Good Morning Seniors Class Of 2014

1. Good Morning Seniors Class Of2014

2. What You Can Get Started On Now • Make an appointment with your counselor to have a preliminary chat to discuss your future plans. • Follow up with the teachers that you requested letters of recommendation from and give them specific dates/deadlines. • Update your resume on Naviance. • Compose rough/final drafts of your college essays. • Check to see if schools require or recommend interviews, musical/dance audition or art portfolio. • Begin to complete online applications. Create an account on www.commonapp.org if colleges you are applying to accept the Common Application.

3. Admissions EARLY DECISION You are committed to going to that school if you are offered acceptance. EARLY ACTION You are not committed to that school if you are offered acceptance. ROLLING ADMISSIONS Your application will be reviewed when it is received and complete. (Housing may not be guaranteed and is on first come first serve basis.)

4. What To Expect When Meeting With Your Counselor: Preliminary Chat • Where are you in the process? • Your counselor will help you to create your own general time frame for what you need to accomplish. 2. List of schools you are considering (balance of reach, target and safety.) 3. Plans for standardized testing. 4. Review of graduation requirements and Performance Standards.

5. What To Expect When Meeting With Your Counselor:Senior Interview • Review of transcript. • Application process questions. • Resume review for counselor recommendation if needed. • Set your individual time frame for completing college applications IMPORTANT: Senior Interview should be completed by October 1st if applying Early Decision or Early Action.

6. Reminders for Completing College Applications • Most applications are completed online with essay included. • Fill out all sections carefully. • Check to see if the application has any supplements, especially if you are using the Common Application. • Make an appointment with your counselor to process applications 2-3 weeks before application deadline. • YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MEETING ALL DEADLINES!!

7. Processing Your Applications • You are responsible for meeting all application deadlines. Final GHS deadline: December 1st for all college applications. 2. When you are ready to submit your applications, please make an appointment with your counselor to process your applications. 3. Before a counselor can process your application materials a “GHS Senior Records Release Form” must be completed. IMPORTANT: The School Counseling Department needs at least TWO weeks prior to your deadline to process your application.

8. Admission CriteriaWhat do colleges look at? • Transcript (courses, final grades and credits) • No matter what your post-secondary plans are, this document is critical!!! • Cumulative GPA (9th-11th grade) • Senior grades (1st quarter and/or midyear) • Testing Information- SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Test, ACT • Essay • Recommendation letters • Activities (NAVIANCE Resume) • Demonstrated Interest (ex: Interview, campus visits, etc.)

9. Student/Counselor Responsibilities IMPORTANT: Grade reports are not automatically sent. You must fill out a request form and return it to the School Counseling Office.

10. Testing • SAT Reasoning Test (critical reading, math and writing) -Required if you are considering college. • SAT Subject Tests -Take if required by colleges of interest. -One-hour tests; if required, 2 or 3 are needed. -Check with individual colleges for requirements. • ACT (English, math, writing and science)

11. *NOTE- Sequencing is your responsibility: decide which tests to take …..when …..where • If considering Early Decision or Early Action, all required testing should be completed by November. • Important Question for Seniors… Should I re-take SAT? • Almost always = yes!! • See your counselor if you have a question about this.

12. Test Dates & DeadlinesFall 2013 SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Tests • October 5th (registration deadline September 6th) GHS is NOT a test site. • November 2nd (registration deadline October 3rd) GHS is a test site. • Register online at www.collegeboard.org. ACT • October 26th (registration deadline September 27th) • December 14th (registration deadline November 8nd ) • GHS is not a test site for the ACT. • Register online at www.actstudent.org.

13. How To Register • On-line (www.collegeboard.org) • Establish and use a personal account(called “My Organizer”.) • Note: Those students who register on-line will not receive an admission ticket in the mail. They MUST print their confirmation and admission ticket page from the web when they register! • Be sure to bring this confirmation ANDphoto I.D. with you on the test date. NEW Changes • You will be prompted to provide a photography during the on-line registration process. (NEW) • Standby testing will not be available! (NEW) • Test Site Changes are no longer accepted on test day! (NEW)

14. How To Register • Mail • Required if you wish to pay by check or money order. • See Mr. Gregorski to obtain a paper form. • Special Note for Students with Disabilities: • You can register online by providing your eligibility code, which is printed on the Eligibility Approval Letter you received from the College Board. • If you apply by mail will need to include a copy of Eligibility Approval letter

15. SAT/ACT scores are not reported on the GHS transcript. You must send scores to each college you apply to. • Send scores to colleges. Four “FREE” with test. • Fee waivers are available based on family income. Please see your counselor. • SAT/ACT Score Choice: optional score reporting feature that allows you to send individual scores by test date.

16. Post Secondary PlanningResources • School Counselor • College/Career Center – Mrs. Passero • College Representative Visits/ Armed Services Representative • School Counseling Website • GHS College Fair - Monday October 21st 6:30-8:30 GHS Gym • ASVAB - Wednesday October 23rd College and Career Center Periods 2-6 • Financial Aid Evening - Monday November 18th 7p.m. GHS Auditorium • NCAA Night – TBD • Naviance

17. College Fair • Monday October 21st from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. • In the past over 200 colleges, universities, military, and technical schools were represented. • Great opportunity to speak with the representatives and possibly discover some new schools and/or options to explore. • Even if you went last year, it is a good idea to go again this year. • Hope to see you there!

18. ASVAB • ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) • Multiple choice test that measures potential success in occupations that require either further education or on-the-job training. • Useful in understanding yourself and to help you think about different possible career paths. • Great opportunity for anyone to learn more about their strengths and weaknesses. • No military obligation involved in taking the test, however anyone joining the military is REQUIRED to take this test. • Scheduled at GHS Wednesday, October 23rd during periods 2-6. • Pick up Field Trip Permission Form in College and Career Center if interested.

19. NCAA • If you are considering Division I or II sports in college notify your counselor ASAP. • Register for the NCAA eligibility clearinghouse at www.eligibilitycenter.org • Request SAT/ACT scores be sent to the NCAA clearinghouse. (From the College Board or the ACT Student website.) • Evening program this Fall - Date and time To Be Determined

28. Important Reminders • Web Portal www.glastonburyus.org. Go to School Counseling and then click on GHS Resources for “Senior Checklist” and “College Planning Guide”. • Check Naviance Regularly! • If considering Early Decision/Action see your counselor ASAP. -Process applications with your counselor at least 2 weeks before the college deadline. • Thank everyone who has taken the time to write letters of recommendation for you. • GOOD LUCK!