Naviance s Family Connection

Naviance s Family Connection

Family Connection Naviance s Family Connection is a FREE, comprehensive, online program that assists students and parents with: College and Career Planning College Application Process Scholarship Searches

Family Connection Features College Search and Comparison Scattergrams Career Exploration Free online SAT, ACT, AP Tests Preparation Scholarship List College Visits to RMHS Electronic Tracking & Transcript Requests Resume Builder and Journal Student and Parent Brag Sheets

How Do I Access Family Connection? www.connection.naviance.com/rmhs Or use the link on RMHS Home Page http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/rmhs Parents can access Family Connection by emailing Ms. Hull only after their child has set up an account. CCIC: Mary _F_Hull@mcpsmd.org

The College Application Process at Richard Montgomery Presented by: RMHS Counseling Department

Evaluating an Application Transcript GPA, Courses & Grades Testing: SAT I, SAT II or ACT Scores Essay(s) Extracurricular Activities Letters of Recommendation

The Counseling office is responsible for Writing recommendations for all students applying to 4 year colleges Based on brag sheet and interview Parent Brag sheet optional Sending Official Student/school materials including: Student Transcript Secondary School Report Form School Profile

Students are responsible for.. Requesting transcripts both on paper and through Family Connections Requesting teacher recommendations both in person and through Family Connections Ask your teachers in the spring before leaving for summer break. In the Fall, follow up with your teachers by sending a request through Family Connection. Give your teachers AT LEAST one month s notice prior to your deadline NOTE: Most schools will require one or two teacher recommendations Sending in your applications BY THE DEADLINE Common App Individual school online application Paper application Sending in Financial aid application materials FAFSA Supplemental applications and materials for individual schools, if required

Teachers are responsible for. Sending recommendations for students for whom they have agreed to write Sending the Common App teacher recommendation form with their recommendation

Spring of Junior Year. College Admissions Testing Register online to take the SAT and/or ACT. Scores are sent directly from the testing companies NOT from RM SAT I fee includes sending your scores to 4 colleges for free If you are a junior who is taking or has taken at least Algebra 2 and English 11 then you may be eligible for a free SAT/ACT through MCPS. If you have not already registered for this, please see your counselor as soon as possible. Accuplacer for Montgomery College Asvab for entrance into the Military Both of these tests are given at RM SAT II s are required for some colleges. Check each school s website. SAT Optional Schools: www.fairtest.org RMHS CEEB Code: 210910

Spring/Summer of Junior year College Visits 3 excused absences both junior and senior year (6 days total) See various types of schools: i.e. big vs. small, urban vs. rural, single-sex vs. co-ed Choose a few criteria to use to compare all schools i.e. Size, location, distance from home, etc. Schedule and complete your junior interview with your counselor Complete and submit your bragsheet to your counselor prior to your interview. The bragsheet is located in Naviance on the About Me tab Chromebooks are available tonight to register for your junior interview Ask your teachers in person for teacher recommendations before you leave for summer break.

Summer before Senior Year Work on College Essays Participate in test prep for SAT/ACT individual tutoring, classes and online support Attend College sessions over the summer see Naviance/Family Connections for information and locations. Spend your time productively. See the list of things to do Posted on the RM Counseling Page Narrow down and solidify the list of schools you want to apply to After August 1 st begin your online applications

Fall of Senior Year Make a list of college application deadlines Work on applications Send an email through Family Connections/Naviance to teachers requesting teacher recommendations Request transcripts from the registrar Complete applications for any colleges that have deadlines between Oct 15 and Dec 15 th.

Fall of Senior Year Financial Aid Complete the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.ed.gov Application opens Oct 1, 2018 Complete the form as soon as possible to insure the best possible access to financial aid Complete all supplemental applications and materials required to apply for financial aid at your different colleges Make an appt with Ms. Hull, our College and Career Coordinator, to discuss other scholarships for which you may be eligible Do an online search for scholarship opportunities Make sure to use the list of websites listed in our handout packet Avoid scams - do not consider any offer that requires that you pay money to apply. Check out the Maryland Higher Education Commission website to see if you are eligible for any of the Maryland state grant programs. www.mhec.state.md.us

Special Considerations: Athletes: Student athletes intending to play NCAA Division I or II sports must register with the NCAA www.ncaa.org On the NCAA website look at the eligibility requirements in regards to required courses and GPA. IB Students: Many schools will award advanced placement or credit for scores on IB tests, but can vary by university. Look at each university s webpage for specifics. The IB World Organization website also has some information on the policies at different universities as well Students with special needs: Consider speaking with the student services office at any school you are visiting, or to which you are applying. Ask how they support students with special needs, esp. if they have a 504 or IEP.

Resources for the College Process Where to Find Resources: Handouts Family Connection Resources Link Make an appointment with Ms. Hull Career Center: open 7:00 3:30 M-F Most Frequently Used Resources: College Board - www.collegeboard.org FAFSA - www.fafsa.ed.gov ACT www.actstudent.org Common Application - www.commonapp.org

Next Steps: Turn in: Transcript Release form College Fair field trip form (and register online at www.gotomyncf.com) Students: make an appointment with your counselor if you need a recommendation letter (only if you are applying to a 4 year college).

COUNSELOR Ms. Evan Anderson STUDENT S LAST NAME BEGINS WITH G, H, I Mrs. Shannon Chen C, V, X Mr. Paul Craft Ms. Morgan Dronen E, P, R D, Tm-Tz Mr. Austin-Drake James L, U, W Mrs. Erica LeBright A, B Mrs. Brigid McKelvey J, N, O, Q, Y, Z Mrs. Antoinette Phillips K Mrs. Lekishia Stewart ESOL Students Mr. Marcus Turner Mrs. Molly Welch F, M S, Ta-Tl

Thank You for Attending!! RMHS School Counseling Office Phone: 301-610-8050 Fax: 301-279-4255 http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/rmhs/guidance/