1. Senior Night: 9/15/16 Brett Levine, Supervisor of School Counseling
Brooke Mascia, School Counselor

2. MHS Guidance Department
Director: Brett Levine
Counselors: Sarah Mazak, Nancy O’Brien, Brooke Mascia, Phyllis Levy
Support Staff: Carolyn White, Clare McAloon
Brett Speaks

3. Tonight’s agenda Guidance/ MHS news In-School College Visits
Admissions Process Nuts and Bolts
Scholarships
Reminders
Brett Speaks

4. Tonight’s presentation
60-75 minutes
This presentation will be posted on web site, but should also be printed out and used as a resource
Practical Information
Shared with you on Google
Brett Speaks

5. Where the Class of 2016 applied
The following colleges had applications from over 20 Madison High School students last year (Class of 2016):
Marist, Rowan, Penn State, University of Vermont, University of Delaware, Loyola, Northeastern, Quinnipiac, Fairfield, and Rutgers
Brett Speaks

6. Popular schools where students from the Class of 2016 matriculated
The following colleges each had over 4 students matriculate from Madison High School Class of 2016:
Montclair State, Rutgers, St. Joseph, University of Alabama, Bucknell, University of Richmond, FDU, Rowan, Ramapo, High Point University, University of Miami and County College of Morris
Brett Speaks

7. Upcoming Guidance Events
Senior Conferences (Starting Now, Bring your Chromebook)
College Visits (Starting Now)
College Fair (Sunday 9/18 at CCM, 12-3)
Financial Aid Night (Thursday 12/8, 7pm)
Financial Aid Form available 10/1
Common Application help sessions (Sept 16, 21, 23, 28, 30 & October 5, 7, 11, and 14) Common Lunch in the Guidance Center/or TBA room
Spring 2017: CCM Field Trip, CCM Accuplacer, and CCM Instant Admissions Day
Brett Speaks

8. In-school college visits
Get permission from teacher (if missing a class) and make up assignments
Sign up on Family Connection
Manage your attendance - Cancel if not attending
Person visiting is often the application reader so make a good impression
Shows demonstrated interest
Brooke SPeaks, Brett at computer..show them ryder levine

9. Application processing nuts and bolts: New this year
Due to changes in the way students request teacher letters of recommendation, it will now be very important for students to be familiar with the “Colleges I’m Applying To” tab in Family Connection.
Brooke speaks brett goes on RYder and picks RIder

10. Application overview: What the student sends vs
Application overview: What the student sends vs. what Madison High School sends
Student Sends:
Application and Application fee
Essays/Personal Statements
Supplemental Materials (Portfolio, graded papers, Early Decision agreement, letters of recommendation from non-MHS staff, anything else the college wants
SAT/ACT/AP Scores
NCAA Information
Brooke

11. What Madison High School sends
Transcripts with GPA
Class rank (optional)
High School Profile
Secondary School report form/counselor recommendation
Teacher Recommendation(s)
Mid-year grades and final transcripts (automatically)
We need students matching their Family Connection account with their Common Application account (after they signed the FERPA on FC)
Brooke

12. Application processing nuts and bolts: Application types
Early Decision (Binding)
Early Action (Non-Binding)
Regular Decision
Rolling Decision/Rolling Admission/Priority Deadline
brooke

13. Application processing nuts and bolts: Types of decisions
Accept
Accepted for Spring term
Denied
Deferred (EA or ED)
Supplemental Information
Waitlisted (Notified Mid-May - August)
brooke

14. Making the final decision
May 1st - Deposit Day
Can only deposit to one college (exception waitlist)
Navigating the waitlist
Courtesy to Notify non-attending colleges where you are going
Let guidance know of all decisions
Guidance will automatically send final transcripts to matriculating college
brooke

15. Application processing nuts and bolts: Important things to know
Please understand the difference between The Common Application and a Directly to the Institution/School-based Application. This is extremely important. You need to know how your application is being submitted. We can not submit any documents on your behalf if this is marked “Unknown”.
It is also important to know admissions type, e.g., RD, EA, ED, Rolling
Brett

16. What is the Common Application?
A generic application accepted at over 600 schools, but not at all schools
Fill out generic information one time, and then supplemental information pertinent to each “Common App” School you are applying to
Set up an account on Common App
Remember your username and password
Brett

17. What is a “Directly to the Institution” application?
An application designed, published, and delivered only to one specific school

18. Examples:
Montclair State: Only Accepts “Directly to the Institution” (school-based)
Drexel University: Only accepts Common Application
Bentley University: Accepts both Common Application or Directly to the Institution (DO NOT CLICK UNKNOWN)
Use this example..brooke enters in both schools.

19. Common Application
If applying to a Common Application school, it is necessary to list that school in your Common Application account and in “Colleges I’m applying to” in FC, in order for Madison High School to send your transcript.
Brett

20. What is the Coalition Application?
Designed as an alternative to The Common Application
Some different features than The Common Application
Technical limitations?
Please hold off using this application system this year. (Exception, University of Florida)
Don’t check it off - Easy to confuse with The Common Application
Brett

21. Steps for teacher recommendation letters
Find out how many you absolutely need - 1 or 2? (No more than 2)
Always confirm FC’s information on college’s website
Make sure you have matched your Common Application and Family Connection account and you have waived your rights by signing the FERPA on Common Application
Add colleges to “Colleges I’m applying To” in Family Connection
Ask teacher(s)
Submit requests via Family Connection (Must be done even if you did it last Spring)
Provide teachers with any information they need
Confirm that colleges have received it
On FC, Common App, on college account
Brett

22. How is a transcript sent?
In order for us to send your transcript, a light blue Madison High School Transcript Request form must be filled out and submitted to Ms. White or Mrs. McAloon before school, during Common Lunch, or after school.
Brooke

23. Important application reminders
Know how your application is being submitted and note accordingly in FC
Do not use the Coalition Application
Be mindful of the number of teachers you are asking for letters of recommendation - No more than two teachers
Enter your colleges in your Common Application and your “Colleges I’m Applying To” in Family Connection
Remember to match your Common Application account with your Family Connection account
brett

24. Scholarships Posted on Family Connection
Different Categories (National, State, Local)
College Merit Scholarships are usually not posted
Apply, Apply, Apply
Student should write thank you note
Awards ceremony in June
brett

25. Please keep in mind
Student is responsible for sending SAT/ACT/AP Scores
Ok for colleges to receive things in stages
10-Day rule
Often a lag in colleges reporting receipt of materials
Rutgers, and many of the other large state universities, use a self-reporting system - Important for you to still let us know
Male students register for selective service at 18
Responsible for registering for the NCAA Eligibility Center
brett

26. How parents can support through the process
Make sure students schedule a senior conference
Remind students about college visits and important deadline dates
Keep us in the loop
Have an honest conversation with students about money
brett

27. Final thoughts Guidance has resources on non-college options
Make sure you have a positive presence on social media
Use Scattergrams on Family Connection
Colleges review final transcripts and can rescind admissions decisions
We are all here to help you :)
brett