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

2. 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

3. Breakout Sessions A-B Williams PAC C-Duffy Gregorowicz 314
Dumas -Harden Keaney 232
Hatch - Melagrano Meunier/
Gablinske 312
Melchionda – Rosh Kennedy 230
Rotstein - Z Hagopian 319

4. 2020 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

5. 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

6. Senior Year Courses
Course selection
Highest level of classes a student can handle while maintaining balance in their life
Minimum 5 Academic Subjects
24 credits
Goal for this year: List of confirmed classes in students hands by end of year. No elective/level changes after this time.

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

8. There is a college out there for everyone
96% of RMHS students attend a 2 or 4 year college right after high school

9. Developmental Guidance Program
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

10. Flex Block - Guidance Class # 1
Junior packets handed out
Overview of admissions process
Important deadlines
How to prepare and what to do this year vs next

11. Flex Block Guidance Class #2
Naviance
How to do a college search
Compare Reading data to National data
Scattergrams
Where to find college specific info

12. Flex Block Guidance Class #3
College Admissions Game
Reviewed transcript
Collected Resume, guidance questionnaire
Reminded them of important dates

13. Individual Session with Counselor
After group sessions
Discussion about 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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. Finding Information College Websites College Handbooks
Guidance Counselors
Visiting Colleges
Naviance

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

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

19. College Search Process
Reach
Realistic
Likely
Financial Safety

20. 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

21. Standardized Testing SAT I Test Dates Register at
March RMHS (register by February 8th)
May RMHS (register by April 5th)
June 1st (register by May 3)
August 24 (anticipated date, deadline not determined yet)
October RMHS (anticipated date, deadline not determined yet)
Register at
Burlington and Stoneham are testing sites for June

22. 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

23. Standardized Testing ACT
February 9th register by January 11th
April 13th register by March 8th
June 8th register by May 3rd
July 13th register by June 14th
Also offered September, Oct and Dec senior year
RMHS is not a test center
Register at

24. Standardized Testing AP Exams – Junior or Senior year
Administered early RMHS
Registration will be in February/Early March

25. 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.

26. TEST PREP Research various options
Guidance website has list of options
KHAN Academy thru College Board
PSAT score reports provide valuable information

27. Recommendations

28. 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 ask teacher by April vacation

29. Guidance Counselor Recommendation
Students must complete guidance questionnaire (located on Naviance under the “about me” tab) by end of the year. Can update through the summer
Reference forms (optional but recommended)
Parent response form (optional but recommended)

30. 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

31. Visiting Schools Make appointment for tour online
Register in admissions office
Sleep over / attend a class
See schools while in session

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

33. Academic Absences Total of 4, junior and/or senior year
Student submits note/ to assistant principal’s office

34. 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

35. 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
Data vs Voice

36. 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

37. Scholarships
Information about local and national scholarships on Naviance

38. 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

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

40. Financial Aid Financial Aid Night
September next year
FAFSA parents can file after Oct. 1, 2019
CSS Profile
Funding Your Education
publication by Federal government
Download at
Click on “funding” icon

41. Coming Attractions
Gap Year Fair Jan 13th Andover High School Presentation 10-11am, Fair 11-1pm
RMHS College Fair – October 2019
College Fair – Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Thurs, April 4th from 9-12pm and 6:00- 8:30pm
Fri, April 5th from 9-12pm
For more info:
Financial Aid Night – September 2019
Senior Parent Night – September 2019

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

43. Contact Information
Lynna Williams