COLLEGE PLANNING for the

CLASS OF 2015

BGHS

Tonight’s Agenda

AV Room• Roles of the Student, Parent, and Counselor in the process• College Handbook• Family Connection

AV Room and Room 117• Getting Started• Students Need To …• Testing• Getting There• What Colleges Look For • Application Process • Questions

Tonight’s Agenda

1-6-2014

• Students - this is their process • Parent – this is the student’s process • Counselor – support, encouragement,

guidance for the student and family

Roles In The Process

1-6-2014

• Facts about the Admission Process

• General information

• Timeline

• Financial Aid and Scholarships

Found on the BG Website under the Academics tab - then clickon Counseling and Guidance.

College Handbook

1-6-2014

• This is the “family” section of the Naviance program, and can only be accessed through the student’s account

• Located on the BG website

• Online college admission search, application portfolio, and the new electronic “Red Book”

• The main source of communication with students about College Admissions

Family Connection

1-6-2013

Family Connection and the BG Website

http://www.bghs.org/

1-6-2014

2-7-2011

Mr. Pare and Ms. Doucette’s parents toRoom 117

Mr. Militello and Mrs. Poznanski’s parentsstay in the AV Room

Break

Be prepared:

• This is an emotional roller coaster

• Top 10 things from Middlebury

Getting Started

1-6-2014

1-6-2014

Visit with the counselor: • Develop a list of schools –

Reach, Target, Safety

• Discuss the college process, recommendation

letters, where you are as a family in the process

Getting Started

Student: Start Asking Questions

Questions such as:• What would be a good school for me (the best fit)?

• Is there a “perfect” college?

• What do I want to study?

• Where do I want to live for the next four years?

-geography

-facilities

-social setting

1-6-2014

Students Need To…

Register for Testing • Spring and Fall

• May/June - be careful of potential conflicts

Get familiar with, and use Family Connection• Start building a list of schools

Meet with CounselorLook over Timeline in College HandbookPlan College Visits

1-6-2014

1-6-2014

About Testing

College Board www.collegeboard.orgSAT-Critical Reasoning-Subject Tests

Advanced PlacementPSAT

American College Testing www.act.orgACTPLAN

Critical Reasoning and Subject Tests dates that remain in 2014 are:January 25th

March 8th

May 3rd June 7st

Registration deadlines are: December 27th (late registration January 10th) February 7th April 4th May 9th www.sat.collegeboard.org/registerBeware of scheduling conflicts with Spring sporting events!!!!!

1-6-2014

SAT Testing

1-6-2014

ACT Testing

ACT Tests dates that remain in 2014 are:February 8th

April 12th June 14th

Registration deadlines are: January 10th March 7th May 9th www.actstudent.org/start

Be sure to take the ACT test with writing

Beware of scheduling conflicts with Spring sporting events!!!!!

Testing FAQ’s

• Where are the tests held?• Once I register for the tests what happens?• What do I need to bring?• How long are the tests?• What are the tests like?• How do colleges review testing?• How is it used in the admission process?• What is “Score Choice”?• Is it better to send or not send scores to colleges?• Does it matter if I take the SAT or the ACT?• What is “Test Optional” ? www.fairtest.org

1-6-2014

Testing

Subject Tests • Sponsored by the College Board• Few colleges require them• Offered a bit less frequently than the SAT and cannot be

taken on the same day as a Critical Reasoning test.• Can be taken in may subjects but colleges typically want

certain tests

1-6-2014

Subject Tests

Advanced Placement Testing• How is it used in the college process• What do colleges require for credit• Building a curriculum with AP courses is the

most important aspect of the AP program

1-6-2014

AP Testing

Helpful Websites:www.collegeboard.orgwww.act.orgwww.sat.collegeboard.org/registerwww.actstudentyt.org/startwww.SATSubjectTests.orghttp://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.jspwww.fairtest.org

1-6-2014

Testing Websites

Getting There

• Use Family Connection• Start with a BIG list then narrow down to MANAGEABLE• VISIT colleges – many and often• Be mindful of schedule of senior classes and activities• Pay close attention to College Admission Deadlines• LOR’s from Teachers and Counselor• Consider alternatives to 4 years of college

1-6-2014

Getting There…

Spring 2014 ActivitiesDestination College April 5Southern NH University(registration through www.NHHEAF.org )

College Fairs Springfield National College Fair March 30

Providence National College Fair April 26Boston National College Fair May 1

Pinkerton Academy Fair April 10Merrimack College NEACAC Fair May 28Assumption College NEACAC Fair May 29

1-6-2014

Spring 2014 Activities

BG Alumni Career Program March 28Parent Coffee April 9

Summer Programs – enrichment, college programs

Summer of Senior year – work, volunteer, enrichment

Senior College Seminar August 21

Senior Visit Days - 5 throughout the year

Getting There…

1-6-2014

What Are Colleges Looking For?

6 components of evaluating an applicant:1. Grade Point Average

2. Quality of coursework

3. Test Scores

4. Recommendations

5. Extracurricular involvement

6. Essay

1-6-2014

BG Application Process

• 3 week deadline• Transcript Request Sheet• Unofficial Transcript• CEEB Code = 300418• Rank• Types of Applications

Common Application

College’s own application

VIP, Priority, Special, etc…1-6-2014

• NCAA Clearinghouse • Military Academies• Financial Aid• Scholarships• Senior College Day• Coaches

1-6-2014

General Information

Questions????

1-6-2014