Post on 25-Dec-2015
Junior Parent Night
College Planning Overview
Alvirne School Counselors
Mrs. Mary Carper• A - Co
Mr. James Brown• Cr – Goss
Mrs. Caroline Carbee• Got - Ll
Mr. Dan Wells• Lo - Pem
Mrs. Kate Marcotte Penn - S
Mr. Bill Hughen• T - Z
Agenda Roadmap to College College Search Process What’s in an
Application? Standardized Testing Naviance Financial Aid Overview Iamcollegebound.org
Roadmap to College Be proactive! Plan your route to college now! Work a bit each month to help
prepare for a smooth senior year
April Attend a local college fair
– April 16th- Pinkerton Academy-6:00-8:30pm– April 9th- Boston National Spring College Fair-
6-8:30pm* Register for SAT or ACT Develop a preliminary list of colleges Visit college campuses Meet with school counselor If considering Div. I or II athletics, register with
NCAA Eligibility Center (www.eligibilitycenter.org)
May Ask teachers for letters of
recommendation Don’t let grades slip! This is the last
full year of grades that colleges will see!!!
Continue visiting college campuses
June Take SAT/ACT or SAT Subject Tests Study for finals Continue to research/visit colleges Search for meaningful summer job
or volunteer opportunities
Summer Months Analyze SAT/ACT scores and plan for
future testing Create a list of schools with varying
admissions competiveness as well as financially safe options
Continue to visit schools Develop a resume Create Common App account Apply for FAFSA PIN Work on college essay
Fall Timeline Sign up to meet with college reps Meet with school counselor to review final
college list and plan for deadlines Attend SNHU college fair Attend Senior Parent Planning Night Follow up with teachers writing your
letters of recommendation Complete college essays and review them
with an English teacher Complete and submit applications
The College Search Process
Begin at the Beginning… There is a path for everyone. Know your
options! Do your research- don’t rush the process Do some self-reflection- what are
strengths, weaknesses, values, interests? Develop specific criteria for colleges Utilize an online college search tool to help
create that preliminary list of colleges– College Board- www.collegeboard.org– Naviance-
http://connection.naviance.com/alvirne
Big Future (CollegeBoard)/College Search (Naviance)
How much training & education am I willing to get to achieve my
career & life goals?
2-year Technical School or
Community College4-year University or
College
What are the options
for college?
2-Year Technical & Community Colleges
Affordable Transfer Options / Connections
Program Licensure/Certification
2-Year Admissions Requirements
High School Diploma Completion of the Accu-placer exam
Community Colleges of NH• Provide well-rounded college experience
• Smaller class sizes
• Campuses offer many of the same clubs and activities as 4-yr colleges
•Many colleges have intercollegiate or club athletic teams
• On campus housing available at NHTI in Concord
4-Year Colleges and Universities
There are over 2,000 4-year colleges and universities in the country.
Decide the factors that are important to you to help narrow down a list of schools that are a good match.
Location Far away or close to home? Urban vs. suburban vs. rural Be sure to factor in the cost of travel
if you plan to go far away
Size/Enrollment Weigh the pros & cons of a small
school vs. large university Do you want to be a big fish in a small
pond? Do you want to blend in with the crowd
in a lecture hall of 250+ students?
Programs of Study Not all schools have every academic
major Undecided? Be sure to look at
schools that have all of your potential areas of interest!
Selectivity/Admission Requirements
Be realistic Where do you stack up in comparison to
admission requirements at a particular school?
What factors are important for admission? What percentage of students are accepted
each year? Make sure your schools fall into one of
three categories:– Reach– 50/50– Probable
CostThe investment of college is expensive. When finalizing your list of colleges; be
sure to include schools which are “financially safe”.
What’s In an Application?
Parts of the Application
Application Essay SAT/ACT scores High school transcript Letters of recommendation Interview (depends on the school) Application fee
What are Colleges Looking For?
Classes taken & quality of courses GPA Involvement Standardized test scores Essay/Letters of recommendation
College Applications2 main types of applications
–Common Application–College-specific Application
Common Application
www.commonapp.org Accepted by over 300 colleges and
universities One general application & essay Helps student organize all aspects of their
applications Many schools require a supplemental
form- know what your school’s requirements are!
Letters of recommendation and transcripts are sent by School Counselors through Naviance
College-Specific Applications
Can apply online or via paper application
Most colleges have copies of application available on their website
The EssayChoose topic wiselyKeep focus on youNew Common Application
writing prompts- start planning before senior year!
Letters of Recommendation
Ask teacher by MayWhat to consider:
–Core academic subject–Teacher who can speak to your strengths as a student
–Areas of weakness
Sending Your Materials Indicates to us to
upload your current transcript to Naviance and send to your schools.
You must fill out 1 per school.
Students must send SATs/ACTs scores
Tracking forms can be found on edline or in the Counseling Office
Types of DeadlinesEarly ActionEarly DecisionRegular DecisionRolling AdmissionOpen Enrollment
Selective Programs Certain majors are more selective than
others– Nursing, fine/performing arts, music
Additional materials may be required for admission– Portfolio– Auditions
Early admission deadlines Know your requirements!!!
Standardized Testing
Standardized Tests
SAT Reasoning Test
SAT Subject Tests
ACT
Upcoming SAT Dates
Test Date Registration Deadline
May 2, 2015 April 6, 2015
June 6, 2015* May 8, 2015*June SAT is offered at Alvirne!*
$52.50- SAT Reasoning$26- SAT Subject Tests
SAT is also available in October, November, and December.
Visit www.collegeboard.com for updated information!
http://sat.collegeboard.com
Upcoming ACT Dates
Test Date Registration Deadline
June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015
September 12, 2015
TBA
October 24, 2015 TBA
$54.50 with writing section
Visit www.actstudent.org for updated information!
Naviance
Manage and track all aspects of the admissions process. Delivers all of the supporting documents for college
applications Provides valuable insight into the college admissions
process with college search, scatter grams, scholarship information and college application statistics
Perform a College SearchChoose the criteria you are looking for in your ideal
college
Research Schools
How do you Stack Up?
Keep Track of Schools You Are Considering
Financial Aid
The financial aid process may seem overwhelming, but you are not
alone!!!
Two Types of Financial Aid
Merit-Based Aid–Awarded for academic, athletic, artistic talents
Need-Based Aid–Based upon financial need–Determined by standard methodology
Sources of AidFederalStateCollege/University awardsScholarships
Financial Aid Forms FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
Student Aid)–Required by all colleges
CSS PROFILE–Required by some colleges–Fee associated with application
Institutional Forms–Specific to some colleges in lieu of
PROFILE
FAFSA FAFSA4caster can help estimate
eligibility for federal student aid!!!
Financial Aid Resources New Hampshire Higher Education
Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF)– www.nhheaf.com
FinAid– www.finaid.org
FAFSA– www.fafsa.ed.gov
Fast Web– www.fastweb.com
Iamcollegebound.org
Through NHHEAF Learn about NH
schools, scholarships, financial aid, and more
Win cool prizes…REALLY!!!
Q&AOne who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.
--Chinese Proverb
Naviance Family Connection Sign Up
If you would like us to activate your Parent Account, please list the following in the notes on the clipboard:
Student NameParent NameParent Email