SENIOR PARENT NIGHT Welcome Parents of the Class of 2013!

1. SENIOR PARENT NIGHTWelcome Parents of the Class of 2013! AMITY HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT OF COUNSELING SERVICES SEPTEMBER 20, 2012

2. PROGRAM AGENDA • GROUP INTRODUCTION TO NAVIANCE AND EDOCS • BREAKOUT SESSIONS WITH STUDENT’S SCHOOL COUNSELORS

3. WHAT IS NAVIANCE? • Amity High School utilizes Naviance as a comprehensive, secure website to assist in making decisions about colleges, careers and to help students plan for life after high school. • Counselors work with Naviance in our office to track and analyze data about college and career plans. • Naviance provides up-to-date information that is specific to our school.

4. WHAT IS NAVIANCE? Naviance will allow students to: • Create a post-secondary plan • Take inventories to increase self-awareness • Research college options • Research college majors • View scattergrams • Review GPA and test information • Communicate with School Counselors • And much more

5. WHAT ARE EDOCS? • Colleges and universities around the country are urging students and high schools to move toward the electronic submission of applications and supporting materials. • Beginning with the Class of 2012, Amity started submitting school application materials in electronic format (eDocs). • Student transcripts, school profile, counselor and teacher recommendations, and other required forms will be submitted online through the Naviance program by the Counseling Department. • Amity will continue to send college application materials by mail to the colleges and universities that do not yet permit electronic submission.

6. WHAT SHOULD MY STUDENT BE DOING? • Complete and return the transcript release/diploma/cap and gown form. • Set up a Common Application account • Complete the FERPA statement in Naviance • Complete the Senior Survey in Naviance • Request 2 academic letters of recommendation. Speak to teachers first, then email through Naviance account.

7. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? • First and foremost, support your students! • Help your student stay organized. • Be mindful of deadlines, but don’t take on the responsibility of the process! (Students must submit transcript requests 3 weeks prior to the college deadline.) • Don’t be afraid to ask questions! The Counseling Department is here to help. Call us at 203-397-4846 or email your student’s school counselor.

8. IMPORTANT EVENT • FINANCIAL AID NIGHT OCTOBER 18, 2012 7PM AUDITORIUM Presentation on the essential financial aid documents and process.

9. BREAKOUT SESSIONS Mrs. Campbell Room 294 Balcony Ms. Conley Room 297 Balcony Mrs. Ferguson Room 296 Balcony Mrs. LaPlante Room 295 Balcony Mr. LaRochelle Room 286 Math Wing Mr. Mezzo Room 288 Math Wing Mrs. Mozealous Room 290 Math Wing Mrs. Staak Room 291 Math Wing Mr. Schumann Auditorium ENJOY YOUR EVENING!

10. Welcome to Senior Planning Night Class of 2013! Amity Counseling Department September 20, 2012

11. Welcome • Goals of the meeting – understand the college process/everyone’s role and responsibility • Finalize the college list – Students may be at different points in the process • No list? Make an appointment with me to start a search. IT’S NOT TOO LATE!! • Be aware of limitations regarding geography and finances. • Scholarships

12. Immediate Responsibilities • Review your transcript • Complete Student/Parent Questionnaires: both are available on Naviance • Develop your resume & give to counselor • Work on your list of colleges • College Essay • Decide on your Fall testing needs (Deadlines)

13. Should I take SAT I again in my senior year? • YES. Dates of Oct. 6 (late registration until 9/24/12) and Nov. 3 (10/4/12 registration deadline) are appropriate for taking SAT I and SAT II, even when EA/ED. Collegeboard.org for deadlines; school websites for testing policies. • December 1 is also helpful for SAT II and in some cases January 26. • Consider taking the ACT Oct. 27 (deadline 9/21/12) & Dec. 8 (deadline 11/2/12)

14. Who sends my SAT, ACT, and AP Exam scores to colleges? • YOU do. We will no longer include the unofficial score on the transcript • You have the option to have your scores sent to four colleges (no additional fee) through Collegeboardwhen you register for SAT’s. • Score Choice – all three scores sent • (based on test date) • Send extra score reports (for a fee) online at collegeboard.org or actstudent.org.

15. Am I allowed to send in my college applications before I take the SAT I in my senior year? • ABSOLUTELY! Don’t hold up your application! • The same thing goes for transcripts and letters of recommendation. Colleges match all materials; they do not need to arrive in synch. • We kindly request a three week turnaround on transcript requests. Please be aware: for January 1st deadlines, request should be in by December 10th.

16. When do I apply to college? • Transcript Permission/Requests/Deadlines • Deadlines range from early November - March. • Apply early:competitive state universities or schools with rolling admissions. Nov – Jan • Early decision/action = early deadlines • Know the admissions policies and deadlines for the schools to which you are applying!

17. How do I decide whether or not to apply “Early Decision” or “Early Action”? • Visiting colleges early • The commitment • Sense of readiness • Advantages & disadvantages

18. Early Admission ProgramsDecision vs. Action Early Decision Early Action • Binding agreement • Must be 100% sure • Be able to pay the full cost set by the school • May only apply to one ED program • Non-binding agreement • Find out in Dec./Jan. • Compare financial aid packages • Apply to as many as you like!

19. To how many colleges should I apply? • Average is 4 to 8 • Include: “Reach” Schools • “Ballpark/Target” Schools • “Likely” Schools

20. How do I know a college is appropriate for me? • From: • what you read about the school • what you know about YOU • your visit • meeting with the admissions representative at Amity • the cost • an overnight stay in a dorm and attending a couple of classes

21. How do I obtain college applications? • This is the student’sresponsibility. • Online applications are available through commonapp.org or college websites. • Request for paper applications can be made by phone, mail, email, or duringcollege fair/visits. • Do a rough draft of the whole application.

22. What is the “Common Application”? What are its advantages? • One application to apply to several schools. • Over 450 colleges accept it. • **Look for supplements** • (may have different deadline) • Reading directions is critical to success!

23. Where can I find the “Common Application”? • 2 formats: on-line and paper • Important websites: • Naviance– access through high school website • www.commonapp.org • E.D. - must attach letter of intent. • No disadvantage to the Common Application Be aware of supplements and deadlines.

24. What should I be aware of if I apply on-line? • More widely used than ever before. • Applications can be downloaded from or filled out on college websites. • Some schools waive or reduce the app fee if online. • Make sure you follow the process carefully and completely & record your confirmation number!!

25. How do application materials get processed? • READ ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY! • Student submits the application materials online or by mail if the school does not accept electronic submissions. • Student submits “Transcript Request” via NavianceNO LATER THAN THREE WEEKS before the application deadline!!!

26. How do transcripts get sent to colleges? • Electronically or by mail if required • Permission to release records, resume, parent & student questionnaires (prior to 1st application only). • Application fees: • One time flat fee of $20.00, made payable via My Payments Plus (on school website).

27. How will I know if colleges have received my application materials? • The postcard (returned for school materials filed by mail) • Counselors receive confirmation of receipt of electronic school materials.

28. Do I need to send mid-year grades? • Mrs. Salemme in counseling sends midyear grades to each school. Therefore, midyear report forms are not needed. • For EA/ED, 1st quarter grades, students must request them to be sent. There is a paper form in counseling services for these requests.

29. Should I schedule an interview if the college says it is recommended but not required? • Yes. Getting acquainted with admissions representative is important! • Make a contact! Check Career Center for Amity-specific contact information.

30. How do I know if a college is coming to the career center? • Posted on windows of the Career Center, Friday Highlights, and on morning announcements. • Students receive an email notification through Naviance if a college they have indicated interest in is scheduled to visit. • All are welcome - get a pass from your teacher – make up class work

31. How do I request letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches and others? • Speak to teachers directly about their willingness to write a letter. • Provide the writer(s) a resume if requested. • Request teacher recommendations on Naviance. • Convey your thanks through a note.

32. How many letters of recommendation should I request? • Application materials from colleges include that information. • Generally two from teachers and one from your counselor. • Recommendation overkill is not a good idea.

33. What if I am undecided about attending college? What are some other options? • Taking a year off. • Apply to school and defer attendance. • Military • Other resources are available to make a plan.

34. What if I want to play sports in college? • Student athletes should apply online at ncaa.org if they are considering athletics in college. • Each division has different requirements for eligibility – equation of SAT and grades. • YOU MUST make sure that your classes meet the NCAA requirement for core courses.

35. Reviewing Responsibilities“Who sends what?!” Student sends: Amity HS sends: • Application • Essay(s) • Application fee • Test scores • Supplemental information (art portfolio, video, additional required forms) • ED agreement (if applicable) • AHS transcript • School profile • QPA/GPA distribution chart • 3 Recommendation letters (1 counselor and 2 teachers) • Common App or AHS Secondary School Report

36. Together we will make this year a success! • Contact your student’s counselor with questions. We are here to help! • Please return transcript release forms (YELLOW). • FINANCIAL AID NIGHT October 18th7pm in auditorium • Have a great evening!