Welcome toWelcome toJunior NightJunior Night

Simsbury High SchoolSimsbury High School

Class of 2013Class of 2013

Tonight’s TopicsTonight’s Topics

Getting StartedGetting Started Post H.S. OptionsPost H.S. Options Selecting a CollegeSelecting a College Gaining Admission to CollegeGaining Admission to College Post H.S./College TrendsPost H.S./College Trends Guidance WebsiteGuidance Website Dates to RememberDates to Remember Next StepsNext Steps Tips for StudentsTips for Students Tips for ParentsTips for Parents

Getting StartedGetting Started

Develop list of optionsDevelop list of options Gather informationGather information Visit schools, gap year fairs, work options Visit schools, gap year fairs, work options View applications onlineView applications online Read college essay questions, Read college essay questions,

brainstorm/begin answersbrainstorm/begin answers Request recommendationsRequest recommendations

Post H.S. OptionsPost H.S. Options

Four–Year CollegeFour–Year College• Bachelors Degree +Bachelors Degree +• Public and PrivatePublic and Private• Selective AdmissionsSelective Admissions• $15,000 – 50,000+$15,000 – 50,000+

Two-Year CollegeTwo-Year College• Associates DegreeAssociates Degree• Open AdmissionsOpen Admissions• $4000$4000• Credit TransferableCredit Transferable

Gap-Year Gap-Year • Study AbroadStudy Abroad• Community ServiceCommunity Service• Work ExperienceWork Experience

MilitaryMilitary• Army/Navy/Air Army/Navy/Air

Force/MarinesForce/Marines• ASVAB Jan. 24thASVAB Jan. 24th• ROTC ProgramsROTC Programs

School to CareerSchool to Career

Selecting a CollegeSelecting a College

Questions to AskQuestions to Ask Am I ready?Am I ready? Is this the best option for Is this the best option for

me?me? What elements comprise What elements comprise

the best fit for me?the best fit for me?

MajorMajor LocationLocation Type of schoolType of school SizeSize CostCost Student BodyStudent Body Social and culturalSocial and cultural % students on campus% students on campus

Gaining Admission toGaining Admission to CollegeCollege

High school recordHigh school record Strength of Course Strength of Course

SelectionsSelections SAT or ACTSAT or ACT ActivitiesActivities RecommendationsRecommendations

EssayEssay Interest LevelInterest Level Special TalentsSpecial Talents InterviewInterview LegaciesLegacies

Post H.S./College TrendsPost H.S./College Trends

Increased competitionIncreased competition Gap Year OptionsGap Year Options Military/Career choicesMilitary/Career choices Early Action increasingEarly Action increasing Emphasis on “likely” schoolsEmphasis on “likely” schools Need may be consideredNeed may be considered Economy factoring inEconomy factoring in Interest level consideredInterest level considered ACT interest increasingACT interest increasing Applying to more schoolsApplying to more schools Electronic submissionsElectronic submissions

Guidance WebsiteGuidance WebsiteNavianceNaviance

www.simsbury.k12.ct.uswww.simsbury.k12.ct.us

https://connection.naviance.com/simsburyhttps://connection.naviance.com/simsbury

Ithaca CollegeIthaca College

Dates to RememberDates to Remember

Jan 24 - ASVAB SHS Jan 24 - ASVAB SHS Feb 8 – GAP Year Fair Feb 8 – GAP Year Fair

Bristow M.S., HartfordBristow M.S., Hartford Mar 10 - SATMar 10 - SAT Mar 21 - Athletes in Mar 21 - Athletes in

College AdmissionCollege Admission Apr 2 - College Fair Apr 2 - College Fair

@Hartford Ins. Co.@Hartford Ins. Co. Apr 14 - ACTApr 14 - ACT May 7th – 18th AP May 7th – 18th AP

TestingTesting May 23 - Mock May 23 - Mock

AdmissionsAdmissions June 2 - SATJune 2 - SAT

Next StepsNext Steps

Individual Planning Meetings Jan-FebIndividual Planning Meetings Jan-Feb Parents invited to attend 1Parents invited to attend 1stst meeting meeting Meeting date/time sent home to parent Meeting date/time sent home to parent

email address from Guidance – please email address from Guidance – please inform your childinform your child

11stst Meeting date/time unable to be re – Meeting date/time unable to be re – scheduled; can occur with student onlyscheduled; can occur with student only

Email notification to begin week of Jan 17Email notification to begin week of Jan 17 Please complete and return linked Please complete and return linked

questionnaire prior to first meetingquestionnaire prior to first meeting Individual planning ongoing throughout Individual planning ongoing throughout

spring semester - SAT registration spring semester - SAT registration process, resume building, essays, etc.process, resume building, essays, etc.

Tips for StudentsTips for Students

Self-reflect; know yourselfSelf-reflect; know yourself What do you value?What do you value? Future Goals/InterestsFuture Goals/Interests Academic StrengthsAcademic Strengths Personal Achievements/Standout TalentsPersonal Achievements/Standout Talents Keep an open mindKeep an open mind Explore all of your options Explore all of your options Don’t procrastinateDon’t procrastinate Keep your parents in the loop; communicate!Keep your parents in the loop; communicate! Take ownership of the processTake ownership of the process Visit your counselor oftenVisit your counselor often Relax, have fun; everything will work outRelax, have fun; everything will work out

Tips for ParentsTips for Parents

Understand that it’s aUnderstand that it’s a Process Process Be realistic and non-judgmentalBe realistic and non-judgmental Don’t compare your child with classmatesDon’t compare your child with classmates Encourage students to do the work – be in Encourage students to do the work – be in

the ‘back seat’ and not the ‘driver’the ‘back seat’ and not the ‘driver’ Be open to dialogue and responsive to ?’sBe open to dialogue and responsive to ?’s Help students keep deadlinesHelp students keep deadlines Help students initiate contact with Help students initiate contact with

colleges, gap yr programs, military colleges, gap yr programs, military offices, and career opportunitiesoffices, and career opportunities

Stay calm, breathe often, and smile!Stay calm, breathe often, and smile! Enjoy the journey togetherEnjoy the journey together