Jennifer Gioglio (A-D) Gina Vanak (E-K) Debbie Burch (L-Q) Jean Baker (R-Z) Kaitlyn McCabe - Intern

 Complete the college search process and try to finalize a list on Naviance  Update all contact information, especially addresses for student and parents  Use the “Checklist” in the “About Me” tab to stay organized on ‘next-steps’  Senior Class Visits - Naviance tasks will be discussed with students in flex  Senior Workshops - sign up in the Counseling Office for time with the school counselors to work on your college application materials.  College Fair, Danbury Mall - October 19, 2015 from 5 to 9pm  Financial Aid Night - October 26, 2015 at BHS at 7pm in the auditorium  Update contact information ( address, phone) on Powerschool and Naviance to ensure electronic messages are received

 Early Decision (Only 1 School): These offers are binding.  If you are accepted to this school, you are pledging to attend, without regard to financial assistance!  Early Action (multiple schools)  This is not binding, but allows students to receive notification sooner.  Regular Admission  Decision in the spring or earlier.  Rolling Admission - apply early  Applications are reviewed as they are received. An admissions decision is made once the committee has reviewed all of the materials.

 How many times should I take the SAT I?  Register for SATs on  Send scores directly to colleges. Counseling Office will not include standardized test scores on your transcript.  Do I need to take SAT II’s? (SAT Subject Tests)  Achievement tests  Know how many you need to take – check school’s website  Should I take the ACT instead of SAT?   English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, Optional Writing  ACT with writing can be accepted instead of SAT II subject tests at many schools. TIP: Visit the CollegeBoard website for lots of information about which tests to take, when to take them, and lots of other info!

SAT Test Dates  October 3: register by 9/3 … Late registration by 9/22  November 7: register by 10/9 … Late registration by 10/27  December 5: register by 11/5 … Late registration by 11/23  January 23: register by 12/28 … Late registration by 1/12 ACT Test Dates  October 24: register by 9/18 … Late registration by 10/2  December 12: register by 11/6 … Late registration by 11/20  February 6: register by 1/8 … Late registration by 1/15 Early decision/action applicants should plan to complete testing no later than the October test dates, and notify schools of upcoming test dates!

 Enter the schools you are considering in “Colleges I’m thinking about” section This is a good way to get more information about schools you are not sure of. Naviance will ‘invite’ you to meet with the rep when they visit BHS**  Enter the schools you will apply to in “Colleges I’m applying to” section Pay attention to application deadline dates and required paperwork This is a good way to monitor the application type and deadlines for each school!

Question: What is the Common App and when should I use it? Answer: The Common Application is a standardized application online which will distribute your data to those schools to which you indicate you are applying. Check the document requirements on Naviance to see whether or not you should use the Common Application to submit your documents.

Step 1: Complete the Education Section on Common App for the school-related data only (first screen) Step 2: Under “My Colleges” tab, click “Recommenders and FERPA” section and follow the Release Authorization link to its end Step 3: From your Naviance account, complete the Common App Account Matching section found in “Colleges I’m Applying To.” This permits BHS to prepare and release your transcript and counselor letter FERPA (Federal Educational Right to Privacy Act) Rights to see or waive the application documents submitted on your behalf after submission. We recommend that students “waive” their rights.

 Complete application and fee payment online  Essay: upload to online application  Resume (highly recommended) : upload to online application or to admissions  Send any other supporting documents you want to include  Send your SAT scores via Collegeboard.org AND/OR ACT scores via ACT.org  Hand in transcript request form to Mrs. Genovese and indicate if a counselor recommendation is needed

 Always answer the question asked: don’t try to make one essay answer every question  Write about a topic that you are passionate about – put your personality into it!  Get feedback…Ask your counselor or English teacher to review your essay for content. You are responsible for spelling and grammar!

 A resume outlines your academic and work experience and highlights your talents, awards and accomplishments and makes your application package 3-D  Review your resume on Career Cruising/Naviance  Bring in a hard copy to the counseling office to keep in your college file so that we may nominate students for appropriate programs/awards!

ALLOW AT LEAST 10 SCHOOL DAYS FOR DOCUMENT PREPARATION Part 1: Request Transcript  Complete a transcript request form for each college, indicating whether or not you are using the Common App for that college, and whether or not you need a counselor letter for that college Part 2: Let your counselor know if you NEED a counselor letter. Be sure the following are in your Naviance account:  Updated resume  Completed Parent Input Form (Brag Sheet)  Completed Student Questionnaire

Issues of the School Counseling News are Here!

Transcript Fees:  First 5 transcripts: FREE  Transcripts 6-10: $5.00 total, not for each  Transcripts 11+: $5 each

Allow at least 10 school days!  Find out how many teacher recommendations are required for your application  Complete gold “Formal Letter of Recommendation Request” form and give one to each teacher  How do the letters get sent out?  Teachers will send your letter and any forms required to colleges/universities electronically through Naviance!

TEACHER LETTERS:  Talk with your teachers about letters of recommendation. Provide them with at least ten school days in advance of the college deadline … the more time you provide them, the better!  Follow up with a written note of thanks to each teacher

College Deadlines: November 1 November 15 December 1 December 15 January 1 Application Documents In By: October 19 November 2 November 13 December 1 December 10  Give the counselor at least 10 school days for processing before a deadline.  Please pay attention to those that fall around holidays.  Counselors cannot accommodate last minute applications!

 AP Biology  AP English Literature  Elementary Discrete Math  AP Statistics

 CSS/Financial Aid Profile:   Not all schools require this  Must apply on-line  FAFSA: Free Application For Federal Student Aid  Apply for Pin NOW – both student and parent  Everyone must fill this out. It is the federal form.  Complete ASAP after Jan. 1 using estimated tax information  - must apply online  NOT - This site is a scam. Be very careful.  Other useful sites  

 Local scholarships are posted on Naviance and generally become available after January 1  National scholarships – see links posted on BHS School Counseling website  Research scholarship opportunities  Business  Community organizations  Special Interest  Scholarships offered by colleges  Be aware of scholarships scams

 Who needs to register?  How do I register?

Need help pulling it all together? Seniors can sign up for a small-group help session to get you started, or finish off your work! Sign up with Mrs. Genovese for one of the available dates starting the week of September 28 th