1. College Counseling at Hyde School

2. In this presentation: Hyde Philosophy What’s happening here this spring Student expectations What we do Parent responsibilities Application and disciplinary/legal questions Helpful tools for parents Our commitment Your questions and comments

3. Our Philosophy “College admission is a match to be made—not a prize to be won.” A partnership for the journey Schools that are the best fit for a student The Hyde School experience make a difference in the college process

4. State of College Admissions… Colleges seek to determine “serious applicants”  Distinguishing characteristics  Demonstrated interest Number of test-optional colleges increases  Be aware that this can affect acceptance rates  www.fairtest.org High Schools now submit application materials electronically  Student must read the fine print  Deadlines are critical

5. What’s Happening at Hyde School this spring: College Fairs – Pomfret School (next week) Testing ACT (next test June 13 th, www.actstudent.org) SAT (May 2 nd, www.collegeboard.org) Optional SAT or SAT Subject tests @ HOME (June 6)

6. What’s Happening at Hyde School this spring: Individual college counseling session Initial development of list of prospective colleges  Based on questionnaire, students’ preferences and profile Introduction to Naviance - our web-based college counseling system (http://naviance.connection.com/hyde) Review of summer college assignments

7. Student Expectations… Be the “manager” of their college process Carefully research prospective colleges; create a list of a maximum of 8-10 colleges; APPLY All Seniors will be given a comprehensive College Process Workbook that they need to utilize (“how to” guide) Communicate with their college process “team”

8. Student Expectations Working with their college counselor and parents, students will:  Register and prepare for the SAT and/or ACT  Know application requirements and deadlines for each college on their list  Choose Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision  Submit applications in a timely manner  Internal deadlines vs college deadlines

9. Student Expectations Do summer college homework! o Visit a variety of colleges o Develop a working list of colleges that they are considering o Write a draft of their college essay o Prepare for their next SAT/ACT/SAT II/TOEFL o Begin to fill out the Common Application after August 1 st

10. What We Do Educate versus DO Develop a list of prospective colleges for each student Counsel students and parents as the students’ final list of colleges is developed Recommend actions that will strengthen a student’s chances for admission Guide students during their College Workshop

11. More of What We Do Establish internal deadlines to encourage timely submission of college applications Monitor and review student’s materials Coordinate and submit all school-related materials Oversee teacher recommendation process Advocate on behalf of our students Serve as a resource for parents

12. Key Responsibilities of Parents Approach this process as your child’s consultant—not as the manager TAKE YOUR CHILD TO VISIT COLLEGES DURING THE SUMMER! Work with your child to develop a final list of colleges by early September Know how your child is progressing in the application process Own the financial aid application process

13. Important Application Factors The High School Transcript Recommendations 2 academic, school statement Distinguishing Characteristics essay, resume, explanation of transcript Test Scores SAT, ACT, Subject Tests, TOEFL Demonstrated Interest

14. Disciplinary/Legal Questions “Have you ever been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at any educational institution you have attended from the 9th grade (or the international equivalent) forward, whether related to academic misconduct or behavioral misconduct, that resulted in a disciplinary action? These actions could include, but are not limited to: probation, suspension, removal, dismissal, or expulsion from the institution.?”

15. Disciplinary/Legal Questions… Parents, please verify! Notify College Counseling if your student will need to answer “yes.” Provide us with your own written explanation of the circumstances. We will work with your child to develop his/her written explanation.

16. Disciplinary/Legal Questions Have you ever been adjudicated guilty or convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or other crime? Yes No [Note that you are not required to answer “yes” to this question, or provide an explanation, if the criminal adjudication or conviction has been expunged, sealed, annulled, pardoned, destroyed, erased, impounded, or otherwise ordered by a court to be kept confidential.]

17. Helpful Tools for Parents Hyde Central – www.hyde.wikispaces.net Go to the College Office page on the Woodstock Campus – it’s our in-house one-stop-shopping page which will include: 1. Summer Homework for Incoming Seniors 2. Links to Naviance, Common Application, College Board, ACT 3. Search engines for colleges 4. Financial Aid information and links

18. Helpful Tools for Parents & Students… Fair Test—www.fairtest.org * a list of colleges that are test-score optional for admission FinAid - www.finaid.com or FastWeb - www.fastweb.comwww.finaid.com www.fastweb.com * scholarship search engines Financial Aid—www.studentaid.ed.gov *all you need to know to apply for federal student aid

19. Helpful Tools for Parents… Our Favorite Books: * 40 Colleges That Change Lives *College Unranked-Ending the College Admissions Frenzy *Princeton Review’s The Best 373 Colleges *The Insider’s Guide to the Colleges *The Fiske Guide *The College Finder

20. Our Commitment We will work as your partner to: Help your child find colleges that are a good fit for him/her to be admitted Work with your child to produce high-quality application materials that present him/her in the strongest light Keep you aware of their progress

21. Your questions are always welcomed! Tricia Uber tuber@hyde.edutuber@hyde.edu Director of College Counseling Karen McGovern kmcgovern@hyde.edukmcgovern@hyde.edu College Office Assistant (860)-963- 4782 or (860) 963-4712