Presented by: Hall High School Counselors

1. Welcome to Senior Planning Night Class of 2012 Presented by: Hall High School Counselors

2. How to reach us email: first name _ last name @whps.org (860)232-4561 extentions: • A-Carr: Sheila Nussbaum 1053Cars- Dre: Heather Alix1052 • Drf-Gri:Amy Landers1061 Grj-Kr: Kathy Kaminski 1059 • Ks-Mis:Christine Mahler 1054Mit-Rob:Mark Wursthorn1055 • Roc-Ss:Ann Taylor 1057 St-Z:Steve Boyle1058

3. Tonight’s Agenda • College research • Senior Testing • Updating on Naviance • The application process • College Trends • Paying for college • Other options to consider • Q & A

4. Where are you in the process? Fine-tuning the list • College comparisons • Campus visits & interviews • Career Center visits from admissions reps. Preparing to apply • Required Naviance work for you • Additional testing • Requesting recommendations

5. Immediate Responsibilities • Review your transcript • Complete student/parent brag sheets • Update resume for counselors & colleges • See your counselor to review college list • Decide on fall testing needs • Complete the college essay • Review tonight’s senior packet

6. Types Of Admission- reminder Each school has its own policies **READ THE FINE PRINT** • Regular • Rolling • Early Action • Early Decision • UConn’s listed EA is 12/1

7. To how many colleges should I apply? • Reach - 1 or 2 • Ballpark - 2 or 3 • Likely - 1 or 2

8. How do I know if a college is right for me? • Competitiveness • Atmosphere of college • Location • Programs • Cost

9. Interviews - when they are not required should I schedule it anyway? • Yes, if recommended and you present well. • Yes, if it is a college you can easily visit. • Make a contact and prepare for the interview.

10. What should I know about applying on-line? • Preferred by most colleges • Many are on the Common Application • Can be done in multiple sittings • Follow directions carefully • Print and file your confirmation sheet

11. College Testing Senior YearInclude Hall’s School Code070-900 SAT’s: Oct. 1* register by Sept. 9 Nov. 5 register by Oct. 7 Dec. 3 register by Nov. 8 ACT’s: Oct. 22* register by Sept. 16 Dec. 10 register by Nov. 4 Feb. 11 register by Jan.13 * Timely for most EA/ED deadlines * Check test requirements for each school

12. Who sends my test scores to colleges? YOU DO!! • Schools require official score reports be sent directly from the testing company. • Students can release their test scores on-line through The College Board or ACT. • You may send your college applications before taking the SAT or ACT in your senior year. Do not hold up your application to wait for SAT or ACT scores. www.collegeboard.com www.act.org

13. Naviance Overview • How do I access it? Go to the www.whps.org/hall and click on School Counselors. Click on picture above “College/Career Exploration”. • Why keep your prospective list of colleges in Naviance up to date? • to receive email invitations to visit your college admissions representatives in the Career Center.

14. What does Naviance do? • Shares plans with counselor • National College Search • Personality & career surveys • Compare colleges • Links to selected third-party resources • Easily tracks deadlines • Scatter grams show how you compare to prior Hall students at that school • Shows schedule of college visits at Hall • Provides easy access to and edoc links for the Common Application

15. Naviance Log On Page Username: (last name first name- up to 10 characters or email) Password: set by student

16. Completing the Application • Register with Common Application or go to college website to access on-line application. • For Common Application: • Go to http://www.commonapp.org or link through Naviance • Watch the “demo” on the start page • Request all support documentation

17. MINIMUM THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE APPLICATION DEADLINE. School materials: Student’s Responsibility • Signed yellow transcript release form to Counseling Office. • For each college: submit transcript request form & $3.00 fee. to Mrs. Birdsall, Counselors’ Secretary. • Request standardized test scores from College Board or ACT - if required. • Provide teachers with PINK recommendation request form if needed. • Your transcript request form will signal us to move your college from “interested” to “applying to” on Naviance.

18. Colleges I’m Applying To FERPA agreement Link your Common Application Account

19. The Application (cont.) • Match your list of schools into Naviance & Common App. • Carefully complete college application/s • E.D. – must attach a letter of intent • Attach fee and send. Keep a copy of the confirmation page • IMPORTANT - many schools require supplements with the common application, carefully read all requirements

20. Colleges I’m Thinking About Important: If college uses the Common Application – you must apply on line with the Common Application.

21. How does it all come together? Who Sends What? College or university admissions Student sends: Application Fee Essay Resume Supplement* SAT/ACT scores 1st Qtr. Grades* *(if required) Counselor sends: Transcript School Profile Recommendation [Brag sheets & resume required] Mid-year and final grades Teacher sends: Recommendation [must give pink recommendation form to teacher]

22. How do I request a letter of recommendation from teachers? Determine specific recommendation requirements for each school. Request only what you need. Edocs will only send the required number and no more! Speak to teachers about their willingness to write a letter of recommendation. Provide teachers request form (pink). Convey your thanks after it has been written through a note, e-mail, phone call or in person.

23. College Visit ScheduleIMPORTANT:dates & times are posted on Naviance, in our office and on the TV screens - check often. • College admission representatives visit the Career Center throughout the fall. • Students should make it a priorityto visit with the representative of their prospective schools. • Student must receive permission to be excused from their classroom teacher prior to going to the Career Center.

24. Current College Trends • Technology – everything is on line • Admissions nationwide remains very competitive with numbers at peak levels • Varying policies regarding early admissions deadlines (Read the fine print) • More schools are standardized testing optional (Research on Fairtest.org) • The State Universities are deluged with applications– complete and submit your paperwork early.

25. University of Connecticut EARLY ACTION - Common Application • Application deadline is Dec. 1 • Transcript requests due to Counseling Office early Nov. • Apply EA to be considered for scholarships and honor’s program (Minimum 3.5 GPA & 1400 Reading and Math SAT score or 32 ACT score). • Regional campus preference indicated on Common Application. • UConn’s Academic 2010 Profile for Storr’s Campus • Average math & critical reading SAT scores – 1216 • Average class rank in the top 15% • Received 25,826 applications for 4,000 projected enrollment

26. How & When Do I Apply For Financial Aid • Check each college for forms & deadlines • ED will want estimated early version of FAFSA • FAFSA is filed after January 1, 2012 • Many private schools want the “CSS Profile” • Financial Aid Workshop – 11/30/11, 7:00 PM in Conard’s auditorium • Your best resource for help is the college’s financial aid officer. • FAFSA and CSS Profile links are available through the School Counseling website

27. Scholarships • The Scholarship Information is now on the Hall School Counselor Website. • Internet Searches – Use Naviance • Individual college scholarships *Be Aware of Scholarship Service Scams!!

28. Stay Organized • Keep a calendar & folder for each college • Read instructions carefully • Watch deadlines • Make copies of everything, especially your confirmation page, and file in your folder • Follow up with schools to make sure they received ALL information needed to complete your application

29. Gap Year Anyone? • Who takes a gap year? Students who: • want real world experience now. • have a desire to explore an interest or passion. • want to discover themselves by helping others. • need more time to understand the path that is right for them. More Information? Gap Year Fair at Conard High January 11 6:30-8:30

30. IMPORTANT EVENTS for Hall studentsat Conard High School • October 19 – College Fair • November30– Financial Aid Night • January 11 – Gap Year Fair

31. The End • Stay in touch with your counselor – start with a senior appointment. • Stay Organized • Questions?

32. Facts to Know as You Complete Your Applications • The class size for the class of 2012 is 395 students • CEEB code is 070900 • Hall does NOT Rank • Your Counselor’s title is “School Counselor” • We grade on WEIGHTED 4.0 scale • Our fax # is 860-570-6797 (see previous slide for individual counselor’s contact information) • Our school address is: 975 North Main St., West Hartford CT 06117