College Planning Night - Westwood (MA) Public Schools
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Transcript College Planning Night - Westwood (MA) Public Schools
Welcome to
College Planning Night
2014
Guest Speaker
Erin Fitzgerald
◦ Senior Assistant Director of Admission,
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Student Presenter
McKenna
Lupica
Jake Greenberg
Tips to Success in the College Search
Process
Be
open-minded
Be organized
Be prepared
Be informed
Help is here
Although the application process and wealth of
information can seem overwhelming, there are
many resources in place to assist you
◦ Guidance Counselor
Parent & student meeting
Take the process step by step
Be realistic
◦ The goal is to find the best fit
Resources
Junior-Senior Planning Guide
College Guidebooks
College Websites
College Fairs
◦ March 18th, TEC Fair at WHS
Junior Workshop Materials
Guidance-Parent Talks
March 6th, 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Guidance Website
◦ Guidance Calendar
Web-based search programs
◦ Naviance
Naviance
Guidance tracks and sends application
materials for each student
Student features include:
◦ Career search
◦ College search
Maintain a list of colleges
◦ Graphs to assist in developing well balanced
list
Sample Student Search
Amanda
◦ 3.1GPA
◦ 1610 projected SAT
First Steps:
Preliminary “Paperwork”
Student Descriptive Questionnaire (SDQ)
Activity Resume
Parent Information Form
◦ Will be emailed to all junior parents
All forms due March 1st
◦ all available online (Guidance Website, Naviance, Google Drive)
Next Steps:
Now and through the Spring
Register for SATs and ACTs
Research schools
◦ Know individual college requirements
Visit schools
◦ February & April vacations, Saturdays, short
Wednesdays
Request teacher letter of recommendation
◦ Confirm by June 1st
Standardized Tests
Test Preparation
SAT
◦ Register on www.collegeboard.org
ACT with Writing
◦ Register on www.actstudent.org
SAT Subject Tests
◦ Check individual college requirements
Most colleges do not require Subject Tests
Application Process:
On-line
Applications
◦ Common Application
Accepted at over 500 colleges
Will be available in August
Standardized Test Scores
◦ Students must send online
Documents Sent From Guidance
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Transcript
GPA Profile Chart
School Profile
Counselor letter of recommendation
Admission Plans
Early Decision
◦ Early notification
◦ Binding agreement, must withdraw all other
applications if accepted
Early Action
◦ Early notification
◦ Non-binding, can consider other colleges
Regular Admission
◦ Deadline
Rolling
College Selectivity & Trends
Barron’s
Guide College Admissions
Selector
Naviance Scattergrams
Eligibility Rating Form
◦ List Reach, Realistic, Safety schools
Increased competition
◦ Demographics
◦ Internet
Communication is Key
Check in with your child throughout the
process, making sure you are in
agreement about the direction he or she
is headed
Have a conversation with your child early
on about what is affordable for your
family
Financial Aid Information
Forms
◦ FAFSA (Free Application for
Federal Student Aid)
FAFSA on the Web: fafsa.ed.gov
◦ CSS PROFILE
collegeboard.com
Scholarships
Guidance Website
Scholarship
Search Programs
Westwood Community
Scholarships
Students with Learning Disabilities
Up
to Date Documentation
Extended Time Testing
◦ Stricter guidelines for accommodations
◦ Must apply for both SAT and ACT extended time
Consider
College Programs
◦ Programs versus support
Student Athletes
Division
I and II Athletes
◦ NCAA Clearinghouse
ncaaclearinghouse.com
◦ Eligibility Guidelines
Some Final Tips for Parents
Stay Calm
◦ Important in what can be a stressful experience
Your child will take cues from you
Be Understanding
◦ Be sensitive to your child’s emotions, anxiety, insecurity, and
uncertainty
Be Supportive
◦ Many ways in which you can help your child stay organized
Enjoy
◦ This can be a wonderful opportunity to bond with your child
Guidance Office, 781-326-7500
Mrs. Kilroy, x3312
◦ [email protected]
Mrs. Medsker, x3138
◦ [email protected]
Mrs. Colleran Bowe, x3135
◦ [email protected]
Mr. Fredrickson, x3120
◦ [email protected]
Mrs. Higgins, x3134
◦ [email protected]