1. Welcome Parents Agenda Planning for the Future Graduation Requirements 4-Year College Requirements SATs and Other Tests Naviance: Family Connection College Application Process Service, Military & Employment

2. Planning for the Future Options after high school Options after high school College/University (4-year colleges) College/University (4-year colleges) Technical College/Trade School (2-year schools) Technical College/Trade School (2-year schools) Prep School/Post–graduate programs Prep School/Post–graduate programs Military Service Military Service Employment Employment What do NQHS grads do after high school? What do NQHS grads do after high school? Class of 2011: Education: 4-year college: 79.7% 2-year college and Career/Technical Education: 15.7% Military: 1.4% Work: 3.1%

3. Promotion & Graduation Requirements Promotion Requirements Most high school subjects are worth 5 points each Most high school subjects are worth 5 points each 20 points (4 classes) to become a sophomore 20 points (4 classes) to become a sophomore 45 total points to become a junior 45 total points to become a junior 70 total points to become a senior 70 total points to become a senior Graduation Requirements 4 years of English 4 years of English 4 years of history 4 years of history 3 years of science 3 years of science 3 years of math 3 years of math 2 years of a foreign language 2 years of a foreign language 4 years of PE 4 years of PE Pass Math, ELA & Science MCAS Pass Math, ELA & Science MCAS 100 total points to graduate 100 total points to graduate

4. 4-Year College Admissions Requirements Most 4-year colleges require 16 units of college preparatory courses within the following disciplines: Most 4-year colleges require 16 units of college preparatory courses within the following disciplines: English: 4 units English: 4 units Math: 3 units or more (Algebra 1, 2 and Geometry ) Math: 3 units or more (Algebra 1, 2 and Geometry ) Social Studies: 2 units or more, including U.S. History Social Studies: 2 units or more, including U.S. History Science: 3 units (2 units of lab science) Science: 3 units (2 units of lab science) Foreign Lang.:2 units or more in one language Foreign Lang.:2 units or more in one language Additional units from college preparatory electives Additional units from college preparatory electives

5. Typical 4-year College Admission Criteria Courses taken and grades achieved Courses taken and grades achieved Grade point average (GPA) Grade point average (GPA) Rank-in-class Rank-in-class Admission test results (SAT I, ACT, SAT II, TOEFL) Admission test results (SAT I, ACT, SAT II, TOEFL) Counselor/teacher recommendations Counselor/teacher recommendations Application questions and essays Application questions and essays Major/college applied to Major/college applied to Activities outside the classroom Activities outside the classroom Personal interview Personal interview Special talents, skills, and interests Special talents, skills, and interests Alumni relationship Alumni relationship Geographic location Geographic location

6. U Mass and State University Minimum Admission Standards Freshman Applicants to any of the state colleges or UMass campuses must meet the following admissions standards: Have the 16 required academic courses (units). Have the 16 required academic courses (units). Have the minimum required grade point average (GPA) earned in college preparatory courses completed at the time of application. Have the minimum required grade point average (GPA) earned in college preparatory courses completed at the time of application. Submit an SAT or ACT score. Submit an SAT or ACT score.

7. UMass Minimum Admission Standards Sliding Scale for Freshman Applicants to a UMass: High School GPA Minimum SAT I score (1600 scale – CR & Math) 3.00- 4.00N/A 2.51- 2.99 950 2.41- 2.50 990 2.31- 2.40 1030 2.21- 2.30 1070 2.11-2.20 1110 2.00-2.10 1150 Less than 2.0 Not admissible

8. State University Minimum Admission Standards Sliding Scale for Freshman Applicants to a State College: High School GPA Minimum SAT I score (1600 scale – CR & Math) 3.00- 4.00N/A 2.51- 2.99 920 2.41- 2.50 960 2.31- 2.40 1000 2.21- 2.30 1040 2.11-2.20 1080 2.00-2.10 1120 Less than 2.0 Not admissible

9. T ests to Take ACT www.act.org ACT www.act.org www.act.org ACT Registration Booklets and study guides are available in the Guidance Office or you may access this information on-line. ACT Registration Booklets and study guides are available in the Guidance Office or you may access this information on-line. SAT www.collegeboard.com SAT www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com SAT Registration Booklets and study guides are available in the Guidance Office or you may access this information on-line. SAT Registration Booklets and study guides are available in the Guidance Office or you may access this information on-line. TOEFL www.ets.org TOEFL www.ets.org www.e TOEFL is required by some colleges for whom English is not the primary language spoken at home and/or if English was not the first language learned. TOEFL is required by some colleges for whom English is not the primary language spoken at home and/or if English was not the first language learned. CEEB CODE # is 221660 CEEB CODE # is 221660 How do I prepare for these tests? How do I prepare for these tests? On-line resources On-line resources Prep courses Prep courses Books Books

10. More information about the SATs/ ACTs The SAT I or ACT is required of all students planning to apply to a 4-year college or university. The SAT I or ACT is required of all students planning to apply to a 4-year college or university. Students planning to apply to selective private 4- year colleges may need to take the SAT II subject tests as well. State colleges and universities do not require the SAT II. Students planning to apply to selective private 4- year colleges may need to take the SAT II subject tests as well. State colleges and universities do not require the SAT II. If you are applying to a 2-year junior or community college you may not have to take the SAT or ACT. If you are applying to a 2-year junior or community college you may not have to take the SAT or ACT.

11. Naviance: Family Connection Web-based resource that supports career and college planning Web-based resource that supports career and college planning Specific to our school Specific to our school Linked with the guidance office Linked with the guidance office Both parents & students can have accounts Both parents & students can have accounts http://connection.naviance.com/nqhs http://connection.naviance.com/nqhs http://connection.naviance.com/nqhs

12. Naviance - What can it do? Share plans Share plans Complete surveys Complete surveys Compare colleges Compare colleges Links to other resources Links to other resources Track deadlines Track deadlines Produce scattergrams Produce scattergrams Show schedule of college visits Show schedule of college visits

13. 4-year College Application Process All schools accept applications beginning mid- October All schools accept applications beginning mid- October Visit schools by November Visit schools by November Ask 2 teachers to write a letter of recommendation Ask 2 teachers to write a letter of recommendation College essay-writing presentations in all senior English classes. College essay-writing presentations in all senior English classes. Complete applications before December vacation Complete applications before December vacation Meet with your counselor regularly Meet with your counselor regularly Submit Financial Aid forms by Valentine’s Day Submit Financial Aid forms by Valentine’s Day

14. Common Application Common Application provides both online and print versions applications. There are more than 400 institutions representing the full range of higher education institutions in the US: public and private, large and small, highly selective and modestly selective, and East Coast, West Coast, and every region in between. Common Application provides both online and print versions applications. There are more than 400 institutions representing the full range of higher education institutions in the US: public and private, large and small, highly selective and modestly selective, and East Coast, West Coast, and every region in between. Students must create a profile and then submit their application, supplements and fees online. Students must create a profile and then submit their application, supplements and fees online. Teacher recommendations and school forms are submitted electronically via Naviance. Teacher recommendations and school forms are submitted electronically via Naviance.

15. Early Action/ Early Decision Early Decision is a binding agreement that students are required to attend that college if accepted. Early Decision is a binding agreement that students are required to attend that college if accepted. Early Action is an option for students to apply early to colleges and find out if they are accepted earlier. Early Action is an option for students to apply early to colleges and find out if they are accepted earlier.

16. Most 2-year colleges (Associate degree programs) require a minimum of proof of a high school diploma or a GED Most 2-year colleges (Associate degree programs) require a minimum of proof of a high school diploma or a GED Community Colleges do not require the SATs Community Colleges do not require the SATs Less expensive than four year colleges Less expensive than four year colleges Offer shorter certificate programs Offer shorter certificate programs Assist you in preparing for a career Assist you in preparing for a career Assist you in preparing you for transfer to a 4-year college Assist you in preparing you for transfer to a 4-year college 2-Year Colleges and Career Education/Trade Schools

17. Attend local career and college fairs advertised on the “college visit” tab on Naviance website. Attend local career and college fairs advertised on the “college visit” tab on Naviance website. Attend the Quincy Public Schools College Fair on October 20, 2011 at North Quincy High School gymnasium from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Attend the Quincy Public Schools College Fair on October 20, 2011 at North Quincy High School gymnasium from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visit the schools. Visit the schools. Narrow your list of schools, begin contacting schools, or visiting websites of the colleges for the schools that you are interested in. Narrow your list of schools, begin contacting schools, or visiting websites of the colleges for the schools that you are interested in. Find out what the specific application materials are required by the colleges you want to apply to. Find out what the specific application materials are required by the colleges you want to apply to. Be aware of deadlines! Be aware of deadlines! Research your Schools

18. Post-Graduate Planning Appointments Seniors should make an appointment with their counselor early in the school year. Seniors should make an appointment with their counselor early in the school year. Confirm that they meet the graduation requirements. Confirm that they meet the graduation requirements. Counselors will write letters of recommendation for students who ask for them. They need to fill out counselor recommendation request forms. Counselors will write letters of recommendation for students who ask for them. They need to fill out counselor recommendation request forms. Let us know if your student is the first generation in your family to go to college. Let us know if your student is the first generation in your family to go to college.

19. Meet with College Admissions Representatives An opportunity to meet with college admissions counselors during their visits to our school. An opportunity to meet with college admissions counselors during their visits to our school. Seniors only may register on Naviance and pick up their passes in Guidance by 8 a.m. on the day of the visit. Seniors only may register on Naviance and pick up their passes in Guidance by 8 a.m. on the day of the visit.

20. Teacher Recommendations Students are recommended to ask only 2 teachers for a letter of recommendation. Students are recommended to ask only 2 teachers for a letter of recommendation. Should your student waive his/her rights to the letter recommendation? Should your student waive his/her rights to the letter recommendation? Need to provide a résumé or Senior Activity Sheet (available in Guidance) to the teacher. Need to provide a résumé or Senior Activity Sheet (available in Guidance) to the teacher. Give the teacher ample time to write your letter (3 to 4 weeks). Give the teacher ample time to write your letter (3 to 4 weeks). Students should think carefully about who they will ask. Students should think carefully about who they will ask. Teachers have the right to refuse to write a letter. Teachers have the right to refuse to write a letter.

21. Transcripts First quarter transcripts are completed by early December. First quarter transcripts are completed by early December. Request your transcripts through your counselor. Request your transcripts through your counselor. There is a $3.00 fee for each college application transcript requested. There is a $3.00 fee for each college application transcript requested. Like us on Facebook to print a coupon for 1 free transcript. Like us on Facebook to print a coupon for 1 free transcript. Students should check their transcripts for accuracy. Students should check their transcripts for accuracy. Two weeks prior to admission deadlines: Students should meet with their counselor to request transcripts and put together their application materials. Two weeks prior to admission deadlines: Students should meet with their counselor to request transcripts and put together their application materials.

22. Financial Aid and Scholarships Financial Aid Night is January 12, 2012 Financial Aid Night is on January 12, 2012 at 6:30 at Quincy High College-bound students must file a FAFSA and may need to file a CSS profile. College-bound students must file a FAFSA and may need to file a CSS profile. The FAFSA website is www.fafsa.ed.gov Other sites that make you pay are a scam!!! The FAFSA website is www.fafsa.ed.gov Other sites that make you pay are a scam!!!www.fafsa.ed.gov On January 24, 2012 we will have a workshop to help families fill out the FAFSA form. On January 24, 2012 we will have a workshop to help families fill out the FAFSA form. Parent meeting to review Scholarship on October 27 th at 6 p.m. in the Media Center Parent meeting to review Scholarship procedures on October 27 th at 6 p.m. in the Media Center

23. Scholarships 1. Awards by the United States Government 2. Awards by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 3. Financial Aid packages offered by colleges and universities 4. National, Regional, and Statewide scholarships 5. Local and Sponsor Scholarships offered by businesses, churches, fraternal organizations, trade unions, veterans’ organizations, alumni, and schools (these scholarships vary from year to year)

24. Résumé There is a résumé builder on the Naviance website. There is a résumé builder on the Naviance website. Résumés are needed for employment opportunities, and should be sent with college applications. Résumés are needed for employment opportunities, and should be sent with college applications.

25. Tips Please remind students to create an appropriate email address for résumés, job applications and college applications. Please remind students to create an appropriate email address for résumés, job applications and college applications. Students should be aware of what is posted on Facebook and other social networking sites. College admissions representatives, as well as employers, will search candidates’ internet content. Students should be aware of what is posted on Facebook and other social networking sites. College admissions representatives, as well as employers, will search candidates’ internet content.

26. Questions?