Parent Breakfast 2014-2015
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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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