WINDHAM HIGH SCHOOLGUIDANCE DEPARTMENTJUNIOR PRESENTATION

MS. JULIE LICHTMANNMS. CHRISTI DUNN

MR. MIKE KESHIGIANMS. KELLIE STEWARD

WHS Graduation Requirements

English - ? CreditsWriting -? CreditsSocial Studies – ? creditsMath – ? creditsScience – ? creditsICT – ? creditsArts – ? creditsWellness – ? creditsPhysical Education – ? creditsOpen Electives – ? creditsService Learning – ? hours

WHS Graduation Requirements

English - 4 years: Cultural Foundations; American Studies; MWL

Writing - .5 creditSocial Studies – 3 credits: West. Humanities; Amer. Studies,

economics, governmentMath – 3 credits: Algebra IScience – 3 credits: Integrated Science; BiologyICT – 0.5 credits: Comp App, Digital Media, Graphic DesignArts – 1 credit: Music, Theater or Visual Arts, Fashion DesignWellness – 0.5 credit: WellnessPhysical Education – 1.5 credits: Human Performance I & IIOpen Electives – 7.0 creditsService Learning – 40 hours

What is New Hampshire Scholars?It is part of the State Scholars Initiative,

a national program, that uses business leaders to motivate students to complete a rigorous course of study in high school

Challenge yourself! Go beyond your high school graduation requirements

New Hampshire ScholarsCORE CURRICULUM

English: 4 creditsMath: 3 creditsScience: 3 credits lab based (i.e. Bio, Chem,

Physics, Anatomy & Physiology, AP’s)Social Studies: 3.5 creditsLanguages: 2 credits

Plan Your FutureWhat do I want to do with my future? What

are my goals?What is important to me? What do I enjoy?What type of student am I? What realistic

options are open to me?What am I good at? Can I build a career

around my talents?What opportunities are available to me?Where can I get information that will help me

make realistic decisions?

Post-Secondary OptionsApprenticeshipMilitary ServiceWork4-year College or University2-year CollegeTechnical SchoolPrep School Other

Factors in Selecting a CollegeType (two-year, four-year, technical, specialized,

etc.)Majors/ProgramsEnvironment (Size, Location, Setting, Region)AtmosphereFacilitiesStudent BodyCostPublic or PrivateAthleticsExtracurricular Programs

SelectivityStudents typically pick between 5-10 colleges

“Reach,” “Target,” and “Safety” Schools

Be Realistic

“Reach” School Colleges or Universities you would like to attend, but admissions standards make your chances of acceptance very uncertain

Often a “Dream School” Apply to at least one or two schools in this category

“Target” SchoolColleges or Universities where you have a realistic chance of being admitted

A college that may admit you; you meet all their admissions standards

Apply to about two to four schools in this category

“Safety” School Colleges or Universities where your

admission is almost certain; you easily meet their admissions standards

Think about a “financial” safety school as well

Should be schools you will be happy attending

Apply to about two to four schools in this category

How Do Colleges Measure You?

Colleges look at…High School Courses – level of difficulty undertaken in

comparison to level available

Grades – GPA – Class Rank (available 2nd semester Jr. Year)

College Entrance Tests (SAT I, SAT II, ACT)Application and EssayLetters of Recommendation Extracurricular ActivitiesInterview Other factors which indicate talent &

leadershipInternships & job shadowing experiences

College Entrance Tests

SAT and/or ACT: spring of 11th and fall of 12th grade

SAT Subject Tests: Check college’s requirements

Test DifferencesSAT I vs. SAT II

SAT I (Reasoning Test) consists of Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing Sections (Essay) Required at most four-year colleges Test is about 4 hours long

SAT II (Subject Tests) are tests in specific subject areas (English, History, Mathematics, Science, and Foreign Language) Required only at select schools (check individual schools for requirements)Some schools require certain subject tests for certain majorsEach test is 1 hour long

Students can take up to 3 Subject Tests in one day

SAT vs. ACTSATLength: 3 hours, 45 min.

10 Sections: 3 Math, 3 Critical Reading, 3 Writing, 1 Experimental

Total score out of 600-2400, based on

adding scores from 3 subjects

Up to Algebra II and no Science

Emphasis on Vocabulary

www.collegeboard.org

ACTLength: 3 hours, 25 min.

4 Sections: English, Math, Reading, Science (make sure you sign up for Writing section)

Composite score of 1-36, based on avg. of scores from 4 tests

Science Reasoning and Trigonometry

Vocabulary less important

www.actstudent.org

SAT DatesTEST DATE REGISTER BY

*May 2, 2015 April 6, 2015

June 6, 2015 May 22, 2015

October 2015 September 2015

REGISTER AT: www.collegeboard.org

* WHS is a testing siteWHS School Code: 300634

PRINCETON REVIEW FOR SATAvailable soon:Enroll online at:

www.princetonreview.com Enter promo code BOSWindhamHS Receive the discounted price of $499.00 Call The Princeton Review at 866-TPR-

PREP Mailing will also be sent with more

information.

Letters of RecommendationYour recommendation needs to be:

PersonalPositivePersuasive

Your recommender needs to be:Given ample time – at least 4 weeks

prior to application deadlineAsked in person and then formally

requested through NavianceThey may have you fill out a “Teacher

Recommendation Form” to help them write your letter

Aware of where you are applying and any possible majors

Thanked

Campus VisitsSchedule an interview

Go on a tourTalk to students

Visit a classVisit a dorm

Have a meal on campusVisit the student union

Read the campus newspaperASK QUESTIONS!

JUNIOR YEAR: What should I be doing right now? Schedule Junior Interview with your

Guidance Counselor Explore assessments using Naviance Research colleges (Naviance, Internet,

brochures, visits)Take the SAT I, SAT II test, and/or ACT Visit, visit, visit colleges this spring and

summer; February and April break are great times!

Interview TipsDo your research – Tour the campus Schedule an appointmentEvaluative or InformationalProper GreetingBe prepared to ask and answer questionsKnow your high schoolBe yourselfExude ConfidenceDress appropriatelySend a thank you note

The College EssayBe Honest!Balance content and compositionFocus on the messageMake it interestingThink outside the boxProofread! Proofread! Proofread!Avoid the “laundry list” of accomplishments!

That information is already available elsewhere

NCAA

Division I or Division II College Athletes must

complete the NCAA Initial Eligibility Form

VISIT: www.eligibilitycenter.org

College Application OptionsEarly Decision

Early Action

Regular Decision

Rolling Admission

Other Options

Early Decision vs. Early ActionEarly DecisionAn early admission program that is bindingYou can only apply to one school Early DecisionIf you are accepted to that school, you must

withdraw all applications from other schools

Early ActionAn early admission program that is non-bindingDeadlines are Typically November 1st or

November 15th Find out decisions earlier- no downside Beat the rush in Guidance!

Regular Decision and Rolling Admissions

Regular Decision Traditional admissions program with set

admissions deadline and notification date

Rolling Admissions Colleges begin reviewing and making

decisions as soon as application materials are received

Co$tExpenses range from $7,232 per year at

Nashua Community College ($226/credit) to over $50,000 at some private schools

State schools are less expensive than private schools because they receive state funding

When calculating costs, include tuition, room and board, personal expenses, books, entertainment and travel

Types of Financial AidGRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPSFederalState InstitutionalPrivate

LOANSFederalStateAlternative

WORK-STUDY

Financial Aid ApplicationsFree Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Required by all colleges for federal and state financial aidComplete one application for all colleges.Meet deadlines! May start filing 1/1/12

CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® Required at some colleges to award institutional financial

aidMay be required earlier than the FAFSA application

Individual College Financial Aid Application May be required by some colleges Usually part of admission application

Where to get information… Internet searches

Websites (College Board, Naviance, etc.) College Websites: Virtual Tour, research majors,

request information

Talk to People who Know• Friends and Relatives• College Graduates

Visits From College Representatives (at WHS)College Fairs (April 16 from 11:30-1)Destination CollegeCampus Visits

So, it’s time to….Schedule Junior Interview with your

Guidance Counselor Take online inventory using Career Interest

Profiler Research colleges (Naviance, Internet,

brochures, visits)Register for the May or June SAT I or SAT II

test, register online at www.collegeboard.orgVisit colleges this spring and summer; April

break is a great time!

NAVIANCEwww.connection.naviance.com/windhamhs

Make sure you have registered. College visit registrations dates are listed and

signups are done through NavianceAll school related materials (letters of

recommendation, transcript, school report) are sent to colleges via Naviance

Make sure to sign the FERPA statement under “Colleges I am applying to” or we will not be able to send out any information

Guidance Website:Go on to the Guidance website and look for

the following information:- WHS Post-Secondary Planning Guide- NH State Scholars form- Senior Information Sheet - Teacher Recommendation Request form (sample)- Naviance Information Sheet- Junior PowerPoint Presentation