1. MTHS COLLEGE AND CAREER COUNSELING CENTER

2.   “The best career advice given to the young is: Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it.” Katherine Whitehorn  “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Confucius Food for Thought

3.   Work  Technical/Vocational Programs  Military  College Life After High School Options

4.   Grades  Rigor of Courses  Standardized Test Scores  Essay  Recommendations  Extracurricular Activities  Demonstrated Interest/Visits What Do Colleges Look For

5.   Colleges look for a solid transcript.  There should be a healthy balance between standard, college prep, and rigorous courses.  Grades are important.  Improvement speaks volumes: a positive trend of improving grades is very impressive.  Senior year counts!! Grades/Rigor of Courses

6.   4 parts: Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and the optional SAT Essay.  Words in context.  Evidence-based reading and writing using a wide range of sources.  Math section features problem-solving in science, social science, career scenarios, and other real-life situations.  Optional Essay based on analyzing a source. The New SAT

7.   400-1600 score scale.  3 hours and 50 minutes with the SAT Optional Essay or 3 hours without it.  4 answer choices.  No penalty for guessing.  The SAT is given October, November, December, January, March, May and June.  Sign up: sat.org/register (school code 310584) The New SAT

9.   The inside scoop on the SAT. Free and exclusively from Khan Academy. “For the first time ever, the creators of the SAT have given Khan Academy exclusive access and advice to build a personalized practice program for anyone, anywhere. These tools are free and available now for every student to take ownership of their learning and their future.” Link to Khan Academy located on main page of the CCCC website: http://monroenj.schoolwires.com/Page/798 http://monroenj.schoolwires.com/Page/798 Free SAT Prep

10.   The ACT is more like a classroom test.  The sections include: English, Reading, Math, Science.  The ACT writing section is optional but highly recommended.  Subject test scores range from 1 to 36. The composite score is the average of all four tests.  The ACT is given September, October, December, February, April and June.  Sign up for test: actstudent.org (school code: 310584) ACT

11.  FairTest (www.fairtest.org)  “This list includes institutions that are "test optional," "test flexible" or otherwise de-emphasize the use of standardized tests by making admissions decisions about substantial numbers of applicants who recently graduated from U.S. high schools without using the SAT or ACT.”  All community colleges. Standardized Test Optional or Flexible Schools

12.   “The essay is your single greatest opportunity to distinguish yourself as an individual by sharing who you are, what you have learned and what motivates you” (Tanabe 12).  “Since grades, scores, and activities are fairly objective information, it falls to the essay to separate one bright student from another” (Rankin & Murphy 5).  Write the essay early, get feedback, rewrite, proofread, utilize MTHS’s writing lab. The College Essay

13.   All guidance counselors write a letter of recommendation for their students who are applying to four year colleges.  Juniors (rising seniors) must complete brag sheets. Parents are encouraged to complete a Parent Brag Sheet. These are available through Naviance.  In the spring, 11 th grade students will personally ask 1 to 2 teachers to write a letter of recommendation for them.  Non- MTHS recommendation letters must be sent directly to the college. Recommendation Letters

14.   Quality not Quantity. Colleges prefer to see depth and involvement with a few activities over a longer period of time.  Athletics  Clubs/Activities on and off campus  Volunteer experience/ Community service  Classes taken outside of MTHS/ Summer programs  Internships  Job experience  Unique hobbies, interests and skills  Travel Extracurricular Activities

15.  Important Factors to Consider:  Location  Size  Cost/Financial Aid/Scholarships  Urban/Suburban/Rural  Areas of Interest/Majors  Private/Public/Religious Affiliation  Availability of special programs  Athletics/Greek system/Extra-curriculars  Support for learning differences The College Search: Finding the Right Fit

16.  All students have a Naviance account. Naviance is a wonderful resource for:  College Searches  Keeping track of “Colleges I’m thinking about.”  Information about college visits/events  Personal Interest Inventories/Career Matches  Complete Student and Parent Brag Sheets  Complete Resumes  E-mails, announcements, important links  Find info about colleges and deadlines Naviance

17.  Naviance Home Screen

18.  Naviance – Colleges Tab

19.   College tours, Open Houses, Student for a day (sign up on the college’s webpage).  Write down important questions before you visit then get your answers.  Meet the college admission reps; make a personal connection.  Talk to the students currently attending.  Take notes so you can make comparisons with the other schools you visit.  What does the school, campus, surrounding area “feel” like to you—does it feel like a possible fit? The Importance of the College Visit

20.  Organize the schools you are thinking about:  Safety  Target  Reach “Colleges I’m Thinking About”

21.   “The NCAA Eligibility Center certifies whether prospective college athletes are eligible to play sports at NCAA Division I or II institutions. It does this by reviewing the student-athlete's academic record, SAT® or ACT scores, and amateur status to ensure conformity with NCAA rules” (Collegeboard).  The PE department holds a NCAA workshop yearly. Please reach out to your child’s coach or to the athletic department. NCAA

22.   All 11 th graders have met with their guidance counselors this year already.  Yes, they all have Naviance accounts and they need to keep getting on them!!  We will be meeting with our 11 th graders in the spring and will be inviting the parents to join in (stay tuned for the invite).  Next College Fair will take place on April 7 th during the school day so all students (and parents if they are available) can attend. We are here for you!

23.  Dr. Michele Critelli – District Supervisor of Guidance MTHS School Counselors:  Shawanda Beale – School Counselor  Damaris Dominguez – School Counselor  Anthony Gambino – School Counselor  Cathy Ielpi – School Counselor  Diane Peterson – School Counselor  Michele Rockoff – School Counselor  Brooke Yudell – School Counselor  Please check out the CCCC webpage, our monthly newsletter or call our office. We are always available to assist you. College and Career Counseling Center