1. College Application Workshop For Parents of Seniors Presented by: The MERHS. Guidance Department Fall 2013 Presented by: The MERHS. Guidance Department Fall 2013

2. Developing a Realistic List of Colleges Family Connection. Refer to scattergrams and past acceptance history in Naviance to develop an appropriate list of colleges. Research colleges using actual historical data from MERHS. Create a list which includes “safety”, “target”, and “reach” schools. The college process has become increasingly unpredictable. Choose safety schools with the same care used in selecting reach and target schools.

3. Developing a Realistic List of Colleges Attend college fairs: October 10, 6:30- 8:30 pm at Peabody Veterans Memorial HS Students can meet with college admissions representatives at MERHS in Guidance. Attend college fairs: October 10, 6:30- 8:30 pm at Peabody Veterans Memorial HS Students can meet with college admissions representatives at MERHS in Guidance.

4. Making Contact with Colleges Visits, tours, admissions sessions. Walk around campus on your own. Students should make the contact with admissions representatives. College visits to MERHS are listed in Naviance & read over announcements. If interviews are encouraged, students should interview, if possible.

5. The Application Process at MERHS Counselor recommendation form Parent Brag Sheet Transcript Release Form filled out and due immediately.

6. Deadlines count! Be sure to check the MERHS “Deadlines for College Applications” Sheet to insure that materials will reach colleges on time. Stress: Planning can make you and your son/daughter less anxious.

7. Deadlines for 2013-2014 College Deadline Transcript Request to Guidance October 15, 2013October 1, 2013 November 1, 2013October 18, 2013 November 15, 2013November 1, 2013 December 1, 2013November 17, 2013 December 15, 2013November 30, 2013 January 1, 2014December 7, 2013 January 15, 2014December 21, 2013 February 1, 2014January 11, 2014 February 15, 2014January 25, 2014 March 1, 2014February 8, 2014 Please note transcript requests submitted after the deadline may not reach the college by their designated deadline.

8. Transcript Request Forms  Students are responsible for sending applications electronically or mailing in a hard copy.  Guidance submits transcripts, teacher recommendations, counselor recommendations, a secondary school report, and the school profile directly to colleges. This process is initiated when you submit a Transcript Request on Naviance.

9. Requesting Transcripts To request transcripts:  Log on Naviance at https://connection.naviance.com/merhs https://connection.naviance.com/merhs  Click on the College Tab.  Click on Colleges I’m Applying To  Click on Request Transcript.  Indicate application type (regular decision, early action, early decision, rolling, etc.)  Look up college name.  Scroll to bottom of page and click on Request Transcript.

10. Requesting Transcripts  We cannot send any additional outside recommendations with transcripts. You must have these sent by the person who is writing for the student.  Colleges prefer electronic submissions. If student is not submitting application electronically, please notify your guidance counselor.

11. How to Apply to Colleges Read each college’s instructions and procedures very carefully. They are all different! Create a folder for each college, listing their requirements and deadlines on the front. 300+ colleges accept the Common Application. Be sure to check to see if a supplement is required. Go to www.commonapp.org for access to the application. www.commonapp.org Keep track of user names and passwords!

12. Admissions Testing: Sending SAT Scores If colleges ask for “Official Scores”, then scores must be sent directly from the College Board or ACT to the college’s admissions office. Score Choice Students go to collegeboard.org or act.org to send scores to colleges, if they did not do so when registering for the SAT/ACT.collegeboard.

13. Finally… MERHS sends the transcript, teacher recommendations and counselor recommendation. Student sends the application, application fee and SAT/ACT scores. If you have ANY questions concerning a college’s procedures, we can help you to clarify.

14. Financial Aid

15. Apply for a PIN Now! The PIN (Personal Identification Number) is needed by student and parent to file the FAFSA online. To get a PIN now, go to: www.fafsa.ed.govwww.fafsa.ed.gov. The US Dept. of Education encourages online submission of FAFSA. The PIN (Personal Identification Number) is needed by student and parent to file the FAFSA online. To get a PIN now, go to: www.fafsa.ed.govwww.fafsa.ed.gov. The US Dept. of Education encourages online submission of FAFSA.

16. Financial Aid Forms / FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Assistance. This is the form required to determine eligibility for ANY type of financial aid. The FAFSA may not be submitted until after Jan. 1, 2014. / FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Assistance. This is the form required to determine eligibility for ANY type of financial aid. The FAFSA may not be submitted until after Jan. 1, 2014.

17. Parks & Recreation Financial Aid Night Thursday, October 3, 2013 7:00 P.M. Auditorium Please contact Parks & Recreation to register for this event.

18. Questions? The MERHS school counseling mission is to assist all students in achieving academic, social, emotional, and career success. All students will have the skills necessary to successfully participate as productive citizens in an ever- changing multicultural world.