College Career Connection Night ppt

Assessing the Transcript Grades / Overall GPA  Strength of high school course selections  Class rank  Courses in progress Junior and Senior year... About College Admission TestsSAT

College/Career Connection Night

College Panel Presentation

March 31, 2016

WELCOME

West Haven High School

School Counseling Department

 Rose A Paolino, Ed.D./Chair

 Natalia Arboleda, Intern

YOUR NEXT INITIATIVE

WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR?

√Accessing the Transcript

√Test Scores (SAT/ACT)

Assessing the Transcript

 Grades / Overall GPA

 Strength of high school course

selections

 Class rank

 Courses in progress Junior

and Senior year

About College Admission Tests

SAT/SAT Subject Tests

 Consists of two tests: Evidence Based Reading and Writing and Math (essay is optional)

 Each test is scored on a scale of 200-800

 SAT fee includes sending scores to 4 colleges free

 SAT Subject Tests are required for some colleges, usually more competitive schools (check with each school)

 Ask your school counselor for fee waiver eligibility and the

“Score Choice” option (be sure to visit fairtest.org).

About College Admission Tests

ACT

Why Should I Take the ACT?

•Consists of four mandatory sections: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing

Writing component is optional but strongly

encouraged

•Strongly advised to take if you are pursuing the

medical field

•Some students score better on the ACT than the SAT

•Colleges will look at top scores from SAT/ACT

•Ask your School Counselor about fee waiver eligibility

 Quality not Quantity

 Meaningful Community Service,40

Letters of Recommendation

 Teacher Recommendations (two on average)

Be sure to ask your teachers two weeks in

 A business size envelope with your name and

college listed on the inner flap

 Provide a list of colleges & dates you would like them to be submitted

Letters of Recommendation

School Counselor

 Be sure to ask your counselor two weeks in

advance

 Complete the senior brag sheet on Naviance

 Ask your parent to complete the Parent Brag Sheet

 Complete your resume on Naviance

 Your school counselor can be your best asset!

College Essay (s)

~Help With the College Essay~

 Getting help to plan, write or edit your essay:

-Online:www.collegeboard.org

-Books: The College Application Essay, Susan

Myers McGinty

-Your junior or senior English teacher

 Common Application essay prompts 2016-2017

 For colleges that do not accept the CA, visit their websites to view essay topics and parameters.

 Schedule interview (if offered)

 Attend College Fairs

 Sign up for WHHS visitations (via

Naviance)

 Express Interest!

FUNDING Your College Plans

Types of Aid

• FAFSA

*www.fafsa.ed.gov

*Financial Aid Night (May 5th/ WHHS)

(NEW: Submit FAFSA asap after October 1st )

• CSS Profile

•File in early fall of senior year

(find listing of schools on www.collegeboard.com)

• Scholarships

*http://connection.naviance.com/westhaven

(Check your email!)

* Join W.H.H.S Scholarship Club

*www.whschools.org (School Counseling Tab)

*www.fastweb.com

*Scholly (scholarship app) https://appsto.re/us/Sm3kM.i

Merit Scholarships

Merit scholarships are where the money is.

 There is more than $11 billion in merit scholarships available to students from colleges

 Not just for “A” students

 Many awards emphasize leadership or school

involvement

 Nearly all colleges offer merit aid scholarships

 The average merit scholarship is $5,000

 Many awards can be renewed year after year

Upcoming Events

 Campus Connection (September 2016)

 ASVAB (Career Exploration Assessment, April 28)

 Financial Aid Night; FAFSA; May 5th

 Common Application Workshops

(August-September)

Valuable Resources and Websites

for the College Process

 Career Center (located in cafe)

 Catalogues (College Board Books, Barron’s etc)

 Khan Academy: (access via collegeboard.org)

 Naviance!!! http://connection.naviance.com/westhaven

 Myscholly.com (2.99 App for IPhone)

 School Counseling Website: www.whschools.org

 School Counseling Newsletter (mailed home quarterly)

 School Counseling Bulletin Board (scholarships posted)

 Test Optional Colleges/Universities (fairtest.org)

What Should Your Expectations be

 Open Communication (PowerSchool) - we will

usually call back/email within 24 hours

 Assistance throughout the process / emails via Naviance

What are our Expectations

of You?

 That you will have a dialogue with your

child about college and finances Discuss finances openly.

 That you will be in contact with us about issues of concern to your family.

 That you will assist your child throughout the process ; keep the process in perspective.

 Students must take ownership!

 Start early and meet all deadlines.

Next Steps for Juniors

In School

 Stay focused on academics

 Do not lighten your academic load for senior year

 Meet with your school counselor

 Stay involved in school activities

Standardized Testing

 Prepare for and register for ACT / SAT tests

 Register for AP tests as appropriate

College Exploration

 Explore colleges on the Web

 Visit colleges if you can

 Meet with college representatives

 Attend college fairs

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND…

 Student is responsible for sending SAT/ACT scores They are NOT sent by WHHS

 It is OK for colleges to receive things in stages

 WHHS sends out return receipt post cards when mailing transcripts

 Check EDOCS for status for electronic submissions

 Responsible for registering for selective service (Career Center, cyber cafe)

 Responsible for registering for

NCAA eligibility center

PANEL DISCUSSION COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES

BRYANT UNIVERSITY

Ms Katie Storer

Assistant Director of Admission

Kris Henaire Senior Admissions Officer

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

Benjamin Wohl

Assistant Dean of Admission

Questions And Answers

“Your Next Initiative”

College

Planning

Thank you for coming to West Haven High School’s Second College/Career Connection Night!

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