Cohasset High School Junior Workshop

Topics For Today ► Standardized Testing 101 ► Factors to Consider When Choosing A College ► College Visits ► Application Plans ► Letters of Recommendation ► College Planning Resources ► Naviance  Completing a College Search  Developing a Well Balanced List ► Building Your Resume on Naviance ► Next Steps ► Answering YOUR questions!

Standardized Testing 101 (1 of 2) ► SAT – New vs. Old ► ACT  Designed to measure academic achievement in the areas of English, mathematics, reading and science. Focuses on "core-curriculum" content ► SAT Subject Tests  Measures your knowledge in a particular content area

Which SAT should I take? ► Should you take the current SAT or wait for the new SAT?  College representatives are reporting they will accept both the old and new SAT  It is an individual choice as to whether you sit for the current SAT. Consider the following: ► Sophomore PSAT scores ► How soon do you want to begin testing? ► How much you have prepared for the old SAT? ► Consider taking the ACT  The ACT is remaining the same and every college will accept either test  The ACT is divided into four parts – English, Math, Reading and Science ► Students who have prepared well in class often find success with the ACT Meet with your counselor to discuss your individual testing plan

Standardized Testing 101 ► Testing requirements can vary greatly between colleges ► You must check the specific requirements for each school that you are interested in ► Subject Tests tend to be required at more selective colleges. They can sometimes be replaced by the ACT with writing ► Work with your counselor to develop a testing plan that is right for you ► Most students should not be testing prior to spring of junior year ► There is a small but growing number of schools that are test optional. Visit for detailed information

What factors should you consider when choosing a college? Things to Remember: Focus on fit! There is a college for everyone but it takes time and research to find it! This is a very individualized process

Types of Colleges ► Private vs. Public Colleges  Suffolk vs UMass vs UNH ► Liberal Arts Colleges  Bowdoin, Drew, Siena, Hampshire ► Religiously-affiliated colleges and universities  Boston College, College of the Holy Cross ► Single sex Colleges  Wellesley, Mount Holyoke, Smith ► Military Service Academies  West Point (Army), Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Coast Guard Academy

Examples of factors to consider when choosing a college… ► Location  Do I want to stay close to home? ► Size  Can range from just a few hundred students to more than 40,000! ► Academics  Do they offer my major?  Which school has the best program for me? ► Admissions  How do my grades and test scores compare to what they are looking for? ► Housing  Is this a guarantee?  Who else would be living in my dorm? ► Financial Aid  Can I afford to attend this school?  What scholarships may be available to me? ► Culture and Diversity  Greek life  Multicultural student body and clubs  Do they have extracurricular activities that fit my interests?

College Visits ► Don’t see too many in one day  Try for no more than two per day ► Sign up for formal tours whenever possible  Call ahead or register online ► Research before going and take notes on key points ► Prepare a list of questions ► Pick up a campus newspaper ► Talk to as many students as possible

Application Plans ► Early Decision  Binding, early response ► Early Action  Non-binding, early response ► Rolling Admissions  Apply early, admission decisions are made as applications are received ► Regular Decision  Standard application timeline

Letters of Recommendation ► Your guidance counselor is (happily!) required to write a letter of recommendation for you ► You must ask 1 teacher to write you a letter of recommendation for next year  Academic subject area teachers only  Colleges prefer a junior year teacher  Someone who knows you and your work well  Someone you have a positive relationship with ► Few schools ask for two letters…  If you find a school that requests two, see your counselor  Most schools do not want to see more than what they are asking for. There is an electronic cap on how many can be sent to each school

College Planning Resources ► Naviance ► College/University websites  Specific information, photos, virtual tours, statistics, etc. ► College visits  Schedule a tour ► Guidance webpage  Check every couple of weeks for updates and helpful information ► College Board  Test registration and college planning ►

Key Features of Naviance ► Counselors  Track college admissions data  Communicate with students  Schedule college representative visits  Transmit documentation to colleges ► Students  Explore careers and colleges  Organize the application process  Complete a resume and self evaluation  Sign up for college representative visits  Requests transcripts and teacher recommendations

Naviance ► Access  Username is your address  Password is Cohasset ► Exercise #1 - College Searching! ► What have we learned before today?  Exploring Careers and Interests ► Do What You Are ► Career Interest Profiler Please Note: There are many tools included in the Naviance program that we have not explored together. Take some time to explore this invaluable resource on your own

Developing a Well Balanced List ► A Safety school is a college that you will almost certainly get into because your test scores, and grades are well above average in comparison to the school's profile  At least two are recommended and it is important that you like your safety schools as much as your realistic and reach! ► A Realistic school is a college that you have a good chance of getting into because your grades and test scores fall into the middle range of accepted students ► A Reach school is a college in which chances of admission are unlikely but sometimes possible. Your grades and test scores are lower than the middle 50% of accepted students  Please note: There are a small number of highly selective colleges that are reach schools for every student. Admissions standards at these schools are so high that even perfect grades and SAT scores do not guarantee acceptance

Reach, Realistic or Safety? Your Name Suzie Student Source:

Reach, Realistic or Safety? Suzie Student Source:

Reach, Realistic or Safety? Suzie Student Source:

Naviance Scattergrams ► Click on the Colleges tab  Scroll down and click “Scattergrams”  Select the college/test type you are interested in from the drop down menu

Exercise #2 Time to Investigate! ► ► Graphs contain four years of CHS admissions data ► ► Your GPA and test scores will continue to be updated ► ► Share this tool with your parents!

Exercise #3 - Building Your Resume ► Click on the tab “About Me” ► Click on “Resume” ► Add New Entry A resume must be completed in Naviance prior to May 1, 2016

Keys to Success ► Start Early ► Stay Organized ► Visit, Visit, Visit! ► Contact your counselor when questions arise

What’s Next? ► Form positive relationships with your junior year teachers ► Set up a time to meet with your counselor ► Create a testing plan ► Begin to develop your Well Balanced List ► Complete your activity resume and self evaluation by May 1st ► Continue to stay involved and most importantly, work hard and do well in school!

Any Questions?