1. Post Secondary Planning Life After Hamden High School

2. Congratulations Seniors! You’re almost there… You are about to reach an exciting milestone in your life!

3. Post Secondary Options 1.Two-Year Junior/Community Colleges 2.Four-Year Colleges & Universities 3.Technical Schools & Colleges 4.Specialty Schools 5.Military Academies & Programs 6.Employment

4. How to Find Colleges Naviance www.collegeboard.com HHS Counseling Office Colleges and Careers site College Fairs College Representative Visits

5. What a College Needs Application Application Fee Transcript Colleges may also require: Test Scores Letter(s) of Recommendation Secondary School Reports Student Essay List of Student Activities/Resume Interview

6. Admissions Options SEOP –Most of the CT state schools have summer programs for students whose grades and/or SAT are below admissions standards Rolling Admissions –An admissions decision is given as soon as possible after an application is completed and does not specify a notification deadline Early Admissions

7. What is Early Admissions? An option that allows you to apply early (usually in November) and get a decision from the college well in advance of the usual spring notification date If you find a college that you’re sure is right for you, consider applying early!

8. Early Decision vs. Early Action Early Decision (ED) = binding agreement –Attendance is expected regardless of financial aid –Use only when your heart is set on a particular school –APPLY TO ONE ED SCHOOL ONLY! Early Action (EA) = non-binding agreement –Use when interest level is high –Financial aid can be a factor in your decision

9. What is the Common Application? Fill out once and send to multiple colleges- A great time saver! An admissions application accepted by more than 500 colleges and universities in place of their own without any penalty Visit www.commonapp.org for a complete list of institutions accepting the common application Complete online Be sure to complete all parts of the application, including any supplements

10. What is a Secondary School Report? A form filled out by your counselor that accompanies your transcript and sometimes a letter of recommendation Sometimes referred to by other names (Counselor Report, Evaluation, etc.) For paper applications only: Students are responsible for submitting copies to counseling office.

11. What is a Mid-Year Report? A form submitted to colleges after the completion of the first semester of senior year (includes first semester grades) Mid-year report forms will not be sent automatically; students are responsible for contacting the Counseling Office to have them sent if required

12. SAT/ACT Information Register and prepare for the SAT/ACT if needed. See your counselor if you are eligible for fee waivers. Check with schools to see if they require SAT Subject Tests Send your official SAT/ACT scores to each college/university through the testing service- It is your responsibility College Board will send 4 score reports FREE when you sign up to take the SATs (additions/changes can be made up to 9 days after the test). College Board charges a fee for each additional college.

13. Transcript Request Procedures Obtain the appropriate (Common App-CA and/or Non-Common App) Transcript Release Form in the Counseling Office Obtain parental signature if you are under 18 Bring all materials to the Counseling Office clerks. The first 6 schools are free; after that there is a fee of $2.00 per college. Your transcripts will not be processed until guidance receives the Release Form.

14. Transcript Request Release Process Common Application Schools Register at www.commonapp.org Complete FERPA waiver (blue box) and link to Naviance Turn in Request Release form to the Counseling Office Paper Application Submit all required Materials to guidance office (#3 on release form) along with 2 stamped and addressed envelopes Access Naviance Account. Complete “Colleges I’m Applying to” section. Non-Common App Electronic Applications Complete FERPA Waiver (blue box) in Naviance

15. Video on matching the Common Application and Naviance accounts. Find it on the Counseling Department webpage at www.hamden.org>Hamden High>Counseling Dept.>College and Career

18. Deadlines forTranscript Release Forms All release forms for transcripts only must be submitted 10 SCHOOL DAYS prior to the college deadline When additional forms and/or recommendations are involved, release forms must be submitted 20 SCHOOL DAYS prior to the deadline Be sure form is signed by both student and parent before submission to the Counseling Office.

19. Sources of Financial Aid Grants- money received from the federal and state governments and from individual colleges that does not have to be repaid Scholarships- gift aid usually awarded based on merit and achievements Loans- aid that must be repaid Work Study- a federal program providing students with part-time employment

20. Financial Aid Resources Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)- You may not do this until January 2014 Complete the CSS Profile if applicable (used by some schools to determine non-federal student aid funds) Reminder: All young men are required to register for selective service (www.sss.gov or at the post office) at age 18. Federal financial aid will not be given until you do so Apply for local, regional, state, and national scholarships –View listing in Naviance. –See Mrs. Chapman for more info. –Search for scholarships on the web- www.fastweb.com –Beware of scholarship scams! Attend Financial Aid Night!!! Check our website for a Fall date.

21. What Should I Be Doing Now? 1.Finalize your list of schools/programs 2.Organize your applications and their requirements 3.Read applications carefully and follow directions 4.Check Naviance website and/or the Counseling Office to see if any representatives of colleges of interest to you are coming to HHS 5. Check Naviance for upcoming dates and times for workshops on Naviance, SAT, Common App, financial aid. Sign up in the Counseling Office and get a pass to the workshop of your choice.

22. Beware of Senioritis! Your senior year is important to colleges- Stay focused! Dropping courses and activities is not a good idea! According to recent reports, incomplete high school preparation can contribute to academic problems in college.

23. Questions?