1. Derby High School Post-Secondary Planning Guide 2016-2017 CEEB CODE: 070155
 Derby High School pursues academic achievement, promotes creative and critical thinking, encourages proper behavior, and fosters responsible citizenship.

2. Counseling Department
Directory
Derby High School
Counseling Department
~ Mr. Brian Nutcher
(School Counselor A-J)
~Mrs. Jennifer Ostrosky
(School Counselor K-Z)
~Ms. Alexandra Becker
(Social Worker)
~ Mrs. Kim Falcioni
(Guidance Secretary)

3. Senior Planning Calendar…
September
Make appointment to see counselor.
Register for SATs and/or ACTs if applicable.
Research and Finalize college list.
Consider carefully your responsibilities if applying for Early Decision or Early Action.
Write, call or for catalogs/view books and application.
Begin organizer/file for each college.
Begin drafts of essays/edit essays.
Plan college visits and interviews.
Review transcript with counselor***
Begin filling out applications via common application or online
***FINANCIAL AID PRESENTATION SEPTEMBER 29, 6:30PM
ALL JUNIOR AND SENIOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND TO LEARN ABOUT FINANCIAL AID PLANNING AND FILLING OUT FAFSA

4. Senior Planning Calendar… OCTOBER
Send Early Decision or Early Action applications (if applying early), also, rolling decision applications.
SATs and/or ACTs if applicable.
Request transcripts via NAVIANCE
Fill out Senior Interview form and return to counselor (on Naviance account)
Check the CSS (College Scholarship Service) Profile Form to see if it is required by your college for financial aid.
financial-aid-profile
Order official test scores from College Board or ACT to be sent to the schools on your list.
Develop resume, portfolio, audio/videotape or other appropriate reflection of special talent, as advised.
Continue to work on college essays.
Plan college visits and interviews (remember thank you letters).
DHS college fair-October 12th at a.m.
Ask teachers for recommendations via Naviance
Complete common applications.
Visit area College Fairs (Shelton High School- 9/26/16 6:30-8:30).

5. Senior Planning Calendar…
November
SATs and /or ACTs if applicable.
Request transcripts via Naviance
Keep organized and up to date!
Check all college application deadlines.
Fill out CSS Profile for Financial Aid if college requires it.
financial-aid-profile
ASVAB (Military Aptitude Test)
December
SAT's and/or ACT’s if applicable.
Check all application deadlines.
Talk with graduates who are home from college.
Start preparing paperwork for Financial Aid
Check the DHS Guidance website as well Naviance for Scholarship announcements and deadlines

6. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM
*REVIEW TRANSCRIPTS*
English (literature and composition courses) (4 credits)
Mathematics (3-4 credits)
Science (laboratory courses) (3-4 credits)
Social Studies (3-4 credits)
Foreign Language (at least 3 years of the same language)
Updated GPA and class rank
*Double check to make sure transcript is accurate AND current schedule will give you 24 credits by JUNE*

7. SAT TEST DATES TEST DATE TEST REGULAR DEADLINE LATE DEADLINE OCT 1
SAT AND SUBJECT
SEPT 1
SEPT 20
NOV 5
OCT 7
OCT 25
DEC 3
NOV 3
NOV 22
JAN 21
DEC 21
JAN 10
MARCH 11
SAT ONLY
FEB 10
FEB 28
MAY 6
APRIL 7
APRIL 25
JUNE 3
MAY 9
MAY 24
SAT REGISTRATION:
FEE WAIVERS AVAILABLE IN GUIDANCE IF ELIGIBLE
ACT TEST DATES:
October 22, December 10, February 11, April 8 and June 10.

8. NAVIANCE
Derby High School is pleased to introduce Family Connection from Naviance, a Web-based service designed especially for students and families. Family Connection is a comprehensive website that you can use to help in making decisions about your courses, colleges, and careers. It is also a valuable tool to take career interest and personality type profiles. These profiles will help you generate potential career lists, college lists, determine careers and majors that will interest you, and guide you through the post high school process. To access Family Connection please go to
Colleges and universities can be searched by region, state, size, activities offered, athletics, major programs of study and much more.

9. The College Application Process
The common application is used for 90% of college applications today.
One application
One essay
One submission
When applying for schools, be sure to select the following:
2 safety schools
2 target schools
2 reach schools
*Please note all deadlines and secondary reports or forms specific to each college

10. College Application Process cont…
Make appointments to see your counselor to discuss post secondary plans.
Complete Senior Interview to obtain counselor recommendations (listed as task under Naviance account).
Create common application account
Begin college required essays
Request teacher letters of recommendation via Naviance(keep in mind that teachers will have multiple letters to write)
*Refer to pages for further details
*Refer to page 23 with descriptions of the various types of admission decisions

11. Post High School Alternatives
Community college
Armed services
Private vocational trade and technical schools
Gap year

12. Financial Aid
FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) –
Begin completing FAFSA on October 1, 2016
Grants (Need based $), Gifts (merit based $) do not need to be replaced
Work study
Loans- must be repaid
Scholarships
***FINANCIAL AID NIGHT 6:30) to answer all of your further financial aid questions