1. Oliver Ames Junior Parent Orientation
Class of 2020
January 23, 2019

2. Agenda What’s Your Plan? SAT’s & ACT’s Common Application Deadlines
How To Conduct a College Search
SAT’s & ACT’s
Common Application
Deadlines
College Questionnaire

3. You Need A Plan for Life After High School
What Plan Is Right For You?
Post-
Secondary
Training
4 Year
College
2 Year
College
Military

4. Where to Start? Students will meet with their Guidance Counselor
Have a family conversation
Check out the Guidance Website for career exploration tools
Use Naviance and College Board

5. Choosing a College Things to think about:
2 year, 4 year, technical/trade school
Public vs. private school
Size of school
Fewer than 2,000 (Regis College)
2,000-15,000 (Bentley University)
More than 15,000 (UMass Amherst)
Setting
Rural, suburban or urban
Location
New England, East Coast, West Coast, etc.
Cost and financial aid

6. Choosing a College Things to think about: Majors Offered
Do they offer what you are looking for?
Are there specific admissions criteria for specific majors?
Admissions Criteria
Look at the profile (average GPA, SAT scores, specific course requirements)
Housing Options
Sports and Activities
Specialized Options
Co-ed or single sex school, fraternities/sororities, religious affiliations, disability support

7. What Do Colleges Look At?

8. Researching Educational Options
Naviance – SuperMatch College Search
College Board – Matchmaker
The school’s direct website
Request materials from the college
National College Fair –
Providence on April 9, 2019
Boston on April 4 & 5, 2019
Brockton H.S. (date TBD)
Technical/Trade Schools – see guidance
Connect with schools via Facebook or Twitter

9. Naviance Home Page http://connection.naviance.com/oliverames

10. Super Match College Search

11. College Questionnaire
Under About Me
Select My Surveys
All seniors should complete so Counselor can write their
Letter of Recommendation

12. College Board also offers a College Search

13. Standardized Tests What is the difference? 2. Why take both?
3. How many times should you take them?
4. How are they used by schools?
5. When do you send them to schools?

15. SAT’s Upcoming test dates: -March 9th (registration deadline Feb 8th)
-May 4th ( registration deadline April 5th)
-June 1st (registration deadline May 3rd)
-August 24
Cost: $47.50 ($ with essay)
Subject Tests:
-One hour in length
-Can take up to three in one sitting
-Required only by some competitive colleges or schools with competitive majors
Cost: $26.00

16. What about the ACT?
The ACT assesses students ability to complete college-level work
The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science
The Writing Test is optional HOWEVER check the requirements of your college

17. ACT Test Dates -April 13th (registration deadline March 8th)
-June 8th (registration deadline May 3rd)
-July 13th (registration deadline June 14th)
Cost: $50.50 ($67.00 with essay)
To find out more, go to

19. SAT & ACT Test Prep Khan Academy on-line videos and tutorials for SAT:
FREE
ACT on-line course:
$39.95
Bridgewater State University
$325.00
Princeton Review and Kaplan Test Prep
Prices vary

20. Applications Electronic Applications via the college’s website
May offer a waiver or discount for the application fee
Paper copies
Found on the college’s website, print out and mail
Common Application
Used by 700 schools across the country. One application for multiple schools

22. Common App Workshop Available at OA August 12/13 or 14/15, 2019
FREE two-day workshop to help students create and start their Common Application
Two sessions available
Stay tuned for sign-ups!

23. Decision, Decision
Early Decision
Early Action
Regular Decision
Rolling Admissions

24. FAFSA – Updates FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Available as of October 2019 which better aligns with college application process
-will now collect income information from an earlier tax year
Financial Aid Night – October 2019 – stay tuned for details!

25. College Admissions Panel
Thursday, March 14, 2019
6:30pm
OA Auditorium
Listen to college reps discuss the college application process!

26. What Now? Now until Summer Keep grades up
Schedule standardized testing
Research/visit colleges
Summer
Visit colleges
Create application accounts
Begin drafting college essays
Fall
Apply!