Junior Parent College Information Seminar

Agenda Welcome/Junior Year Perspective Guidance Seminar 11 Application Options Standardized Testing Resources Counselor Statement Timeline Questions and discussion

Junior Year A year of exploration and self-evaluation. “The most important year” can raise a lot of stress for your child. Enjoy your child’s junior year. Parents can set the tone and reduce stress. Don’t compare your student to siblings or peers. Don’t make colleges the only topic of conversation! Not a prize to be won, but a match to be made.

Guidance Seminar Roles and responsibilities The college search process/finding a match Overview of the Common Application Standardized tests College visits and interviewing Essays Resume/activity list Letters of recommendation Mock admissions committee

Understanding the Academic Profile Transcript Courses and levels Looking ahead to senior year GPA

Sample Transcript

GPA Chart This histogram represents the most recent distribution of weighted academic grade point averages which includes all 2.5 and 5.0 courses taken through the end of junior year. The individual student’s GPA is printed on the transcript. Only courses taken at Weston High School factor into the GPA. Profile for Class of 2014 at the end of grade 11. Number in Class: 210 Number included in Chart: 201

Application Options/Considerations Early Decision (ED) Early Decision 2 Early Action (EA) Early Action Single Choice/Restricted EA Regular Decision Rolling *It is important to check college websites for accuracy on application options because there are often changes from year to year.

Standardized Testing Test DatesRegistration Deadlines SAT December 7, 2013November 8, 2013 January 25, 2014December 27, 2013 March 8, 2014February 7, 2014 May 3, 2014April 4, 2014 June 7, 2014May 9, 2014 ACT December 14, 2013November 8, 2013 February 8, 2014January 10, 2014 April 12, 2014March 7, 2014 June 14, 2014May 9, 2014

Standardized Testing Security Registration Photo (head and shoulders only) must be submitted with registration Photo will appear on admission ticket and school’s copy of score report High School code is required ( ) Day of Test Need to arrive with photo admission ticket and photo ID Four point check of ID and admission ticket (College Board) No switching is allowed between SAT and Subject Tests Note that test center may refuse entry if photo is not recognizable or ID requirements are not met Standby/Waitlist Testing Students will not be able to show up and register for day-of standby testing; online requests for waitlist must be made (open up to 5 days before the test) Changes to test center will not be permitted on the day of the test

Resources Princeton Review College Board / ACT / Common App / FairTest College website  very important! Every college’s requirements are different. Fiske Guide, Book of Majors and other books available in the guidance office, including those on arts schools, LD programs. And of course, Naviance! To register for a parent account, contact Laura Mori at

Naviance: Log-in

Naviance: College Search

Naviance: My Colleges

Naviance: Graph

Counselor Statement Based on the counselor’s personal relationship with the student, as well as: – Introspective Survey – Resume/Activity list (important to be current!) – Parent Brag Sheet – Peer Feedback Form Discuss concerns with counselor Letter is holistic

Timeline School Vacations  College visits March-June  Standardized Testing (SAT & ACT) June  Initial/ working list of prospective colleges Summer  College visits, begin application essay, and open Common Application account September  Guidance Seminar 12; update list of prospective colleges Fall Senior Year  Standardized Testing (SAT & ACT), begin submitting early and rolling applications

Thank you… Keep lines of communication open – With your student – With the counselor – With teachers Have fun with the search!