Navigating the College Application Process with Naviance

1. Class of 2018! LHS Guidance Department NAVIANCE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

2. Today’s Lesson Naviance Login Options After High School NAVIANCE Research Tools College Application Procedures College List

3. Getting Started With NAVIANCE • Go to the Lowell High website: • http://lhs.lowell.k12.ma.us • Click on “Naviance” at the top right corner • Select “Student Login” from the dropdown • Your Username and Password are your LHS ID # • Type in your LHS ID# as your username and password • Then click “Log In” • You DO NOT need to click “I Need To Register” under the “Are You New Here Box.”

4. NAVIANCE Log In Select Link to Log -in Enter LHS Student ID https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/lowelllhs

5. Options After High School 2 & 4 Year Colleges Technical/Trade Programs Military Employment

6. NAVIANCE Research College Options Career & Military Options

7. College Research Options Click Colleges Tab, Select SuperMatch Great Search Engine Type Name or Click Letter Search By Category College Visit Sign Ups

8. Career & Military Options Click Careers Tab Find Career By Name Career Examples Research Choices

9. 2 & 4 Year College Planning • 2 Year College: Associate’s Degree/Certificate Programs • Any student with a high school diploma or GED can attend • Generally, no GPA requirement or SAT tests • (check specific program) • Quick application process; transcript required • Must take Accuplacer before selecting classes; prepare ahead • 4 Year College: Bachelor’s Degree • Eligibility Requirements= 3.0 minimum GPA (sliding scale will apply), SAT/ACT/TOEFL test scores (example: UML 1190 average), essay, & letters of recommendation; more competitive colleges may require SAT Subject Tests; SAT Optional may be available • High school coursework to include: 4 English, 4 Math (Alg. I/II, Geometry), • 3 Science (with 3 labs), 2 Social Science, 2 Languages, Electives; more competitive colleges will require 4 years of all subjects • No GPA below a 2.0 will be accepted; alternative admission programs may be available to students between a 2.0-3.0 who struggled with SAT

10. Build Your College List • Build a college list that includes Reach, Target, and Safety schools based on GPA and standardized test scores; include both public and private, selective and less selective schools to increase your chance of admission and financial aid opportunities, including the more expensive/selective colleges; your list should range anywhere from 6-12 colleges • (fee waivers available to income-eligible students) • Reach: HARDEST • A more selective/competitive school that is your dream school; your GPA & standardized test scores fall at or below the school’s published data on accepted students and/or the acceptance rate is less than 30% • Target:MEDIUM-HARD • Your GPA and standardized test scores fit the school’s published data on accepted students and the acceptance rate is around 30% - 60% • Likely/Safety: EASY-MEDIUM • Your GPA and standardized test scores are at or above the school’s published data on accepted students and the acceptance rate is 60% or higher

11. Type of Admission Programs Regular Admission: A set deadline which all materials must be postmarked (Ex. Jan. 1, Jan.15, Feb.1) Try to submit well before deadline Early Action: Non binding early deadline in addition to regular deadline (Ex. Nov. 1st Nov. 15th) Pros: shows motivation, may qualify for merit scholarships, receive decision earlier, you don’t have to attend if accepted; Cons: college may not see your Q1 grades or Senior SAT scores Early Decision: Same as Early Action except it is a binding contract which means you must attend that school if accepted Rolling Admission: Applications accepted & decisions made as soon as completed apps come in Submit applications after your Q1 grades are available Spots are first come, first serve and fill up quickly

12. College Application Requirements Use Common Application or individual college application; submit online or by mail Take SAT, Subject Tests, ACT, TOEFL Tests; add colleges during registration to send scores (fee waivers available); you MUST send official test scores through your SAT/ACT account Create resume in Naviance Write, edit, submit college essays; complete supplemental essays on CA, if required Request Letters of Recommendation from teachers/counselors in person Register with the NCAA for D1/D2 sports: www.eligibilitycenter.org

13. Common Application www.commonapp.org Complete All Sections Create Common App Account Add Colleges To List

14. Common Application Recommenders STEP 1: Select Assign Recommenders STEP 2: Complete FERPA Authorization

15. Common Application Match For Common App Schools: Enter Email, DOB, & Click Match Other Applications, Click Here

16. NAVIANCE College Application Process Still Thinking? Move your colleges from Colleges I’m Thinking About list if you definitely plan to apply Click Colleges Tab Already Decided? Click Colleges I’m Applying To & Then Select Add to List Undecided? Research Colleges Here

17. STUDENT ACTIVITY:Adding Colleges To Your List Lookup College Choose Admission Type: Early Action, Regular Decision

18. Sample College List Click Add To This List

19. Edit Your College List Update Application Info & Save Edit Click Pencil To Edit

20. Transcript Request Click Request Transcripts View Transcript Status Select Documents Additional Requests

21. Letters of Recommendation Ask Teacher/Counselor In Person, Bring Teacher Letter of Rec Request Form Deadlines for Guidance Letters Nov 1. & Nov. 15 Deadlines = Oct. 18 Dec. 1 & Dec. 15 Deadlines = Nov. 15 Jan. 1 & Jan 15 Deadlines = Dec. 10 Feb 1 & Feb. 15 Deadlines = Jan. 18 NOTE: If you add a new college to your list after your initial request, you must notify your teacher/counselor to send; letters are not sent automatically Next, Click to Get Started Select Teacher & Indicate Colleges Send Personal Note Track Status

22. Submit College Applications Have You Applied? Update Your Status Have You Requested Transcripts?

23. Financial Aid/Scholarships • FAFSA • To receive grants, loans, & scholarships from your college or training program, you must complete the free FAFSA • Register online at fafsa.gov • Apply beginning Oct. 1 for the best aid • CSS/ FINANCIAL AID PROFILE • Some private colleges will require CSS & FAFSA; check requirements of each college you are • applying to • Application opens Oct. 1; check your college deadlines, submission could be as early as November • Initial fee, $25 & additional reports, $16; fee waivers available • Complete online: www.collegeboard.org LHS Honors Night Scholarships Seniors complete online application in February; must have a 2.5 GPA+, attended LHS junior year, and plan to attend a 2/4yr. college

24. Helpful Resources • NAVIANCE: • Log on regularly to check email/announcements • Merrimack Valley College Fair, October 12, 6:30-8:30PM, LHS Gym • Over 130 colleges will be attending the fair this year. • Senior Financial Aid Night , November 8, 6:00PM, Little Theater • Important meeting for you and parents/guardians about the financial aid process • College and Career Center, Room 116 • College & career planning services provided to all students • College rep info sessions Sept-Dec; signup in Naviance or Rm. 116 • One-On-One Guidance Counselor Meetings • Counselors will meet with each senior individually to discuss postgraduate plans • On-Site College Admission Decision Days, Rm. 116 • Students apply to and receive an answer from a college the same day Visit: http://lhs.lowell.k12.ma.us/pages/Lowell_High & select guidance