28, 2016Jan. 12, 2016 Mar. 5, 2016Feb. 5, 2016Feb. 23, 2016 May 7, 2016Apr. 8, 2016Apr. 26, 2016 Jun.4, 2016May 5, 2016May 25, 2016 ACT www.actstudent.org Test DateRegistration Deadline Late Fee Required Sept. 12, 2015Aug. 7, 2015Aug. 21, 2015 Oct. 24, 2015Sept. 18, 2015Oct. 2, 2015 Dec. 12, 2015Nov. 6, 2015Nov. 20, 2015 Feb. 6, 2016Jan. 8, 2016Jan. 15, 2016 Apr. 9, 2016Mar. 4, 2016Mar. 18, 2016 Jun. 11, 2016May 6, 2016May 20, 2016

7. Testing Most schools take the best math and verbal score regardless of the test date (exception: Penn State) More and more schools require that you send “official” test scores directly from test center

8. Testing ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test)-Thursday, November 19, 2015, at the high school in a.m.

9. Application process Students will apply online. There are a few exceptions where paper applications may be needed and can be downloaded. There are “Common Applications” for over 500 private schools. www.commonapp.org. The Common App is a great time saver! Common applications MUST BE MATCHED VIA NAVIANCE. A video about this process is available on the Counseling Dept. website, under the Naviance tab. Use the PASSHE site for all state applications http://www.passhe.edu. www.commonapp.org Complete applications; if recommendations are needed, the student should ask the teacher(s) in person, and then submit a letter of recommendation request through Naviance. Students must indicate through the request, which schools require the letter of recommendation(s). Once applications are completed, students must log into Naviance and add the schools that they applied to, into the “Schools I applied to” section. They must then request a transcript through Naviance. Naviance

10. Application process Watch deadlines! There is a 2 week turnaround time for sending transcripts. Rolling admissions, early decision, etc. Apply to 3 to 5 schools (safety, target, reach) Counselors can assist you in finding which schools are appropriate.

11. Admissions Selection Process What schools look for when selecting students – Curriculum – GPA – SAT/ACT scores – Essays and recommendations – Experiences *Not all schools use all of these criteria

12. Those who do not know what they want to do: Visit schools (with parent, note to school 5 days before) – Make appts. with admissions and financial aid offices – Go to open houses View college websites for information Meet with college reps and armed services who visit here at school (posted outside counseling office, announcements, online) College VisitationsCollege Visitations Career Center (shadowing, Internet, Naviance)

13. NCAA Division I big schools (PSU)- do offer athletic scholarships Division II state schools (Kutztown)- do offer athletic scholarships Division III private schools- do NOT offer athletic scholarships but MAY provide good financial aid packages

14. NCAA Complete NCAA form at www.ncaa.org (click on Prospective student-athletes register here) if you are planning to play sports in college. (Div. I and II only).www.ncaa.org Must inform counseling office that you registered.

15. Financial Aid Night January 6, 2016 6-8 p.m. in the high school café. FAFSA (fafsa.ed.gov) and Profile forms (collegeboard.com)fafsa.ed.govcollegeboard.com If not interested in loans, fill out forms anyway so schools can offer money to you! FAFSA Completion Session Sat. Feb. 6, 2015, 11-1

18. Scholarships Scholarship List: On the school’s website under Counseling Department; updated regularly. Scholarship List Check out other sources through the Internet (fastweb.com); employersfastweb.com Services provided by financial aid planning/assistance businesses need to be checked out thoroughly!

19. MHS Counselors Mrs. Melissa Work (A-F) x4112 Mrs. Kerry Hendel(G-O) x4109 Ms. Valery Will (P-Z) x 4110 Mrs. Beth Burnham (Career Counselor) x4243 Thank you for coming tonight!