1. Presented by: BMHS Guidance Department http://portal.norwalkps.org/schools/bmhs Junior/Parent College Night “Preparing you and your student for life after high school”

2. 4 credits of English 3 credits of Math 3 credits of Science including: one credit of lab Science 3 credits of Social Studies including: 1 credit of US History.5 credit Civics 1 credit of the Various Arts 1 credit of PE.5 credit of Health.5 credit of Computer Literacy 4 credits of Electives Graduation Requirements Course selection should be done with an eye toward college. Minimum of 20 credits

3. The College Process: Naviance Your students Naviance page has information that is crucial to the college process. They should visit often and follow all of the directions on their page. Take surveys on learning style and career interests Conduct a college search Compare colleges Track deadlines Schedule visits with college reps at BMHS Request Transcripts Search for scholarships Communications from Guidance Department

4. The College Process: Naviance A comprehensive tool that can be used to help students and parents through college and career planning. Students have Naviance accounts. Parents can request an access code by emailing their students counselor.

5.  Conduct college searches and research specific schools  Create “Colleges I’m Thinking About” list  Take College Entrance Exams  Begin your College Essay  Familiarize yourself with the Common Application  Check to see when supporting documents need to be sent  Request transcripts through Naviance  Ask 2 teachers and your counselor to write formal recommendations  View which college representatives are visiting BMHS  Schedule Meetings with your School Counselor  Arrange to have official test scores sent directly to schools  KNOW YOUR DEADLINES! Sent by? Received by? The College Process: The Student Role Take ownership of college process

6. Conduct a college search in Naviance. Attend The College Fair at BMHS Figure out who you are. Look for colleges that interest you. The most selective college may not always be the best fit Include interest of school (high, medium, and low). Categorize into likely, target, and reach Know why you are applying to each school Be realistic about the academic requirements for admission Visit schools and attend open house meetings Attend college rep visits in the fall at BMHS Think about cost. Consider Sports. The College Process: Making a list

7. The College Process: edocs Naviance eDocs is an electronic college application tool, allowing schools to prepare and send college application documentation electronically to more than 3,000 electronic destinations including all Common App schools. To begin managing the college application process, students can start with these activities:  Common App: Register after August 1 st. Enter high school information, add at least one college, and sign the FERPA Release Authorization on the Common App Family Connection  In Naviance: Complete the Common App Account Matching process. Add non- Common App colleges to the. Colleges I’m Applying To list.

8.  Online only-no more paper version available  Accepted by more than 450 schools including UCONN.  ESSAY  Supplements will be streamlined so they are accessible online earlier  Complete application will not be available until AUGUST 1, 2015. Do not register until the application is released  Matches with Naviance www.commonapp.org The College Process: The Common Application

9. Types of Applications:  Early Decision  Binding  Early Action I  Early Action II  Regular Decision  Rolling * Sent to colleges by student The College Process Required Information in Addition to the Application  Transcript:  Course selection, level of rigor and grades  Three-year GPA/Rank  First quarter senior grades  Mid-Year senior grades (Often required and sent by student request)  Counselor Recommendation (by request)  Teacher Recommendations (by request)  SAT/ACT scores*  AP Scores/Subject Tests*

10. College Entrance Exams: SAT and SAT II Subject Area Tests Scholastic Aptitude Test Measures : Critical Reading, Writing, and Math or Content Area Maximum 800 per section Minimum 200 per section www.sat.collegeboard.org SAT Date 2015 SAT Subject Tests Available Registration Deadline Mar 14 No Subject Test Feb 13 May 2 Subject TestsSubject Tests: U.S. History, Literature, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Mathematics Level 2, Mathematics Level 1, Biology E/M U.S. HistoryLiteratureChemistryPhysicsFrenchSpanish Mathematics Level 2Mathematics Level 1Biology E/M Apr 6 Jun 6 Subject TestsSubject Tests: U.S. History, World History, Literature, Chemistry, Physics. Latin, Modern Hebrew, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Mathematics Level 2, Mathematics Level 1, Biology E/M U.S. HistoryWorld HistoryLiteratureChemistryPhysicsLatin Modern HebrewFrenchGermanItalianSpanishMathematics Level 2 Mathematics Level 1Biology E/M May 8

11. College Entrance Exams: ACT American College Testing Measures: English, Science, Reading, Math and Writing (optional) Scoring Out of 36 Maximum and Minimum per section varies www.actstudent.org Test Date Registration Deadline(Late Fee Required) February 7, 2015*January 9, 2015January 10–16, 2015 April 18, 2015March 13, 2015March 14–27, 2015 June 13, 2015May 8, 2015May 9–22, 2015

12. FAFSA (WEB Based)  Free Application for Federal Student Aid  For Federal Aid  January 1 st – March 1*  Parents and Students must apply for FAFSA pin  Never pay for FAFSA  https://fafsa.ed.gov https://fafsa.ed.gov Financial Aid/ Scholarships CSS Profile (WEB Based)  Not necessary for all colleges/ universities  Fee associated  For Institutional Funds  https://student.collegeboard.org/css- financial-aid-profile https://student.collegeboard.org/css- financial-aid-profile

13. Financial Aid/Scholarships Get Motivated. Research early. Check the Scholarship list on NAVIANCE! Some web sites on the BMHS Guidance Page: Adventures In Education — Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator www.AIE.org/Calculators/EFC/index.cfm - Adventures In Education — Scholarship Search www.AIE.org/sbase - College Answer www.collegeanswer.com - College Board — Scholarship Database apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearchss/welcome.jsp College Goal Sunday www.collegegoalsundayusa.org - CollegeToolkit.com www.collegetoolkit.com - FAFSA on the Web www.fafsa.ed.gov - FastWeb — Scholarship Search www.studentservices.com/fastweb - Federal Trade Commission — Scholarship Scams www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt009.shtm - Financial Aid Informat ion www.finaid.org - Hispanic Scholarship Fund www.hsf.net -

14. Athletes: NCAA Clearinghouse The NCAA Eligibility Center is responsible for determining the eligibility of every college-bound student-athlete in NCAA Divisions I and II using the following two areas: Academic Certification and Amateurism Certification. College-bound student-athletes should complete the registration process, at www.eligibilitycenter.org at the beginning of their sophomore year.www.eligibilitycenter.org Send official transcripts at the end of the student’s sixth semester (junior year) and SAT/ACT Scores from College Board. Fee waivers are a vailable, see your School Counselor.

15. The Brien McMahon School Counseling Web Site: http://portal.norwalkps.org/schools/bmhs/guida nce/default.aspx Our Web site contains a comprehensive four year planning guide to Colleges and Careers as well as other important information. Please be sure to visit out page often. Things to know:

16. Questions….?