Parish Hill Parish Hill High SchoolHigh School

Senior College NightSenior College Night

PARENTSPARENTS

What What excitesexcites you most you most about your about your son/daughter going to son/daughter going to college?college?

What are your worst What are your worst fears or worriesfears or worries about about your son/daughter your son/daughter going to college?going to college?

If you could let your If you could let your child know only one child know only one thing about your thing about your feelingsfeelings about him/her about him/her going to college it going to college it would be…would be…

STUDENTSSTUDENTS

What What excitesexcites you most about you most about going to college?going to college?

What are your worst What are your worst fears or fears or worriesworries about college life? about college life?

If you could let your If you could let your parent/guardian know only parent/guardian know only one one thingthing about your feelings about about your feelings about

college it would be …college it would be …

Senior CalendarSenior Calendar

SeptemberSeptember Check test dates for SAT I & SAT II exams and Check test dates for SAT I & SAT II exams and

registerregister Narrow college list down Narrow college list down request catalogs & applicationsrequest catalogs & applications make list of deadline dates for SATs, college make list of deadline dates for SATs, college

apps and financial aidapps and financial aid begin asking teachers for letters of begin asking teachers for letters of

recommendationrecommendation

Senior Calendar Senior Calendar ContinuedContinued

OctoberOctober Take SAT I examTake SAT I exam Come to PHHS Come to PHHS

Senior College NightSenior College Night Work on admissions Work on admissions

essaysessays Visit colleges/attend Visit colleges/attend

open housesopen houses Attend college fairAttend college fair

November November Take SAT I or II examTake SAT I or II exam Check on Financial Check on Financial

Aid/Scholarship Aid/Scholarship applicationsapplications

Begin preparation of Begin preparation of college applications college applications and check deadlinesand check deadlines

Senior Calendar Senior Calendar ContinuedContinued

DecemberDecember Come to PHHS Financial Come to PHHS Financial

Aid Night Aid Night Dec 17Dec 17thth - Pick up - Pick up

FAFSA Worksheet and FAFSA Worksheet and get PIN number (DO get PIN number (DO NOT SUBMIT BEFORE NOT SUBMIT BEFORE JANUARY 1)JANUARY 1)

Watch for Scholarship Watch for Scholarship BulletinsBulletins

JanuaryJanuary Rank final list of colleges Rank final list of colleges Finish applicationsFinish applications Submit FAFSA form Submit FAFSA form

ASAP ASAP Keep copies of FAFSA Keep copies of FAFSA

& tax returns& tax returns

Senior Calendar Senior Calendar ContinuedContinued FebruaryFebruary

Check to see if midyear Check to see if midyear grades have been sentgrades have been sent

MarchMarch Look for Student Aid Report Look for Student Aid Report

(SAR) containing federal financial aid (SAR) containing federal financial aid informationinformation

Submit tax forms to financial Submit tax forms to financial aid office if requestedaid office if requested

Senior Calendar Senior Calendar ContinuedContinued

AprilApril Look for college acceptance and Look for college acceptance and

financial aid award lettersfinancial aid award letters VISIT THE SCHOOL BEFORE YOU ACCEPTVISIT THE SCHOOL BEFORE YOU ACCEPT Make your final decision and send in deposit by deadline (May 1)Make your final decision and send in deposit by deadline (May 1)

Notify schools you will not be attendingNotify schools you will not be attending Watch for important deadlinesWatch for important deadlines

housing, financial aid, etc.housing, financial aid, etc.

May/JuneMay/June Finish High School Finish High School

FinalsFinals

Relax and enjoy the summer!Relax and enjoy the summer!

Factors to consider when Factors to consider when choosing a collegechoosing a college

Admission Requirements Admission Requirements Academics Academics Social Life Social Life PopulationPopulation College Setting College Setting Cost Cost Financial AidFinancial Aid

Types of Colleges to Types of Colleges to Apply to:Apply to:

Reach Reach A school that you may not get into based on SATs and A school that you may not get into based on SATs and

grades, but would go to if acceptedgrades, but would go to if accepted MatchMatch

A school that matches your academic profile and you will A school that matches your academic profile and you will “most likely” be accepted“most likely” be accepted

SafetySafety A school that you are “guaranteed” to be accepted to A school that you are “guaranteed” to be accepted to This may not be your first choice, but at least you will This may not be your first choice, but at least you will

have a college to go to in the Fallhave a college to go to in the Fall Financial SafetyFinancial Safety

A school that you can afford if you do not get financial aidA school that you can afford if you do not get financial aid

Early Decision/Early Early Decision/Early ActionAction

Early DecisionEarly Decision Have to commit to that school if you are Have to commit to that school if you are

acceptedaccepted

Early ActionEarly Action Will get early decision, but do not have to Will get early decision, but do not have to

commit to that school until May 1commit to that school until May 1stst

These options are good for students who These options are good for students who know for sure where they want to goknow for sure where they want to go

Extracurricular ActivitiesExtracurricular Activities

Colleges will look for involvement in sports, Colleges will look for involvement in sports, activities, volunteer work, community service activities, volunteer work, community service (in and out of school), church activities, etc.(in and out of school), church activities, etc.

Be a good person – people will be needed to Be a good person – people will be needed to write recommendations based on your write recommendations based on your personality – colleges want well-rounded, personality – colleges want well-rounded, responsible, studentsresponsible, students

Don’t spread yourself too thin – keep up your Don’t spread yourself too thin – keep up your grades and attendancegrades and attendance

SAT I TestSAT I Test Seniors take in the Fall/WinterSeniors take in the Fall/Winter Cost is $45.00 – payable to The College Cost is $45.00 – payable to The College

BoardBoard School Code is 070093School Code is 070093 Know your Social Security NumberKnow your Social Security Number Bring in Application & money – Guidance will Bring in Application & money – Guidance will

check and send out – mistakes are commoncheck and send out – mistakes are common 2008 Fall Dates – January 242008 Fall Dates – January 24

Deadline for registration –Dec 26Deadline for registration –Dec 26

SAT II ExamSAT II Exam

Check ASAP with colleges to see if Check ASAP with colleges to see if necessary and what tests are requirednecessary and what tests are required

Usually taken in Fall of senior yearUsually taken in Fall of senior year Individual achievement test usually Individual achievement test usually

relating to area of interestrelating to area of interest Usually three taken at one sitting – each Usually three taken at one sitting – each

about 1 hour in lengthabout 1 hour in length Preparation is mainly through high school Preparation is mainly through high school

classes, but additional prep available in classes, but additional prep available in booklets, books and on the webbooklets, books and on the web

College ApplicationsCollege Applications

Available at College Fairs, guidance, call, Available at College Fairs, guidance, call, email, writeemail, write

Many will be sent through SAT Test & Many will be sent through SAT Test & College Fair signupsCollege Fair signups

Many are available on the web can be printed Many are available on the web can be printed and sent and sent

Use Common Application if possible Use Common Application if possible www.commonapp.orgwww.commonapp.org

Type on computer if possible or print neatlyType on computer if possible or print neatly Don’t forget your Social Security NumberDon’t forget your Social Security Number PROOF READPROOF READ

Open Houses/Campus Open Houses/Campus VisitsVisits

Most colleges have Open House/Campus Most colleges have Open House/Campus Days in Sept – Nov – usually on weekendsDays in Sept – Nov – usually on weekends

Call before visiting – tours are availableCall before visiting – tours are available Ask questions Ask questions

talk to students (not your tour guide) talk to students (not your tour guide) “ “Why did you choose this school?” “What do you Why did you choose this school?” “What do you

like about it?”like about it?”

DO NOT ACCEPT TO A SCHOOL YOU DO NOT ACCEPT TO A SCHOOL YOU HAVE NOT VISITED!HAVE NOT VISITED!

College EssaysCollege Essays

One is usually written in senior English classesOne is usually written in senior English classes Be creative – this is not a resumeBe creative – this is not a resume Guidance has info available on writing essaysGuidance has info available on writing essays Brainstorm a topic, select a topic that is Brainstorm a topic, select a topic that is

interesting and personal, answer the question , interesting and personal, answer the question , be original, be yourselfbe original, be yourself

PROOF READ!PROOF READ!

RecommendationsRecommendations

Students should fill out recommendation Students should fill out recommendation questionnaires from guidance questionnaires from guidance

Make copies for counselor and teachersMake copies for counselor and teachers Ask at least two weeks before needing itAsk at least two weeks before needing it List on questionnaire – schools applying List on questionnaire – schools applying

to and date neededto and date needed Follow-up with teachers at deadline Follow-up with teachers at deadline

NCAA ClearinghouseNCAA Clearinghouse

Divisions 1 & 2 must register for NCAA Divisions 1 & 2 must register for NCAA Clearinghouse Clearinghouse

Division 3 does not need to register, but Division 3 does not need to register, but should talk to coachshould talk to coach

There are many rules/regulationsThere are many rules/regulations See Ms. Gallant with questions and to See Ms. Gallant with questions and to

register for Clearinghouseregister for Clearinghouse

MilitaryMilitary ROTCROTC

Available at many colleges – requires commitment after college – college Available at many colleges – requires commitment after college – college usually freeusually free

National GuardNational Guard Tuition reimbursement availableTuition reimbursement available

Regular militaryRegular military Must serve after high school graduation – tuition reimbursement available Must serve after high school graduation – tuition reimbursement available

during and after serviceduring and after service

Military AcademiesMilitary Academies Process starts early – Very competitive admissions – requires commitment Process starts early – Very competitive admissions – requires commitment

after graduation from academyafter graduation from academy

Remember that a recruiter’s job is to sign you up – Remember that a recruiter’s job is to sign you up – Investigate/Read carefully – This is your life Investigate/Read carefully – This is your life

Sending your applicationSending your application

You can send your application electronically You can send your application electronically (sometimes no application fee) but remember to (sometimes no application fee) but remember to send transcript, essay, recommendations, etc.send transcript, essay, recommendations, etc.

Use PHHS Application Checklist to send Use PHHS Application Checklist to send transcript and other materialtranscript and other material

It is best to send all material under one package It is best to send all material under one package – so nothing is lost– so nothing is lost

Give your counselors at least two weeks to send Give your counselors at least two weeks to send out your transcript and other material – at least out your transcript and other material – at least talk to them if you can’t so they know what your talk to them if you can’t so they know what your plan isplan is

SenioritisSenioritis

Watch out for senior slump – colleges do get Watch out for senior slump – colleges do get midterm grades and final grades – they have midterm grades and final grades – they have

the right to deny or rescind admissionthe right to deny or rescind admission

Also, keep in mind that 20 or more absences Also, keep in mind that 20 or more absences from a class can result in loss of credit for that from a class can result in loss of credit for that class. 3 absences less that 5 minutes equals class. 3 absences less that 5 minutes equals an absence. A tardy of more that 5 minutes is an absence. A tardy of more that 5 minutes is

considered an absence.considered an absence.

Financial Financial Aid/ScholarshipsAid/Scholarships

PHHS will have Financial Aid Night in December PHHS will have Financial Aid Night in December to help with FAFSA Form and informationto help with FAFSA Form and information

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the main form, which is sent to all Aid) is the main form, which is sent to all colleges and is primary source of financial aidcolleges and is primary source of financial aid

PROFILE – An additional financial aid form PROFILE – An additional financial aid form required by some colleges – Available in required by some colleges – Available in September of Senior Year – Need to pay for September of Senior Year – Need to pay for each college and must send for applications – each college and must send for applications – can file at can file at www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com

Financial Financial Aid/Scholarships Cont.Aid/Scholarships Cont.

Some colleges have their own financial aid Some colleges have their own financial aid formform

Scholarship Bulletins will be published and Scholarship Bulletins will be published and distributed to all seniors 4-5 times throughout distributed to all seniors 4-5 times throughout senior year – Also will be available on the senior year – Also will be available on the PHHS website at PHHS website at www.parishhill.orgwww.parishhill.org

Scholarship searches available through Scholarship searches available through CHOICES at PHHS and on the web.CHOICES at PHHS and on the web.

DO NOT PAY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP DO NOT PAY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHSEARCH

College Info and Application College Info and Application WebsitesWebsites

www.petersons.comwww.petersons.com www.princetonreview.comwww.princetonreview.com www.allaboutcollege.comwww.allaboutcollege.com www.campustours.comwww.campustours.com www.commonapp.org – www.commonapp.org –

Common ApplicationCommon Application www.usnews.com/usnews/eduwww.usnews.com/usnews/edu www.ctmentor.org – for CT www.ctmentor.org – for CT

Colleges & UniversitiesColleges & Universities www.massmentor.edu – for MA www.massmentor.edu – for MA

Colleges & UniversitiesColleges & Universities www.wiredscholar.comwww.wiredscholar.com www.xap.com www.xap.com

•www.bestschoolusa.comwww.bestschoolusa.com•www.campustours.comwww.campustours.com•www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com•www.collegenet.comwww.collegenet.com•www.collegelink.comwww.collegelink.com

•www.collegeprofiles.cowww.collegeprofiles.comm•www.embark.comwww.embark.com•www.collegeview.comwww.collegeview.com•www.collegexpress.comwww.collegexpress.com

Financial Aid WebsitesFinancial Aid Websites

www.cslf.com www.cslf.com www.petersons.com www.petersons.com www.salliemae.comwww.salliemae.com www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com www.collegeview.comwww.collegeview.com www.finaid.orgwww.finaid.org www.freschinfo.comwww.freschinfo.com www.ed.gov/finaid.htmlwww.ed.gov/finaid.html www.fastweb.comwww.fastweb.com