1. College Information Night Presented by Palisades Guidance Department

2. Self-Assessment • Interests - Naviance • Abilities/Aptitude • Test Scores • Career Goals • Grades • Affordability

3. Academics: major, minor Type of school? 4YR, 2YR,COED, Technical Location/Area: Mid-Atlantic, Far west, etc. Public or Private? Athletics/Activities Size: 1-3,000, 3-6,000, 6-10,000 or 10,000+ Type of campus- large city, small town, etc. Special Programs? Study Abroad, accelerated, honors, internships Facilities College Search/Career Search: What are you looking for?

4. College/Career Search Naviance Program • Search occupations, college majors, schools and training institutions, scholarships and military options. • Explore personal interests & career options Internet • Collegeboard.org • Naviance • College websites On-Campus College Visits • Open houses • Schedule a visit College Visits to Palisades • Over 40 colleges will visit Palisades High School during the fall of your senior year Guidebooks • College Guidebooks are available in the library

5. What kind of students do colleges want? • Strength of program, high school course selection • High school performance • Scores on standardized tests • Demonstrated excellence in extracurricular activities • Essay • Recommendations • Personal accomplishments and attributes • Interview (If required)

6. Methods of Applying to College • Common Application www.commonapp.org serves more than 450 institutions • To have transcripts sent electronically, student must submit application electronically • Apply online- college internet site • Paper application- this is the least common method • Be careful of “snap apps”, VIP apps

7. How to submit applications: • Student completes application with any fees • Student must complete Permission - Transcript Release prior to requesting transcripts.    • Student must request transcripts through their Naviance account AFTER completing their online applications.  NO TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE SENT UNLESS COMPLETED APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN SENT TO DESIRED COLLEGES. Naviance can be accessed via: http://connection.naviance.com/palisades • NCAA Clearinghouse: students planning to participate in college athletics need to file an NCAA Clearinghouse form online.

8. Tips for parents • Help your student understand the college search process – remember it is their application, not the parents • Be realistic and non-judgmental • Be in the "back seat" - and not the driver - of the college search process • Be open to dialogue and responsive to questions • Be supportive of deadlines and fees due • Know that things have changed since your college days • Don’t overemphasize your own alma maters • Don’t compare your student with others • Don’t dwell on disappointments, like a rejection letter • Celebrate successes!

9. Letters of Recommendation Not required by all schools, however, all common application schools require at least one, most require two. Teacher- student gives the teacher any recommendation forms provided or a formal letter requesting a letter along with a stamped envelope addressed to the college. Counselor:-Complete Senior Brag Sheet and review/revise your resume on Naviance Account ALL REQUESTS MUST BE MADE AT LEAST 10 SCHOOLS DAYS BEFORE DEADLINE.

10. Things to do-Fall • Attend open houses and visitations • Take the appropriate admissions test (SAT I, SAT II, and/or ACT). For seniors, the last test date accepted is usually the October administration. • Meet with your counselor for senior interview. • Be aware of early decision/early action deadlines. • Send requests to teachers for letters of recommendation, include an addressed, stamped envelope • Complete your applications by Thanksgiving

11. Things to do- Winter/Spring Financial Aid • CSS Profile- (If required) can complete after October 2012. This is through collegeboard.org • FAFSA- can complete after Jan. 1st student aid (Grants/loans). • Scholarships – Fastweb, other links through our website

12. Electronic through Naviance Mail Must have a release on file Transcript Request

13. Login Screen http://www.commonapp.org

14. Important Dates • ASVAB – 10/24, deadline 10/1. Register through guidance • SAT • 10/6, deadline 9/7 – LATE deadline 9/21 • 11/3, deadline 10/4 • ACT • 10/27, deadline 9/21 • 12/8, deadline 11/2 • Individual counselor meetings will start after 9/17 • Financial Aid Night to be announced

15. Questions