Classes of 2015 & 2016 Classes of 2015 & 2016

Melrose High SchoolMelrose High School

Sophomore Year

Introduction to Naviance/career explorationjunior year

Classroom presentations on college planning Individual meetings with student/counselor Begin college search and test planning

Senior Year Classroom presentations on college planning Individual meetings with student/counselor College/career planning and applications

M.H.S.Developmental Guidance Program

Linked with guidance office Web-based service to help with

decisions about colleges and careers Junior accounts have been activated Sophomore accounts will be

activated this spring

Naviance

Counselors will meet individually with

every junior Discussion centers around interests

and post-high school plans Students learn to research colleges

using variables such as major, location, size, etc.

Counselor and student generate a list of colleges for further exploration

Individual Session with Counselor

4 year college 2 + 2 school 2 year school Technical School Military Work

Options

Math through pre-calculus Biology, Chemistry and Physics (or

equivalent lab science) 3-4 years of same foreign language

Rigorous senior year schedule

What Competitive Colleges Look For

SAT I (Reasoning) Spring Test Dates

May 3rd (register by April 4th) June 7th (register by May 9th)

SAT II (Subject Tests) Same Test Dates US History, World History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math Level 1 & 2, Literature, Spanish, Latin, French, Italian, and German

Register www.collegeboard.org

Standardized Testing

ACT (With Writing) Spring Test Dates

April 12th (register by March 7th) June 14th (register by May 9th)

Register www.actstudent.org

* Differences Between SAT and ACT

Standardized Testing

Use with discretion Kaplan Test Prep A+ Tutoring Revolution Test Prep Sullivan Tutoring …Many others

SAT/ACT Prep

https://connection.naviance.com www.princetonreview.com www.petersons.com www.collegeboard.com Many other online resources out there,

ask counselor

College Search Web Sites

Size Location Learning style Majors Co-curricular activities Entrance criteria

College Selection Process

“Reach” “Realistic” “Likely/Safety” Sometimes realistic schools can also

be organized by “Realistic High” and “Realistic Low”

Use historical MHS data (if available) to estimate chances

College Selection Process

Harvard, Dartmouth, Princeton,

Yale, Brown, Columbia, Georgetown, Bowdoin, MIT, Swarthmore, Cornell, UPenn, Stanford

UVA, University of Michigan, Cal Berkeley

Extremely Selective

Boston College Connecticut College, Williams, NYU

Middlebury, Amherst, Brandeis, Colby, Hamilton, Tufts, Vassar, others

Schools that accept <25% of applicants

Very selective

Assumption, Stonehill, Wheaton,

Bowdoin, Holy Cross, Connecticut College, Providence, etc…many others

http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional

Competitive Colleges Not Requiring Standardized

Testing

3.0 GPA required or 960 old SAT U.Mass/Amherst looking for 3.5

Commonwealth College – 3.8 School of Nursing – most competitive

U.Mass/Lowell U.Mass/Dartmouth U.Mass/Boston

University of Massachusetts System

Bridgewater State Fitchburg State Framingham State Salem State Westfield State Worcester State Massachusetts College of Art Mass College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Massachusetts State University System

Meet with your counselor Research schools Apply to approximately 5-10 Keep an open mind Look for the best fit, not

necessarily the best brand name

Application Process

Early Decision / Early Action

Usually Nov 1, Nov 15, or Dec 1 Regular Admission

often Jan 1st

Rolling Admission Anytime - The earlier, the better

Application materials must be received by guidance department 1 week prior to application deadline

Application Deadlines

START NOW Check college website for

appointment schedules for tours and information sessions

Try to visit when school is in session

Get the student perspective

Visiting Colleges

1 – 2, as directed by college

Student are encouraged to ask teachers in the spring of junior year and again in the fall of senior year

Supplemental recommendations okay, but no more than 4 total including guidance counselor recommendation

College Recommendations

Good idea to start now Often requires some soul searching Have counselor or English teacher

review Will work on essay in senior year

English class in Fall

College Essay

Financial Aid Night

Usually 1st week in December

FAFSA CSS Profile Use MEFA (Massachusetts

Educational Financing Authority) as a resource

mefacounselor.org

Financial Aid

Some colleges will give merit scholarship

based on applicant’s profile Melrose Permanent Scholarship Fund www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com Check with employers, unions, and any

other organizations you may be affiliated with

Follow the MHS Guidance blog – Register on Guidance website

Scholarships

Senior Parent Breakfast

October 2014 MHS College Visits

Fall 2014 date to be determined Reading Co-Operative College Fair

October 2014 Financial Aid Night

November or December 2014

Coming Attractions

jbuxton@melrose.mec.edu

781-462-3239 flograsso@melrose.mec.edu

781-462-3237 jbolduc@melrose.mec.edu

781-462-3234 jparrillo@melrose.mec.edu

781-462-3233 jshackelford@melrose.mec.edu

781-462-3236

Contact Information