Madison High School Junior Parent Night

1. MADISON HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR PARENT NIGHT Madison High School Junior Parent Night February 5, 2009

2. Tonight's Program(Powerpoint available on-line) • Brett Levine, Director of Guidance (Introduction, Guidance Overview,) • Sarah Mazak, Counselor (College Planning Timeline) • Joseph Giugliano , Counselor (Application Process Nuts and Bolts) • Lauren D’Zio, Intern (Family Connections) • Brett Levine, Director (Role of counselor, Role of Student, Closing)

3. Opening thoughts • Tonight’s program, general info. Specific information on specialized evenings • Open door policy • Importance of the Junior Conference • Post secondary options are varied. • Counselors remain active. • Summer planning • Find the match.

4. Where the Class of 2008 Matriculated • CCM (28) • Rutgers (11) • University of Delaware (4) • Montclair State (4) • RPI, TCNJ, U of Illinois, Susquehanna (3) Also: Harvey Mudd, Cornell, Columbia, NYU, Navy, Bucknell, UVA, Johns Hopkins, Marines, and James Madison

5. Where the class of 2009 is applying • UVM, Hofstra, Quinnipiac (13) • U Maryland, URI, U of Scranton (14) • U Mass, CNJ, (16) • Towson (18) • Penn State, Lehigh (19) • U Delaware, Monmouth (21) • Rutgers-NB (27)

6. Scheduling/Testing news • Schedules will be distributed in June • Override/ Reverse Override Procedures • Counselors available over the summer • Importance of “5” • Vo-Tech (Computer drafting/graphics; plumbing; carpentry) • New Courses • Senior Privilege • New Score Choice options • HSPA (NO PHONES)

7. Upcoming (Guidance) Events • Halfway Night (February 9) • Understanding FC (March 17) • College info night for students w/ disabilities. (March 31) • Admissions Panel (April 16) • NACAC College Fair. (April 29, April 30) • Summer letter (August) • Senior Parent night (Mid-September) • Events next year (Athletic, F. Aid, CCM Fair)

8. How to find/research colleges: • What are the important factors (price, size, location, academic programs, culture of the school, other factors – athletics) • Ideas discussed at Junior Conference • College database search on Family Connection or other database. • College visits at MHS • College fairs • College regional receptions.

9. Campus Visits • Make arrangements (call or on-line) • Open houses – one stop shopping • Making the most of college visits (tour guide, eat in cafeteria, go “off track”) • Combine schools

10. Resources for the College Process • Books – Princeton Review, Ruggs, • Catalogues • Bulletin Board outside of the Guidance Office for College Rep. Visits • Internet • Family Connections

11. Spring Junior Year Meet with counselor Register and take standardized exams (SAT’s, ACT’s, SAT Subject exams) Decide on Prep-Course? Research Colleges Family Connections One Stop Shop Visit Colleges- Geographical Clusters Attend college fairs (NACAC) Ask for teacher recommendations Complete the year strong. Focus on grades NCAA Eligibility Center Summer before Senior year. Continue to visit colleges Summer plans. Write drafts of college essays Narrow down college choices. What’s the timeline?

12. Fall Visit campuses Rewrite, proof, and refine college essays. (Re)Take SAT’s/ ACT’s Apply Meet with your counselors Meet with college representatives in the guidance center, and/or locally. Attend senior parent night. Winter/Spring Attend Financial aid night at MHS Scholarships notices. Fill out appropriate financial aid forms. Decide and deposit before May 1. Senior Year

13. WHAT THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING… • Sending in the application (on-line or paper). • Don’t change e-mail address in the middle of the year. • Colleges prefer on-line filing: Saves time & money, faster responses. • Common application or Universal app • Sending in the application fee. • Often waived if applying on-line. • Fee waivers available to those who qualify. • Sending in the essay (should be reviewed by an English teacher). • Sending in any supplemental application materials. (i.e. portfolio, graded paper, supplement to the common application) • Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT)

14. What Madison High School Sends.. • Transcript w/ GPA, senior yr schedule, class rank (optional). Any change in schedule, an updated transcript will be sent. • High School profile • Secondary school report form/ counselor recommendation. • Mid year and final transcripts. (1st MP report card optional) • Teacher recommendations (1-2), if available.

15. What We Need From the Student in Order to Send Our Materials • Record release form • Transcript request form • Secondary School report form • Envelopes

16. Please Keep In Mind… • Student is responsible for sending SAT/ACT scores. Not sent by HS. • OK for colleges to receive things in stages. • 10 Day Rule • Overlap between letters and data entry. • HS sends out return receipt post cards. • Check FC for status • Responsible for registering for selective service • Responsible for registering for NCAA eligibility center.

17. Family Connections Presentation

18. The Counselor’s Role • Assist Students and families as they make college choices • Encourage students to make good, informed choices. • Communicate college admissions trends and developments • Provide emotional and practical support during the college search • Advocate for students when appropriate • Write each student’s counselor letter of recommendation (confidential) • Fill out secondary school report form, and mail in academic records. • Support and encourage students’ educational goals and development regardless of college plans and choices

19. What Should Your Expectations be of Us? • An individual Junior Conference meeting • An open invitation for your child to stop by with questions/concerns • Open Communication – we will usually call back within 24 hours • Assistance throughout the process • Various Programming

20. What are our Expectations of You? • That you will have a dialogue with your child about college. • Junior Biography • That you will assist your child throughout the process (Keep ‘em on track) • That you will be in contact with us about issues of concern to your family.

21. Thank you for coming to Madison High School’s Junior Parent Night