1. Welcome Class of 2016 to Post-High School Planning

2. Today’s Goals Inform students and parents about the post- secondary planning process Provide students with tools and support to develop a comprehensive plan based on their interests & needs

3. Self-Evaluation: What Do You Want? Self-Evaluation: What Do You Want? Technical Institute Military Employment 2 or 4 year College Gap Year Program ** Reflect on Do What You Are **

4. College Considerations Geographic Location Majors and Programs Enrollment (Size and Type) Cost Student Services (Career/Tutoring/Health/Security) Social Environment Financial Aid & Scholarships

5. Admission Requirements Profile of admitted students ◦ (both national & Fairfield profiles available on Naviance) Academic Opportunities: Honors Program Academic Support Services Double Majors Study Abroad Self-Evaluation: Finding a Good Match

6. Make Your Research Meaningful There is no one “best school”, it is about finding what school is best for you! Most competitive doesn’t always mean the best education Just because a school doesn’t have strong name recognition doesn’t mean they don’t have the strongest professors

7. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Generally colleges will be looking for a letter from your counselor, as well as 1-2 from your classroom teachers. At least one letter should be from an academic teacher – students typically have two. Pick teachers who know you the best. It is the student’s responsibility to track the status of teacher letters of recommendation through Family Connection. Make sure to write a thank you note to everyone who writes you a letter.

8. College Essay Sample Common Application Essay Questions ◦ Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. ◦ Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

9. Time to Plan… Junior Year Summer 2015 Senior Year

10. Second Semester of Junior Year Explore, Register and Visit Attend Junior Workshop Series ◦ College Search, Activity Sheet/Resume, College Essay Set individual appointments with counselor Choose challenging senior courses Register for SAT I, SAT Subject Tests, ACT and/or AP exams Visit the College & Career Center Athletes (Division I&II) register with NCAA Visit colleges during April vacation and weekends Attend local college fairs

11. Standardized Testing www.collegeboard.com www.act.org www.collegeboard.comwww.act.org www.collegeboard.comwww.act.org SAT Critical Reading Math Writing FWHS provides a free ”Test Preparation” feature for SAT in Family Connection for all students. Family Connection SAT Subject Tests: only required for highly selective colleges. ACT English Reading Science Math Writing (optional) Some colleges accept ACT scores in place of SAT & SAT Subject Tests. Free online test prep at www.actstudent.org.testprep Free materials for SAT, SAT Subject Tests and ACT are in the Career/College Center.

12. SUMMER SUMMER ◦ Work Experience ◦ Volunteer Experience ◦ Internships ◦ Update Resume in Family Connection ◦ Review Prospective Applications ◦ Begin Thinking About  College Essay (www.comonapp.org)  Teacher Recommendations ◦ Visit Colleges

13. Fall of Senior Year… Fall of Senior Year… Student appointment with counselor Register for SAT I, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT (Oct., Nov., Dec.) Visit with college representatives in the FWHS College & Career Center APPLY!!

14. College Admissions: Responsibilities & Components

15. Application ◦ Complete application online, including essay and fee. ◦ Check for supplements if using the Common Application. Keep Naviance accurate and current Complete Recommendation Questionnaire Meet with your counselor 3 weeks prior to 1 st application deadline Test Scores Send official SAT or ACT scores ( www.collegeboard.org/www.act.org ) Teacher Letter(s) of Recommendation Student Responsibilities

16. Parents’/Guardians’ & Students’ Roles Complete optional Parent Brag Sheet in Family Connection (use student’s account) Sign Transcript Release Form Attend Financial Aid Night Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) CSS Profile at www.collegeboard.com (if applicable)www.collegeboard.com National Scholarships (Family Connection; www.fastweb.com)www.fastweb.com Fairfield Foundation Scholarships

17. Transcripts ◦ Initial ◦ 1 st Marking Period (by request only) ◦ Mid-Year ◦ Final School Counselor Letter of Recommendation FWHS Profile Secondary School Report Counselor Responsibilities

18. Keep Accurate Records...

19. Post High School Planning Guide Available in Infinite Campus on the School Counseling Page

20. Fitts Pequot Townsend Fitts Pequot Townsend Nicole Colleran Jill CutterAli Chagnon Sara Drexel Jim PernaGina DiGiacomo Linda Love Gloria Piche Danielle Jurkiewicz FWHS Guidance Staff (203) 255-8365 (203) 255-8351(203) 255-8363 (203) 255-8365 (203) 255-8351(203) 255-8363

21. Q & A