Transcript Parent Breakfast 2014-2015

WELCOME
to the
MHS Guidance
PARENT
BREAKFAST
2014-2015
WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
 College planning is stressful for students
and parents, but we are available to help all
along the way!
We approach each student as an individual
with unique interests and needs.
Junior Parents
 Begin to plan for the future now
 GPA from end of junior year is on
transcript sent to colleges
 Plan ahead for standardized testing
 Plan ahead for summer
 Portfolio development for
art/photography/fashion majors
Senior Parents
 The time is upon us to apply…Some
questions to answer are:
What is the general timeline?
 What are the steps in the application process?
 What about financial aid?
POST HIGH SCHOOL
OPTIONS
 4 year college
 2 + 2 college
 2 year college / community college
 Military academy
 Military
 Technical / Voc School
 Work
 Prep school
Counselor’s Responsibilities
 Meet with student during spring of junior year and
during fall of senior year
 Inform student about post high school / college
planning process, timelines, expectations, and
standardized testing
 Assist student in determining college readiness,
developing a college list, and communicating with
parent(s) as appropriate
 Assist student as necessary with completion of forms
and decision making
Student’s Responsibilities
 Plan rigorous senior year schedule
 Make & keep appointments to speak with counselor
about post high school / college plans
 Involve parents in the conversation about post high
school plans
 Do his / her own research on college choices
 Put forth the best academic effort possible
 Begin / continue extracurricular and community
service activities
 Keep track of deadlines / timelines
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
for COLLEGES
 4 years of English
 4 years of Math (through at least Algebra II or PreCalculus for more competitive colleges)
 3-4 years Social Studies
 3-4 years Science (4 years beginning Class of 2016)
 2-4 years of the same foreign language
 BEST ADVICE: Take 4 years of all major subjects
ADMISSION FACTORS THAT
COLLEGES CONSIDER
 GPA and Class Rank
 SAT / ACT scores
 Junior and Senior year performance
 Extracurricular activities
 College Essay
 Recommendations
 Interview (maybe) and Campus Visit
 “Demonstrated Interest” – especially
for more selective schools
WHERE TO APPLY
 Know thyself: What do you want? How do you see yourself?
 Research the schools: Find out what each one has to offer
 Create a list of matching schools: Counselors can assist with
narrowing search down to about 5-10 schools
 Be sure selectivity is balanced to include Statistical Reach,
Possible, Probable, and Solid schools; and share with counselor
 Can you picture yourself attending and being happy at each
college on your list? Answer should be yes!
NAVIANCE
 Web based software that offers college
and career resources and data (MHS data
back to 2009)
 Counselors use Naviance with students for
college searches and the career inventory
 Every current junior and senior has
created and account already, counselors
can help with access if student has any
problems
 Naviance is also used to send transcripts,
recommendations, and the school profile
electronically to almost every college and
university in the U.S.A. and Canada
FACTORS STUDENTS SHOULD
CONSIDER
 Location (perhaps consider applying outside New England
or the northeast U.S.)
 Admission selectivity (from MHS historical data)
 “Fit” or “match” with student interests and personality
(college visit is critically important)
 Academic programs
 Size
 Cost & Financial Aid Offer
 Other, specific clubs, sports etc.
ELEMENTS OF THE COLLEGE
APPLICATION
 Application itself (sent by student online)
 Extracurricular Activities (part of application)
 Application supplement if applicable (student completes if required)
 Application essay or personal statement (student sends with application)
 SAT/ACT Scores (student requests scores to be sent from testing agency)
 Teacher recommendations (student requests from teachers and counselor
sends)
 Counselor recommendation and School Report (counselor completes and
sends)
 Student academic transcript (counselor sends)
 School Profile (counselor sends)
TYPES OF APPLICATIONS
 EARLY DECISION: Deadline is Nov 1st or 15th & requires a binding
commitment from the student if admitted (notification by Dec. 15th)
 EARLY ACTION: Deadline is Nov 1st or 15th usually & is not binding; a
student can apply to multiple early action schools (notification by Dec.
15th)
 REGULAR: Deadline is usually Jan. 1st or later & notification is
generally by April 1st
 ROLLING: Application can be sent any time, but the sooner the better;
notification is on a rolling basis, generally 4-6 weeks after receipt of
application
DOES APPLYING EARLY
MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
This is complicated & situational…the answer varies
It could be an advantage if a student shows genuine
interest and is a suitable candidate
 Colleges are reporting they are now receiving as
many early applicants as regular decision applicants
 One online application (www.commonapp.org) that
can be used for many colleges (but NOT all), so it
streamlines the process
 BUT many schools also require a supplement
 Same college essay can be used for all common app
schools
 Create account, you can partially complete and go
back late
 Must be linked electronically to Naviance (see
counselor)
 With increasing number of
applications, the essay is
becoming a CRITICALLY
IMPORTANT element
 Many colleges, especially competitive colleges, are using the essay to
distinguish between applicants
 Self-reflection is essential (beliefs, aspirations, values, passions, etc.)
 Speak from the heart: colleges want to know about the real you
 MUST be the student’s original work
 Begin drafting summer before senior year & have counselor and/or
English teacher review
 Answer question asked by college or by Common App
(www.commonapp.org)
 No more than 650 words or two pages double spaced
WHAT
NOT TO WRITE
 Love life (a.k.a. “Too Much Information”)
 Drug use or rap sheet
 Be cautious when disclosing health issues
 Strong political or religious views, or contempt for
individuals or groups (remember you don’t know who
will be reading the essay!)
 Complaints or excuses, regardless of what they are
 Stand up routine (humor is okay, but it needs to be
balanced)
 Fiction
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
 Looking for quality over quantity
 More selective the college = higher level of involvement /
achievement needed to impress admissions officer
 Looking for evidence of leadership
 Looking for evidence of perseverance
 Community service is important, but particularly sustained
involvement over time that shows commitment
 It’s important to also show work experience
SAT AND ACT EXAMS
…similarities & differences
We encourage students to take both, and colleges
will accept either
Each student should consult with their counselor
during spring of junior year to make a plan for testing
Both exams now require a photo (similar to a
passport photo) to be uploaded when registering
SAT Subject Tests – When are they recommended /
required?
Scores MUST be sent directly from the testing agency
at the student’s request
“Score Choice” Explanation
Growing list of “Test Optional” colleges
www.fairtest.org/university/optional
TEACHER
RECOMMENDATIONS
 Usually 1 – 2, BUT check each college website for guidelines
 Student should ask teacher(s) IN PERSON in the spring of
junior year & provide completed self-assessment form
 No more than 4 recommendations total (2 teachers + 1
counselor + 1 supplemental)
 Should shed light on intellect, personal qualities, motivation,
character, etc.
 Ask teachers that will write positive letters
DECIDING WHERE TO ATTEND
 May 1 is national decision date
 Compare financial aid offers
 Admitted student campus visits can help to clarify
decision
 Waitlist or deferral? Consult with your counselor
 Fight senioritis! Acceptance conditional on
completing senior year at same level of performance
 If you receive good news, be thoughtful of fellow
students that may not have
PAYING FOR COLLEGE
$ Attend Financial Aid Night at MHS on Nov. 6th at 6:30 p.m.
$ Complete FAFSA and CSS Profile after Jan 1st of senior year
$ Explore private consultants for advice, but be aware they may
charge fees
$ Need-based vs. Merit-based aid
$ Guidelines often change
$ Scholarship Bulletin Board can now be found on Naviance
$ www.fastweb.com search engine for scholarships
$ Melrose Permanent Scholarship Fund
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
 Athletes Div I, II, III and the NCAA (if possibly
Div. I or II, should register with the NCAA
Clearinghouse in grade 11)
 Art Students: Begin creating portfolio early
and deciding between an arts program and
an arts specialty school
 Students with learning differences or
physical/emotional challenges
 International Students
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
 The price is right
 Often students take the same courses as they would at
a 4 year college
 Do not require SAT/ACT
 Students are able to transfer to 4 year colleges after 1
or 2 years
 Some community colleges have agreements with the
state colleges
 Cannot live on campus and student must take initiative
 15-20% of MHS graduates go to 2-year colleges
Options for Students Not
Going to College
Post Grad Year / Prep School
Technical Schools / Trade Schools
Military
GAP Year or Deferred Enrollment
Employment
RESOURCES
 MHS Guidance Website:
http://melroseschools.com/category/guidanceservices-department/
 Naviance: http://connection.naviance.com/melrose
 Collegeboard: www.collegeboard.org
 Colleges’ own websites
 College Data: www.college-insight.org
 Financial Aid Calculator: www.finaid.org/calculators
 Free Test Prep: http://ineedapencil.ck12.org/ and
Khan Academy www.khanacademy.org
781-979-2210
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