Welcome To The College Application Workshop Jennifer Gioglio (A-D) Gina Vanak (E-K) Debbie Burch (L-Q) Rebeca Castellano (R-Z)

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 - “Welcome Packets” were distributed and reviewed in senior flexes this week Senior Workshops - sign up in the Counseling Office for time with the school counselors to work on your college application materials: Dates 9/23, 9/25, 10/6, 10/8 and 10/10 during Senior Experience College Fair, Danbury Mall - October 20, 2014 from 5 to 9pm Financial Aid Night - October 27, 2014 at BHS from 7 to 9pm Update contact information ( address, phone) on Powerschool and Naviance to ensure electronic messages are received Where to begin?

Key Terms 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.

SAT/ACT Testing 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!

Testing Dates Testing Dates SAT Test Dates October 11: register by 9/12 … Late registration by 9/30 November 8: register by 10/9 … Late registration by 10/28 December 6: register by 11/6 … Late registration by 11/24 January 24: register by 12/29 … Late registration by 1/13 ACT Test Dates ACT Test Dates October 25: register by 9/19 … Late registration by 10/3 October 25: register by 9/19 … Late registration by 10/3 December 13: register by 11/7 … Late registration by 11/21 December 13: register by 11/7 … Late registration by 11/21 February 7: register by 1/9 … Late registration by 1/16 February 7: register by 1/9 … Late registration by 1/16 Early decision/action applicants should plan to complete testing no later than the October test dates, and notify schools of upcoming test dates!

Family Connection/Naviance

Using the Checklist

Enter the schools you are considering in “Colleges I’m thinking about” section 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 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!** Enter Colleges on Naviance

Q: What is the Common App and when should I use it? A: 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. The Common Application

Common Application

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** Steps to complete the FERPA

Complete the “Education” section of the Common App with your current school: BHS

Now you are ready to match your FERPA

FERPA

Finish your Common App

Finish each school section

Application Checklist Complete application and fee payment online Complete application and fee payment online Essay: upload to online application or mail Essay: upload to online application or mail Resume (highly recommended) : upload to online application or mail Resume (highly recommended) : upload to online application or mail Send any other supporting documents you want to include Send any other supporting documents you want to include Send your SAT scores via Collegeboard.org AND/OR ACT scores via ACT.org 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 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 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! 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! Get feedback…Ask your counselor or English teacher to review your essay for content. You are responsible for spelling and grammar! The Application Essay

A resume outlines your academic and work experience and highlights your talents, awards and accomplishments and makes your application package 3-D 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 Review your resume on Career Cruising 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! 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! Resume

Request your Documents ** 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 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. You should provide Mrs. Genovese with: Updated resume Updated resume Completed Parent Input Form (Brag Sheet) Completed Parent Input Form (Brag Sheet) Completed Student Questionnaire Completed Student Questionnaire

Counselor Recommendation Forms These forms can be accessed electronically on our school website in the School Counseling section or in the Document Library on Naviance. Complete these forms online and them to

From the School Counseling Website

From Naviance Document Library

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

Teacher Letters of Recommendation Allow at least 10 school days! Find out how many teacher recommendations are required for your application 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 along with the Common App Teacher Evaluation or school-specific evaluation form Complete gold “Formal Letter of Recommendation Request” form and give one to each teacher along with the Common App Teacher Evaluation or school-specific evaluation form How do the letters get sent out? How do the letters get sent out? Teacher completes forms electronically Teacher completes forms electronically Teacher will give you a copy of the letter for you to make copies of and send out Teacher will give you a copy of the letter for you to make copies of and send out Teacher will send out your letters themselves; you need to provide stamped, addressed envelopes! Teacher will send out your letters themselves; you need to provide stamped, addressed envelopes! This is specific to each teacher. Have a conversation with your teacher in advance! This is specific to each teacher. Have a conversation with your teacher in advance!

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! 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 Follow up with a written note of thanks to each teacher

Give this form to your teacher if your letter will be mailed. If your teacher is sending your letter electronically, there is no need to give this form to your teacher(s). Common App Teacher Evaluation Form

If you need to print out your teacher form …

Important Deadlines College Deadlines: November 1 November 15 December 1 December 15 January 1 Application Documents In By: October 20 October 31 November 12 December 1 December 9 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!

UCONN ECE Credits ece.uconn.edu **Complete online Add/Drop form by 9/15**

Senior Courses Eligible for UConn credit AP Biology AP Biology AP English Literature AP English Literature Elementary Discrete Math Elementary Discrete Math AP Statistics AP Statistics Music Appreciation II Music Appreciation II

Tap into “College Resources” in the colleges section of Naviance

Financial Aid ***Financial Aid Night at BHS - Monday, October 27, 2014** 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

Scholarships 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

National College Athletic Association Who needs to register? How do I register?

Military Options

Senior Workshops 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: September 23September 24 September 26October 6 October 7October 8

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING