Welcome!

Post Secondary /College Planning

2010 Workshop

Presented by SHHS Guidance Department

Where to Start?

“I have found the best way to give advice to my children is to find out what they want to do and advise them to do it.”

Harry S. Truman

Options Available to Graduates

• Employment / full time

• Military Service

• Technical Training/ Apprenticeships

• 2 Year College Program

• 4 Year College Program

• PG Year – 5th year of HS

• Gap Year

SHHS Graduate Profile• Graduates of 2005 – 2009

• 4 year college 51 to 57%• 2 year college 24 to 36%• Employment 4 to 7%• Military Service 0 to 5%• Other/Gap Year 4 to 8%

Spring 2010• Conference with your counselor

• Register for SAT/ACT

• Participate in classroom workshops (4)

• Research careeer/college options

• Schedule college visits

• Attend Essay Writing Workshop

TestingCollege Admissions - SAT/ACT

Military Service Tests - ASVAB

College Admissions Testing

• SAT• Measures Critical

Reading, Writing, and Math

• Score scale 200-800

• Subject Test• Measures knowledge in a

particular content area• Required at most

selective colleges• Score scale 200-800

• ACT• Measures English,

Reading, Math, and Science Reasoning – writing (optional – we recommend it)

• Score scale 1 - 36

College Admissions Tests

• Offered 7 times per year

• Register for tests online

• Juniors should take at least one test

• Seniors should retake tests in early Fall.

• Fee Waivers available• Saturday testing

sessions• Testing

accommodations for documented students

• Scholarships• Test preparation is

important

Testing Schedule• SAT• March 13, 2010• May 1, 2010• June 5, 2010• Oct 9, 2010• Nov 6, 2010• Dec 4, 2010• Jan 22, 2011• www.collegeboard.com

• ACT• April 10, 2010• June 12, 2010• Sept 11, 2010• Oct 23, 2010• Dec 11, 2010• www.actstudent.org

SAT / ACTScore Reporting Options

• SAT -Students can select which scores by test date to send to colleges.

If students do not choose score choice all scores will be sent

• ACT- Students choose which scores by test date

• SAT / ACT Comparison Chart– http://professionals.collegeboard.com/

profdownload/act-sat-concordance-tables.pdf

Reporting SAT/ACT Scores• Scores are not listed on HS transcript

• Send student’s official scores directly through SAT or ACT– www.collegeboard.com– www.actstudent.org

• Many schools are now SAT/ACT optional. Review list at www.fairtest.org

ASVABArmed Services Vocational

Aptitude Battery

• Administered at SHHS – January

• Administered at recruiting stations by appointment

• Can be taken every 6 months

College Search

How do I find the right school?

Things to Consider

• Academic Offerings / Majors• Admission Criteria - What does it take to get in?• Size• Location – Distance from home?• Cost• Setting – Urban, rural, suburban?• Lifestyle / Cultural Factors• Special Programs

Where to get information?• Online

• www.collegeboard.com

• www.princetonreview.com

College Visits• Plan ahead

• Identify tour and informational session times by calling admissions office or searching college website

• Set up appointment for interview if possible

• Get driving directions to campus

• April and summer vacations are good times to visit.

Making the Most of Your Visit

• Prepare – Have some questions ready.• Observe environment, lifestyle & tone• Speak with someone from in your area of study• Visit a dorm, library, & classrooms• Visit the student union – ask students about life

on campus• Inquire about your areas of interests - academic

& extracurricular• Read the campus newspaper

College Interview• Check with each school to determine if

interviews are available

• Make an appointment through admissions office.

• Prepare – Students should prepare for interview by researching college.

• Two kinds of interviews: evaluative or informative.

College Visits - Debrief

• Keep a written record on your visit – what stood out, your positive and negative perceptions, and the perceptions of your parents.

• Send a thank you note to your interviewer.

Special Interests

• ART – Students should talk with their art teacher regarding portfolio requirements

• ATHLETICS – Students should talk with their coaches– Div I or Div II athletes must complete NCAA Eligibility

Application– www.eligibilitycenter.org– www.ncaaclearinghouse.org

Special Interests cont…

• MUSIC/THEATRE – Students should talk with an appropriate teacher regarding auditions and/or supplementary materials.

Students with Special Needs• If your child will be seeking accommodations at

college, please be aware of the following:

• Student’s responsibility to self identify

• Student provides all required documentation.

• Documentation requirements may differ from college to college.

• Testing and documents must be current.

Fall Events

• PSP/College Confs. with students & parents – Sept. & Oct.

• Student Classroom Workshops (2) • College Application Night – Fall• Essay Writing Workshop - Fall• Hampshire County College Fair – Oct.• Financial Aid Workshop – Nov.• SHHS Alumni Fair – Dec.

Summer & Fall To Do List!

• Finalizing post secondary options• Identifying list of schools (likely-safety-reach)

• Review Early Action / Decision Options• Retake SAT and or ACT• Gather letters of recommendation• Begin applications• Finalize college essay• Prepare art portfolio, music audition• Visit additional schools

College AdmissionsWhat are schools looking for?

Criteria used for Admission Decisions

• Transcript – rigor of courses & grades (including 12th grade)

• GPA – Grade Point Average

• Essay

• SAT / ACT Scores

• Recommendations

• Intended Major

Other Criteria …

• Geography location

• Special talent

• Alumni relationship

• Ethnicity

• Ability to pay (unless need blind)

• Extracurricular activities

Importance of Senior Year

• Take the most rigorous course load you can handle.

• Assume leadership positions in clubs, on sport teams, scouting, community service projects.

• Work hard and keep your grades up.• Register for Fall SAT /ACT if needed.• Review content on your Facebook.• Create an appropriate e-mail address

Financial AidHow does it work?

Financial Aid• Financial Aid = the CE (Cost of

Education) minus the EFC (estimated family contribution)

• Example: Mount Holyoke CollegeCE - $52,000EFC - $10,000FA - $42,000To calculate your EFC www.mefacounselor.org click on link

to EFC calculator

Financial Aid cont…….

• Types of financial aid available:• Grants/Scholarships

• Loans

• Work Study

• Merit

Determining Financial Aid….

• Application Process –separate from admissions process

• FAFSA – Federal Application for Free Student Aid (Jan.)

• CSS – CollegeBoard Scholarship Services (Fall)

• Specific institutional forms (Varies)

ParentsHow can you help?

• Spend time with your teen talking about their dreams.

• Schedule meeting with your teen’s counselor.

• Visit colleges with your teen.

• Help your teen stay organized.Set up calendar with test dates, college visits, etc

ParentsWhat to watch out for?

• Stress – remember this is a major life transition for you and your teen.

• Taking over the college applications.

• Do not believe everything you hear about college admissions.

Questions?