1. Senior Parent Meeting

2.  Sherry McLaughlin – Director – ext. 120  sherry.mclaughlin@meridenk12.org sherry.mclaughlin@meridenk12.org  Alicia Webber – ext. 124  alicia.webber@meridenk12.org alicia.webber@meridenk12.org  Yesenia Diaz– ext. 125  yesenia.diaz@meridenk12.org yesenia.diaz@meridenk12.org  Louella Spinelli – ext. 126  louella.spinelli@meridenk12.org louella.spinelli@meridenk12.org  James Donewald – ext. 137  james.donewald@meridenk12.org james.donewald@meridenk12.org  Jessica Brousseau – ext. 120  jessica.brousseau5@meridenk12.org jessica.brousseau5@meridenk12.org

3.  Review of transcript  Detailed credit check of fulfilled requirements  Group & Individual meetings with seniors  Class rank & GPA

4.  Format for requesting transcripts for college ( for January 1 st deadlines students must have transcript request in by December 18 th )  Application process at Maloney – Naviance – Family Connection – Find it on the Maloney Home Page  Support for college search/planning

5.  Technical/Vocational Schools  Apprenticeships  Community Colleges  MHS Career Center: Job shadowing  *Mrs. Gina Barrett – ext. 127

6.  Forming a list of schools  Choosing schools that admit students who are academically similar (Reach, Target & Safety)  Interviews  Visiting campuses

7.  Common App – what is this?  Early Decision** Binding  Early Action  Regular Decision  FEE WAIVERS - Students MUST use a fee waiver for the SAT I or II to be eligible for 4 application fee waivers.

8.  Student should read instructions carefully  Strictly adhere to deadlines/transcript processing time  Compare essay requirements with other applications that are being filled out -Sometimes it is possible to use the same essay or alter an essay to use for different colleges

9.  Ask teachers for recommendations NOW !! The number varies based on college  Should give teachers 2-3 weeks to complete – ask in person first  Family Connection – Naviance to send “Thank you” to the teachers  Must complete Senior Self Assessment  Fill out application completely/thoroughly  Complete transcript request form for each school and give to counselor at least 1 week prior to deadlines (deadline for January 1 st due dates is December 18 th )  Review application packet before submitting – Counselors will be submitting letters of recommendation and transcripts electronically to the schools  Application Fee*- check or money order/fee waiver - credit card

10. *Packet typically includes application, essay, recommendation(s), SAT/ACT Scores, fee SAT and ACT scores should be sent directly to the school from College Board or ACT – students at the time of the test up through 5 days can send scores for free if the college is added to their account. *Complete transcript request form *Apply well before deadline* (Goal is by December 1 st )

11.  Many schools provide essay prompts  Common Application provides 5 essays to choose from  Students should have an adult/teacher read/edit essay.  Admissions officers want to know more about the student than what they see on their transcript

12.  www.commonapp.org www.commonapp.org  Many schools now accept the Common Application- see handout (500+ SCHOOLS)  Requires 2 letters of recommendation from teachers, one from school counselor*important  Individual School Supplements

13.  The College Board www.collegeboard.com  ACT www.actstudent.org  The NCAA Clearinghouse www.ncaaclearinghouse.org

14.  20 hours required for graduation=.25 credit  Must be done in the community at a non-profit organization  10 hours can be completed through school based activities  All 20 hours can be done in the community  Scholarships*  COMPLETED BY April!

15.  Individual University scholarships  Check Local Scholarship Folder  out under Family Connection – scholarship – local scholarship folder  Websites www.fastweb.com, www.fafsa.ed.govwww.fastweb.comwww.fafsa.ed.gov  Financial Planning Night:  Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at 6:30pm – Chorus Rm  Scholarship Fair - TBD

16. Questions……….?????????