Sophomore and Junior Parent College Planning

1. Sophomore and Junior Parent College Planning Classes of 2015 & 2016 Melrose High School

2. M.H.S.Developmental Guidance Program Sophomore Year • Introduction to Naviance/career exploration junior year • Classroom presentations on college planning • Individual meetings with student/counselor • Begin college search and test planning Senior Year • Classroom presentations on college planning • Individual meetings with student/counselor • College/career planning and applications

3. Naviance • Linked with guidance office • Web-based service to help with decisions about colleges and careers • Junior accounts have been activated • Sophomore accounts will be activated this spring

4. Individual Session with Counselor • Counselors will meet individually with every junior • Discussion centers around interests and post-high school plans • Students learn to research colleges using variables such as major, location, size, etc. • Counselor and student generate a list of colleges for further exploration

5. Options • 4 year college • 2 + 2 school • 2 year school • Technical School • Military • Work

6. What Competitive Colleges Look For • Math through pre-calculus • Biology, Chemistry and Physics (or equivalent lab science) • 3-4 years of same foreign language • Rigorous senior year schedule

7. Standardized Testing • SAT I (Reasoning) Spring Test Dates • May 3rd (register by April 4th) • June 7th (register by May 9th) • SAT II (Subject Tests) Same Test Dates • US History, World History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math Level 1 & 2, Literature, Spanish, Latin, French, Italian, and German • Register • www.collegeboard.org

8. Standardized Testing • ACT (With Writing) Spring Test Dates • April 12th (register by March 7th) • June 14th (register by May 9th) Register • www.actstudent.org * Differences Between SAT and ACT

9. SAT/ACT Prep • Use with discretion • Kaplan Test Prep • A+ Tutoring • Revolution Test Prep • Sullivan Tutoring • …Many others

10. College Search Web Sites • https://connection.naviance.com • www.princetonreview.com • www.petersons.com • www.collegeboard.com • Many other online resources out there, ask counselor

11. College Selection Process • Size • Location • Learning style • Majors • Co-curricular activities • Entrance criteria

12. College Selection Process • “Reach” • “Realistic” • “Likely/Safety” • Sometimes realistic schools can also be organized by “Realistic High” and “Realistic Low” • Use historical MHS data (if available) to estimate chances

13. Extremely Selective • Harvard, Dartmouth, Princeton, Yale, Brown, Columbia, Georgetown, Bowdoin, MIT, Swarthmore, Cornell, UPenn, Stanford • UVA, University of Michigan, Cal Berkeley

14. Very selective • Boston College • Connecticut College, Williams, NYU Middlebury, Amherst, Brandeis, Colby, Hamilton, Tufts, Vassar, others • Schools that accept <25% of applicants

15. Competitive Colleges Not Requiring Standardized Testing • Assumption, Stonehill, Wheaton, Bowdoin, Holy Cross, Connecticut College, Providence, etc…many others • http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional

16. University of Massachusetts System • 3.0 GPA required or 960 old SAT • U.Mass/Amherst looking for 3.5 • Commonwealth College – 3.8 • School of Nursing – most competitive • U.Mass/Lowell • U.Mass/Dartmouth • U.Mass/Boston

17. Massachusetts State University System • Bridgewater State • Fitchburg State • Framingham State • Salem State • Westfield State • Worcester State • Massachusetts College of Art • Mass College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) • Massachusetts Maritime Academy

18. Application Process • Meet with your counselor • Research schools • Apply to approximately 5-10 • Keep an open mind • Look for the best fit, not necessarily the best brand name

19. Application Deadlines • Early Decision / Early Action • Usually Nov 1, Nov 15, or Dec 1 • Regular Admission • often Jan 1st • Rolling Admission • Anytime - The earlier, the better • Application materials must be received by guidance department 1 week prior to application deadline

20. Visiting Colleges • START NOW • Check college website for appointment schedules for tours and information sessions • Try to visit when school is in session • Get the student perspective

21. College Recommendations • 1 – 2, as directed by college • Student are encouraged to ask teachers in the spring of junior year and again in the fall of senior year • Supplemental recommendations okay, but no more than 4 total including guidance counselor recommendation

22. College Essay • Good idea to start now • Often requires some soul searching • Have counselor or English teacher review • Will work on essay in senior year English class in Fall

23. Financial Aid • Financial Aid Night • Usually 1st week in December • FAFSA • CSS Profile • Use MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) as a resource • mefacounselor.org

24. Scholarships • Some colleges will give merit scholarship based on applicant’s profile • Melrose Permanent Scholarship Fund • www.fastweb.com • www.scholarships.com • Check with employers, unions, and any other organizations you may be affiliated with • Follow the MHS Guidance blog – Register on Guidance website

25. Coming Attractions • Senior Parent Breakfast • October 2014 • MHS College Visits • Fall 2014 date to be determined • Reading Co-Operative College Fair • October 2014 • Financial Aid Night • November or December 2014

26. Contact Information • jbuxton@melrose.mec.edu • 781-462-3239 • flograsso@melrose.mec.edu • 781-462-3237 • jbolduc@melrose.mec.edu • 781-462-3234 • jparrillo@melrose.mec.edu • 781-462-3233 • jshackelford@melrose.mec.edu • 781-462-3236