Presented by:BMHS Guidance Departmenthttp://portal.norwalkps.org/

schools/bmhs

Junior/Parent College Night

“Preparing you and your student for life after high school”

4 credits of English3 credits of Math3 credits of Science including:

one credit of lab Science3 credits of Social Studies

including:1 credit of US History .5 credit Civics

1 credit of the Various Arts1 credit of PE.5 credit of Health.5 credit of Computer Literacy4 credits of Electives

Graduation Requirements

Minimum of 20 credits

The College Process: NavianceA comprehensive tool that can be used to help students and

parents through college and career planning.

•Take surveys on learning style and career interests•Conduct a college search•Compare colleges•Track deadlines•Schedule visits with college reps at BMHS•Request Transcripts•Search for scholarships•Communications from Guidance Department

The College Process: NavianceA comprehensive tool that can be used to help students and

parents through college and career planning.

Attend The College Fair April 9th at BMHS from 6:00pm-8:00pm

Figure out who you are. Look for colleges that interest youThe most selective college may not always be the best fitInclude interest of school (high, medium, and low). Categorize into likely, target, and reachKnow why you are applying to each schoolBe realistic about the academic requirements for admissionVisit schools and attend open house meetingsAttend college rep visits in the fall at BMHS Think about costConsider Sports

The College Process

Making a list

Conduct college searches and research specific schools Create “Colleges I’m Thinking About” list Take College Entrance Exams Begin your College Essay Familiarize yourself with the Common Application Check to see when supporting documents need to be sent Be sure you have envelopes and stamps on hand Ask 2 teachers to write formal recommendations View which college representatives are visiting BMHS Schedule Meetings with your School Counselor Arrange to have official test scores sent directly to schools KNOW YOUR DEADLINES! Sent by? Received by?

The College Process The Student’s Role Take ownership of college process

The Common Application

Online only-no more paper version available

Accepted by more than 450 schools including UCONN.

ESSAY Length remains the same: 250-500

words (WORD LIMIT ENFORCED) Text-entry only - no uploads of

Microsoft Word documents New essay prompts announced

every year in March (Topic of choice eliminated)

Supplements will be streamlined so they are accessible online earlier

Complete application will not be available until AUGUST 1, 2013. Do not register until the application is released

www.commonapp.org

The College Process Common App

Types of Applications:Early Decision

BindingEarly Action IEarly Action IIRegular DecisionRolling

*Sent to colleges by student

The College ProcessRequired Information in Addition to the

Application

Transcript: Course selection ,

level of rigor and grades

Three-year GPA/Rank First quarter senior

grades Mid-Year senior grades

(Often required and sent by student request)

Counselor Recommendation (by request)

Teacher Recommendations (by request)

SAT/ACT scores* AP Scores/Subject Tests*

College Entrance Exams

Scholastic Aptitude TestMeasures : Critical Reading, Writing, and MathScoring Out of 2400

Maximum 800 per section Minimum 200 per section

American College TestingMeasures: English, Science, Reading, Math and Writing (optional)Scoring Out of 36

Maximum and Minimum per section varies

ACTSAT

SAT II Scholastic Aptitude Test Subject

Areas

College Entrance Exams: SAT www.sat.collegeboard.org

College Entrance Exams: ACTwww.actstudent.org

FAFSA (WEB Based)

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

January 1st – March 1 Parents and Students

must apply for FAFSA pin

Mrs. Blackwell

Financial Aid/ Scholarships

CSS Profile (WEB Based) Not necessary for all colleges/

universities Fee associated

Financial Aid/ScholarshipsGet Motivated. Research early. Check the Scholarship list and the BMHS Scholarship on NAVIANCE! Some web sites on the BMHS Guidance Page: Adventures In Education — Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator

www.AIE.org/Calculators/EFC/index.cfm -

Adventures In Education — Scholarship Search

www.AIE.org/sbase -

College Answer

www.collegeanswer.com -

College Board — Scholarship Database

apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp -

College Goal Sunday

www.collegegoalsundayusa.org -

CollegeToolkit.com

www.collegetoolkit.com -

FAFSA Made Easy

www.AIE.org/FAFSAMadeEasy -

FAFSA on the Web

www.fafsa.ed.gov -

FastWeb — Scholarship Search

www.studentservices.com/fastweb -

Federal Trade Commission — Scholarship Scams

www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt009.shtm -

Financial Aid Information

www.finaid.org -

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

www.hsf.net -

…. ……………………………many more!

Questions….?