Session I: Do Now Name: What excites you most about the post graduation planning process? What are you concerned about as you plan for your future after LHS?
Lexington High School Counseling Department Senior Seminar Planning for Graduation and Beyond: A Step by Step Process Last spring most of you participated in the junior counseling seminar program to enable you to systematically approach your post graduation planning. This fall's program will continue to provide you with the information and skills necessary to make appropriate decisions based on your own goals, expectations and needs. Outlined below are the overall topics that will be discussed at each session. However, if you have any concerns or questions that you feel need clarification, please speak with your counselor. Once these group sessions wrap up, you should make appointments with your counselor to further discuss and address your individual post graduation planning issues. Our expectation is that all students will attend all sessions listed. 3 MANDATORY SESSIONS: Session I Session II Session III Program Overview/Post Graduation Planning Introduction Common Application/FERPA/Matching Accounts Continuing the Post Graduation Planning Process * * * * * * * * * * * DATES TO REMEMBER * * * * * * * * * * * * Senior Parent/Guardian Workshops: locations TBD Wednesday, September 21, 2016 Financial Aid Night: Science Lecture Hall Wednesday, October 5, 2016 6:30pm
Senior Seminar Notes Session I: Program Review/Post Graduation Planning Introduction Program Overview Graduation Review (check your schedule against grad requirements) Community Service Post Graduation Options Counselor Packet Senior Year Timeline Standardized Testing Admissions Options Who Sends What to Colleges Student Responsibilities The Application Essay The College Visit The Admissions Interview Financial Aid Session II: Common Application/FERPA/Matching Accounts Common Application account/ferpa Naviance Session III: Continuing the Post Graduation Planning Process Additional Notes/Questions Student Portal Account (Aspen/X2) Username: Password: Common Application Account Username: Password: Naviance Account Username: Password:
Guided Online Tour of Graduation Summary in Aspen Student Portal Log on to the LHS website: Click on the Aspen link in the upper right corner Enter your Aspen Student Portal username and password Click on the My Info link in the upper left corner Click on Transcript on the left hand side Click on Graduation Summary Students can check community service hours completed under the My Details tab on the left The top portion breaks down the credits required for each discipline ( Required Unit column) for graduation and what you have completed to date ( Unit Completed column). The Course Breakdown portion breaks down each required discipline and the courses you have completed/are in the process of completed for each discipline. Please make sure you carefully review the Graduation Summary. If you notice any inconsistencies/errors, please speak with your School Counselor. Guided Online Tour of the LHS Senior Timeline Go to the LHS website: lps.lexingtonma.org/lexingtonhs Click on About our school top tab Click on Counseling Department Under Counseling Department, click on Seniors Click on the Senior Timeline link Read through the senior year timeline and write down any relevant tasks you have not yet done on your Seminar Notes sheet If you have not yet completed your Counselor Packet, click on the link to your counselor s Counselor Packet and preview.
Senior Year Timeline Fall Attend ALL Senior Seminar Sessions. Academic Achievement Continue to maintain a high level of academic achievement throughout the entire school year, as colleges require a copy of your final grades. Penalties may occur (including, rescinding acceptance), if your final transcript reveals a downturn in performance. Teacher Recommendations / Counselor Packet If you have spoken with teachers last year about writing you a letter of recommendation, check with them to see if they ve started writing yet. If you need teacher recommendations and haven t already secured them, ask teachers now. Complete the Counselor Packet (Questionnaire, Parent/Guardian Brag Sheet. and Activity Resume) and return to your counselor by the posted deadlines. Standardized Tests Register for the SAT and/or SAT Subject Test(s) and/or ACT, if needed: SAT/SAT Subject Test(s): Score Choice is an option you can elect to use; it allows you to select specific test/test day score(s) to send to colleges. Check www.collegeboard.org to determine whether or not your college(s) accept Score Choice. ACT: The ACT can be used as an alternative to the SAT and/or SAT Subject Tests. Check www.act.org for more information and to register. TOEFL: Check www.ets.org/toefl for more information and to register. Notify the College Board/ACT to send your standardized test scores to the schools you re applying to via www.collegeboard.org or www.act.org. Research Colleges Attend a local college fair. Visit colleges that you plan on applying to. Arrange to stay overnight on campus and attend classes, if possible. If you will require disability services on campus, be sure that the colleges on your list will provide you with the appropriate supports. Check the college s disability services offices or student services offices for more information. Essays Prepare your essays with care. Ask a qualified adult to read them over, checking for content, structure, and spelling. Special Admissions Contact college athletic coaches and activity leaders who may be interested in your talents/skills. Scholarships/Financial Aid The financial aid process differs from college to college, you should check with each of your colleges to understand their requirements. Parents/guardians should attend Senior Parent/Guardian Workshop and LHS Financial Aid Night
Financial Aid forms are available online. Both the FAFSA and CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE will be available on October 1. Students needing financial aid and those applying early decision to colleges that require the CSS PROFILE, should plan to apply for financial aid early. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): www.fafsa.ed.gov CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE: student.collegeboard.org/css financial aid profile Winter Scholarships/Financial Aid Complete the required financial aid forms, adhering to the college s financial aid deadlines. Investigate scholarship opportunities at the colleges of your choice and file any additional required forms. File local scholarship applications by the deadlines listed in the Scholarship section in Naviance. Standardized Tests Register for AP exams, if appropriate. AP exams are given in the spring and are not necessarily used for admission. Information is posted on the LHS/Counseling Department websites, through the PTSA listserv, and via HR announcements. Spring Communication with Colleges Confirm your intent to enroll at the college of your choice by sending in your deposit by May 1. Notify the colleges you will not be attending once you have made your decision. This notification allows colleges to admit students from their Wait Lists. If you are on a Wait List, inform the college whether or not you would like to remain on the Wait List. Communication with Lexington High School Inform your counselor about your college responses. Write thank you notes to everyone who wrote letters of recommendation for you and helped you in this process, and inform them of your college choice. Complete the Counseling Department s Senior Survey. This allows the Registrar s Office to send your final transcript to your college.
Guided Online Tour for Sending Your Standardized Test Scores SAT Go to the College Board website: www.sat.collegeboard.org Click on Send Scores link Sign in to your College Board account Follow directions to send scores. Score Choice is a score reporting feature that allows students the option to choose the SAT scores by test date and SAT Subject Test scores by individual test that they send to colleges, in accordance with each institution s individual score use practice. Score Choice is optional, and if students choose not to use it, all scores will be sent automatically. ACT Go to the ACT website: www.actstudent.org Sign in to your ACT account Follow directions to send scores Each time a student takes the ACT, the scores for each test date are kept as separate records. If a student takes the ACT multiple times, they can select which test date scores to submit to colleges. However, students cannot pick and choose individual section scores from different test dates to create a new composite score or super score. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Go to the TOEFL website: www.ets.org/toefl Click on Scores link Click on Sending Your Scores link Sign into your TOEFL ibt account Follow directions to send scores Plan to send your scores 4 6 weeks before your college deadlines to ensure they arrive on time. If you have any questions, please see your counselor.
Comparing the SAT to the ACT The new SAT will be a significant change from the current test. Below is a broad comparison of the new SAT and the ACT, courtesy of Summit Educational Group. New SAT (Spring 2016) ACT Description The new SAT will require similar skills and test similar content to that of the ACT and current SAT. Many of the changes to the new SAT s format will make it look a lot like the ACT, but the SAT will retain its focus as an aptitude test. Among the biggest changes to the SAT are a sharper focus on critical thinking, an emphasis on real world problems, a new scoring system, and an overhaul of the essay section. Overall, the redesigned SAT will place a bigger emphasis on problem solving and understanding context. Comparatively, the ACT will remain more of an achievement test, requiring a broad knowledge of many concepts, as well as considerable speed and endurance. Format & Length 5 long sections (comprising 3 tests and an optional essay): Writing & Language; Reading; 2 Math; Essay Questions have 4 answer choices Total testing time: 3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay) 5 long sections (comprising 4 tests and an optional essay): English; Mathematics; Reading; Science; Writing (optional essay) Most questions have 4 answer choices (Math has 5) Total testing time: 3 hours, 25 minutes (with essay) Scoring Combined score: 400 1600 Evidence Based Reading and Writing: 200 800; Math: 200 800 Essay score reported separately Cross Test Scores report performance on Science and History/ Social Studies across entire test No deduction for incorrect answers Writing/ English Revise and edit a piece of writing for, logical structure, and effective rhetoric standard English grammar and usage punctuation logical structure effective rhetoric includes informational graphics Composite score: 1 36 (average of 4 tests) English: 1 36; Math: 1 36; Reading: 1 36; Science: 1 36 Writing score not factored into Composite score Combined Writing score provided separately: 2 12 No deduction for incorrect answers Revise and edit a piece of writing for, logical structure, and effective rhetoric standard English grammar and usage punctuation logical structure effective rhetoric commonly confused words Math Reading Science Essay Pre Algebra through basic Trigonometry strong emphasis on Algebra Calculator prohibited on one section 12 Grid In questions (no answer choices) 1 Extended Thinking question (4 points) Vocabulary de emphasized 4 long passages and 1 paired passage 2 passages include diagrams/charts 1 passage from U.S. founding document The new SAT does not have stand alone Science section, but Science questions will be included throughout the Math, Reading, and Writing & Language tests. 50 minutes, always the last section analyze a passage and evaluate author s reasoning and rhetoric students opinions discouraged Essay is scored on 2 8 scale on three traits (Reading, Analysis, and Writing ) Pre Algebra through basic Trigonometry math tested in straightforward manner extensive range of concepts tested emphasis on word problems formulas not provided 4 long passages very little emphasis on vocabulary straightforward questions that require close reading of passage order of questions is random less time per question 40 questions distributed over 7 passages emphasis on charts, diagrams, etc. Science is a reasoning test rarely requires prior science knowledge 30 minutes, always the last test narrow topic relevant to high school students demands a more structured response optional, but required by most schools
The Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success Application http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/ The Coalition's streamlined platform aims to recast the college admission process from a potentially stressful, single year transaction, to a more progressive and developmental, four year collection of high school experiences and accomplishments. The tools are designed to align with pre existing administrative processes, ensuring that students and their academic goals come first without creating extra work for you or them. Coalition members believe that students should be empowered at every step in the application process including when they choose which application best suits their needs. Some Coalition members will exclusively use the Coalition App, while many other Coalition members will accept applications from a number of sources. Admissions offices do not provide preferential treatment to applicants based on which of their approved technological platforms they decide to use to create and submit their application. Coalition Exclusive Colleges While most Coalition member colleges will still utilize the Common Application or their own application platform in addition to the Coalition application, a few colleges have stated they will be Coalition exclusive, meaning they will only utilize the Coalition application for admissions. Colleges accepting only the Coalition application are: 1. University of Florida The Lexington High School Counseling Department is recommending that students applying to college continue to utilize the Common Application or the specific institution application at this time, unless you are applying to one of the coalition exclusive college. If so, please see your counselor for more information.
COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS WHO SENDS WHAT?
COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Tips to Developing a Strong College Essay 1. View it as an opportunity. The essay is one of the few things that you have complete control over in the application process, especially by the time you are in your senior year. You've already earned most of your grades; you've already made most of your impressions on teachers; and chances are, you've already found a set of activities you're interested in continuing. So when you write the essay, view it as something more than just a page to fill up with writing. View it as a chance to tell the admissions committee about who you are as a person. Students have been known to WRITE THEMSELVES INTO AN ACCEPTANCE 2. Make it authentic and be yourself. If you are funny, write a funny essay; if you are serious, write a serious essay. Don't start reinventing yourself with the essay. When the reader has finished your essay they should feel as if they just had a conversation with you. 3. Take the time to go beyond the obvious. Tell admissions something different from what they will read on your list of extracurricular activities. You may choose to share an experience expanding upon one of the activities listed. Pick a topic that is central to your identity. 4. Write thoughtfully and from your heart. It'll be clear who believes in what they are saying versus those who are simply saying what they think we want to hear. Colleges want to get to know you, how you think, what is important to you, how you choose to spend your time. Be sure your essay is YOU centered. This is a challenging task because you are rarely asked to write about yourself but they are considering admitting you to their college so be sure that is the focus of the essay. 5. Do not provide a history report. Some background knowledge is okay, but do not draw out a long story of a particular experience. They are more interested in how you responded, what you learned and/or how you grew from the experience than the details of the experience itself. 6. Keep it short and to the point. Narrowly focused essays are typically the strongest. 7. Limit the number of people from whom you request feedback on your essay. Too much input creates an essay that sounds as though it has been written by a committee or results in writing that is absent your own voice. You are the final editor; you do not have to agree with everyone s critique of your work. 8. Appearances count. Formatting and presentation cannot replace substance, but they can certainly enhance the value of an already well written essay. To that end, proofread, proofread, proofread. Nothing says "last minute essay" like an "are" instead of "our" or a "their" instead of "they're." 9. Show, don t tell. Provide evidence using sensory details and imagery of the 2 3 qualities you would like to highlight. If you create a narrative and provide evidence (show) then you won t have to actually list the qualities (tell). For example, I am leader is TELLING. Rather, to SHOW that you are a leader, you could say, Someone at the class meeting needed to say something and before I knew what I was doing, I was standing at the microphone while my class sat and stared. 10. Write the first sentence last. Crafting the first sentence can take time because you want to hook the reader in from the start. It is easy for students to get stuck here. The best thing to do is just start writing. There should be many drafts of your essay so to begin just write. You cannot write your final draft first. As you write you may discover your essay really starts in the middle of the third paragraph, and you end up cutting the preliminaries or you rearrange the paragraphs. Once completed, read your first sentence. Is it a hook? 11. Leave the reader with a strong image. Your conclusion should add to your essay and to your qualities as an applicant, not merely rehash what has already been said. 12. Read your essay aloud. Many times I will read a student s essay to him/her. They quickly find their mistakes or lack of flow. This is a quick tip you can do yourself.
Financial Aid Worksheet Name of College/University Costs in the 2016 2017 academic year Tuition and fees...$ Housing and meals.$ Books and supplies.$ Transportation..$ Other educational costs..$ Estimated Cost of Attendance.. $ (Total of the above expenses) Grants and scholarships to pay for college Grants and scholarships from your college $ Federal Pell Grant...$ Grants from your state $ Other scholarships.. $ Total Grants and Scholarships.$ What will you pay for college Net Costs..$ (Cost of Attendance minus Total Grants and Scholarships) /year Options to pay net costs Work options Work Study..$ Loan Options Federal Perkins Loan.$ Federal Direct Subsidized Loan...$ Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan...$ Other options Family Contribution..$ (As calculated by the institution using information reported on the FAFSA or to your institution) Payment plan offered by the institution Parent PLUS Loan Military and/or National Service benefits Non Federal private education loan /year
Loan Default Rate (Percent of borrowers entering repayment and defaulting on their loan) This institution. % National % Repaying your loans To learn about loan repayment choices and work out your Federal Loan monthly payment, go to: http://studentaid.ed.gov/repayloans/understand/plans Glossary Cost of Attendance (COA) : The total amount (not including grants and scholarships) that it will cost you to go to school during the school year. COA includes tuition and fees; housing and meals; and allowance for books, supplies, transportation, loan fees, and dependent care. It also includes miscellaneous and personal expenses, such as an allowance for the rental or purchase of a personal computer; costs related to a disability; and reasonable costs for eligible study abroad programs. For students attending less than half time, the COA includes tuition and fees; an allowance for books, supplies, and transportation; and dependent care expenses. Total Grants and Scholarships : Student aid funds that do not have to be repaid. Grants are often need based, while scholarships are usually merit based. Occasionally you might have to pay back part or all of a grant if, for example, you withdraw from school before finishing a semester. Net Costs : An estimate of the actual costs that you or your family will need to pay during the school year to cover education expenses at a particular school. Net costs are determined by taking the institution s cost of attendance and subtracting your grants and scholarships. Work Study : A federal student aid program that provides part time employment while you are enrolled in school to help you pay your education expenses. Loans : Borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. Loans from the federal government typically have a lower interest rate than loans from private lenders. Federal loans, listed from most advantageous to least advantageous, are called Federal Perkins Loans, Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans. You can find more information about federal loans at StudentAid.gov. Family Contribution (also referred to as Expected Family Contribution) : A number used by a school to calculate how much financial aid you are eligible to receive, if any. It s based on the financial information you provided in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It s not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college, nor is it the amount of federal student aid you will receive. The family contribution is reported to you on your Student Aid Report, also known as the SAR. Loan Default Rate : The percentage of student borrowers undergraduate and graduate who have failed to repay their federal loans within three years of leaving a particular school. A low loan default rate could mean that the institution s students are earning enough income after leaving school to successfully repay their loans.
FAFSA: https://fafsa.ed.gov/ Websites: Financial Aid and Scholarships Financial Aid: http://www.finaid.org/ Excellent home page of links to many financial aid related sites. The EFC (confidential self test to estimate your eligibility for financial aid) is a highlight, but there are many other helpful resources, such as a calculator for loan repayment. Financial Aid: http://www.fastweb.com/ A lot of information, including auto emails that alert you to new scholarship opportunities. Scholarship Search: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship search CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE: https://student.collegeboard.org/css financial aid profile Federal Student Aid: http://studentaid.ed.gov Comprehensive financial aid site focusing on federal aid, such as grants/scholarships, loans, and work study. Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA): http://www.mefa.org/ **College websites must now, by law, post a Net Price calculator to help families estimate their particular price for attending the college. Though you will find it helpful, do not depend on this preliminary tool to give you an exact price. Dates and deadlines: The FAFSA and CSS PROFILE can be accessed starting October 1. The CSS PROFILE should be completed at least 3 to 4 weeks before your earliest financial aid deadline, for Early Decision applicants, in October of senior year, using estimated numbers. Financial aid deadlines and forms are as important or more so than application deadlines, and they vary widely from college to college. Read your materials carefully, and meet your deadlines!
Log on to the LHS website: Guided Online Tour of the Community Service Website Click on the About out school top tab Click on the Counseling Department link Under Counseling Department, click on the Community Service link Read the (1) community service graduation requirements, (2) definition of community service and (3) process for earning community service credit Click on Community Service Opportunities Spend a few minutes reviewing the opportunities available Return to the community service page Preview the Downloadable Community Service Form Review deadline dates Forms MUST be submitted to Ms. Tringale by the end of deadlines listed Questions? Email your counselor or Ms. Tringale (cssecretary@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us) Log on to the LHS website: Guided Online Tour of Counselor Packets Click on the About our school top tab Click on the Counseling Department link Under Counseling Department, click on the Seniors link Click on your counselor s packet Many of the packets request information from students and parents Please ask your parents to complete the parent portion, if applicable When you submit your counselor packet, please (if possible) attach an activities resume. Counselor Packet Deadlines are listed on the Naviance Checklist Sheet. Following these deadlines will ensure that your transcript, the LHS profile, and your counselor statement reach the admissions office or program by the application deadline.
Session II: Do Now How can your parent(s)/guardian(s) best support you throughout the post graduation planning process?
Session III: Exit Ticket Name: What excites you most about the post graduation planning process? What are you concerned about as you plan for your future after LHS?