Junior Parents’ Night: Post-Secondary Planning

1. Junior Parents’ Night: Post-Secondary Planning School Counseling Department January 2019

2. February/March Junior Year Timeline • Meet w/ counselor to discuss plans for post-graduation. • Prepare for School Day SAT (Khan Academy!) • Choose classes for senior year (mid-February). • School Day SAT (March 27th @ BCHS). • Update your resume in Naviance. • Begin/continue searching for colleges. • Register to take another SAT or ACT (May or June). • Continue meeting with counselor to discuss post-graduation plans. • Continue updating your resume. April/May/June February/March

3. Summer Junior/Senior Year Timeline • Ask for letters of recommendation(s). • Schedule campus tours/visit college campuses. • Continue to meet with your counselor. • Visit college campuses! • Work on your college essay. • Register for another ACT/SAT, if needed. Early fall April/May/June • Ask for letters of recommendation. • Visit college campuses, if needed. • Continue to meet w/ your counselor. And begin to apply to colleges AND for Financial Aid (FASFA), starting 10/1/2019!

4. SAT Reasoning Test • Measures ability to critically reason, apply mathematical concepts and write. • Required by MOST colleges/universities. Visit www.fairtest.org to see SAT/ACT optional schools. • Recommendation: Take school day SAT (3/27) and at least once more in spring of Junior year (May or June) and, if needed, once in fall of Senior year. • “What’s a good SAT score?” • Register online at collegeboard.org • Price: $48-$65; Fee waivers available. See your counselor.

5. SAT Reasoning Test (con’t) • At the time of registration and up to 9 days after each SAT test date (and any time in between), students can set-up Collegeboard to automatically score reports to 4 colleges for FREE (otherwise score reports are $12 per school). • Important: Students/parents are responsible for sending SAT scores to colleges. Counselors are not able to send score reports for students, as it must be done through Collegeboard. Best way to prepare for the SAT? Practice using Khan Academy! www.khanacademy.org/sat • 20 hours of Khan practice = .25 credit. See counselor for details.The majority of juniors have already linked their Collegeboard and Khan accounts together.

6. SAT Subject Tests • The SAT Subject Test(s) are required by some colleges and specific programs/majors, usually at more competitive institutions. • Students should check individual college’s website to find out if they require subject tests (and for all other admission requirements). You cannot take subject tests on the same day as the reasoning test, so plan accordingly. Register at collegeboard.org

7. ACTs • Assesses general educational development and ability to complete college-level work. • While the SAT is more common in this part of the country, the ACT is another college entrance exam that be taken in lieu of SAT or in addition to. When is it a good idea to take both? • Fee waivers are available for students with free/reduced lunch and score reports, just like w/ the SAT, can be sent for free to 4 schools at the time of registration. Register online at actstudent.org

8. 2018-19 Test Dates School-Day SAT 3/21 May test @ BEHS; June test @ BCHS

9. The College Search • We strongly recommend students use Naviance or Collegeboard to assist with the college search: www.naviance.comorcollegeboard.org • What to consider when choosing a college: • Location • Size • Cost (?) • Selectivity • Setting (Local, Rural, Urban…) • ** Can you see yourself at the school for the next four years?** Begin to develop a list of schools that you are interested in... Reach Reasonable Safety

10. School Field Trips planned to CCSU, ESCU, WCSU, and SCSU in the fall. The College Search Con’t. • Schedule college visits/tours. Best way to learn about a school is to visit and spend time on the campus!Schedule tours online or over phone. • Write down specific questions you want to ask. (i.e. majors, internships etc.) • Begin to narrow down your list of colleges. • Hartford College Fair will be April 2nd, 6:30-8:30pm @ CT Convention Center • BEHS will hold its own College/Career Fair in the fall (date TBD). “How many schools should be on my list of schools I’m interested in?” “How many schools should I apply to?”

11. The College Resume • A resume is a list of all the activities you were/are involved in during high school, including sports, clubs, work experience, community service, awards received etc. • The resume should be completed in Naviance, as this allows teachers to easily access it. • Don’t be afraid to say too muchor to brag! It’s better to say too much than too little. • The teachers and your counselor will use this as a reference when writing your recommendation letters. • Students can use their resume for summer jobs they apply to. A resume will be continually updated throughout your life. • Hint: Don’t be afraid to Google “good example of a high school resume” if you need help.

12. Recommendation Letters • Each student applying to any four-year schoolsshould plan on getting two teacher recs. • You will also likely need a letter from your school counselor, so be sure to ask for one (we only write one if you ask for one). • You may get additional letters beyond that (ex. coach, boss) • Make sure your resume is completed in Naviance before asking for recommendation letters. • Which teachers to ask?? • You can begin asking teachers and your counselor at the end of junior year, though most won’t write them until the start of your senior year. • Make sure you say “thank you”! We always recommend writing a thank you note.

13. The Common Application • What is it? Who uses it? Over 800+ colleges/universities. • www.commonapp.org • Look over the essay prompt choices. Next year’s essay prompt choices are the same as this year’s. • Each college has their own specific part of the Common App (Supplemental Form). Some are more involved than others, so look closely when you add your school(s) onto Common App. Keep track of passwords… PLEASE! Collegeboard, Naviance, Common App, FASFA etc.

14. The College Essay • The College Essay allows a student to explain to the admissions committee who they are beyond their transcript. • Do not plagiarize; they will know. • Make the essay personal, original, authentic. Make sure it’s about YOU. • PROOFREAD, and then PROOFREAD AGAIN. • Have someone look over your essay before submitting it. A teacher, counselor, parent etc. The best college essays typically tell the admissions committee something that your application doesn’t already.

15. The College Essay Con’t. • Follow the guidelines set by the college and/or Common App (i.e. do not go over 650 words) • Begin writing your essays over the summer. • Meet with your English teacher and/or Mrs. Dickau in the fall for assistance with: generating ideas/writing/proofreading your essay etc. Mrs. Dickau is a great resource. • The college essay can often be used for scholarships as well with a few minor tweaks and it is an assignment for most Senior English classes (but not AP English).

16. College Essay Prompts • 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. • 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? • 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? • 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. [No change] • 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. • 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? • 7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

17. Grades are Important • Make sure you are taking challenging courses in your senior year; colleges want to see you “gearing up”, not slowing down. • Course selection for the 2019-20school year will take place in mid-February for students. The course selection card and program of studies were mailed home late last week and are available online. • For those applying to schools before November, admissions will likely onlysee your freshman through junior year grades when making a decision, so finish junior year strong. • Senior Year: At the end of the Q1 (November), at the mid-year point (January), and at the end of next school year we will send the colleges you applied to your updated grades/transcript.

18. Early Action vs. Early Decision vs. Regular Decision When choosing to apply to a college, a student has to decide which application plan is best for them: • Regular Decision - Many colleges establish a deadline by which all applications must be received. All students are then notified of the college's decisions in the order applications were received, or at a uniform response date(i.e. UCONN Storrs’ deadline for all students is January 15th; CCSU deadline is 5/1). What’s the difference in applying in December vs. April?? • Early Decision - Not too common. Some colleges offer this plan to applicants who are sure they want to attend the college. This college should clearly be the applicant's first choice, as it is a binding agreement and if the student is accepted, they are expected to attend that school. (i.e. Quinnipiac offers Early Decision)

19. Early Action vs. Early Decision vs. Regular Decision • Early Action – Admission program in which applying early gets you an earlier response. This is a non-binding agreement. (Whenever you can apply early action, if you are ready to apply, you should apply early action…) There are two types of early action applications: • Single-choice: Early action plan that does not allow you to apply early action to other schools but can apply regular decision. (This is seen mostly at very competitive schools.) • Multiple-choice: You may apply early action to as many schools as you choose to with no restrictions. IMPORTANT: Keep track of deadlines!Make a chart or some type of visual to help you remember all deadlines and requirements.

20. Prospective Student Athletes • There are three divisions in college sports – D1, D2 and D3 • If you plan on applying to Division 1 or 2 schools, you MUST register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. • Any prospective student athletes should inform their counselor ASAP if they are planning on potentially playing a D1 or D2 sport in college. • Transcripts, SAT scores are required. • $80 one-time fee. Fee waivers available. Students should be registered by the end of their junior year. To register: www.eligibilitycenter.org

21. Community Colleges • We have 12 community colleges in CT. Visit www.ct.edufor a list of colleges and which programs each offers. • Why can it make the most sense? cheaper, “fresh start”, local etc. • Tunxis: approx. $4300/year full-time • Certificates, A.S. degree, and courses transfer to CT state colleges and many others. • Accuplacer(placement test)

22. Community Colleges Transfer programs: • Community College students can complete associate degree programs that transfer without hassle to all Connecticut State Universities (CCSU, ESCU, SCSU, WCSU). Upon transfer, students are guaranteed full junior status and can complete a bachelor's degree in their major without losing any credits or be required to take any extra credits. • Website: http://www.ct.edu/transfer/tickets

23. GAP/UCONN Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP) w/ UCONN: • The Guaranteed Admission Program is an agreement between the CT Community Colleges and UCONN that guarantees you admission as a junior to the program of your choice (see website for eligible majors). • Requirements: 3.0 minimum GPA and an associate’s degree in a Liberal Arts transfer program. • For more info, visit https://admissions.uconn.edu/apply/transfer/gap

24. Career Readiness Technical/Trade School • Apprenticeship/trade school: HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, etc.These programs are typically less than 2 years in length. • Manufacturing training/job opportunities in Bristol and surrounding towns. • Job opportunities: Posted on Twitter @BCHS_Guidanceand on the bulletin board outside the School Counseling Office. We also announce job opportunities weekly during Advisory. Current openings: Bristol Parks and Rec, Dunkin Donuts, Lake Compounce… Speak with your school counselor for more information.

25. Military • The ASVAB Test (“military entrance test”) is every offered at BC every October and March. • Next administration: Friday, March 15th 7:30am in BC Library. See Mrs. Pastrynak in the School Counseling Office to sign-up. • Students can meet w/ recruiters during school day to ask questions and get more information. • ROTC – helps students train to be officers in a branch of the U.S. military while in college (scholarships available)

26. Important Dates: • August 24th: SAT offered @ BCHS • September 2019: Senior Parents’ Night • September 2019: College and Career Fair @ BEHS • October 2019: Financial Aid Night @ BCHS • October 5th: SAT offered @ BEHS • October 2019: College Goal Sunday(1-on-1 help with FASFA) • October 16th: Senior Workshops • November 2nd: SAT @ BEHS • December 7th: SAT @ BCHS Dates for field trips to college campuses TBD… “On-Site Decision Days” TBD… WNEU, University of New Haven and more…

27. Stay Informed! We have a number of way for students and parents to stay informed about upcoming college visits, job and volunteer opportunities, scholarships etc. Follow the School Counseling Department on Twitter @BCHS_Guidance BCHS School Counseling website: http://bristolbchs.ss19.sharpschool.com/students/school_counseling Juniors and their parents can sign up for text updates by texting the number 810-10 with the words join @BCHSguid19to get updates from BCHS School Counseling via text message.

28. Helpful Tips • Utilize your school counselor throughout this process. That’s what we’re here for! • Ask lots of questions! Write them down as you think of them and seek out answers. • Don’t procrastinate and keep track of deadlines! • Communicate with your parents/guardians throughout the process! • “Can I see myself a part of this campus for the next four years?” The more time and energy you put in throughout this process, the more informed decision you can make…