Class of 2009 Senior Pathways Night

1. Class of 2009Senior Pathways Night HK Guidance presents The College Application Process

2. H-K HS Guidance Department Maryann Grimaldi, Department Head & School Counselor Peter Ettlinger, School Counselor Larry Leone, School Counselor Kaitlin Sullivan-Freimuth, School Counselor Christine Smith, Secretary Elaine Vivero, Secretary

3. Senior Packet Contents • Info & procedures for submitting college applications • Timeline for applications • Release & request for counselor recommendation • Candidate biography form • Sample resume • Explanation of the process for teacher recommendation & Release for teacher recommendation (1) • SAT & ACT test dates with registration deadlines • Transcript release form • Scholarship information • NCAA Clearinghouse information

4. Important Terms To Remember • Early Action- non-binding, receive early response without commitment • Early Decision- binding agreement, full commitment on the part of the student to attend specific college/university • Reach Schools- Colleges a student would like to attend and their chances of admission are extremely competitive. School is very competetive for this student. • Range Schools- Colleges a student would like to attend and they have a 50/50 chance of being accepted. • Safety Schools- Colleges a student would like to attend and their chance of being accepted are likely.

5. WHEN SEPTEMBER SEPT/OCT 1 Month Prior to Mailing 2 Weeks Prior to Mailing WHAT YOU NEED TO DO NCAA- Div I & II- Register online @ https:www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/ncaa/NCAA/student/index.html and follow directions & inform your counselor REQUEST TEACHER RECOMMENDATION- give your teacher at least 3 weeks notice prior to the date you plan to mail your applications. COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATION- Complete candidate biography form and/or resume and return to your counselor with your waiver signed by student and parent (if under 18) TRANSCRIPT RELEASE FORM- complete and return to your counselor- $2/school Cash or Check payable to HKHS Timeline ♦ Colleges have different deadlines- you must follow each college’s deadline’s exactly as they dictate. ♦ SAT I & II scores- check with your college if they will accept scores off the transcript or if you need to send them from College Board. ♦ Application & fees vary per school.

6. School Reports/ Records Q: What is sent from the school? A: ♦ Official High School Transcript (1st page consisting of all courses and grades, 2nd page listing all school related clubs, organizations, and sports, and a check list to see the student has met all graduation requirements) ♦ SAT/ACT test scores (provided your student indicated our school code upon registration and we have a sticker from the College Board and ACT.) ♦ Teacher Letter of Recommendation (1) ♦ Counselor Letter of Recommendation (1) ♦ Secondary School Report (including student’s senior schedule, class rank, and QPA) ♦ School Profile Q: How will we know if the college/university has received our materials? A: When all materials are sent out, we send a postcard with each application packet that is then signed by an admissions officer upon receipt and returned to us.

10. Testing • SAT I – Reasoning- Critical Reading, Math & Writing/Essay • SAT II- One Hour Subject Specific Tests- more selective colleges, check with each individual school, check on “recommended” vs. “required” • ACT- English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning, optional writing component. Some schools may take ACT in place of SAT II subject tests.

11. Testing Registration • REMEMBER our school code is 070324 • Pay attention to deadlines & register on time!! • Online Registration • SAT- www.collegeboard.com • ACT- www.act.org • Paper Registration • Telephone Registration • SAT- 1-800-728-7267 • ACT- 1-800-525-6926

12. DATES & DEADLINES • Upcoming SATs- • November 1st, 2008 • REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 26th • LATE REGISTRATION: October 10th • December 6th , 2008 • REGISTRATION DEADLINE: November 5th • LATE REGISTRATION: November 18th • Upcoming ACTs- • October 25th, 2008 • REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 19th • LATE REGISTRATION: September 20th – October 3rd • December 13th, 2008 • REGISTRATION DEADLINE: November 7th • LATE REGISTRATION: November 8th- 20th

13. Test Prep Options • Books- sample tests, strategies, questions • Online SAT prep • Group Prep- i.e. Ivy Bound, College Planning Partnerships, Kaplan, Princeton • Individual Tutoring focuses on students deficits.

14. Financial Aid • CSS/ Financial Aid Profile- check and see if your schools require this. • FAFSA- MUST be completed by all applicants for federal student aid every year. • After January 1st with the previous year’s tax information • Types of Aid • Grants • Loans • Scholarships • Loans • Work Study • Loans • Financial Aid Formula : • Cost of Attendance • Expected Family Contribution • Pell Grant • Aid from other sources • $$ Your Financial Aid Package REMINDER!!! FINANCIAL AID NIGHT December 3rd at 7 PM Presented by the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation (SNOW DATE: DECEMBER 4th)

15. Helpful Resources • Available in our offices: college books, Discover & Naviance • College Rep Visits – DON’T FORGET TO CHECK THE SCHEDULE (available on line and in homerooms) • HK Guidance link off of the rsd17.org web site • Career Center – college visits, coach visits, interviews, etc. • College Fairs – check the website for upcoming local fairs FYI- Guilford College Fair is tomorrow • Websites: • SAT Registration, College Quick Search, CSS /Financial Aid Profile (www.collegeboard.com) • ACT Registration- (www.act.org) • FAFSA (www.fafsa.edu.gov) • Connecticut Student Loan Foundation (www.cslf.com) • NCAA Clearinghouse (https://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net)

16. Keep In Touch- Communicate with your Counselor • Please don’t hesitate to have your senior stop by to ask any questions and feel free to drop us an email anytime. • Maryann Grimaldi- grimaldim33@rsd17.org • Larry Leone- leone55@rsd17.org • Peter Ettlinger- ettlingerp33@rsd17.org • Kaitlin Sullivan-Freimuth- sullivank33@rsd17.org