Transcript Class of 2011…

The Road to College
Welcome to Senior Year!
Topics
Graduation Requirements and NH Scholars
 Timelines
 Types of Deadlines
 College Search Process
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– Types of schools
Naviance
 Standardized Testing
 Financial Aid Overview
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AHS Graduation Requirements
4 credits of English
3 credits of Social Studies
√ World History (1)
√ Economics(.5)
√ US History (1)
√ American Government (.5)
3 credits of Math
√ Each Student must complete an Algebra 1 experience
3 credits of Science
√ Physical Science
√ Biological Science
√ Other
½ credit Fine Arts
1 credit Information Computer Technology (ICT)
½ credit of Health
1 credit Physical Education
4.5 credits in Open Electives
Total credits for AHS Graduation:
20.5
NH Scholars Program
The NH State Scholars initiative (SSI) is a multi-state business/education
partnership effort focused in increasing the number of high school students
who take a rigorous secondary-level curriculum designed to strengthen the
chances for success in college and the workplace.
To be designated a NH Scholar through the Hudson School District students
must complete a minimum of:
 English
 Math
 Lab Science
 Social Studies
 Foreign Language
 GPA of a 2.7 or above
4.0 credits
3.0 credits through Algebra II
3.0 credits
3.5 credits
2.0 credits
What should I be doing now?
Fall Timeline
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Finalize list of colleges and continue to visit campuses
*2 + 2 + 2 (Safety – Probable – Reach)
Attend Local College Fairs (SNHU and UNH)
Request letters of Recommendation and complete Senior Resume –
Available on Naviance!
Take college entrance exams (SAT/ACT) again
Sign up to meet with college reps in the Counseling Department.
Create a Common Application Account for appropriate schools and
complete FERPA form on Naviance.
Complete college essays and review them.
Remember all application materials must be submitted to your counselor
2 weeks prior to the deadline!
Types of Deadlines
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Early Action (Non-Binding)
– Typically Oct 15, Nov 1, Nov 15
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Early Decision (Binding)
– Typically Oct 15, Nov 1, Nov 15
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Regular Decision
– Varies…as early as December 1 and as late as April 1
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Rolling Admission
– Applications are processed upon arrival. Acceptance/denial letters
received in about 6-8 weeks
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Open Enrollment
– Admittance is dependent upon graduation from high school
Winter Timeline
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Submit applications
– Deadlines are typically around January 1, but check with each
school.
Complete the necessary financial aid forms, including
the FAFSA (after January 1st).
 Attend the Financial Aid Workshop TBA at AHS
 Continue to apply to outside scholarships.
 Ask your counselor to complete any necessary MidYear School Reports. They are typically due in
February.
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Spring Timeline
You are almost done! You will typically receive
notification letters at the beginning of April.
 Discuss with your parents the financial aid offers
and contact the schools if they are seriously
insufficient.
 Take part in “Pre-Frosh” events and visitations.
 Notify the schools of your decision and send in
the postcard and deposit to your new college
(May 1st).
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What are the options
for college?
How much training & education am I willing
to get to achieve my career & life goals?
2-year
Technical School or
Community College
4-year University or College
2-Year Technical & Community
Colleges
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Affordable
– Community College costs between $5,000 and $6,000 per year
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Stepping Stone
– One or two successful years at a community college can help you get in as
a transfer student to your dream school and help you develop the
characteristics (such as independence, ambition and maturity) necessary
to become a successful college student.
– The Connections Program at the community colleges allows a
student to seamlessly transition to Plymouth, Keene, or UNH upon
completion of 2 years at the community college level.
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Licensure/Certification
– These schools offer hundreds of Associate Degree and Certificate
Programs that lead to licensure in the career field of your choice.
2-Year Admissions Requirements
High School Diploma
 Completion of the Accu-placer
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 Exam administered by the college that evaluates English and
Math proficiency. These scores determine which math and
English classes are appropriate for your 1st semester of college
Local 2-year Community Colleges
NH Community Colleges share a commitment to
provide students with opportunities not only for an
excellent education but also a well-rounded college
experience.
Student clubs and activities, events, performances,
and community service opportunities are among
the many options. Many colleges have
intercollegiate or club athletic teams, and each has a
student government that facilitates student
involvement in the life of the campus and provides
opportunities for leadership.
Only one of the CCSNH Colleges, NHTI in
Concord, currently includes residence halls,
although other campuses may be able to assist you
in finding local housing if that is what you need.
Closest to home are Nashua Community College
and Manchester Community College.
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 for you.
Factors to Consider
Location, Location, Location!
How far are you willing to go?
Size and Enrollment
Have you dreamed of attending a huge
university or do you prefer a medium-sized
college?
Money, Money, Money!
Programs of Study
The investment of college is expensive. When
finalizing your list of colleges; be sure to
include schools which are “financially safe”
such as state schools and community college
Not all schools have all academic majors. If you
have not yet chosen a major, be sure to look
at schools that have all of your academic
areas of interest.
Selectivity/Admission Requirements
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GPA & quality of courses
Standardized Test Scores
Extracurricular Activities
Letters of Recommendation
Essay
Interview
These are all factors admissions counselors will use to decide if you are a good match for
their school. The more competitive the school, the harder they will scrutinize the quality of
your admissions file.
Articulation Agreements with 4-year Schools
UMASS Lowell
Reduced tuition is offered for
residents of Southern NH
So NH University
Submit paper Application early
App. Fee waived
January notification
Students with min. 2.5 G.P.A. eligible
for scholarship $
Naviance
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Manage and track all aspects of the admissions process.
Delivers all of the supporting documents for college applications to approximately 1,000 colleges.
Provides valuable insight into the college admissions process with college search, scatter grams,
scholarship information and college application statistics
So much more!
Perform a College Search
Choose the criteria you are looking for in your dream school
Research Schools
Keep Track of Schools You Are
Considering
Track Submitted Applications
Standardized Tests
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SAT I – Reasoning Test
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SAT II – Subject Tests
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Three-hours 45 minutes
Primarily multiple-choice test that measures critical reading, math, and writing abilities that
develop over time.
Many colleges require SAT scores for admission.
One-hour
Primarily multiple-choice tests that measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your
ability to apply that knowledge.
More selective colleges may require or recommend one or more Subject Tests for admission
or placement.
ACT – Assessment Test
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Three-hours 25 minutes
Measures educational development in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning.
It is recommended students choose to take the optional writing section of the test.
The SAT will be offered at Alvirne High School on Saturday,
November 8th! Register by October 9th to avoid late fees at:
www.collegeboard.org
The ACT will be offered at Alvirne High School Saturday,
October 25th ! Register by September 19th to avoid late fees at:
www.actstudent.org
Financial Aid
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The financial aid process may seem
complicated, but in its simplest form it
comes down to understanding five easy
steps:
FAFSA
You must complete the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) soon after
January 1 of the year you intend to enroll
in school. Check with each of the colleges
to which you apply for specific deadlines.
Be certain to ask if any other
supplemental forms (such as the CSS
Profile Form or institutional financial aid
form) are required.
E.F. What?
After completing the FAFSA, your information is
submitted to the U.S. Department of Education.
The DOE calculates, your ability to pay for the
cost of attendance for one academic year. Your
ability to pay is called the EXPECTED FAMILY
CONTRIBUTION (EFC).
 EFC= amt. of the money student and parent
are expected to contribute to the student's
education for one academic year.
 Financial Aid Night TBA
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C.O. Who?
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The Department of Education sends the
FAFSA information, including the EFC, to
every school you listed on the FAFSA. The
financial aid officers subtract your EFC
from the COST OF ATTENDANCE
(COA) to determine your eligibility for
financial aid.
Gap…like at the mall?
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The financial aid officer calculates, based
on the campus’ available resources, the
amount of financial aid the institution is
able to offer the student. BE AWARE:
Because a student is eligible for a certain
amount of financial aid does not mean the
student is guaranteed to receive that
amount. The unmet need is called the
GAP.
If it’s an Award Letter why don’t
I feel like a winner?
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The financial aid officer sends the student
an AWARD LETTER that details the
amount of financial aid the college is able
to offer the student. The aid is broken into
categories of loans, grants, scholarships
and work-study.
Financial Aid Resources
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New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation
(NHHEAF)
– www.nhheaf.com
www.iamcollegebound.org
FinAid
– www.finaid.org
FAFSA
– www.fafsa.ed.gov
Fast Web
– www.fastweb.com
Make an Appointment With Your
Counselor!
The sooner you start talking to your guidance counselor, the
less daunting this process will seem…don’t wait until the
last minute!
Q&A
One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who
does not ask a question remains a fool forever.
--Chinese Proverb