College Planning for Seniors and Their Parents

1. College Planning for Seniors and Their Parents Nashoba Regional High School Guidance Department Class of 2019

2. Agenda @nashobaguidance • Testing • College Visits • Admission Plans • Student Admission Folder • The Application • Essays • The Guidance Package • Transcripts • Recommendations • Deadlines

3. College Planning Events Evening Events • Mass Public College Fair • Thursday, 10/18 6:00-8:00pm Nashoba • Financial Aid Night (MEFA) - Thursday, 10/18 6:00 Auditorium Nashoba • Other Events: • FAFSA Day 2018 (www.fafsaday.org) - Area Locations • Saturday, 11/17 – Worcester State • Sunday, 11/4 – Fitchburg State • Wednesday, 11/7 – Marlboro High School Now “Prior-Prior Year” FAFSA opens 10/1 – uses 2017 data

4. RequiredTesting • Most colleges require some testing – maybe for Merit Aid • The vast majority of colleges accept either the SAT or ACT (It is the student’s responsibility to check the college website for specific, current, requirements). • See www.fairtest.org for a list of colleges which are test score optional. • Score Optional or Score Flexible – over 1,000 schools • Fewer than a dozen require SAT II Subject tests; another handful recommend them; some specific majors might require 1, 2, or 3 SAT II;s. See www.compassprep.com for a list of colleges that require SAT II Subject Tests. • Only a handful require the “essay” which is optional with ACT and SAT

5. Test Options

6. Test Flexible • NYU has one of the most flexible testing policies of any college or university. To be eligible for admission, you must submit ONE of the following: • SAT; or • ACT; or • International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma; or • Three (3) SAT Subject Test scores; or • Three (3) AP Exam scores; or • Three (3) IB higher-level exam scores if not an IB Diploma candidate; or • Other international examinations that show you completed your secondary education. • WPI’s test-optional policy takes into consideration that standardized tests do not always accurately represent a student’s potential for success and provides you the opportunity to choose whether you wish to submit test scores with your application. Additionally, students have the ability to submit additional materials reflecting academic potential, such as summer program experiences, independent research or internships, portfolios of artistic endeavors, mechanical designs, or inventions.

7. Standardized TestingPlease note that the CEEB code for NRHS is 220162 www.collegeboard.com: SAT I & IIACT: www.actstudent.org

8. How do the colleges get my test scores? • It is your responsibility to have the official test record of your SAT or ACT tests sent to the colleges from the testing organization. • Use the “four free” at time of each test, or log on to your account and “send scores”. $12-$13 ea. • No need to wait – colleges will hold them for your application. • EA & ED candidates – be sure that your school will accept scores if they arrive after the application deadline! • Some school require entire test report, others will let you select which scores you send in. • By default College Board sends entire test report; ACT you must select test dates. Colleges receive “sent” scores within 1-2 weeks Call admissions to clarify any testing questions specific to that college

9. Speaking of Numbers ….. Ignore the “Average” Use the Scattergrams

10. Speaking of Numbers ….. NRHS Unweighted 4.0 scale “Average GPA – 3.89/4.0” Use the Scattergrams

11. CollegeVisits Demonstrated Interest • On Campus Tours • Up to three days excused • Learn what college admissions officials expect from candidates. • Evaluate the environments of the school (academic, physical and social) • Sit in on a class, stop and eat, read the school paper, look at the bulletin boards • Meet the students who are attending and who would become your school world. Columbus Day Weekend 10/6-10/8 Early Release – 10/19 PT Confs – 10/26, 11/5 ER Voting Day – 11/6 Veterans Day – 11/12

12. Admission Officers visit NRHS(70+ this year) Demonstrated Interest • Approximately 45 minute visit • Click on “register” at least 24 hours in advance • Seek teacher approval to miss class • Most often this rep will be the “first read” of your folder

13. Admission Plans • Regular Decision (all applications are read together) • Early Decision (binding for student and college) • Early Action (student keeps all options open) • Restrictive Early Action • Rolling(often admitting by major or program; housing may be an issue) • Rolling with deadline (read on a rolling basis, but looks like a “regular decision” deadline • Alternative Plans of Admission • Second Semester Admission • Alternative Program Admission • General Studies • Summer Term • Guaranteed Transfer

14. Things to do now • Teacher Recommendations • Counselor Recommendations • Activities List • Essays & Short Answers • Applications • Send Scores

15. Common App Match Teacher Recommendations All colleges Move to “Applying” list Update Decision Plan “Pending” vs “Initial Materials Submitted”

16. Things to do in Naviance – Update College List 1 2 This tells us how to send your supporting documents! If you have a specialized deadline, such as nursing, that is not in the system, see your guidance counselor to have a custom date set for you

17. Counselor Recommendation • At least 3 weeks prior to 1st deadline • Specific Recommendation Appt • Student write up for counselor • Parent write up for counselor • Activities list or resume • Draft of Essay

18. Meet with your Guidance Counselor Regularly • Update on where you are in the process • Go over college options • Discuss testing needs • Review application timelines • Update college list in Naviance About Me tab • Make a SPECIFIC appointment for the recommendation • At least 3 weeks prior to first deadline • Hopefully it will be much earlier – think 4-6 weeks • We cannot guarantee a letter if we do not have time to write it !

19. Student Admission Folder • Student requests SATs or ACTs from testing organization • Student mails or submits: • Application Forms (completed & signed) • Application Fee • Essay, Activities/Work Resume, other • Guidance mails or submits: • School Profile • Transcript (3 year) & Q1 report card • Recommendations: Teacher(s) & Counselor along with Evaluative Checklists for each

20. The Application • Common Application • www.commonapp.org Over 800 colleges accepting (54 MA schools including the U-Mass system.) • MOST schools have a supplemental form. • Pay & submit on line – 1 at a time. • Institution Specific Applications • Each application is different. Carefully review instructions and deadlines! • Coalition Application • Originally designed for underserved student population • Over 100 schools will accept, but not prefer • U-Floriday, U-Maryland, U-Washington are coalition exclusive • HS materials still go through Naviance

21. New Self reported grades – do not completed unless required by one of your schools Ignore the “Advisor” Role

22. Coalition Application • 139 colleges accept Coalition • Exclusive: U-MD, U-FL, U-WA, VA-Tech • High School package still sends via Naviance “Official Documents” Transcripts- click on the box indicating, “I will be sending my Grades separately, and acknowledge it is my responsibility to ensure it is received by X College.” Recommendations - choose the box that indicates your recommendations will be sent separately. You do NOT need to invite any recommenders in this section.

23. Essays • The essay serves a variety of purposes for the admissions counselor: • Shows writing style, technical correctness, fluency, etc. • Judges the depth of understanding of intellectual or social issues • Demonstrates perspective and quality of thinking • Since the essay is student produced, it often reflects, or confirms, what is presented throughout the rest of the application package. • Nice place to showcase a part of your personality not already evident in activities & recommendations • The essay can be a powerful “tipper” in close cases – and this is especially true with very strong or very poor essays.

24. The Application Package • Completed application – neatness and accuracy counts!! • Essay (Topic and length may vary by institution) • Short Answers (Just as important as essay) • Application Fee (See Guidance if a fee waiver is needed) Now go into Naviance and click on “have you applied” so we can send the transcript package!

25. Student Admission Folder • Student requests SATs or ACTs from testing organization • Student mails or submits: • Application Forms (completed & signed) • Application Fee • Essay, Activities/Work Resume, other • Guidance mails or submits: • Recommendations: Teacher(s) & Counselor • Transcript (3 year) & Q1 report card • School Profile

26. Counselor Recommendation • Students must contact Mrs. Hilliger in order to set up a time for their Counselor Recommendation Interview to which they will bring: • Copy of their resume (Naviance) • Draft of their College Essay • Parent Survey (Naviance) • Counselor Recommendation Survey (Naviance) • Review: • Colleges in Active List • Student has responsibility to send scores • Teachers are listed as requested recommenders • Student has signed the transcript release • Student will click “I have applied” to trigger transcript package • These meeting are in addition to, not instead of, regular individual college counseling appointments. At Minimum 3 weeks prior to 1st deadline

27. Transcript • 3 year transcript • Course level & name, final grade & credits • Weighted GPA each year • Cumulative, weighted GPA & unweighted GPA • Q1 grades • Will be sent “after” for any 11/1 deadlines

30. Transcript Requests • Transcript packages are sent or uploaded only when complete! • Students must: • Notify teachers of earliest deadline • Meet with guidance counselor no less than 3 weeks prior to earliest deadline (although the sooner the better) • Have teachers listed in Naviance • Have colleges on “Colleges I’m Applying To” list – with appropriate admission plan • Send scores in a timely fashion • Click “I have applied” to trigger submission of the transcript package • Please pay careful attention – is it a “Mailed by” or “Received by” deadline? Allow additional time for long-distance mailing.

31. The Guidance Package: Common Application– Sent Electronically Non Common App Schools – On-Line or Mail • School Profile • Transcript & Q1 Grades • Recommendations: Teachers & Counselor The “package” will be ready to submit online as soon as it has been reviewed and approved by the counselor. • Mid year grades will be automatically sent to every college a student applies to. • Final transcript will be sent automatically to the school the student attends.

32. Financial Aid FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION NIGHTThursday, October 18, 6:00 School Auditorium In conjunction with MA Public College Fair (6:00 – 8:00) An overview of the process, types of Aid, Applications, FAFSA, Profile The Forms: 1. FAFSA – Free Application For Student Aid www.fafsa.ed.gov This is a federal form required by all Colleges & Universities – this year submit as early as October 1. Colleges will set their own deadlines Use the IRS retrieval tool --- it works great! Both parent and student must request a PIN – in advance. 2. CSS Profile – www.profileonline.collegeboard.com “Common” financial aid paperwork where you register specific schools to receive your application and a customized application is created for you. 3. Institution Specific Forms

33. Scholarships(nearly $90K to over 100 seniors last year)

34. Websites • www.collegeboard.com – SATs, College Search, Estimated Financial Aid • http://www.actstudent.org/ - ACT • http://www.fafsa.ed.gov - FAFSA • http://www.mass.edu/ - Mass Colleges, GPA Calculator • http://www.collegelink.com – Fastweb scholarship search, College Search • http://connection.naviance.com/nrhs - to access Family Connection • www.mefa.org – Mass Educational Financing Authority