Welcome to Junior Planning Night! HMTCA January 29, 2015 6:30-7:30pm 1
School Counseling Department Sonia Tamburro stamburro@hartfordschools.org Hannah Kaizer hannah.kaizer@hartfordschools.org Sheila Nussbaum nusss001@hartfordschools.org 2
Tonight s Agenda 6:30-7:30pm Junior Planning Activities & Timeline Post-Secondary Options College Tests & Test Preparation College/Career Resources Available Jr. Planning Meetings with Counselors Intro to Naviance Q & A 3
Important Upcoming Events (See Handout) Junior Planning Seminars & SAT prep (3 rd Quarter) Individual Junior Planning Meetings (February April) National College Fair in Hartford (April 3 rd & 4 th ) April 29: SAT administration for all juniors May 3-4: Overnight field trip to Boston to visit colleges 4
College admissions perspective Senior Assoc. Director of Admissions Trinity College: Anthony Berry 5
Junior Planning Seminar Juniors are scheduled to participate in a series of workshops during the 3 rd Quarter to assist them in the post high school planning process. Topics to covered include: Setting goals for your future Understanding the college admissions process How to conduct a college search College testing College applications and essay tips Resume/brag sheets Interview skills Other post-secondary options/ Gap year 6
Junior Planning Meetings Juniors and their parents/guardians will be scheduled for an individual planning meeting. Topics to be covered include: High school reflection and transcript review Planning for senior courses Review PSAT results and discuss strategy and timeline for SAT s/act s College and career planning (next steps) 7
Post High School Options Four Year College Two Year College Cost effective Transfers to State Universities Technical School Career specific, hands-on training Gap Year Travel, Community Work, AmeriCorps Military Employment 8
College/Career Resources The Junior Planning Guide Naviance The College Board Website 9
The Junior Planning Guide Post-Secondary Options Comprehensive information on how to prepare & apply to college (college essays, resume, interviews, etc.) College Testing & Test Preparation Financing College 10
Naviance Naviance and links within the Naviance system will allow you to do the following: Research colleges and conduct an individualized college search Students and parents receive emails about important deadlines, events, and special opportunities Find SAT/ACT test preparation and registration information Obtain financial aid and scholarship information Complete a resume Complete a personality assessment Research careers Links to college resources Keep track of your college applications Keep track of college rep visits to Hall Communicate with your counselor! 11 11
The College Search Where should students start? Run a preliminary search using Naviance and College Board Helpful information to consider when researching: GPA, course requirements, test scores, majors, location, cost Develop a broad list of schools (safety, ballpark, reach) Visit colleges: Consider size, location, atmosphere, student body, and special programs It is best to visit colleges while they are in session. Take advantage of school vacations! This will be covered in the junior planning seminar series 12
Why is junior year so important? Colleges will look for: End of year transcript and GPA Evidence of improvement, demonstrate positive trend over previous years Senior year grades and courses are also important and will be viewed by colleges! 13
Where should students be by the fall? Know which post-secondary option they would like to pursue and what requirements you must meet. If they plan to attend college A list of 6-10 prospective schools Have taken the SAT/ACT Have visited a few colleges Have completed a resume, brag sheets, and the Do What You Are inventory Identify teachers to ask for letters of recommendation Begin working on your essay and application in the summer See your counselor for help as often as needed! 14
Moving forward, who does what?! Student Do Take control of the process! Attend the Junior Planning Seminars Begin researching your postsecondary options now to develop a plan (and back-up plan!) Initiate contact with colleges or programs of interest Parent Support and encourage your child s genuine interests. Encourage them to self-advocate and have them communicate with the college admissions offices directly. Prepare your child for the possibility of disappointment. Give them realistic expectations of your part in paying for college. Don t! Ask your parents to make appointments, phone calls or complete applications for you! Wait until senior year to begin your research Call the college admissions offices for them. Register the student for the SATs/ACTs Complete their applications or write their essays for them.
College Admission Trends Overall number of college applications continues to rise nationally Common Application use has expanded State schools continue to grow in popularity and competitiveness, including CT community colleges Most competitive colleges have not seen a drop in enrollment Increase in Early Decision (ED) & Early Action (EA) applicants Tuition/Room & Board fees continue to rise Financial Aid is competitive 16
Keep it in perspective Maintain balance as much as possible. Study hard, but have fun too! Participate in activities you enjoy most. Begin the process early so you don't get overwhelmed Take your time on making final decisions about colleges. Remember that there are many potential matches for you; you don't have to find "the one You don't have to have the whole journey mapped out; only the next few steps Ask for help and clarification when needed 17
Questions? Thank you! 18