“Believe, go forward, and inspire!”

1. “Believe, go forward, and inspire!”

2. Overview The College Experience College Search College Visit What Colleges Are Looking For Standardized Testing Letters of Recommendation College Essay Timeline

3. COLLEGE SEARCH WHERE TO BEGIN • Pay close attention to retention rates – if a lot of students transfer after their freshmen year it may be an indicator of a greater problem. • Examine the reasons for going, before making a list of colleges to apply for admission. Ask yourself questions such as: • Why, really, are you going? • What are your abilities and strengths? • What are your weaknesses? • What do you want out of life, or in life—something tangible or intangible? • Are you socially self-sufficient or do you need warm, familial support? • What kind of learning community do you want to be part of?

4. COLLEGE SEARCH RESOURCES Naviance Family Connection General college websites www.collegeboard.org College Visits/Open House College Fairs College reference books and catalogs

5. College Search Factors Environment Location Size Proposed College Major Cost Admissions Requirements Special Programs Extracurricular Activities

6. The College Visit Importance of visiting the college Timetable for visits Make an appointment Tour/information session Questions to ask Schedule interview if possible

7. What Colleges Are Looking For Transcript Quality of Coursework Class Rank Test Scores Essay Extracurricular Activities Recommendations Interest – visiting campus/interviews/meeting with college representative at MHS

8. Developing a College List Explore a list of schools utilizing the formula of probable schools, target schools and reach schools. Research and select 2 Probable schools Research and select 4 Target schools Research and select 2 Reach schools Utilizing a formula similar to this helps diminish stress as you have a broad range of colleges selected.

9. Letters of Recommendation • Will need 2 letters of recommendations • (2) from junior year teachers, (1) ea. from two diff core academic subjects • (1) from counselor (if required by the College) • Ask teachers and counselor in May • Fill out supporting recommendation forms

10. TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS • Requesting a Letter of Recommendation from a Teacher or Counselor • Request your letter in person first. • Request the letter at least two weeks prior to the application deadline. • Make sure the colleges you are requesting a letter for are listed under “Colleges I’m Applying To.” • If the teacher is going to mail the letter of recommendation, please provide them with addressed and stamped envelopes to each college. If the teacher is going to send the letter electronically, you do not have to provide envelopes.

11. Requesting Teacher Letters of Recommendation on Naviance

12. Deadlines Application Deadlines terms Early Decision – binding agreement Early Action - non binding agreement (Application deadlines for ED & EA begin Oct 15th) Regular Decision Rolling Admission

13. STARTING YOUR COLLEGE LIST

14. COLLEGE APPLICATIONS • Enter all schools you are applying to in Naviance Family Connection under “Colleges I’m Applying To.” • Include whether you are applying Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Admission, etc. Remember, Early Decision is a binding contract and all other applications will need to be withdrawn if you are admitted. • Applying via the Common Application, mark yes or no.

15. COLLEGE APPLICATIONS Means that it is a Common Application School and you are choosing to apply to that school using the Common Application electronic submission. Means that it is a school that accepts electronic submission. Means it is a school that only accepts applications by mail (Bring all Transcript Requests and Secondary School Reports to your Guidance Counselor to be mailed. We will provide envelopes.

16. FERPA WAIVER • Fill out the FERPA Waiver in the Common Application. • You must first have all your current school information in the Common App before completing this step. • The FERPA Release Authorization can be found under the “My Colleges” tab in the Common Application. • Click “Yes, I do waive my rights…” or “No, I do not waive my rights…” • Waiving your rights allows your recommender to write an honest statement on your behalf. • Check “By completing this form, I authorize all schools…”

17. COMMON APP MATCHING

18. COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

19. REQUESTING A TRANSCRIPT

20. OTHER THOUGHTS Social Media According to Education Week, it was reported that the number of college admissions officers who routinely search the Social Media and use Google to get insights on applicants has quadrupled in the past year. When college officials find inappropriate material they often deny admission. Letter Your final high school transcript matters!

21. Contact Your Counselor Brianna Ledoux Brianna.Ledoux@sau26.org Michael Soucy Michael.Soucy@sau26.org Pat Tyler Patricia.Tyler@sau26.org Kay Hedstrom Katherine.Hedstrom@sau26.org Dan Leone Daniel.Leone@sau26.org