OPENING THE DOOR TO YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE WELCOME TO SENIOR PARENT NIGHT CLASS OF 2015

1. OPENING THE DOOR TO YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE WELCOME TO SENIOR PARENT NIGHT CLASS OF 2015 September 17, 2014

2. Junior Year in Review • Introduction of Naviance • Naviance Weekly Newsletter • 3 Group Meetings • Junior Parent Night • Attended Boston College Fair • Individual Meetings • College Visits/Tours • Complete Resume • Ask for Recommendations • Pay attention to Senior Timeline/ Bulletin • Review Graduation Requirements

3. English 40 Credits Math 30 Credits Science 30 Credits Social Studies* 30 Credits Foreign Language** 20 Credits Fine Arts/ Practical Arts 30 Credits PE 10 Credits Health 5 Credits Electives 45 Credits CHS Graduation Requirements *World History 1, U.S. 1 & 2 **2 years of the same foreign language ***Seniors need to pass 60 credits to graduate

4. Post-Secondary Plans • 4 Year College • 2 Year College/TAP/Joint Admission Programs • Technical School • Gap Year Programs • Military/ROTC • Volunteer Programs • Employment

5. WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN CHOOSING A COLLEGE • Admission Requirements • Academics • Social and Extracurricular Activities • Location • Cost • Size of Student Body • Learning Style • Public vs. Private • Diversity • Support Services: Academic/Emotional • Personal Fit

6. Choosing a College • Naviance • Open Houses • Fall College Fairs • College Visits • Career Center • College Week Live

7. Upcoming College Fairs in the Area • Monday, September 22, 2014 Southern NH Univ. 7:00 – 9:00 pm • Field House, Manchester, NH • Sunday, September 28, 2014 Univ. of Southern Maine 1:00 – 3:00 pm • Costello Sports Complex, Gorham, ME • Monday, September 29, 2014 Univ. of Maine 7:00 – 9:00 pm • Recreation Center, Orono, ME • Thursday, October 2, 2014 Berkshire CC 9:00 – 11:00 am • Patterson Field House, Pittsfield, MA • Sunday, October 5, 2014 WPI 2:00 - 4:00 pm • Recreation Center, Worcester, MA • Monday, October 6, 2014 Univ. of New Hampshire 9:00 - 11:00 am • LundholmGymnasium, Durham, NH • Tuesday, October 14, 2014 Sacred Heart Univ. 6:00 – 8:00 pm • William H. Pitt Center, Fairfield, CT • Thursday, October 16, 2014 Lowell High School 6:30 – 8:30 pm • Riddick Field House, Lowell, MA

8. COLLEGE VISITS • Students are allowed 3 college visits per semester. • Forms are available on the Guidance website and in the guidance counselor’s offices. • Proof of the visit is required upon return and submitted to their guidance counselor. • Second semester visits are encouraged, to help finalize their college choice.

9. College Application Information Day • DATE: Wednesday, September 24, 2014 • PLACE: Performing Arts Center The schools represented are: Holy Cross University Merrimack College Middlesex Community College UMass Lowell Wentworth College

10. CAREER CENTERHours: 7:00 – 2:30 or by Appointment • Newly renovated Career Center • Interactive Team Board and Flat Screen Info TV • College and Career Research • 30 Computers with Internet Access • College and Military Visits • Workshops, Seminars, Presentations • Field Trips • Reverse College Day • Options Fair • SAT/ACT Forms, & Test Prep Materials • Financial Aid Information • Summer Opportunities • Job Board • Post Graduate Transcripts

11. TYPES OF ADMISSION • REGULAR ADMISSION • EARLY DECISION • EARLY ACTION • ROLLING ADMISSION • DEFERRED • WAITLIST

12. FACTORS IN COLLEGE ADMISSION • High School Transcript – Grades and Rigor • Grades that Demonstrate Consistency or an Upward Trend • Standardized Test Scores (SAT Reasoning and/or SAT Subject Tests, ACT) • Well-Written Application Essay • Student Resume • Teacher Recommendations • Counselor Recommendation • College Interview • Special Talents (Athletics, Music, Theatre, Art. Etc.) • Pro-active Student

13. COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS • Colleges will suggest their preferred method of application submission. Students should strongly consider submitting in the format the college prefers. • Application Choices: On-line* or hard copy • Common application www.commonapp.org • Students are responsible for knowing the entrance requirements and application deadlines for each college. *Students who apply on-line may need to send additional supporting materials with a cover letter.

14. FUNDAMENTAL COLLEGE MATERIALS • Application Filled Out Completely and Neatly • Include Application Fee • Include Resume (if applicable) • Teacher Recommendations • Well-written Essay • Supplements as required by individual schools Please remember to keep copies for your own records.

15. NAVIANCE • Allows students to: Create a post-secondary plan. Complete career surveys. Resume Builder. Transcript recommendation request. Explore careers & majors. Search & compare colleges. Request transcripts. • Produces scattergrams of CHS acceptances… denials…waitlists. • Displays and allows registration for CHS career, military and college visits. • Research & download scholarship applications

16. HOW IS IT ACCESSED? • Family Connection is on the Web https://connection.naviance.com/chelmsfordhs Link is also available on the CHS guidance web-page. • All students and parents should already be registered & actively using their account.

17. TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM PROCEDURE Students need to officially request transcript to be sent via Naviance to each college they are applying to and allow 10 school days for transcript release process. Students need to schedule guidance counselor appointments 4 weeks before their first application deadline to receive a counselor letter of recommendation. Bring the following items to your guidance meeting: • Resume • Completed Student Recommendation Questionnaire • Signed Transcript Release Form if not already turned in (must be signed by parent if student is under 18 years of age) • If you are not applying electronically, bring 9 x 12 Envelopes with 3 Stamps addressed to each College.

18. TESTING SAT Reasoning Test www.collegeboard.org SAT Subject Test www.collegeboard.org ACT www.actstudent.org TOEFL www.ets.org/toefl AP Testing www.collegeboard.org * The High School Code/CEEB is 220575 * There are a number of schools that are test optional and the list is on fairtest.org

19. Adams Scholarship www.osfa.mass.edu Stanley Koplik www.osfa.mass.edu NCAA Application www.ncaaclearinghouse.net TERI College Access Center www.tericollegeplanning.org N.E. Regional Student Program (NERSP) www.nebhe.org/tuitionbreak Scholarships available on Naviance Helpful Information

20. Types of Financial Aid Merit vs. Need Grants &/or Work Study Scholarships Loans Parent vs. Student FINANCIAL AIDFinancial Aid Night: October 29, 2014 7:00 pm in the PAC

21. APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID • FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. www.fafsa.ed.gov • CSS Profile* is the Financial Aid Application Service of the College Board. www.collegeboard.org • Helpful websites: www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov www.mefa.org *CSS Profile is required only for some private schools and for the Town of Chelmsford Scholarship.

22. FINANCIAL AID • Families are expected to contribute, to the extent which they are able. • Assistance is made available to make up the difference between college costs and family contribution

23. WALKING THROUGH THE DOOR TOGETHER • Thank you for your time, patience and support through this process. • We are here to facilitate and support this journey. • There is a light at the end of this process.