ARE U REAdy foR

CoLLEGEARE U REAdy foR

CoLLEGE

A Guide to ColleGe plAnninG for MArYlAnd HiGH sCHool students

The UniversiTy of Tampa offers students the best of it all: academic excellence, abundant internships, big-city living and beautiful weather. With more than 150 areas of study, UT is committed to preparing students for success through experiential learning. Ranked as one of the top universities in the south by U.S. News & World Report, UT produces outstanding graduates who are ready to compete in the global marketplace.

Lovewhere yoU

Live &Learn

www.ut.edu/explore

students: Whether you’re new to Family Connection or you’ve been using it a while, this guidebook is full of practical tips you can apply right away. This book is organized like Family Connection, so you’ll find it easy to move straight to the online portal. You can also find an interactive, digital version of this guide within Family Connection! If you need more guidance, see your counselors.

Counselors: Looking for more Family Connection training for you or your students? To register for a public course, visit: https://www.webexcms.com/naviancepd/listwebinarsbeforelogin.php or call 703-859-7300, option 1 for Sales, to purchase Professional Development.

ColleGes: Want to reach high school students by advertising in this guide? Call Chris Zahumensky at (800) 927-8439, ext. 6055, or e-mail chris.zahumensky@hobsons.com.

© Copyright Hobsons 2013. All rights reserved worldwide. Hobsons®, the Hobsons logoTM, Naviance®, Family ConnectionTM CollegeView®, and SuperMatch® are registered and/or common law trademarks of Hobsons Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners. Hobsons U.S. Office: 50 E-Business Way, Suite 300, Cincinnati, OH 45241, (513) 891-5444.

seven super Ways to use this Guide1. Get hip to the suite of family Connection™ tools, your ticket to an easy college search process.

2. Ease your financial burden by expanding your financial aid know-how.

3. Use our handy-dandy timeline to check off milestones on the path to college.

4. Get the skinny on college life outside the classroom.

5. Show your family how they can help while still taking charge of your own college journey.

6. Find out what your college major really says about the future.

7. fan yourself on those last warm days of high school—really, who couldn’t use a fan?

Brought to you by

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home

Keep track of your schedule, calendar, and important tasks using the planner tools. > goals > to-do list > tasks

Your personal info, test scores, surveys, and favorite colleges and careers—it’s all here! > goals > tasks > portfolio > favorite colleges > favorite careers & clusters > personality type > résumé > game plan > documents > journal > completed surveys > profile > test scores > account > Naviance Student mobile app

learn more about the careers that fit your interests. > favorite careers & clusters > explore careers & clusters > personality type > cluster finder > career interest profiler > Roadtrip Nation interview archive

Here are all the tools for getting into cool schools. > colleges I’m thinking about > colleges I’m applying to > upcoming college visits > SuperMatch® college search > college match > college compare > college lookup > college search > college resources > college maps > scattergrams > acceptance history > enrichment programs > scholarship match > scholarship list > scholarship applications > national scholarship search

View your current classes as well as those you’d like to take in the future. > view my course records > interesting courses > thoughts about my course plans > manage my course plans > view my current multi-year plan

family Connection™ is an online tool, custom-designed for your high school, that you, your family members, and your school counselor can use together to determine your best path to college and ultimately a career.

https://connection.naviance.com/fclookup.php

This guide will show you how to maximize your course, college, and career planning using the resources available through Family Connection. Your school may also use Family Connection to share information about upcoming meetings and events, local scholarships, clubs, and other college and career opportunities.

Navigating Family Connection is easy! It is divided into five main tabs: COUrSES, COllEgES, CArEErS, ABOUT ME, and MY PlANNEr. On the opposite page you will find a quick glimpse of the tools found within each tab. Refer to the Family Connection features throughout this guide to see many of these tools in action (look for the boxes with the icon). Your school may not use all the features mentioned, so talk to your counselor about the options available and how to get started.

streAMline Your ColleGe seArCH WitH fAMilY ConneCtion

Manage your school work and the college planning process on the go with Naviance® Student! Download this easy-to-use, free mobile app to access upcoming and overdue tasks, update your status, and communicate with counselors directly from your mobile device.

kelsey.che@myschool.com

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Smooth Sailing:

The best preparation for changing times is also one of the oldest: a liberal arts education.”

—Jeffrey Hammond, professor of English at St. Mary’s College of Maryland

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to maximize meetings with counselors, parents and students should:

be honest. Talk openly about things like low test scores, your family finances, and any college housing concerns you have. Counselors aren’t mind readers, but they can be lifesavers when they have all the facts.

share best practices. Learn what role counselors are playing in the process for other students and their families, and don’t be afraid to suggest different ideas and approaches for getting into your college of choice.

use time wisely. It’s not always easy to plan meetings around everyone’s schedules, so maximize the time by tackling the most pressing issues up front and saving chitchat for later.

stay on schedule. The college admissions process involves a lot of important dates and deadlines. Your counselor can help you to get organized, but the real key to success will be completing each task in a thorough and timely manner.

Real Talk: GettinG tHe Most froM ColleGe Counselors

Max is excited about college, but he’s confused about choosing a major and scheduling appropriate courses. With his counselor’s help, he can use View My Course Records, start exploring Interesting Courses, and keep notes as he navigates the planning process using Thoughts About My Course Plans.

Guidance counselors possess a lot of valuable info and can act as friends and mentors in the college search process.

Avenues for advice you’ll want to explore include:

insider info. Hit up those who’ve been there—like older siblings and teachers—for firsthand college knowledge. Granted, their experiences might not be just like yours, but common threads like scheduling classes, adjusting to student housing, and working on campus don’t tend to change much over time.

peer perspectives. Friends and family love to give advice… especially the unsolicited kind, right? But even the opinions you didn’t ask for can be helpful when it comes time to make big decisions. If the people closest to you aren’t talking college, find some who are and jump into the conversation.

social slant. Once you’ve made a list of prospective schools, start subscribing to college newsfeeds and searching social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and College Confidential to learn what other students in the hunt are saying.

tech tools. Family Connection™ offers the industry’s top college search and application tools, while the College Confidential®/CollegeView® mobile app puts expert advice at your fingertips. Other must-have apps include Chegg (for textbook rental), Evernote (for note taking), PrepMe (SAT and ACT prep), Naviance Student (for tracking tasks), and PocketMoney (for tracking finances). Plus, use trusted google features like Calendar and Reader to stay informed and on track.

Helpful Hints: Where to Turn for Valuable Tools and Advice

Emily is using the Manage My Course Plans and View My Current Multi-Year Plan tools to take the guesswork out of course planning and stay on the right path toward her dream of one day working as a child psychologist.

High school counselors aren’t the only great resource for college-bound students and their families.

Admissions counselors are there to assist students during their college selection process. They answer questions and offer guidance about applications, financial aid, campus life, and much more. You can reach our counselors at www.ut.edu/admissions.”

—Brent Benner, director of enrollment management at The University of Tampa

is your college stress heating up? Having a plan will help you keep your cool.

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Timeline & Resources for College-Bound StudentsCHeCK it:

sopHoMore YeAr

fall• Talk with your family members and other adults

about their careers to get ideas about fields you might want to pursue.

• Stay focused on your academics. Your counselor may utilize tools such as Total Reader to assess your reading level, or PrepMe to help assess your reading and math skills while preparing for tests like the ACT or SAT.

spring• Check in with your counselor to make sure you

are taking the right classes to meet college entrance requirements. Your counselor may use Naviance Course Planner to make sure you’re taking the courses you need to meet graduation requirements and prepare for college-level work.

• Think about summer jobs or volunteer opportunities that could help you explore career options. Ask your counselor about intelliVol, which can help manage and track volunteer activities.

Junior YeAr

fall• Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October.

• Establish personal interests and college must-haves.

• Research programs and career services at prospective schools.

• Gather info about college costs and student aid.

Winter• Gear up for springtime exams using online test

prep tools such as PrepMe, a test preparation solution integrated with Family Connection™!

To stay organized through the admissions process, Jerome uses My Planner to create To-Do Lists and complete Tasks assigned to him by his counselor. He can even sync To-Dos and Tasks to his iPhone using the Naviance Student app.

Make sure you plan a college visit to a variety of types of schools. It’s important to consider the features and benefits of a small and big school as well as a public and private institution.”

—robert Beener, dean for enrollment management at Saint Francis University

spring• Tour campuses and talk with college reps,

professors, and other students.

• Take SAT/ACT pre-tests.

• Plan a schedule for senior year with your counselor.

• Update your list of potential schools.

• Explore AP exam prep and other sources of early college credit and funding.

• Exchange advice and info with other students at www.collegeconfidential.com.

• Look for summer jobs and internships.

summer• Continue to visit potential schools and get ready

for senior year.

senior YeAr

fall• Register for necessary entrance exams.

• Secure letters of recommendation.

• Narrow down your list of colleges to 5–10 schools.

• Organize application materials, noting admission and financial aid deadlines.

• Use resources at your high school and within Family Connection to continue researching local and national financial aid options and scholarship opportunities.

• Get a head start on the FAFSA by completing the FAFSA on the Web worksheet at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

• If you have already chosen a school, begin the process of early application. (Some require applications by Nov. 1.)

• Have test scores sent to the colleges on your short list.

• Begin drafting application essays.

• Save copies of your applications for yourself before sending.

Winter• Submit completed applications. Check with your

prospective schools for deadlines.

• Schedule any necessary admissions interviews. Services such as LikeLive can help you prepare with online practice interviews and communication skills.

• File the FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov)—then watch your mailbox for a Student Aid Report (SAR). Check deadlines to ensure you are on track.

• Explore funding with online tools like those at www.collegeview.com and www.finaid.org. Check that each school has received your materials.

• Update/correct the SAR as needed.

• Complete and submit any remaining scholarship applications.

spring• Compare financial aid and acceptance packages.

(These should arrive by mid-April.)

• If you’re torn between a few schools, visit each campus before deciding where to go.

• Choose a school!

summer• Have your high school send final transcripts

to your college of choice.

• Get ready—an exciting college experience awaits you!

Professors don’t simply teach us the method for solving one specific type of problem, but show us how to craft an approach that will work given any number of problems.”

—Jay Massey, 2012 graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland

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to be the master of your college destiny:

Get involved. Of course it’s tedious, all the forms and deadlines—that’s why they call it a process. But just as your parents won’t be there to do the coursework, it’s not their job to fill out applications and meet with admissions reps. Colleges need to see who you are in order to help determine who you’ll become. So show them!

Get informed. Ask questions. research schools and their requirements. Decide which tests to take and start practicing. Ask more questions. Seek advice from teachers, siblings, and anyone else who’s been to college. Know who to contact and how they prefer to be contacted. Remember: the road to college is much smoother when you know what’s around the next bend.

Get inspired. This is your chance to meet a bunch of new people, explore new interests, and create the life you’ve always imagined. Will you spend your free time doing volunteer work? Will you play a sport? What will your living situation be like? What career path will you follow? Will you study abroad? The possibilities are endless!

oWn it:

Taking Charge of Your College Quest

the urge to procrastinate is strong, but once you dive into college planning you’ll realize that getting started was the hardest part.

put Your best foot forward

1. be yourself. Whether it’s electronic or in person, always communicate honestly and openly so that admissions reps can see the real you.

2. double-check phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and office hours to be sure your inquiries are going to the right place.

3. Come prepared for face-to-face interviews by jotting down questions in advance and dressing for the occasion.

4. proofread! Don’t discredit yourself by sending an error-riddled essay, e-mail, or cover letter to admissions officers.

Corey struggles to focus on the big picture, so he uses the Game Plan and Résumé tools to explore postsecondary options, all the while jotting down personal essay notes and life experiences using the Journal tool.

A note for parents Let’s face it, sometimes it’s

hard not to hover when all you want is the best possible

outcome for your student. But there’s such a thing as

doing—and even saying—too

much. Resist the urge to project

heavy expectations, compare

your child to other students, or

worse, complete tasks for them.

Instead, dodge the “helicopter”

label by keeping an open mind,

offering helpful (and realistic)

feedback, and most importantly,

encouraging your child to take

charge of this important process.

There’s a certain feeling to a campus that just doesn’t come through in a brochure. By the same token, the ‘essence of you’ also shines better in person. Campus visits, open houses, and special admissions events allow both you and your prospective college an opportunity to get to know each other. “

—Marie Young, director of marketing and communications at Saint Francis University

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sports of All sorts We can’t all be lucky enough to nab athletic scholarships, but there are plenty of other ways to stay in the game. Ask about intramural sports leagues and peruse sign-up sheets at the campus fitness center for opportunities to get active and social.

the Arty type Arts and culture are staples of college life. Whether you want to create or simply enjoy, learn about the gallery shows, stage performances, and concerts the community has to offer.

in the Club The sheer variety of college clubs and organizations might surprise you. Imagine spending your “down” time hiking trails, attending political rallies, or learning to cook ethnic food. And keep in mind that if you can’t find a group to match your interests, most schools make it easy for students to start their own!

out & About Shops, restaurants, museums, parks—these are where some of the best college memories are made! Set aside time during your visit to explore the off-campus scene.

Nadir is just starting his list of prospective schools, so for now the Colleges I’m Thinking About and College Compare tools will help him narrow down his choices. He can use SuperMatch® to filter his criteria and find matching schools.

Later, Nadir will plan to attend Upcoming College Visits at his high school and narrow down his final choices with Colleges I’m Applying To.

We all know a great college experience is about more than the curriculum. As you visit prospective schools, look for fun and fulfillment outside the classroom, too.

findinG Your fit: College Value Beyond the Books

Look for colleges featuring real-world, out-of-the-classroom learning opportunities. Many of The University of Tampa’s 150 academic programs include internships, field research, and community service.”

—Joe Sclafani, professor of psychology and associate director of the TECO Energy Center for leadership at The University of Tampa

SuperMatch® allows Dave to customize his college search using criteria like cost and availability of financial aid. Its smart matching technology shows him both perfect matches and schools that come close. Kim uses the Scholarship List, Scholarship Match, and Scholarship Applications tools to sort and identify award opportunities while staying on top of important dates and deadlines.

WHAt You need to KnoWCollege Ca$h:

Know the deadlines. No matter how stupendous your grades, test scores, or athletic achievements may be, you won’t win scholarships if your applications are late. When applying to a college, check to see if there is a separate scholarship application and what the deadline is—then put a reminder in your calendar so you don’t miss it. Hint: The Family Connection™ scholarship search allows you to sort opportunities by deadline, so you can see which apps you need to finish first.

Know When it’s too Good to be true. If a scholarship offer promises you money for little or no work or asks you to pay a fee to receive an award, just walk away. Focus your hunt on scholarships from colleges and reputable charities/companies.

Know the real Cost of College. Look for the Net Price Calculator (NPC) on schools’ websites (colleges that participate in federal financial aid programs are required to have an NPC). With your parents’ help, answer a few financial questions to get these key numbers:

• A median expected family contribution (EFC).

• The average grant and scholarship aid the school awards to students like you.

• The school’s “net price”—the difference between the total cost of attendance and the average aid award. This is the amount you will have to come up with for your freshman year; you can do this through a combination of cash, loans, and scholarships/grants.

Want to get a great education while minimizing your financial burden? Welcome to the club! Here are three things you and your parents need to know to keep your college budget in check.

Sometimes a little whim that you follow when you’re 20 ends up changing the entire course of your life . . . that little whim and the unending support from St. Mary’s has helped me follow my dreams and my heart.”

—Ashleigh Dueker, 2010 graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland

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Myth 1: liberal arts degrees limit your options. The skills developed in a liberal arts program can transfer to a practically unlimited range of careers. Just ask domestic diva and entrepreneur Martha Stewart, who studied history, or best-selling author J.K. Rowling, who majored in French.

Myth 2: pre-program majors are the key to big salaries. “Pre-med” and “pre-law” have long been synonymous with the highest paid professions, but these days, doctors and lawyers top such lists alongside engineers, nurses, computer scientists, accountants, and construction managers.

Myth 3: one bad decision can wreck your career outlook. Life is full of setbacks. Thankfully, it’s relatively easy to bounce back from not-so-great items in your academic past—like disciplinary action, a flunked course, or the realization that you’ve chosen the wrong major. Never let a mistake define you; make the necessary changes and focus on moving forward.

Myth 4: to be successful, you need at least a bachelor’s degree. Many of today’s in-demand jobs—even some of the aforementioned top paying ones—require an associate degree or other certification that can be achieved in less than four years.

Using the Explore Careers & Clusters tool, Jill can peruse job descriptions, required skills, and wages for the career paths she’s considering. She can also learn which careers are a good fit with Cluster Finder and use Favorite Careers & Clusters to share her choices with her counselor and family members. If she’s still not sure about which path to take, she can visit the Roadtrip Nation Interview Archive to view inspirational stories from leaders about how they’ve overcome life’s challenges to achieve success.

Major Misconceptions: WHAt’s tHe ConneCtion betWeen deGree & CAreer?

the major you choose is important, but it won’t necessarily determine the career path you will follow or the success you will achieve. let’s dispel some common “major” myths.

90 diff erent club activities for students to join &17 varsity sports in Division III

in the liberal arts and sciences

best public liberal arts colleges in the nation(U.S. News & World Report, 2013 edition)

highest 4-year graduation rate of any public institution of higher education in Maryland

53% of students studied abroad &55% of students fulfi lled an internship

More than

/

For more information visitwww.smcm.edu/admissions

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