1. MLHS School Counseling Department
Junior Kickoff to College: Beginning the College Selection and Admissions Process
MLHS School Counseling Department
Dave

2. Dave

3. Naviance
A comprehensive tool that can be used to help students and parents through college and career planning
Conduct a college search and compare colleges
Review Game Plan and completed career surveys
Track deadlines and submission of documents
Schedule visits with college representatives at MLHS
Search for scholarships
Invite teachers to upload recommendations
Receive communications from School Counseling Department
Complete brag sheet and activities sheet
Maria

4. Self-Awareness
Who are you? Time for thoughtful reflection and self-analysis.
Think about your strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, preferences, etc...
Consider your personal priorities in a school- size, social vibe, academic programs, cost, sports, prestige, political vibe, distance from home, diversity, extracurricular life, surrounding area etc…
Parents can be helpful with this part of the process. Dinner table discussion, but not every night!
Once you know what you want, then you may set out to find the colleges/universities that best match your interests and goals.
Develop List through Naviance using the College Search criteria
Maria

5. Naviance College Search
Maria

6. College Search
Maria

7. During the College Search Process
Maintain contact with your counselor
Gather information from colleges and current students
Visit colleges (demonstrate interest)
Keep an open mind
Recognize admissions standards vary from year to year
Use good judgment when listening to the opinions of others
Maria

8. Building Your College List
Make sure every school on your list is a “first choice” school
Know why you are applying to each
Be realistic about academic requirements
Think outside the box
Randi

9. Colleges I am Thinking About
Randi

10. Compare Me
Randi

11. Viewing College Information
Randi

12. College Information (cont’d)
Randi

13. College Campus Visits Register (online or phone)
Information sessions, campus tours, open houses, etc.
Talk to other students on campus
Look at facilities, surroundings, professors, dining hall and students
Hang out in town
Pick up the school newspaper
Keep notes on the visit and specific requirements and take pictures
Betsy

14. College Rep Visits to MLHS
Betsy

15. Evaluating an Applicant
Academic Factors
Transcript:
High School Grades
Three-year GPA
Rigor of program and senior year course selection
Rank (MLHS does not rank)
1st quarter senior grades (often required for early applicants, but not automatically sent)
Standardized Test Scores
SAT/ACT scores (if required)
Subject test scores (if required)
Test optional/flexible colleges:
Note- Your name on your transcript must match your name on your application and test scores. Use your legal name.
Dave

16. Evaluating an Applicant
Personal Factors
College essay
Recommendations (consider your brag sheets)
Demographics
Demonstrated interest
Extracurricular activities
Honors and awards
Community service
Interview (not all schools offer them)
Legacy
Supplements
Special talents (art, athletics, music, theater, auditions)
Dave

17. Brag Sheet and Activities in Naviance
Lorie

18. Brag Sheet
Lorie

19. Activities
Lorie

20. MLHS School Profile
Every school has a Profile that is updated each year
Contains the school’s statistical data and other information
Features past performance as a benchmark
Colleges compare the strength of a student’s transcript to the strength of the offerings, to peers, and to the pool of applicants
MLHS’ Profile is a strong statement about our school, our students, and our community
Dave

21. High School Transcript
Courses taken and final grades earned in grades 9-11 with annual and cumulative GPA. Includes senior year courses as well.
Midyear Report shows an average grade made up of Q1, Q2, and midterm exam grades.
This report is submitted to colleges in February.
MLHS GPA is calculated using all classes except PE, Audit, and Pass/Fail classes
MLHS GPA is weighted on 4.0 scale
Betsy

22. Standardized Testing
PSAT results became available in December and are a valuable study guide
Understanding Your Score program on Jan. 24
SAT and SAT Subject Tests
ACT with or without writing
AP scores are used for class placement or credit only at most colleges. Recently, some colleges use AP scores as the “test flexible” submission in place of SAT or ACT
Please note: Students are responsible for knowing the specific requirements for each of their schools
Randi

23. Naviance: Test Scores
Randi

24. Student Athletes and the NCAA
NCAA Regulations
Division I Schools
Division II Schools
Division III Schools
Cumulative GPA
Blue Transcript Request Form
NCAA’s Cumulative GPA and test scores
Register/File with NCAA in June of junior year
Lorie

25. Financing Your Education
Family discussions about the role of finances in college selection
Families can begin applying for need-based financial aid in October 2017
FAFSA
Some private colleges also require the CSS Profile
Merit-based aid available as well
Scholarship search engines
Fastweb.com, collegeboard.org
Attend Financial Aid Night during fall of senior year
Lorie

26. What is Expected of Students
Take ownership of college process
Complete and submit applications, brag sheet, transcript request forms (due 3 weeks before your first deadline), essays, etc.
Arrange to have official test scores sent directly to colleges at collegeboard.org and actstudent.org
Provide teachers with self-evaluation forms several weeks in advance of application deadline
Proofread your college essays and have them reviewed by counselor and/or an English teacher
Meet ALL deadlines
Dave

27. What is Expected of Parents
Support and encourage your child, offering advice and guidance where appropriate
Be aware of your own preferences or biases regarding college choices
Be open to new ideas and suggestions on colleges to consider
Support an ethical approach to the admissions process
Be realistic
Your children are expected to complete their own applications
Betsy

28. Be Your Child’s Cheerleader!
Lorie

29. What is Expected of Counselors
Offer students suggestions and guidance about colleges based on the information they provide and preferences they express
Help students create a balanced and realistic list of colleges they would be happy to attend
Write a counselor recommendation and submit supporting application documents
Meet all deadlines (as long as students have met counselor/guidance office deadlines)
Betsy

30. Next Steps Schedule Junior College Planning Meeting
Jan. 13- Feb. 10 or Mid-March through May
Review contents of Junior Packet
Consider timing for campus visits
Develop a standardized testing plan
Consider who you want to ask to write a letter of recommendation
Recommend 2, but can vary based on college requirements
Keep your grades up and begin thinking about next year’s course selection
Complete Brag Sheet and Activities Sheet in Naviance
Summer College Workshop Aug (if you are available)
Dave

31. Additional Resources Ms. Green – College and Career Counselor
Individual student appointments available after initial college planning meeting with counselor
College and Career Bulletin
Summer College Workshop in August
Naviance
Recommended Readings
College Unranked, Colleges That Change Lives, Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be, Looking Beyond the Ivies: Finding a College That’s Right For You.
Trusted Guides
The Fiske Guide, The Insider’s Guide, The Best 381 Colleges
Randi

32. Resources on MLHS Website
Dave

33. School Counseling Department
Additional Resources
School Counseling Department
Telephone:
Fax:
CEEB Code:
Mrs. Grasso:
Mrs. Lewandowski:
Mrs. Sullivan:
Mr. Wolfelsperger:
Ms. Green:
Ms. Stalter: