1. NASHUA HIGH SOUTH COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT FEBRUARY 15, 2012

2. Topics to be covered • College Searches • Things to Consider in Your College Search • Researching Colleges • Campus Visits • College Interviews • Important Admissions Information • High School Preparation for College • Standardized Tests • Creating a College List • Application Deadlines • Common Application

3. College Searches • www.access.bridges.com • User ID - 0034778 • Password – apple Additional websites: www.collegeboard.com www.petersons.com www. usnews.com www.college.gov www.fairtest.org

4. Things To Consider In Your College Search • Type of institution—public, private, two-year, four-year, special programs • Size • Demographics—male/female ratio, religious affiliation, % of students from New Hampshire • Location-rural, urban • Proximity to family and friends • Activities-athletics, extra-curricular • Cost-tuition, room and board, indirect costs • Admission-major, selectivity

5. Researching Colleges • Attend College Fairs and talk to college representative • Take a virtual tour • Explore the specific major or specialty on the college website • Talk to family members, teachers, employers about their college experiences • Visit the Campus

6. Campus Visits • Experience the campus in person • Schedule a visit with the admissions office • Things to think about during the visit • Sit in on a class lecture • Tour the campus facilities • See a freshmen dorm room • Eat in the dining hall • Ask tour guide about the typical campus experience • Overall fit

7. Interviews • Opportunity to share more about yourself • Personalize the admissions process • Interviews are offered by alumni, student interns, or admissions staff • Dress neatly • Relax and be yourself

8. Important Admissions Criteria • Full academic transcript • Senior year schedule • Extracurricular activities – affiliated with school and community • Personal essay • Letters of recommendations • Standardized test scores

9. High School Preparation for College • English – 4 years • Mathematics – 4 years • Science (lab) – 4 years • Social Studies – 3 years • Foreign Language – 3 years

10. Standardized Tests

11. Creating a College List • Consider this criteria: • Safety schools-Colleges where a student exceeds the admissions criteria • Target schools-Colleges where a student meets the admissions criteria • Reach schools-Colleges where a student may not fit the admissions criteria

12. Application Deadlines • Early Decision – binding agreement • Early Action – non binding agreement • Generally the application dates for Early Decision and Early Action are by November 1st • Regular Decision – set deadline • Rolling Admission– no set deadline, but the earlier the better

13. Common Application • www.commonapp.org • Allows you to use 1 application for many schools • List of participating schools online • There is a Secondary School Report form • (guidance counselor completes) • Check for other supplemental forms and deadlines • List of application deadlines are online

14. Guidance Counselors • Nancy Duffy – A-B • Jessica Brox – C-Dol • Doreen Rinas – Dom-Gon • Diane Barbour – Goo-Lam • Linda Sellner –Lan-Mi • Lori Coutu – Mo-P • Nicole LeClaire – Q-Small • Jean Bennett – Smith-Z • Jodi Callinan- Outreach Counselor