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
◦
◦
◦
◦
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]