jonathan law high school guidance department presents the college process

1. jonathan law high school guidance departmentpresentsthe college process

2. School Counseling Team Contact Information School Counselors: A-BOR Paulette Reeves ext. 5868 DB-J Cristina Scarpa ext. 5768 K-MT Nicole Pirrello ext. 5468 MU-S Barbara Kovacs ext. 5668 BOS-DA, Marguerite Raymo ext. 5568 T-Z Email: first initial, last name@milforded.org Support Staff: Christy Lindsay, College and Career Assistant ext. 5060

3. The College Process Is … • A commitment • Time consuming • Often confusing • Hard work • Requires thought • A team undertaking • The student, the family and the school counselor working together

4. Our Agenda • Student profile • Naviance • Testing • Choosing the right school(s) • Applying to school(s) • Financial aid • NCAA registration • Questions and answers

5. Student ProfileWhat do colleges want to know? • Just the facts: • G.P.A. • Class Rank • Courses (level of difficulty) • SAT/ACT Scores • Digital Footprints • Be aware of what it is and how it is used

6. The Whole Person • Student Leader • Athlete • Key/Keyette Club • Interact Club • Advocate Staff • Actor • Musician • Artist • Volunteer • Employee • Scout • Sailor • Member of your family • Church Group

7. Naviance • Naviance enables our counseling office to offer a comprehensive website for parents and students to use in making decisions about colleges and careers. It allows students to: • Research colleges/careers • Sign up for college visits at JLHS • Check out scholarships • Complete inventories/surveys • Share information via email with students and parents • www.connection.naviance.com/jonathanlaw

8. Resources that Naviance provides: • College Information • College Search • EDOCS • Academic/Action Plan • Interest Inventory • Personality Survey • Scholarship Information • Learning Styles • Resume Builder

9. College Admissions Testing • SAT • SAT I – (Reasoning) • SAT II (Subject tests) • ACT

10. About the tests • What are they? • When do students take them? • Where are they offered? • How to register? • What is the cost? • How do the colleges receive the scores? • Are there alternatives? • How may my son or daughter improve their scores?

11. SAT Reasoning Test or SAT I • Three sections to the test: • Critical Reading • Math • Writing • Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800. • There are sub scores for the multiple choice sections and the essay.

12. SAT Subject Tests or SAT II • One hour long, may take three at one administration sitting • Required by some selective colleges for admission • May be used for placement in appropriate college level classes • Will be indicated on the application if required

13. The ACTAmerican College Testing Program • Four sections to the test: • English • Math • Reading • Science • Optional writing section with an essay sub-score • Scored on a scale from 1-36 • Four individual scores plus a composite average score

14. When do students take SATs/ACTs? • Most students take these tests in spring of junior year and then again in fall of senior year. • Most colleges will take the higher/highest score in each section from all of the testing. • Most colleges recommend two or three times.

15. How to Register: • Online • SAT at www.collegeboard.org • ACT at www.actstudent.org

16. How to Register: • What is the cost? (This year) • SAT Reasoning Test- $50, late fee $27 • SAT Subject Tests- $23 registration fee, plus $12 per test. • ACT- $35, $50 with optional Writing Section *See your counselor to determine if you are eligible for a fee waiver* Deadlines and additional fees are described in the written material or on website.

17. How Do Colleges receive Scores? • Directly from Testing Service • Four are free at registration or within 5 days after the testing date. • Cost per school $11 for scores to be sent • Current scores and previous scores • Score Choice • Student elects scores to be sent • Must select prior to registration or within 10 days of testing.

18. Very Important: • Entering the school code gives College Board and ACT permission to send Jonathan Law your scores. • CEEB CODE 070423

19. What are testing optional schools? • Certain colleges are accepting alternative information such as evidence of long term projects, etc. This is indicated as SAT optional. The information is on the college’s website. • Consult individual college websites or see your counselor.

20. How may my student improve their scores? Read, read and read more… Use PSAT results Take challenging math classes and other college preparatory courses. Register for the “SAT Question of the Day” on collegeboard.com.

21. Choosing a collegeHow to Narrow the search

22. Important factors to consider: • Location • Size • Major • Suitcase School • Housing/Commute • Cost • Activities • Facilities on campus • Community activities on campus • Support Services • Special Needs

23. Where to Start?

24. College websites • Naviance • View books • College representatives • College fairs ( sign up today for the Harford College Fair) • College tours

25. College Visits • Call for an appointment. • Review school information before arriving for your visit. • Tour the surrounding area.

26. College visits continued… • Time your visits when students are on campus. • Tour the residence halls, cafeteria, classrooms and library. • Bring an unofficial transcript. • Ask questions (i.e. freshman class size, health services, car policy, campus security, admissions dates and criteria).

27. College visits continued… • Speak, informally, to students. • Consider having an interview with admissions staff. • Talk to financial aid office during the visit. • Make a list of first impressions. • Take pictures.

28. Open Houses • Day or weekend activities for prospective students. • Dates available on college websites. • Usually late spring and early fall.

29. APPLICATION PROCESS

30. Jonathan Law Timeline • The Jonathan Law Guidance Department requires 10School days to process a completed application. • The guidance department reviews the application, including the essay, prior to the student submitting the application.

31. TYPES OF COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINES • Early Decision • Early Action: Single Choice • Early Action • Standard • Rolling Admission

32. TYPES OF APPLICATIONS • Online Applications-encouraged by schools • Common Application (www.commonapp.org) • Paper Application

33. Completing the Edocs/Online Application: • Aspect of Naviance • JLHS may transmit transcript and support materials (recommendation letters) electronically to colleges • All students must register for the Common Application • Upon completing registration for the common application, students must sign “Release Form” • Student may now transmit their common application or the school’s own electronic application. Please save your work. • Student should complete the Transcript Request Form (blue form) and bring it to Mrs. Sena in guidance.

34. Essays • Brainstorm on the topics. • Complete a rough draft. • Have someone review it. • Revise. • Edit. • SAVE ESSAYS WRITTEN DURING YOUR JUNIOR YEAR.

35. RECOMMENDATIONS • Determine how many the schools require. • Make sure they’ll be strong. • Teachers • Counselor-If you are using the common application please make certain to inform your counselor.

36. Decisions • Acceptance • Deferral • Wait List • Denial • Inform counselor of decision

37. FINANCIAL AID

38. Tuition Cost Breakdown *check school website for net price calculator *this price is before financial aid/scholarships/loans are factored in

39. The primary responsibility of paying for college is that of the parents/guardians and the student.

40. Bridging the Gap

41. The GAP • Cost of Attendance (COA) = Tuition, Room and Board, Fees • Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) = From FAFSA – amount family is expected to contribute • Gap is the Need. COA – EFC = Gap

42. Financial Aid is money that you can apply for to help bridge the gap between your family assets • Grants • Scholarships • Loans • Work Study

43. How to apply for Financial Aid? • Start to prepare your tax information in November – December of the Senior year • Complete and submit the Profile, if required • Apply for your PIN so that you can complete and submit the FAFSA to get the SAR that tells you your EFC. WATCH DEADLINES! • Contact Financial Aid office for specific application forms, deadlines and requirements

44. Financial Aid Acronyms • FAFSA- Free Application for Federal Student Aid. • EFC-Expected Family Contribution • SAR- Student Aid report • PIN- Personal Identification Number • CSS- College Scholarship Service • COA – Cost of Attendance

45. Scholarships • Jonathan Law Scholarship: all students should submit the application • Scholarships are listed on the Guidance website and updated daily via Naviance/Family Connection • Beware of scholarship services that charge a fee

46. NCAA Eligibility Center • All Athletes who are considering Division I and/or Division II schools • Online application: Go to NCAA website and follow prompts for application. This should be done at the end of junior year. • There is a fee required to submit the application. ($70) • H.S. transcript is required to complete the application.

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48. Questions and Answers…