1. Kennett High School Guidance Office Searching For A College: Creating Your Own Roadmap Presented By: The Kennett High School Guidance Office Jennifer Murphy Nate Jaus Michelle Figella Colleen Watson Cheryl Furtado

2. Kennett High School Guidance Office Navigating Over 2,000 Options Location Size of school Affiliation (public/private) Programs of interest (two-year and/or four-year) Selectivity/Competition Campus culture Cost Financial Aid

3. Kennett High School Guidance Office Making a List, Checking it Twice First Stop - Guidance Office College/University web sites. Sign up for mailing lists. Brochures/Viewbooks. Ask your teachers/friends. Ask the college for local alumni/Interview options? Organize what you find….tour times, open house dates, application deadlines, etc.

4. Kennett High School Guidance Office No Arranged Marriages! Tours of campus Interviews (always a good idea) Open Houses Faculty meetings Overnights (rare but good to do) End result: Youre developing your instincts about the right fit

5. Kennett High School Guidance Office Standardized Testing SAT November 7 th You can still register tonight with a late fee December 5 th Register by October 31 st Do the schools you are applying to require the SAT Subject tests? Register at collegeboard.com ACT December 12th Register by November 6th Register at www.act.org

6. Kennett High School Guidance Office Applying Parts of the application: Fee, Essay, Transcript, School Profile, Letters of Recommendation, SAT/ACT, SAT II scores Common Application vs. Institutional Application. Electronic forms can be easy and convenient. Some times the application fee may be waived. Proof read before you send anything Make copies before you submit your work. Remember, its the whole package, not just one single factor.

7. Kennett High School Guidance Office Writing the Essay Give yourself time to do your best Neatness & Grammar do matter Be sure you are answering the question Use the essay to personalize the application Highlight positive attributes What makes you unique?

8. Kennett High School Guidance Office Sorting through the notification options Regular Decision – Notification is usually March/April Rolling Decision – Notification is 4-6 weeks after whenever you apply Early Action – Notification in December/non-binding commitment Early Decision – Notification in December/binding commitment Waitlists – What should I do if this happens???

9. Kennett High School Guidance Office TWO Types of Aid: 1. Need-based aid - based on ability to pay and family resources. (FAFSA required) Cant fill this out until after January 1 st. Can log onto www.pin.ed.gov to sign up for a pin number. 2. Merit-based aid - based on academic merit or a special talent. (CSS PROFILE or institutional form may be required.) PAYING FOR IT ALL….

10. Kennett High School Guidance Office The Financial Aid Award Letter: Consists of various grants/loans/jobs packaged together to meet your financial need. Usually sent in the early spring.

11. Kennett High School Guidance Office Mark your Calendars DECEMBER 8th @ 7 pm Plymouth State University will be presenting Financial Aid Informational Night in the Loynd auditorium

12. Kennett High School Guidance Office FIRST - Think about your own preferences and goals. Size, location, affiliation, programs, etc. SECOND - Request some detailed brochures and hit the web sites of schools you are considering. Cast your net broadly. THIRD - Visit Open Houses, interview, meet admissions representative at HS or college fair. Narrow your search into a list. BY JANUARY -Finish applications, begin financial aid forms, MEET DEADLINES, breathe. Your Admissions Timeline...

13. Kennett High School Guidance Office Remember… youre now in the drivers seat. Take the wheel safely and confidently. Visit the KHS Website Guidance Section for more information. http://www.kennett.k12.nh.us/schools/kennett/index.htm