1. Welcome to Junior Parent Night
Class of Reading Memorial High School

2. 2018 Graduation Requirements
90 credits
Required courses
8 English, 6 Math, 6 History, 6 Science, 4 Foreign Language, 1 Intro to Health (9th grade), 2 Fine Arts, 2 Business/Technology, 4 Physical Education, 1 Health Issues (11th grade)
MCAS

3. 4 Year College Requirements
Highest level of classes a student can handle while maintaining balance in their life
4 years English
3-4 years of Math (state colleges 4 yrs math)
3-4 years history
3-4 years science (min.2 years lab science)
2-4 years same foreign language

4. Senior Year Courses
Course selection
Highest level of classes a student can handle while maintaining balance in their life
Minimum 5 Academic Subjects
23-25 credits
Once transcript is sent to colleges – no changes!

5. What are the options? Post Graduate programs Gap Year Technical School
Military
Work
2 or 4 year college/university

6. There is a college out there for everyone
94% of RMHS students attend a 2 or 4 year college right after high school

7. Developmental Guidance Program
Small group seminars to increase contact and build relationships
Sophomore Year – Career exploration, interest inventories, personality surveys
Junior Year – Post high school planning: Review options, testing, college selection, college essay, Naviance
Senior Year
Post high school planning

8. Flex Block - Guidance Class # 1
Jan 19th (both groups)
Junior packets handed out
Overview of admissions process
Important deadlines
How to prepare and what to do this year vs next

9. Flex Block Guidance Class #2
Jan 26th (Group 1) Feb 2nd (Group 2)
Naviance
How to do a college search
Scattergrams
Where to find college specific info

10. Flex Block Guidance Class #3
March 2nd (Group 1) or March 9th (Group 2)
Reviewed transcript
Began resume, guidance questionnaire
Reminded them of important dates

11. Individual Session with Counselor
After group sessions
Discussion centers around interests and post-high school plans
Review how to research colleges by majors, location, size, etc
Together, we generate a list of colleges
Create a To-do list

12. Things to Consider
Each Child is an individual and what works for one student may not be the right choice for another. Students should own the college admissions process. Don’t let fear get in the way of making the right decision.

13. How to start the process
Open communication
Talk about expectations
Expose them to options – visit local colleges
Talk about finances
Have your child set up appointment with counselor

14. Naviance
Web-based service to help research and organize college application process
Personality Survey, Interest Inventory and Career Clusters
Student and Parent accounts have been activated

15. Things to consider
Size
Location
Setting
Majors
Type of college
Cost

16. College Selection Process
Research schools
Average # of applications 6-10

17. College Search Process
Reach
Realistic
Likely
Financial Safety

18. What are colleges looking for in an applicant?
Engaged student
Transcript/grades/GPA
Standardized tests
Extra-curricular activities
Essay
Recommendations
How they compare to other students
Interviews, auditions, portfolio’s

19. Standardized Testing SAT I Test Dates Register at
May RMHS (register by April 7)
June 3th (register by May 9)
August 26 (anticipated, check website)
Register at
Burlington and Stoneham are testing sites for June

20. Standardized Testing
SAT II (Subject Tests) same test dates except March
American History, Biology, Chemistry, French, Literature, Math Level 1 & 2, Physics, Spanish, World History, Latin
Register at

21. Standardized Testing ACT
April 8
Register by March 3th
June 10
register by May 5th
Also offered September, Oct and Dec senior year
RMHS is not a test center
Register at

22. Standardized Testing AP Exams – Junior or Senior year
Administered early RMHS
Calculus, Chemistry, European History, French, Physics, Spanish, Statistics, English, Biology, AP Studio Art, US History
Other options – see counselor
Register at Guidance Department later this month

23. Standardized Testing
Students with disabilities need to request approval for accommodations well in advance of test dates (discussed during sophomore IEP meeting)
SAT: request prior to registering for test; once approved use approval code number when registering for test
ACT: register for test; print out registration information and give to counselor who submits request for accommodations.

24. TEST PREP Research various options
Guidance website has list of options
for practice tests
PSAT score reports provide valuable information

25. Recommendations

26. Formal Formal: 1 - 2, or as directed by college
Junior Year teachers that know your child and can speak about his/her performance in their class, citing examples of their work or providing anecdotes related to class.
Students need to be asking teachers now

27. Guidance Counselor Recommendation
Students must complete guidance questionnaire (located on Naviance under the “about me” tab)
Reference forms (optional but recommended)
Parent response form (optional but recommended)

28. Informal Reference Form
Yellow form available in the guidance office, to be returned to guidance for guidance recommendation
Coach, Boss, Activity Leader
Informal reference forms do not get sent to colleges

29. Visiting Schools One of the most important parts of the process!
Make appointment for tour online
Register in admissions office
Sleep over / attend a class
See schools while in session

30. Interviews Usually relaxed Engaged Excited about activities
Why do they want to attend that college

31. Academic Absences Total of 4, junior and/or senior year
The day before, bring signed note from parent to guidance counselor for signature
Student then submits note to assistant principal’s office

32. Application Deadlines
Early Decision / Early Action
Oct 15, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 1, Dec 15
Regular Admission
Jan 1, Jan 15, Feb 1, Feb 15, March 1
Rolling Admission
Anytime - The earlier, the better
Application materials must be received by guidance department 3 weeks prior to application deadline

33. College Essay
Students will be writing a “college essay” in English classes this spring
Look at Common App and individual applications and to get idea of essay each college requires
Answer question asked by college
Often requires some soul searching
Admissions Counselors view this as one of the most valuable parts of the application.

34. Athletics Register with NCAA for Division I and II
Transcript release form to guidance office
Specific requirements for Division I and II are outlined in student packet
Certain courses can not be counted as core courses per NCAA, e.g., computer courses, business courses, art and music

35. Stanley Koplik Certificate of Mastery
Students will be notified this spring
Tuition assistance at Mass public colleges or universities.
MCAS Scores
Advanced on one
Advanced or Proficient on the other
Second qualifying score
SAT II AP

36. Adams Scholarship Program
Tuition credit for students whose MCAS scores are in the top 25%
Students usually notified in October of senior year

37. Financial Aid Financial Aid Night
September/October next year
FAFSA parents can file after Oct. 1, 2017

38. Coming Attractions RMHS College Fair – TBA October 2017 College Fairs
North Reading Fair March 28th
Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Sunday, May 7th : 2pm -5pm Monday, May 8th : 8:00am - 12:30pm
For more info:
Senior Parent Night - September
College Fair - October
Financial Aid Night – September/October

39. Parents Role
Guide, cheerleader, coach, financier, organizer, chauffeur, but not the APPLICANT!! Try to enjoy the process !!