Wellesley High School

1. Wellesley High School Welcome to Junior Parent Night November 21, 2013

2. Presentations for Parents • Sept 19th: Standardized Testing Overview • Sept 24th: Senior Parent Night • Oct 10th: Performing Arts Night (Weston) • Oct 24th: Financial Aid Night with MEFA • Nov 21st: College Planning Overview • Feb 13th: College Admissions Panel

3. Percentage of WHS Class of 2013 pursuing post-secondary education Number of colleges in the United States Number of WHS Class of 2013 who wanted to go to college, but did not get in 96 Over 4,000 0 Numbers to think about

4. Explore Your Options • College • 2 year college • Community college • Technical/vocational • 4 year college/university • Other Possibilities • Post Graduate year • Gap year • Military • World of Work • Community Service

5. Junior Parent Night • Overview of college admissions process • Resources • SAT vs. ACT • Roles: Student, Counselor, Parents • Naviance • Summer suggestions • Dates to remember • Questions and answers

6. The college admissions process is • A process and not only an event • Always has an element of fear/anxiety • Forces self-examination • Driven by the student • Genuinely hard, but can be fun!

7. Know your resources • Counselors • Collegeboard.com • Guidance seminar • Naviance • Parent Nights • PTSO Bulletin • College Fairs • College Rep. Visits • Websites • WHS Guidance Website

8. Three distinct roles

9. Students… • Lead the process and sets the pace • Attend seminars and meets 1:1 with counselor • Complete college search on Naviance • See the college list as a ‘work in progress’ • Know their options • Continue to do their best academic work • Thoughtfully completes Student Data Portfolios • Begin visiting college campuses • Register for standardized tests • Make good use of school breaks and summer vacation.

10. Letters of Recommendation • Many colleges limit the number of recommendations that they will accept/read to 1, 2, or 3 • Students ask for two teacher letters, usually from junior year teachers • Counselors write letters of recommendation for all of their students • Letters from non-school staff can be added to the common application electronically • Coaches, employers, volunteer group leaders etc.

11. SAT vs. ACT http://www.act.org/solutions/college-career-readiness/compare-act-sat/

12. Subject Tests Subject Tests are hour-long, content-based tests that allow you to showcase achievement in specific subject areas where you excel. These are the only national admission tests where you choose the tests that best showcase your achievements and interests. SAT Subject Tests allow you to differentiate yourself in the college admission process or send a strong message regarding your readiness to study specific majors or programs in college.

13. Subject Tests • Literature • U.S. History • World History • Math Level 1 • Math Level 2 • Biology/EM • Chemistry • Physics • French • French with Listening • German • German with Listening • Spanish • Spanish with Listening • Modern Hebrew • Italian • Latin • Chinese with Listening • Japanese with Listening • Korean with Listening

14. Standardized Test Dates Please be aware of the deadlines. • SAT deadlines: • Dec 27 for January 25 test • Feb 7 for March 8 test * • April 4 for May 3 test * • May 9 for June 7 test (common for subject tests) • ACT deadlines: • January 10 for February 8 test • March 7 for April 12 test * • May 9 for June 14 test *recommended dates for first sitting for juniors

15. Counselor… • Provides information • Educates throughout the process • Helps student understand what is realistic • Reach (2)/Target (5)/Safety (2) • Serves as sounding board + provides support • Assists student in their self-assessment • Writes a letter of recommendation • Leads guidance seminars

16. Counselor… • LEADS GUIDANCE SEMINARS: • Commonly used terminology • Standardized testing • Timeline • Student eligibility/fit • Tours/Information sessions • Junior teacher references • Student Data Portfolios • Naviance

17. Naviance • http://connection.naviance.com/wellesley • College search engine • Prospective college list organizer • College application tracker • Online visual representation of Action Report

23. Parents… • Offer perspective • Support + listen without judgment • Provide realistic guidelines • Selectivity, distance, cost • Help to organize • College visits • Calendar of deadlines • Take time to read PTSO Bulletin • Complete Financial Aid applications • Meet with Counselor & Student

24. Suggestions… • DO encourage your child to take the active role • DON’T take on the student role

25. Suggestions… • DO set an appropriate time and space to discuss the college process • DON’T rush the process • DON’T add stress

26. Suggestions… • DO remain open minded • Stay neutral and supportive

27. Suggestions… • No matter what, CELEBRATE • Be proud of your child’s efforts

28. Over the summer • Time of information gathering and narrowing down lists • Work on Essay • Set up college visits, tours, and interviews (if appropriate) • Open a common application account (August) • SAT/ACT prep for Fall

29. Reminders • Please contact us & prospective colleges with your questions • Parent info letter to counselors • Upcoming Events • College Admissions Panel, February 13th, 7:00pm

30. Wellesley High School Thank you for attending Junior Parent Night