Preparing For Your Future

1. Preparing For Your Future Presented by the Rush-Henrietta Senior High School Counseling Center

2. Junior Parent Night Outline • Where We’ve Been • Where We Are • The Next 8 Months • Where You’re Going • College Application Process • Standardized Testing • Parent Information • Miscellaneous • Questions

3. Where We’ve Been • Career Interest Inventory in 9th grade (Naviance Family Connection) • Personality Profiler 10th grade students (Naviance Family Connection) • PSAT’s in October • RIGOR!! - Continued stress on students challenging themselves in their coursework

4. Where We Are Now • Scheduling 12th grade Courses • 4th year of Science, Math, and continued study in LOTE - Strongly encouraged. • Colleges DO look at your senior year! • Challenge yourself with AP Coursework. • Active conversations on the post-secondary planning process • Counselors are assessing where students are in the process and steering them in the right direction

5. The Next 8 Months • Research and investigate your options (use Naviance Family Connection, as well as other resources) • Attend college fairs • Go on college visits • Take your SAT and/or ACT • Begin/update your activities resume • Refine the list of schools you may apply to • Think of a few people who may be able to write you a letter of recommendation • Volunteer Work/Enrichment Experiences/Take Some Courses at U of R or RIT

6. Where You Are Going… • College or University • Military/United States Military Academies • Technical Institute • Community/Junior College • Employment • Gap Year • The first step is the student deciding what they want to do after high school. Counselors can assist in exploring but ultimately, it is the student’s decision.

7. The College Search Process • Use the College and Career Center! • Internet, college web sites & Naviance Family Connection • College Fairs/Admission Rep Visits • Campus Visits • College Catalogs

8. The College Application Process • Narrow down the colleges in which you are going to apply. We recommend: • 1 “Reach” School • 3 Attainable Schools • 1 “Safety” School • Become familiar with the applications. • Common Application (Recommended) • SUNY Application • MCC Application • Individual College Applications The majority of applications are processed on-line.

9. The College Application Process (Continued) • What Colleges Look At: • Transcript • Course Rigor • GPA • SAT and/or ACT Scores • Extracurricular Activities (Resume/Activity Sheet) • Letters of Recommendation • College Essay and/or and Interview • The Application Itself • Supplemental Application (if applicable) • Note: Some colleges may require SAT Subject Tests. Please read application requirements carefully!

10. Standardized Tests • PSAT - Students should have their scores if they took the test in October • SAT Reasoning - you may take as many times as you wish, but we recommend no more than 3 times • ACT - Recommend this be taken in ADDITION to the SAT Reasoning. • SAT Subject Tests - Required by some colleges.

11. The College Application Process (Continued) • What The Student is Responsible For • Inputting colleges they are applying to into Naviance Family Connection -If using common app, be sure to match student accounts to Naviance Family Connection • Completed Application • Application Fee • Authorization for Release of Information (“Green Sheet”) – This release must be on file for every college to which you apply.

12. The College Application Process (Continued) • What The Student is Responsible For • SAT/ACT Scores –Test scores can be sent by the counseling center, however if a college requires that they come directly from the testing agency, you must make arrangements to have them sent. • Letters of Recommendation – 1. It is your responsibility to personally ask teachers for a letter of recommendation. 2. Invite teachers via Naviance Family Connection. 3. Provide teachers with a “pink sheet,” (available in Counseling Center). This tells them how to and which schools to submit letter to on your behalf. 4. A thank you note is appropriate to those who write on your behalf. • Essay –This is your chance to tell the college about yourself, beyond what your transcript and test scores tell them. You will work on this as part of your senior English class.

13. The College Application Process (continued) • Information sent by the school: • Student Transcript • School Profile • Standardized Test Scores (unofficial) • School Counselor Report/Secondary School Report • WE NEED 10 SCHOOL DAYS TO PROCESS THIS INFORMATION. STUDENTS, PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES!!!

14. The College Application Process (continued) • The college/university decision: • All information is compiled and reviewed before making a decision • The student will be notified of decision by April 15. • As soon as the necessary financial information is submitted, colleges will send out a comprehensive financial aid package (if student is admitted). • Admitted candidate notifies college/university of their decision by May 1.

15. Parent Information • Information provided by the Parent/Guardian: -Financial Aid Information -FAFSA available January 1st of the senior year • Your role in the process -We strongly encourage students to take ownership of the college application process. Students should fill out the application, write their essay, and ask for letters of recommendation. Adults are available for support, assistance, and proof reading but should not be filling out the application for the student.

16. Miscellaneous • NCAA Clearinghouse - Division I & II Athletics • Auditions and Portfolios • Military Options • Counseling Connection • Counselor web pages • Resources • School Code: #332340 • Parent Brag Sheet

17. Suggestions • Stay organized • Don’t be afraid to ask questions • Research scholarships. There is a lot of $$$ out there • As always, counselors are available to help. Please call, email or schedule an appointment with your school counselor for assistance.