Transcript Junior Future Planning Night

Junior Future Planning Night
MEDFIELD HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Introductions
 GUIDANCE COUNSELORS
(Students with last name beginning with…)




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A – De
Di – F
G – Ma
Mc – P
Q–Z
Kathryn Dykas
Stephanie Worthley
Anne Lodge
Amanda Grillo
Erik Ormberg
Agenda
 Future Planning Options
 Naviance
 The College Search Process
 College Visits and Fairs
 Common App
 Standardized Testing
 Suggested Timeline
 Financial Aid
 The Role of Guidance
Post High School Options
 College
 Employment/Internships
 Military
 Outdoor Adventure Classrooms
 Prep School/Post Graduate Year
 Travel
 Vocational Training/Trade School
 Volunteer/Service Programs
Naviance
 What is Naviance?
o
“Naviance is a college and career readiness platform that helps
connect academic achievement to post-secondary goals.”
 Naviance is an online tool that is helpful for students and
their families in the college search process. Features
include:
o
o
o
o
o
College Search
College Match
College Compare
Scattergrams
Application History
Naviance
 Website:
o https://connection.naviance.com
The College Search Process
 Finding schools to match your child’s needs
 Criteria to investigate:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Location & Size
Admissions Requirements
Academic Offerings
Athletics & Clubs/Organizations
Housing & Facilities
Student Support Services
The College Search Process
 Fit and Balance
 Academic
 Financial
 Safety, Fit, & Reach
 Helpful Websites
 Naviance
https://connection.naviance.com

College Board
www.collegeboard.org
Finding Balance
 Fit (Match):
 A college where the applicant’s academic credentials fall within
(or above) that school’s range for the average freshman.
 Reach:
 A college where the applicant’s academic credentials fall
significantly below the school’s range for the average
freshman.
 Likely (Safety):
 A college where the applicant’s academic credentials fall above
the school’s range for the average freshman.
College Visits
 When should my family go on a college tour?
o Anytime that students are on campus. Typically early spring is
a great time to visit, and again in the fall. MHS allows students
to miss up to 3 EXCUSED days of school for college visits.
(3 junior year & 3 senior year)
College Visits
 How can my child sign up for a visit?
o Check the college website. Colleges will provide visit
information within their Admission page. Typically an info
session is followed by a campus tour.
College Visits
 What are Shadow Days?
o Some colleges offer this opportunity for prospective students
to spend a half or whole day with a current student. They may
attend a few classes, visit their dorm, and grab a meal together.
College Visits
 When are interviews appropriate?
o If your student is really interested in a particular school and
they offer optional interviews, take it! This could be a chance
for your child to shine in other ways. It makes them more than
just an application.
College Fairs
 NACAC College Fair Field Trip
 April 10, 2015
 Boston Convention Center
 Other Opportunities
 NEACAC (New England Association for College Admission Counseling)
http://www.neacac.org

NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling)
http://www.nacacnet.org
The Common Application
 The Common App is a website used by most colleges to
apply directly to their school.
 Adding schools to this list will provide your student with
the colleges deadlines.
 Common App does link with Naviance.
 Some schools are not on Common App, and your child
must apply directly through the college’s website.
Common App
 Website:
https://www.commonapp.org
Terms to Know
 Regular Decision
 January or February application deadline, with notification by March or April
 Early Action
 Typically a November application deadline, with notification in mid-December
 Early Decision
 This is a BINDING application. If your student is accepted Early Decision to a
school, they are obligated to attend and must withdraw their applications from all
other colleges.
 It is a appropriate to apply Early Decision if your child knows and is 100% sure
that this is their number one school.
 Typically a November or December application deadline with notification by
mid-December
 Rolling Admission
 No set deadline. Applications are accepted until are spots are filled.
 Admission decisions are often provided within a few weeks of applying.
Standardized Testing
 What should testing look like for my child?
**March and October SAT’s are offered at Medfield High School**
**February ACT’s are offered at Medfield High School**
Standardized Testing
 What is the difference between the tests?
 SAT Reasoning Test: A measure of the critical thinking skills
your child will need for academic success in college. It assesses
how well (s)he analyzes and solves problem – skills learned in
school that are needed in college.
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
Question Types: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing
ACT Test: Assesses high school students’ general education
development and their ability to complete college-level work.

Question Types: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science
(Writing is optional)
Standardized Testing
 Where can my child sign up to take the tests?
 SAT Reasoning:
www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about.html

SAT Subject Test:
www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/SATII.html

ACT:
www.actstudent.org
**Please Note: It is also your child’s responsibility to send their test
scores to the colleges to which they are applying.**
Timeline (Suggested)
 Winter of Junior Year
 Initiate the college search
 Plan college visits for upcoming vacations
 Register for standardized testing
 Select senior year courses
 Spring of Junior Year
 Attend college fairs & visit schools
 Ask teachers to write letters of recommendation
 Meet with your Guidance Counselor
Timeline (Suggested)
 Summer Before Senior Year
 Begin writing the college essay
 Refine the college list
 Register for fall SAT/ACT (if necessary)
 Initiate working on college applications
Financial Aid
 The cost of college is another factor when searching
for the right “fit”.
 Not all financial aid is “free money”. It is important
to note that when your family receives a financial aid
package from a college, it may consist of any or all of
the following:
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Grants & Scholarships
Work-Study
Parent & Student Loans
The Role of Guidance
 Junior Year:
 Classroom group sessions in February and April
 College fair field trip in April
 Encourage families to set up individual meetings with their
guidance counselor
 Junior Newsletters
 Junior Parent Workshop in April
 Senior Year:
 Senior Parent Workshop in September
 Meet with students and families
 Recommendation Letter
 Send all school materials directly to colleges
To Sum It Up…
 Breathe!
 This is a process, it will not happen overnight.
 Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
 Let your student take control. This is their future.
Guide them as best as you can.
 Be on the lookout for Part 2:

Junior Parent Night with Special Admissions Guests

Thursday, February 5, 2015