Junior Future Planning Night 101 BELMONT HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Junior Future Planning Night 101

BELMONT HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

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Introductions: 2018-2019 Junior Class BHS GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

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Ms Stacie Ross (Last names from A-Car)

sross@belmont.k12.ma.us

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Mr James Brown (Last names from Cas-Di)

jmbrown@belmont.k12.ma.us

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Mr Matt Ruane (Last names from Do-I)

mruane@belmont.k12.ma.us

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Ms Brittany King (Last names from J-Mi)

bking@belmont.k12.ma.us

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Ms Jessica Truslow (Last names from Mo-Sm)

jtruslow@belmont.k12.ma.us

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Ms Sherri Turner (Last names So-Z)

sturner@belmont.k12.ma.us

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Ms Carol Sceppa (Secretary/Registrar)

csceppa@belmont.k12.ma.us

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Tonight’s Objectives:

■ Overview of Post-Secondary Options/Planning

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Post-secondary adventures await!!!

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■ Questions and Answers ■ The Final Push: Graduation is in sight!!!

▪

Review BHS graduation requirements

Overview of Post Secondary Options/Planning

• 1. Prep School
• 2. Gap Year
• 3. Career Training Programs/Employment/Military
• 4. College - Search, Testing, Applications, etc

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What will I do next?!

• 1. Prep School

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Gives student an extra year to improve academics and strengthen curriculum

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English and Math teachers plus Guidance Counselor must fill out specific recommendation forms for each school

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Interviews are highly recommended

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Researched by student/parents

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http://www.admissionsquest.com/cfm_public/pg_schls.cfm/id/10/s/post-graduate-boarding

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• 2. Gap Year

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Can be a custom created experience

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Students participate in anything from City Year, employment

• pportunities, community service, travel abroad

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Can be a great way to gain perspective or participate in something different prior to making more future plans

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Gap Year Fairs: www.usagapyearfairs.org - upcoming area fairs!

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If college is on the horizon, applying Senior year is a good idea and asking for a one year deferral ■ Gap Year presentation - PTSO speaker series - Jan 8th @ 7:00 in the Little Theater

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• 3. Career Training Programs/Employment/ Military

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CAREER/TRADE FAIR: TBD @ BHS (Around March)

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http://www.myfuture.com/

■ Youth Rules: Preparing the 21st Century Work Force ■ MassCIS Career Information ■ Vocational Information Center: Trade and Technical

Schools Trade

■ Accredited Program Search

• A. Preparation - Testing

Standardized Tests

Gives colleges an indication of potential success at the post-secondary level and provides a way to assess current academic level – compares students in addition to GPA The common standardized exams are the SAT and the ACT All colleges will look at scores from either exam.

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SAT is more ‘intellectually’ based

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ACT is more ‘content’ based ■ Some schools Super Score - combine highest Reading nad Math scores from different sittings For more information, registration, and practice tests: SAT: collegeboard.org ACT: actstudent.org Many schools are now going ‘Test Optional’ – meaning, standardized tests scores are not something they consider in reviewing an applicant; www.fairtest.org has list of those schools

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• A. Preparation - Testing

Why Take Them: Some colleges require 2-3 Subject Tests – research your schools of interest so you can plan ahead (about 130 schools) Duration: 1 hour each -take up to 3 in a day Registration: Online at www.collegeboard.org Subjects: Vary in availability per test date/location

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SAT Subject Tests Subject & Reasoning Tests cannot be taken on the same day

Common Question: If I qualify for extended time in school do

I automatically get it for the SAT and ACT?

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No – they are two different private companies and have specific protocol

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The SAT requires an SSD parental permission form – the school collects materials and submits the request. It is helpful to have a copy of cognitive and achievement testing to send along with request and copy of current educational plan. When approved, College Board will assign an SSD number that can be used for the rest of the student's high school career. APPROVAL BEFORE REGISTRATION

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The ACT requires the student to register for an exam then submit an application for

• accommodations. The extended-time or the special testing form is sent with the

application, as well as a copy of the test admission ticket. ACT would like any relevant assessments along with the accommodations page of the IEP or 504 plan. Do not forget the payment as well. APPROVAL AFTER REGISTRATION

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Contact your child's liaison (IEPs) or counselor (504/ICAPs) with questions/processing forms

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• A. Preparation - Testing

• A. Preparation - Testing

PSATs

■ Results posted December 11th ■ Available online - use Collegeboard.org to access

Khan Academy

■ Students notified via email entered on PSAT

answer sheet

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• A. Preparation - Testing

■ Common Timeline

❑ Take your first ACT or SAT Spring of junior year

(March, May, or June)

❑ Take relevant subject tests junior year (May or June)

while material is fresh

❑ Take a second exam in fall of senior year

Need more information regarding SATs and ACTs? Come to the Summit Educational Group Presentation on January 23, 2019 @ BHS

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• A. Preparation - Testing

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Adm dmissions requirement for non-native En English speakers/f /foreign stude dents

■ TOEFL iBT (Internet Based) Test

• The TOEFL iBT test measures your ability to use and understand English at the

university level. It evaluates how well you combine your listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills to perform academic tasks.

• More than 8,000 colleges, agencies, and other institutions in over 130 countries accept

TOEFL scores.

• Many colleges require students whose first language is not English to submit a TOEFL

score.

• http://www.toeflgoanywhere.org/
• **Don’t wait to register! Spots tend

d to fill up quickly, and d locations are sp spread across ss the st state of Massa ssachuse setts s – no exam am at at BHS**

• A. Preparation - Transcript

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Basic components of an application include test scores and transcript

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GPA is released on an unweighted 4.0 scale

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The 4.0 scale includes A+s – therefore the highest GPA possible is a 4.33

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Colleges very often recalculate GPAs according to class rigor and their own scale

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BHS releases transcripts reflecting final grades for grades 9-11, then quarter grades and updated GPA are sent senior year as they are available and coincide with application deadlines

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Students review accuracy of transcript in Senior Meetings in Sept.

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BHS GPA Scale

A+ 4.33 A 4.00 A- 3.66 B+ 3.33 B 3.00 B- 2.66 C+ 2.33 C 2.00 C- 1.66 D+ 1.33 D 1.00 D- .66

• A. Preparation - Transcript

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Initial Transcript and Term Grade Reports Sent with updated GPA Initial Transcript: Lists classes and final grades for 9-11 and lists classes for grade 12 First Term Report: Updated GPA and list of first term grades in transcript Mid Year Report: Updated GPA and midyear grade (1st qtr, 2nd qrt, and M.Y. Exam combined)

The Final Push: BELMONT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Guida idance ce wil ill rev eview iew ea each ch s studen dent’s s status du durin ing the co e course e sel elect ectio ion proces cess s in in t the s e sprin ing.

English – 4 years……………….................21 credits

(Including Senior Thesis) Social Studies – 3 years………...................15 credits World History Modern World History American Studies Math – 4 years……………………………20 credits Science – 4 years………............………......20 credits Fine and Performing Arts – 1 year………..5 credits Foreign Language – 2 years…………….. 10 credits Physical Education and Health…………..8 credits 4 years – 2 credits per year Grade 9 – Wellness I required Grade 10 – Positive Decision Making required Grades 11 - PE classes Grade 12 –PE classes, sports, or outside contracts

PASS - MCAS English, Math, and Science 40 hrs. of Community Service

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B. The College Process

December/January:

■ College Search Wednesday Workshops

■ December 12th ■ January 19th

■ Create A College Board Account ■ Review SAT/ACT test dates & register ■ If applicable, register with NCAA Clearinghouse and ensure classes meet their criteria

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• B. NCAA Clearinghouse:

Making Sure You Are Eligible to Participate in College Athletics

■ Division I and II prospective athletes need to register online at www.ncaaclearinghouse.org

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Signed copy of NCAA Transcript Release Form to Guidance secretary (end

• f junior year) who will mail a certified copy of the student’s transcript

(including final grades for junior year and senior year) to NCAA Clearinghouse.

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Transfer students must send official transcripts from all previous schools

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Eligibility is determined by GPA in “core courses” as outlined by the Clearinghouse in conjunction with SAT/ACT results.

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SAT/ACT must be sent directly from the testing agencies to the clearinghouse-#9999 is the code for the NCAA. Test results will not be accepted if sent from the school.

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B. The College Process

February/June:

■ Counselors will meet with students in their Biology classes - College Search, Naviance, Responsibilities/Timeline ■ Students take SAT/ACT - consider timing of other academic commitments - APs, Subject Tests ■ Students (and Parents) meet with your Counselor ■ Students request two letters of recommendations from teachers (see next slide)

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• B. College Process- Recommendations

■ Two academic teacher recommendations

❑ Ideally one humanities and one STEM ❑ Teachers who can speak about academic performance & improvements ❑ Secure which teachers will write recs by end of junior year ❑ Student responsible for communicating with teachers about rec. letters

■ Recommendation from guidance counselor

❑ Submit Student Questionnaire to counselor and Parent Brag Sheet ❑ Guidance will send rec to colleges along with transcripts, etc.

■ Outside recommendations

❑ Ok to send one – best to adhere to number of recs requested ❑ Student responsible for that recommender sending their letter

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• B. The Process: Feb/June, cont.

■ Get on campus - Go visit!!!

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Visit schools in which you are interested or just visit different types of schools.

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Take an organized tour/check in with admissions – see EVERYTHING!

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Ask tons of questions – any questions!

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Dorms, classes, clubs, etc, etc….

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You want to be sure that this is a place you want to live for the next four years

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Best time to go is when school is in session - February/April Junior Visit Days

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• B. The Process: Feb/June, cont.

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VISIT A COLLEGE FAIR! Large College Fairs: visit NACAC and NEACAC websites Local College Fairs: Arlington, Watertown, Boston Latin, etc. College Fairs usually take place either in the spring or the

• fall. Ask your Guidance Counselor!

• B. The Process: Guidance Appointments

■ You are encouraged to make an appointment with your

child and his/her counselor in addition to utilizing the resources above. ■ We strongly recommend working on the BHS College Planning To Do List and having an initial college list before scheduling an initial college planning meeting. ❑ The College Planning To Do List can be found on the guidance website. Your children will receive copies when they meet with counselors in biology classes.

■ Student Questionnaire and Parent Brag Sheet -

preferred due date: before Summer

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• B. Summer Before Senior Year

■ Relax and enjoy it! ■ Take a peek at the Common Application prompts - released August 1 ■ Begin to work on your essay ■ Further refine your college list (reach, target, safety schools - plug in your SAT/ACT scores into Naviance and use the scattergrams) ■ Visit schools

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• B. College Process: Fall Senior Year

❏ High school transcript and senior grades ❏ Standardized test scores: SAT, Subject Tests, ACT & TOEFL

❏

Some schools are test optional www.fairtest.org

❏ Application - Common and Non-Common Application

❏ Essay & Supplemental Essays ❏ Activities/extracurricular/achievements/outside academics

❏ Counselor Recommendation ❏ Student Questionnaire and Parent Brag Sheet

❏ Teacher Recommendations-usually 2 academic teachers from

junior year–sent by the teachers

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The Counselors Meet with the Seniors:

• B. College Process: Admissions Deadlines/Terms

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■ Early Action

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Usually 10/15, 11/1, or 11/15

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Good plan of action if you are confident in final 9-11 grades

■ Early Action – Single Choice

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You can only apply early to this school (usually a private school) but no other private schools. Check with the admissions office on their criteria – sometimes you can also apply to public schools.

■ Early Decision

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usually 10/15, 11/1 or 11/15 - some schools have a January ED II deadline

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You can apply to just one school ED and if accepted it is a binding contract – financial aid is not known at this point

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You can apply to other schools EA at the same time but must rescind those applications if accepted to your ED choice - Some schools have restrictions – your responsibility to investigate

• B. College Process: Pros & Cons
• f Applying Early

Action/Decision:

Pros:

■ Learn Admissions Decision well in advance ■ Opportunity to indicate enthusiasm for that institution ■ Save time later and expense submitting multiple applications.

Cons:

■ Time Crunch in fall when trying to earn good Q1 grades and if deferred or denied, to submit other applications. ■ Won’t know financial aid when having to commit (ED only) ■ Can be a more competitive applicant pool ■ Can’t compare financial aid packages (ED only) ■ Should not apply “early”if student would benefit from Q2 grades being part

• f the academic profile.

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■ Rolling

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Apply as you are ready – the sooner the better as admissions offices read and decide

• n applications as they arrive

■ Regular

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Typically January 1 or 15th. Timing works so that colleges will also receive first quarter (and usually second quarter) grades

■ Open Enrollment

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Community Colleges – no admissions requirements per se other than a high school diploma but pay attention to registration dates so that classes are not closed out when you register

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• B. College Process: Admissions Deadlines/Terms

■ Accepted

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Congratulations !

■ Denied ■ Deferred

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Part of Early Action/Early Decision outcomes, your application will be put aside for consideration in the regular round

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Continue to show interest and update with any new information

■ Waitlisted

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Basically a waiting list. As colleges receive notifications from students deciding to attend they will pull students from their waitlist if not enough accepted students decide to enroll. Lists can be as little as a handful of students to thousands

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Again – continue to express interest and update the school with new info

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• B. College Process: Admissions Deadlines/Terms

• B. College Process - A Side Note...

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Number of applications a college receives and to which of its programs

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Number of acceptances given out

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Institutional Needs the school is looking to achieve

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Strength of competing applications - stats of applicant pool changes year to year

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What are factors out of your control?

Naviance (tutorial to come) can help you identify potential matches

• B. The College Process: Senior Fall

September/October:

■ Counselors meet with Seniors in classes to go over the application process ■ Complete the EFC calculator for each school ■ Take SAT/ACT Tests - if not already taken ■ Attend In-House College Admission Representative Visits ■ On-Campus or Alumni Interviews, if possible ■ Continue to visit schools ■ Meet with the Counselors Individually - Complete Student Questionnaire, Parent Brag Sheet and Submit Transcript Request Form - at least 3 weeks prior to first deadline. ■ Create Common Application Account ■ Create FAFSA Account - Open as of 10/1; CSS Profile ■ Let teachers know to what schools you are applying

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• B. Senior Fall Timeline, Cont.

November/December/January:

■ Begin/continue work on Regular Decision applications ■ Submit early action/decision deadlines ■ Focus on Financial Aid and Scholarship applications. ■ Attend the BHS Financial Aid Night Presentation.

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• B. College Process: Making Connections

As you Begin to identify potential schools of interest, it is a good idea to make connections with those schools - particularly those who track “demonstrated interest” via: ■ In-house rep visits ■ College Fairs ■ Visits to the schools ■ Interviews

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• B. College Process : Making Connections

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College admission representatives visit BHS!

When you indicate a school

• n your thinking of applying

to list, you will get an email alert that a rep from that school will be at BHS. Check the list periodically as well for more ideas The visiting rep is VERY likely the person who will read your application!!! (Make sure you are called

• ut for the time and let your

teacher know in advance!)

■ Interviews - Can be done before or after applying

❑ Review admissions process on the school’s website or call if you are unable to locate whether the school offers interviews – some schools do these before you apply, some after you submit application ❑ Check also if there is an opportunity to get an alum interview with someone in the Boston area ❑ Prepare for the interview and be YOU

■ Ask your Guidance Counselor for any advice/a mock interview.

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• B. College Process: Making Connections

• B. College Process: Responsibilities

STUDENT RESPONSIBLE TO SEND:

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Application: Student information and family information

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Includes supplements, essays, resumes if requested, portfolios if requested

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Most students will have colleges that use the Common App - some colleges have their own electronic applications, some still use paper/postal mail

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Standardized Test Results: Official score reports sent directly from College Board and/or ACT

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Application Fee (waivers available – ask your counselor)

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Ensuring Teacher Recommendations are sent GUIDANCE WILL SEND

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Transcript - via transcript release form – we will review this in mtgs senior year

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Guidance sends all Electronic application information through Naviance (Common Application/Coalition App/Colleges Individual App

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Counselor Recommendation/School Report Form

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Special Education Information (if requested by student and/or parent)

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Seniors meet in groups w with Guida dance in Sept to review logistics

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B.

Responsibilities

Communicate and meet with your counselor!

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Students can make an appointment to go over their future plans (college applications, gap year, career planning,…). Parents are welcome to attend.

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Students who plan on applying Early Action or Early Decision should notify their counselor and schedule an appointment at the start of their senior year (at least 3 weeks prior to their first deadline).

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Come prepared. Students should bring a list of 6-8 potential colleges they have researched to the meeting.

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Use the resources available to you. Review the College Planning Guide on the Guidance Website prior to the meeting and use Family Connection.

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■ It is the student’s responsibility to request that the transcript package be sent to colleges and ensure that it is received – we will review this in the fall! ■ It is also the student’s responsibility to let their counselor and their teachers know when they add schools to their list. ■ If you followed the BHS procedure, your transcript package will be mailed

• r uploaded to the colleges you indicated on your transcript release form

within three weeks of your request. ■ It usually takes colleges 3-4 weeks to process materials once they are

• received. Do not panic if the college has not updated your application status
• n their website within the 3-4 week window.

■ After the 3-4 week window, call the office of admissions to verify which materials are missing. Come to the guidance office ASAP to verbally inform the guidance secretary. Your materials will be re-sent ASAP.

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B. “Missing” Information

B. Financial Aid

■ FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid is used to apply for federal and state grants, work-study and loans – can be started during fall senior yr at: www.fafsa.ed.gov

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CSS/Profile – Many private schools require the Profile (or their own financial

aid application) in addition to the FAFSA. www.collegeboard.org

Resources MEFA – The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority www.mefa.org or 800-449-6332 National College Access Program - located in The Boston Public Library, and can help with the FAFSA forms and college planning www.collegeaccess.org

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*BHS sponsors a Financial Aid Seminar each November *

B. Scholarships

■ Scholarship – Any scholarship information we receive is

posted on Naviance

■ Town Scholarships and BHS Scholarships – Applications are

available to the student through Naviance in February of their senior year.

■ Free online search services

❑ www.fastweb.com ❑ www.finaid.org ❑ www.collegeboard.org

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■ Deciding on a school

❏ Acceptances are known in general by April ❏ Financial packages are also known at this point ❏ By May, students notify the school they choose to attend via deposit ❏ Must update your Naviance Account to indicate what school you are attending. Final transcripts are sent through Naviance, therefore it’s critical that you update this information.

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• B. College Process: Once Admitted...

Resources

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BHS - Summary of College Admissions data available in the Guidance office and on Family Connection/Naviance

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Various Publications: Barrons, College Board, Princeton Review etc…

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The Internet: Try the list of helpful websites on the Guidance webpage as a starting point http://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bhs/guidance/search/websites.htm

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BHS College Planning Guide http://students.belmont.k12.ma.us/collegeplanning

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Family Connection/Naviance http://connection.naviance.com/belmonths

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Guidance Office Bulletin Board is frequently updated with information pertaining to Gap Year, Employment Opportunities, and Military Information

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• B. College Search – Naviance

so.. how DO you find the right colleges for you

?!?!?

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• B. College Search – Naviance

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Web-based resource that supports career and college planning

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Specific to our school: uses comparative data from past BHS students

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Linked with counselor: a service that we use in the counseling office

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Junior in-school training planned and facilitated during designated class

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Help!!!

• B. College Search – Naviance

■ Family Connection ■ How do I access it? ■ How do I sign in? ■ What can I do with it? ■ How does it help career and college planning?

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• B. College Search – Naviance

■ Student accounts

• Unless you are a new student, you were registered freshman year in the

guidance office

• If you can’t remember your password, click on the link that says

FORGOT MY PASSWORD and a temporary password will be sent to your email account

• Parent Accounts - Received email in November with

registration code. If you did not receive this, please email Carole Sceppa

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• B. College Search – Naviance

Access via Family Connection @

www.connection.naviance.com/belmonths

• B. College Search – Naviance

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Three Sections:

• 1. About Me
• 2. Careers
• 3. Colleges

• B. College Search – Naviance

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• 1. About Me

Useful for Organization Your info Research Interests Building Resume

• B. College Search – Naviance

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• 2. Careers

Research Careers Link to College Majors

• B. College Search – Naviance

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• 3. Colleges

Research Colleges View Scattergrams Compare Colleges

• B. College Search – Naviance

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• 3. Colleges

SuperMatch Feature

Great way to identify schools based on your criteria and interests Save searches!

■ ‘SuperMatch’ is helpful because it:

❑ Helps students start identifying important criteria to them ❑ Helps students understand how they compare academically to

admissions requirements without someone telling them that they match or don’t match

❑ Helps students generate their own list rather than having

someone tell them what schools are right for them

❑ Keep an open mind! There are over 3,000 colleges and

universities in the United States alone!!! Find the ones that are right for you!!!

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• B. College Search – Naviance

• B. College Search – Naviance

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• 3. Colleges

Colleges I’m Thinking About

Add schools of interest Helps you stay

• rganized!

Visual of app process and deadlines

• B. College Search – Naviance

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• 3. Colleges

College Match

Helps you see what colleges might be of interest based on schools in your interest list Also identifies colleges where past BHS students with a similar academic profile to you have been accepted

• B. College Search – Naviance

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• 3. Colleges

Scattergrams!

Helps you see visually how you may compare in admissions Plots your GPA and test scores – green squares are past BHS students accepted to that school, red x’s are denied students, and the others indicate waitlist or deferred

You are represented by a blue person icon. Note: there will be no icon until you take one standardized test

• B. College Search – Naviance

■ Naviance Notes

❑ Everyone uses it slightly differently ❑ Remember – it is a guide in identifying potential matches ❑ Useful for staying organized with deadlines & applications ❑ Start inputting resume info – will help with apps next year ❑ Helps the student discover colleges on their own!

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Ideal to identify a range of schools- targets, safeties, and reaches

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Review your list with your counselor in the fall – about 10 schools is the average number to which students apply

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Questions?

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