1. Medford High and Vocational Technical High School Guidance Department

2. 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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

9. Student’s Responsibilities Visit the Medford High/Voc-Tech guidance website for news, tips & advice www.medfordhighguidance.com

10. 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)

11. Class of 2016 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)

12. Post High School Options 4 year colleges or universities 2 year colleges 2 + 2 colleges Technical colleges/ Trade Schools Military Academy Military Service (www.military.com) Post Grad Year Gap or Service Year Employment

13. Community College The price is right Do not require SAT/ACT Requires college placement test for course-level placement Do not usually require letters of recommendation Transfer to 4 year colleges after 1 or 2 years Some community colleges have agreements with the state colleges (MassTransfer Program) Scholarships and honors programs for high-achieving students No housing on campus

14. 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

16. College Admissions Exams SAT: @ collegeboard.com Duration: 3 hrs. 35 mins. Cost: $54.50 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) ACT: @ 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 Language): @ ets.org/toefl - $170 *Any student who has taken an ELL class in 9-12 th grade, please see guidance counselor for TOEFL info packet Scores MUST be sent to colleges directly from testing agency (www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org) Some schools no longer require admissions tests, see list @ www.fairtest.org/university/optional

17. 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”

18. 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 BEST BET– The student’s GPA and SAT / ACT scores fall above the historical averages for the college and / or past MHS students

19. 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.

20. Application Deadlines Early Decision / Early Action - Usually Nov 1 or Nov 15 Regular Admission - Often Jan 1 st, 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

21. 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

22. Guidelines for the common application essay  You must submit only one essay. Your essay must be between 250- 650 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 problem you have solved or a problem you would like to solve…. 5) Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

23. 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 Please attend the Special Education College Info Session (Always held in library prior to the college fair) Considerations for Special Education Students

25. Read Through Entire Folder Important to know MHS/MVTHS Process This packet helps to simplify applying to college!

26. Create Two Accounts! Common App 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

27. Naviance created a great new video tutorial of this process! Link: http://vimeo.com/102639828

28. 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

29. 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!

30. 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. Pierre-Paul with your $15 fee MVTHS students turn in your form to Ms. Fitzpatrick Forms must be turned in 2 weeks before the deadline

31. Submit Your Application Through the CommonApp or the college’s website, submit your applications Many MA State colleges DO NOT accept CommonApp Be careful of deadlines! Review your application checklist Double check that your schools have received all materials CELEBRATE!!!

32. REVIEW 1) Read the college packet 2) Create both the CommonApp & Naviance Accounts, and complete needed steps (as outlined in video) 3) Meet with your counselor 4) Request Letter of Recommendation 5) Send your SAT/ACT scores to the colleges and NCAA (for athletes) directly through Collegeboard or ACT.org 6) Turn in your transcript request form 7) Submit your application