2. College Planning Night for Juniors & Parents
Class of 2017

3. Tonight’s Handouts
“Junior College Planning” handout: summarizes the most important aspects from tonight's presentation and can be used as a “to-do” list.
Ivy Bound SAT Prep Class Flyer.
Catalyst SAT Bootcamp Class Flyer.
Tonight’s PowerPoint can be found on the guidance website under college planning.

4. MHS resources to help you plan for college and career
School Counselor
College & Career Center
Naviance/Family Connection (*NEW*)

5. What is Naviance?
Online tool to assist students with career and college planning
Established in 2002
Currently used by 9,000 high schools
Connects with Powerschool and Common App to send letters of recommendation and transcripts electronically to 4,800 colleges.
We will talk about the various features of Naviance throughout tonight’s presentation

6. Options After High School
Work
Military
Trade / Technical School / Certificate Programs
College
2 Year Schools (Associate Degrees)
4 Year Schools (Bachelor Degrees)

7. I Don’t Know What I Want To Do!
Now is the time to be researching
various careers and majors.
It’s okay if you don’t know…nearly one third of all UCONN students enter as undecided
Use Naviance to research career options…

8. Three different career tests
Video interviews with leaders who have built their careers based on their interests.

9. College Search Use a college search tool:
Naviance OR
Factors to consider:
- Academic Programs
- Location
- Setting
- Size
- Student Demographics
- Clubs / Activities
- Athletics
- Internships
- Study Abroad
- Cost

10. Use these features to search for & research colleges

11. Use Naviance to research colleges…
Admission Statistics

12. Other ways to learn about colleges
Colleges’ website.
Tour campus.
College Fairs:
-Hartford National Fair: March 30th & 31st
-Xavier High School: May
Watch campus tour videos.
And…

13. College Representative Visits
Every year we bring over 95 admission representatives to MHS. This is a great way to learn more about a school and get face-to-face time with the person who will read your application. These visits take place September through November in the career center. A list of visits is posted on Naviance & the Career Center door. In the past we have had the following schools visit…

14. Anna Maria College
Lasell College (MA)
Southern NH University
Arcadia University
Lincoln Tech- East Windsor Campus
St. John’s (NY)
Army National Guard in Cafe
St. Joseph’s University (PA)
Army
Long Island University Brooklyn
St. Leo University (FL)
Bay Path College
Lyndon State College
Stanford University
Becker College
Manhattan College
Sterling College (VT)
Babson
Marines
Stevens Inst. Of Technology
Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst.
Marist College
Stonehill College
Worcester Polytechnic Inst.
Mass College Pharmacy & Health
Stony Brook
Brandeis University
Merrimack College
Suffolk University
Bryant University
Messiah College
Trinity College
Central CT State University
Mount Holyoke College
UCONN
Champlain College
Navy
UMASS Amherst
Clark University
Newbury College
University of Bridgeport
Connecticut College
Pace University
University of Delaware
Curry College
Paul Smith’s College (NY)
University of Hartford
Drew University
Plymouth State
University of New Haven
Eastern CT State University
Post University
University of Rhode Island
Elms College
Quinnipiac University
University of Scranton
Emmanuel College
Rivier College
University of Southern Maine
Franklin Pierce
Rochester Inst. Of Technology
University of St. Joseph (CT)
Gettysburg College
Roger Williams University
University of Vermont
Goodwin College
Sacred Heart University
Ursinus College
High Point University
Sage College of NY
Utica College
Hofstra University
Salve Regina
Wentworth Inst. Of Technology
Johnson & Wales (RI)
Seton Hall
Wesleyan University
Johnson State
Southern CT State U
Western CT State U
Keene State
Yale  

15. Things that are considered for college admission
Most important factors:
GPA
Rigor of Classes
SAT or ACT Scores
Other factors:
Extracurricular Involvement
Volunteer Work
Essay
Recommendations

16. How do I find out what GPA & SAT scores a college is looking for?
Check the college’s website.
Ask while you are on tours or meeting with college representatives.
Look at school’s profile on or Naviance
Meet with your school counselor or visit the career center.

17. Average Student Admitted:
GPA SAT Scores (per section)
Yale: A
Wesleyan: A / A- 700
UCONN: A-/B
Central: B
Post: C

18. New SAT Reading, Math, and the optional Essay
Sign up:
Aligned with what students are learning in the classroom
One math section will prohibit the use of calculators
No deduction for wrong answers
4 answer choices
Essay- 50 minutes

19. Should I take the old SAT and the new SAT?
We are encouraging all juniors to wait for the release of the NEW SAT.
The new SAT will be offered starting in March. March scores won’t be out until May.
Students should sign up for essay.
Some colleges will only accept the new test format.
Most colleges will not super score between the old and new test.

20. Other College Entrance Exams
ACT with Writing: English, Reading, Math, Writing, Science -
SAT Subject Tests: Subject tests may be required by some of the more selective schools.
*Fee waivers are available for students who receive free or reduced lunch

21. Testing Timeline Spring of Junior Year (May or June)
Study over summer based on scores
Fall of Senior Year (October or November)

22. How do I study for these tests?
and
Free sample tests and question of the day
SAT prep classes –
MHS Math SAT Prep Class
Ivy Bound – See flyer
Catalyst Bootcamp – See flyer
SAT / ACT Study Guides
After school tutoring
PSAT results – online in December
-Paper score reports will be
distributed during January PRIDE

23. Test Optional Schools
Some students have high GPA’s and low SAT scores because they do not test well under pressure.
If this sounds like you, you may want to look into SAT optional schools.
For a list of schools that do not require the SAT/ACT….
Examples: Trinity, WNE, Marist, Providence

24. Use a Resume to Market Yourself…
A resume is one page compilation of your activities
while in high school. It is a great way to market
yourself.
Educational History
Awards & Accomplishments
Athletics
Clubs or other extracurricular activities
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Please visit the career center for a sample resume
or use Naviance to create one.

25. Essay Many schools release their essay topics in March.
The essay is a chance to tell the admission office something about you that they wouldn’t gather from the rest of your application.
Essays are typically words.
Tips:
Be specific and concise.
Hook the reader with your opening.
See English teacher for proofreading.

26. Letters of Recommendation
Students need 1-2 letters of recommendation
Maximum of 2…you do not get to read and pick which letters to send.
One recommendation MUST be from a core academic teacher.
You must ask in person AND then log on to Naviance/Family Connection to submit official request.

27. Teacher Recommendations in Naviance
In the Colleges I Am Applying To section, you can add recommendation requests.
Select the teacher and click Update Requests. The teacher will receive an with your recommendation request.

28. Letters of Rec From Guidance
If you need a recommendation from your school counselor, you must ask for one.
Your counselor recommendation cannot be requested through Naviance/Family Connection.
Please bring your resume to your counselor ASAP.

29. How many schools should I apply to?
Most student apply to 6-8 schools.
Those schools need to be a mix of:
Reasonable Reach: Your GPA and SAT scores are slightly below what a school typically accepts. 20% chance of being accepted.
Match: Your GPA and SAT scores are in line with what a school typically accepts. 50% chance of being accepted.
Safety:
Academic: You scores and grades are above what this school typically accepts. 75% chance of being accepted.
Financial: If you do not receive any financial aid, you will still be able to afford to go.
State schools and community college.

30. Common Application Over 600 colleges use the common application.
Students fill out one application online and can
submit it to any of the participating institutions.
Some schools may have supplemental essays
New: Applications are expected to roll over from junior to senior year

31. Admission DEADLINES!!! Rolling Admission Early Action Regular Decision
Applications are reviewed in the order they are received.
Early Action
You send your application in earlier, and the college sends you its decision earlier.
You don't have to commit to attending the college.
Regular Decision
Deadline December/January.
Students are notified in March/April.
Early Decision
It’s a contract between you and the college. You agree that if the college accepts you, you'll withdraw all other college applications and attend their school.
You can only apply early decision to one college.
Early Decision may not be the best choice if you want to compare financial aid packages.

32. Transcript Release Forms
This form tells your counselor exactly what to send to each of your schools.
It requires a parent signature!
Pick up a form in the Career Center.
You must make an APPOINTMENT with your counselor to go over your transcript release form 15 days before your application is due!

34. Athletes. . .
Division I or Division II - Register with the NCAA Clearing House by the end of junior year.
You must have a specific GPA, SAT scores, and specific number of classes to qualify for D1 or D2 sports. Talk with your counselor to find out if you qualify.
Meet with your counselor in June to have transcripts sent to the NCAA.

35. $ Net Price Calculators $
Every school is required to have a financial aid calculator on their website. If you enter grades, SAT scores, and family income you will receive an estimated financial aid package from that specific school.

36. Review of the 6 things you need to do Junior Year …
Set up your Naviance account
Sign up for May or June SAT or ACT.
Create a resume.
Search for colleges & narrow down your list.
Ask for recommendations in May/June.
Work on college essay.

37. Looking Ahead…Senior Year
Start senior year with your college list finalized.
Sign up for Fall SAT/ACT.
Write college essay and have English teacher edit .
Work on college applications.
Meet with counselor to go over transcript request form. Send official SAT/ACT to colleges.
Submit applications, essay and fees to college.
Check with college to confirm they received all materials.

38. Senior Year & Financial Aid
Attend Financial Aid Night at MHS- November
Fill out the FAFSA form starting October 1st.
CSS/Profile for some private schools-
October 1st
Use Naviance to search for local and national scholarships: October– May of Senior Year

39. How do students log on to Naviance/ Family Connection?
Students will be given a registration code to log in.
The link to sign on to Naviance can be found on the Guidance website.

40. Guest Access Password: dragons16 As a guest you can access:
List of colleges visiting MHS
College search tools
Scholarships

41. We are here to help you!
Students can access the career center during their study halls to work on anything college and career related…
Open everyday
7:25 AM– 2:00 PM

42. Stay in the loop…
Bi-weekly we send out a guidance with information on important dates, school events, scholarships, and relevant news articles. To be added to the list please call MHS guidance with your child’s name.

43. Questions before we distribute
your Naviance codes?