JUNIOR COLLEGE PLANNING

Presented by the HHS School Counseling Department

TimelineMarch: Register for/prepare for the SATs Junior students meet with counselor to begin

discussing plans for post- graduation Familiarize yourself with your transcript; you

can’t search appropriately if you’re not informed

Begin searching for colleges/universities/technical programs

Choose classes for senior year Begin and/or edit your Brag Sheet

Timeline cont.March - June: Register/take the SATs (or ACTs) Meet with counselor to discuss options Continue searching for post-secondary

schools and adding to “Colleges I’m Thinking About” list on Naviance

Visit college campuses Ask for letters of recommendation

The College Search Naviance, Collegeboard.org What to consider when choosing a college: - Geographic location

- Majors - Size - Cost - Selectivity - Setting (Rural, Urban, Suburban) Develop a list of schools that you are

interested in

The College Search Con’t. Schedule college visits/tours with the

Admissions Department Write down questions you want to ask Prepare for questions they may ask you Send a thank you email or note Plan to narrow down your list of schools

by Fall of Senior year

The College Search Con’t.

Attend College Fairs - Southern CT College Fair, March 31st,

20164-8 pm at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport

Hartford National College Fair, March 30th March 30th 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.; 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Plan to attend college rep visits at Hamden HS in the fall

Developing a List Be open minded to schools Start with a larger list and narrow when it

is time to apply Ideally apply to 5 – 7 Schools

1 – 2 Reach 2 -3 Reasonable 1 – 2 Safety

Consider academics and finances when applying

Factors Colleges Consider for Admissions

Transcript Rigor GPA / Decile Trend

Standardized Test Scores You as a person

Essay Extracurricular Letter of Recommendation

SAT Register for an SAT test at

collegeboard.org Recommendation: Take SAT once in

Spring of Junior year and once in Fall of Senior year

Pay attention to registration deadlines! Fee waivers are available to families with

a lower income level. See your counselor for more info.

SAT con’t. Score reports Remember: You are responsible for

sending your scores to each college you apply to!

Score Optional – fairtest.org Prep – Kahn Academy

https://www.khanacademy.org/

ACTsCan be taken in lieu of SAT or in addition www.act.org for test dates and to register

for a test ACT-W Pay attention to registration deadlines!

SAT Subject Tests Required by some colleges, usually more

competitive institutions Check individual colleges website to find

out if they require subject tests Register for tests on collegeboard.org You cannot take subject tests on the

same day as the SAT Plan accordingly!

Brag Sheet What is it? Why is it important? It lists all the activities you were/are

involved in during high school, including sports, clubs, work experience, community service, etc.

The teachers and your counselor will use it as a reference when writing your recommendation letters.

Recommendation Letters Each student will need at least two

teacher recommendations You may also need a letter from your

counselor You may get additional letters beyond

that (ex. coach, boss) Make sure your Brag Sheet is completed

before asking for recommendation letters.

The Common Application What is it? Who uses it?

Over 600 colleges www.commonapp.org We will teach you how to fill it out as part

our September Lesson Supplemental Forms

The College Essay Allows the student to explain to the

admissions committee who they are beyond their transcript

Do not plagiarize, they will know! Make the essay personal, original,

authentic PROOF READ! Have someone look over your essay

before submitting it

Look over the CA essay prompt choices for 2016 – 2017

Applicants1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

 2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

The College Essay Con’t. Follow the guidelines set by the college Begin writing your essays over the

summer Meet with your English teacher in the fall

for assistance on proofreading your essay

Admissions

Early Action vs. Early Decision vs. Regular Decision

When choosing to apply to a college, a student has to decide which application plan is best for them:

Regular Decision - Many colleges establish a deadline by which all applications must be received. All students are then notified of the college's decisions at a uniform response date

Early Decision - Many colleges offer this plan to applicants who are sure they want to attend the college. This college should clearly be the applicant's first choice, as it is a binding agreement and if the student is accepted, they are expected to attend that school.

Early Action vs. Early Decision vs. Regular Decision

Early Action – Admission program in which applying early gets you an earlier response. This is a non-binding agreement.

There are two types of early action applications: * Single-choice - early action plan that does

not allow you to apply early to other schools but can apply regular decision.

*Multiple-choice – You may apply early action to multiple schools.

Rolling Admissions – Apply at any time in the year – and hear back within six weeks

Check with each school you are applying to on what application plans they use and what those deadline are.

Prospective Student Athletes

There are three divisions in college sports – 1,2 and 3 (check w/ each school to find out what division they are in)

If you plan on applying to Division 1 or 2 schools, you MUST register with the NCAA Clearinghouse

Students should be registered by the end of their Junior year of high school

Website: www.eligibilitycenter.org Pick up a transcript release form in Guidance at

the end of Junior year to send your transcript to the Clearinghouse

Prospective Student Athletes con’t.

You must also request your SAT/ACT scores to be sent from collegeboard.com to the Clearinghouse

Maintain good grades and do your best on the SAT’s!

Community Colleges Community Colleges

Accuplacer Cost effective Certificates, A.S. degree, and Courses transfer

to 4 year colleges.

Career Readiness Technical / Trade School

Apprenticable trade training (HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, etc)

Typically less than 2 years in length.

Speak with your counselor for more information

Military Military

ASVAB Test every fall at HHS Enlistment ROTC Academy

Financial Aid FAFSA / CSS Profile – New earlier

application window for next year for the FAFSA. We will do a workshop in the fall to bring you up to speed.

Merit Money Financial Aid Workshops offered Fall 2015 Scholarships – Local / Regional

Grades are Important Make sure you are taking challenging

courses in your senior year Do not slack off! Colleges will see grades up to the last

semester of Senior year Avoid Senioritis!!!!!!!!!

Helpful Tips There will be a Senior College night in the Fall that

all current Junior parents should attend. We will explain the actual application process at this meeting.

We will give a detailed overview of Financial Aide Make sure you seek out help from your School

Counselor throughout this process. Don’t procrastinate. Communicate with your parents throughout the

process. Do your best HAVE FUN!!!!!!!