1. SENIOR PARENT BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT SPHS GUIDANCE

2. OPTIONS Four year colleges Community College Vocational & Technical Schools

3. The Process Gathering Information Schedule a Meeting with Counselor Counselor can provide Senior with unofficial transcript for reference, including Seniors cumulative GPA & Class Rank Review SAT & ACTs scores Use Resources Career Cruising Collegeboard.com Cappex.com PLENTY of texts in Guidance and Info Center College and Career Fairs MCC College Fair: Tues. Oct 7 th 6 to 8pm Woodbridge High School College Fair: Weds, Oct 22 nd 9:30 am to 12:30 pm Students only sign-up in Guidance SPHS Spring College Fair: Date Pending College Admission Rep Visits Students can sign up in Guidance Attend Open House

4. The Process Generate a list of colleges and universities Important to consider Majors Acceptance Rates & Admissions Requirements Tuition & Costs Campus activities and sports Location Investigate the schools Attend Campus Tours, Visits and Open Houses Schools Website and Virtual Tours Reach out to Admissions Reps Compose a list of questions for Admissions

5. Applying Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines Early Action vs. Early Decision Regular Decision Rolling Admissions Completing the application Online via the individual college/university websites Check if your college accepts the Common Application Requesting Letters of Recommendation College Application Essays Transcript Release Forms Student and Parents Signature Required Contacting Collegeboard and/or ACT to send testing scores Additional Supplemental Items Student Resume SAT Subject Tests Honors Programs Applications Additional Essays

6. The Common App www.commonapp.org Approximately 500 colleges accept the Common App Check each colleges individual application requirements Some Colleges may have additional individualized supplements SPHS CEEB CODE: 311400 Seniors will need the teachers and counselor email address for recommendations Email addresses available @ www.spboe.org Each school will have their own individual application fee Save, Save, Save Any questions, send your Seniors to Guidance

7. Recommendations Most colleges and universities require two to three letters of recommendation Two letters from academic teachers, preferably from upperclassmen courses Seniors are asked to provide a resume to each recommender Additional letters of recommendation may come from coaches, advisors, community members, etc. Provide teacher with stamped addressed envelopes for each college that requires letters to be mailed Please remind your Seniors to thank the teachers for their time

8. Transcript Release Seniors are required to submit a SPHS Guidance Transcript Release form for each college they apply to ONE RELEASE for all colleges/universities accepting the Common App Transcript Release forms are due 15 days prior to deadline Seniors must complete the entire form including: Name Address School Name & Address PARENT SIGNATURE REQUIRED ON ALL FORMS

9. SAT & ACT Testing SAT Testing: Collegeboard.com ACT Testing: Actstudent.org Use the above websites to register you Senior for upcoming administration of the test, use practice tests, and send scores to colleges Things to know: SP CEEB Code: 311400 College Codes will also be needed when registering to send scores. Fee waivers are available for both SAT & ACT for Seniors eligible for Free & Reduced Lunch Programs Note: Free to Send Prior to Testing Date

11. Scholarships Starting in mid-October, Seniors can find local South Plainfield Scholarships www.spboe.org under SPHS Guidance Scholarships www.spboe.org The “Scholarship Bin” located in the SPHS Guidance Office The “Local” Scholarship Packet for multiple community organizations ran by SP Educational Foundation usually available Mid-March Senior Scholarship Award Night is invite only and usually end of May Students may find additional scholarships using websites such as: www.fastweb.com www.collegeboard.com www.cappex.com www.scholarships.com SCAM ALERT: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is…caution your Seniors from providing too much personal and financial information to ANY scholarship application prior to review

12. FINANCIAL AID Financial Aid applications are completed by Seniors and Parents by using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) To be completed online on after receiving 2014 tax information after January 1 st, 2015 for September 2015 enrollment Information Session will be held for Seniors and Parents at SPHS in December Educational Opportunity Fund “…provides financial assistance and support services (e.g. counseling, tutoring, developmental course work) to students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds who attend institutions of higher education in the State of New Jersey. Undergraduate grants range from $200 annually to $2,500 annually depending on the type of institution and financial need. These grants are renewable based upon continued eligibility.” NJSTARS NJ STARS is a scholarship program exclusively for New Jersey residents that covers the cost of tuition at New Jersey's 19 community colleges. Students who graduate in the top 15 percent of their high school class may be eligible. www.fafsa.ed.gov

13. NCAA Athletes Register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association @ www.ncaaclearinghouse.netwww.ncaaclearinghouse.net Credit Card needed Additional SPHS Guidance Transcript Release form required Seniors and parents should speak with their Coach and Counselor about schools, scholarship opportunities and selection process For more information on selection criteria www.ncaastudent.org/NCAA_Guide.pdf www.ncaastudent.org/NCAA_Guide.pdf

14. Middlesex County College www2.middlesexcc.edu Application Process Submit MCC application using the colleges website Pay online application fee or mail in SPHS On-site Admission will be scheduled Submit Transcript Release form to Guidance SAT & ACT not required for admissions but score will determine need for placement testing No recommendation letters or college essay required Rolling Admissions Other Community Colleges in State offer some alternative programs

15. Vocational Schools DeVry University Lincoln Technical School Middlesex County Vocational Schools Union County Vocational Schools Stenotech Career Institute AIMS Education Cosmetology Programs Sanford Brown ITT Technical Schools Connecticut School of Broadcasting

16. Rutgers Admissions Stats

17. Seton Hall Admission Stats

18. Cappex.com: Kean University Stats