1. Senior Parent Presentation September 2014
Medford High and Vocational Technical High School
Guidance Department

2. Welcome!
Our goal today is to make the stressful college search & application process easier by highlighting many of the key elements students & parents will need to know
We understand that every student’s needs are different, and as a department we feel it is our job to help ALL STUDENTS develop a plan for life after high school
Amelia

3. Student’s Responsibilities
Involve parents in the conversation about post high school/ college/career plans
Research colleges using Collegeboard, Naviance, or any of the other web or printed resources available
Register and take (or retake) any standardized tests required for admission
Make an appointment to speak with counselor about post high school plans
Visit potential schools of interest to see if they might be a good fit
Know each school’s deadline and turn in all transcript request at least 2 weeks prior! (Brag sheets need to be submitted at least 1 month prior)
Maintain a rigorous senior year schedule & put forth your best academic effort (all year long)
Tori

4. Student’s Responsibilities Use all the online resources available to you Collegeboard’s college comparison is a great tool!
Tori

5. Student’s Responsibilities Use all the online resources available to you Consider student-faculty ratio & freshman year retention rate
Tori

6. Student’s Responsibilities Know your DEADLINES and whether or not the colleges on your list accept the Common App.
Tori

7. Student’s Responsibilities Use Naviance to compare yourself to other Medford high students who have previously applied to a particular college!

8. Student’s Responsibilities Use key features under the college tab in Naviance “Colleges I’m Thinking About / Colleges I’m Applying To”
Tori

9. Student’s Responsibilities Use key features under the career tab in Naviance “Career interest profiler, Personality type, Cluster finder”
Tori

10. Student’s Responsibilities Visit the Medford High/Voc-Tech guidance website for news, tips & advice
Tori

11. Counselor’s Responsibilities
What to expect from your counselor:
An individual meeting with or without parents present
Interest, support and encouragement
Suggestions for schools to look at (assistance fine-tuning your “list”)
Ongoing Feedback
Guidance through the college application process
Sharing of knowledge and resources with you
Suggestions for further independent college exploration
What not to expect from your counselor:
Ability to read your mind/Know your thoughts
Keep track of deadlines and appointments for you
Apply to schools or scholarships for you
Write recommendations without notice or your completed Senior Brag Sheet
Financial aid consultation/advise (we ask that you seek outside experts or this)
Alice Beth

12. Parent’s Responsibilities
What parents can do to help:
Foster an open and ongoing dialog with your child about what they envision for their future
Be honest and realistic with your child about any financial concerns that may affect their college search or application process
As much as possible, try to let your child take the lead
Pick a time and place to bring up the “college” topic, (maybe once per week over Starbucks, or at Sunday dinner, etc…)
Realize that for many teens, every day may feel too often to be talking about college or their “future”
What parents should not be doing:
Applying to colleges ON BEHALF of your son or daughter
Writing application essays FOR your child
Visiting potential colleges solo, without your child present
Calling up admission offices to “explain” away a poor grade your child recently received
Alice Beth

13. Class of 2015 Graduation Requirements
112 credits minimum
Required courses: 4 English, 4 Math,
3 Social Studies, 3 Science, 4 Wellness, 1 Fine Art
MCAS (English, Math, and Science)
60 Hours of Community Service (or 15 hours for each year enrolled in Medford)
+*4 years in an approved CTE program for MVTHS students (*with special exceptions for transfer students)
Alice Beth

14. 4 Year College Requirements
4 years of English
3-4 years of Math (through at least Algebra II)
3-4 years of Social Studies
3-4 years of Science (2 years of lab sciences)
2-4 years of the same foreign language*
*MVTHS students, your CTE course fulfills your foreign language requirement
MCAS (ELA, Math, & Science)
As you can see the MHS/MVTHS graduation requirements are closely aligned with most 4 year college requirements.
Alice Beth

15. Post High School Options
4 year colleges or universities
2 year colleges
2 + 2 colleges
Technical colleges/ Trade Schools
Military Academy
Military Service (
Post Grad Year
Gap or Service Year
Employment
Alice Beth

16. Community College The price is right
Students often take the same courses as they would at a 4 year college
Do not require SAT/ACT
Do not usually require letters of recommendation
Students are able to transfer to 4 year colleges after 1 or 2 years
Some community colleges have agreements with the state colleges (MassTransfer Program)
No housing on campus
Alice Beth

17. Mass Transfer Program MassTransfer has two main purposes:
Provide community college students who complete associate degrees (consisting of at least 60 college-level credits) and enroll in linked MassTransfer programs with the full transfer of credit, guaranteed admission, and a tuition discount (each based on final GPA)
Provide any student in the Massachusetts public higher education system who completes the MassTransfer Block (consisting of 34 college-level credits) with the benefit of satisfying the general education/distribution/core requirements at any other public higher education institution (with the receiving institution able to add no more than six additional credits or two courses).
For more information please visit:
Alice Beth

18. UMass System & MA State Colleges
UMass Amherst
UMass Boston
UMass Dartmouth
Umass Lowell
Bridgewater State
Fitchburg State
Framingham State
Salem State
Westfield State
Worcester State
Mass Art
Mass College of Liberal Arts (MCLA)
Mass Maritime Academy
Alice Beth

19. Massachusetts State Schools Minimum Admission Standards/ Sliding Scale
UMass System
State Colleges
GPA SAT / ACT
/ 20
/ 21
/22
/23
/24
/25
GPA SAT / ACT
/ 19
/ 20
/ 21
/ 22
/ 23
/ 24
Alice Beth
This is simply the sliding scale. However, with college admissions getting more competitive every year, most of public 4 year school in the Massachusetts system are looking for around a 3.0 GPA and around a combined SAT (math & verbal). Umass Amherst rarely takes a student with a GPA below a 3.5 (regardless of SAT scores).

20. Admissions Information
Jenna

21. College Admissions Exams
SAT: @ collegeboard.com
Duration: 3 hrs. 35 mins.
Cost: $52.50
Three sections: Critical Reading, Math and Writing (total possible score-2400)
Loose ¼ of a point for any incorrect answers (random guessing will likely lower your score!)
SAT Subject Area Tests: @ collegeboard.com
Duration: 1 hr.
Cost: $26.00 (basic registration fee), $16.00 (per test fee), $26 (per language test w/ listening)
Subjects include: English Lit., Bio., Chem., Math, History, Foreign Langs. (full list on website)
actstudent.org
Duration: 3 hrs. 30 mins.
Cost: $38.00 or $54.50 with writing
Four sections: English, Math, Reading and Science Reasoning (total possible score-36)
No points deducted for incorrect answers (So go ahead and answer ALL questions!)
TOEFL(Test of English as a Foreign ets.org/toefl - $170 *Any student who has taken an ELL class in 9-12th grade, please see guidance counselor for TOEFL info packet
Scores MUST be sent to colleges directly from testing agency ( or
Some schools no longer require admissions tests, see
Jenna

22. Admission Factors Colleges Consider
GPA and Class Rank
SAT/ACT scores
Rigor of secondary school record (transcript)
Senior year academic performance
Extracurricular activities/ Community Service
College essay
Recommendations
Interview (if applicable)
“Demonstrated Interest”
Jenna

23. Admission Categories
REACH – The student’s GPA and SAT / ACT scores fall below the historical averages for the college and / or past MHS students
MATCH– The student’s GPA and SAT / ACT scores fall within the historical averages for the college and / or past MHS students
HIGHLY LIKELY – The student’s GPA and SAT / ACT scores fall above the historical averages for the college and / or past MHS students
Jenna

24. Almost Everyone’s Reach
Reach Schools
Everyone’s Reach
Almost Everyone’s Reach
Boston College, Williams, Middlebury,
Brandeis, Colby, Hamilton, Tufts, Vassar,
Connecticut College, Wesleyan, NYU, Northwestern, Rice, Vanderbilt, Colgate
(not a complete list)
The 8 IVY League schools: Harvard, Dartmouth, Princeton, Yale, Brown, Columbia, UPenn, Cornell,
+ MIT, Stanford, John Hopkins, Georgetown, Swarthmore, Duke, UC Berkeley, Olin, Amherst
(not a complete list)
Jenna
There are many more qualified applicants than there are spaces. Being an average to above-average candidate is no guarantee!

25. Admissions Options
Regular Decision: This is the most common admission option. It means that you turn in your application by the college’s deadline, and it lets you know by a specified date if you have been admitted or not.
Early Action: With Early Action, you send in your application earlier, and the college sends you its decision earlier. Make sure you read the instructions from each college carefully because some colleges have additional restrictions on their early action programs. Academically strong students will often apply to one Early Action school.
Early Decision: You can apply Early Decision to only one college. You are committing yourself to going to a particular school if you decide to apply Early Decision and are accepted (the bind can only be broken for proven financial hardship). You should only apply Early Decision if you have a clear idea of your first-choice college. If you are looking at several colleges and don't want to limit your choices yet, Early Decision is not for you.
Rolling Admissions: There is no deadline for this option. Schools review and make decisions on applications as they receive them.
Krista

26. Application Deadlines
Early Decision / Early Action -
Usually Nov 1 or Nov 15
Regular Admission -
Often Jan 1st, but can be as early as Nov 30 or Dec 1st
Rolling Admission -
Anytime - The earlier, the better
Application materials must be received by guidance department 2 weeks prior to application deadline
Krista

27. Admissions officers look for students who…
Think globally, and act locally
Challenged themselves academically during high school
Can handle the academic workload of college
Will contribute to college life (in a positive way)
Demonstrate the qualities of a well-rounded student
Think clearly, logically, creatively, and/or abstractly
Krista

28. Guidelines for the common application essay
You must submit only one essay. Your essay must be between words. Essays under or over this word limit are not allowed.
The essay prompts are as follows:
1) Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 
2)Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure.  How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
3)Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea.  What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
 4) Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content.  What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
5) Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Krista

29. Considerations for Special Education Students
UMass/State Colleges permit submitting IEP/Testing in lieu of SAT/ACT
Search for colleges that provide a Learning/Support Center or Tutoring in addition to accommodations
Community Colleges have special programs
MHS Guidance only submits IEP/Testing information when requested by the students due to confidentiality
Krista

30. Brief Summary of Financial Aid & Scholarships
Amelia

31. Financial Aid
Financial Aid Night – Thursday, Nov. 7:00pm ~Presented by MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) Website:
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Available January
CSS Profile - College Scholarship Service Profile- Some private schools require this
Funding Your Education – See the list of websites in your packet
Amelia

32. Scholarships Start at MHS
Community scholarship applications are available starting in January
All scholarships will be posted in Naviance and updated frequently
Hard copies will also be available in the guidance office
Look Local- place of employment, community organization/affiliation, church, etc.
Check with your colleges
See websites in your packet
Amelia

33. John & Abigail Adams Scholarship
Provides a tuition waiver for up to eight semesters of undergraduate education at a Massachusetts state college or university. The scholarship covers tuition only; fees and room and board are not included.
Students will receive this letter by mail in the fall of their senior year. This letter will need to be presented to college after you are accepted.
In order to use the scholarship, a student must:
be accepted at a Massachusetts public college or university;
complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
send the Adams Scholarship award letter to the financial aid or bursars office at the college or university that he or she plans to attend; and enroll as a full-time student.
To continue receiving the Adams Scholarship, a student must
continue to enroll full-time at a public higher education institution;
maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 on all college work; and
annually complete the FAFSA.
Amelia

34. Student Athletes NCAA (Division I & II)
Must complete NCAA Clearinghouse Eligibility Form
Must send NCAA your SAT or ACT scores and a $20 fee
Must add NCAA to your Transcript Request Form and list of colleges in Naviance (to guarantee they receive an official transcript)
Minimum 2.0 GPA required
Should be in contact with coaches
Amelia

35. APPLICATION PROCESS
Jay

36. Read Through Entire Packet
Important to know MHS/MVTHS Process
This packet helps to simplify applying to college!
Jay

37. Create Two Accounts! Common App Naviance
Account for STUDENTS to send their college applications
Student completes on his/her own
Naviance
Account for MHS Staff to send the application materials
Student adds schools, adds teachers, signs FERPA waiver, then MHS Staff completes
Jay

38. Naviance created a great new video tutorial of this process!
Link:
Jay

39. 5 Step Process from video
STEP 1: Go to:
STEP 2: Register for the Common App
(* you must use the same address/username as your Naviance account)
STEP 3: Complete Initial Common App tasks
Task 1: Complete the Education Section
(located under the Common App tab on left of page)
Task 2: Add at least one college to your My College List
Task 3: Read and sign the FERPA Release Authorization
STEP 4: Complete the account matching process on Naviance Family Connection
(located on the Colleges I’m Applying To screen, under the College tab)
STEP 5: Review Colleges I’m Applying to list in Naviance, indicate whether or not you will be using the Common App to apply to each college on your list
Jay

40. Request Supplemental Information
Request Letters of Recommendation
Give your brag sheet to teachers & counselors
Please allow at least 4 WEEKS
Ask teachers if they will do this electronically or if they need stamped envelopes & CommonApp forms
Request online that your SAT/ACT scores be sent directly to your colleges. Please note: This can take 6-8 weeks!
Wendy

41. Meet With Your Counselor
Make an appointment with your counselor
September/October appointments for Early Action/Early Decision
November/December for Regular Decision
*MVTHS counselors meet with seniors on Mondays during academic week
Plan on bringing your parents if possible
Come Prepared- Bring a list of colleges, your college folder and all other materials you have
Wendy

42. Turn in your Transcript Request Form
Fill out your transcript request form completely with all your colleges
Have your counselor sign the finished form
MHS students turn in your form to Ms. Bazile with your $15 fee
MVTHS students turn in your form to Ms. Fitzpatrick
Forms must be turned in 2 weeks before the deadline
Wendy

43. Submit Your Application
Through the CommonApp or the college’s website, submit your applications
Be careful of deadlines!
Review your application checklist
Double check that your schools have received all materials
CELEBRATE!!!
Wendy

44. REVIEW Read the college packet
Create both the CommonApp & Naviance Accounts, and complete needed steps (as outlined in video)
Meet with your counselor
Request Letter of Recommendation
Send your SAT/ACT scores to the colleges and NCAA (for athletes) directly through Collegeboard or ACT.org
Turn in your transcript request form
Submit your application
Wendy

45. Thank you! Questions? Would you like more information?
Review the step-by-step instructions in your packet! It’s fool proof 
Would you like more information?
Come Wednesday, Sept. 17th to the Senior Parent College Presentation held in the Caron Theater at 7pm
Forms, presentations, announcements, college resources & links will be available at
This presentation will also soon be available online
Amelia

46. Presented by: The Medford High and Vocational Technical High School
Guidance Department
Director: Amelia Westmark
Secretary: Andree Brazile
MHS Counselors: Victoria Glasser
Krista Grifoni
Wendy Horne
Jason Nascimento
MVTHS Counselors: Alice Beth FitzPatrick
Jenna Tarabelsi