HSW Junior Parent Conference 4.5.19

Welcome to your Junior Conference!

Hills West Counseling Center

High School Record Review… 

GPA (Core, unweighted, weighted) 

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Recalculated GPA

Graduation Requirements Senior Year Schedule

Senior Transcripts submitted to colleges are typically not available until mid September due to schedule adjustments in the fall.

School Profile and brochure are sent with your transcript to each college you apply to. They are typically completed by mid September.

Responsibilities Student Play

an active role in the college research and application process. Submit standardized tests scores to colleges (ACT, SAT, SAT II, AP). Ask teachers for letters of recommendation and follow up in the fall. Complete and submit college applications. Submit one gold form per college. Schedule to see your counselor with any additional questions.

Counselor Meet

with student and parent/guardian for postsecondary planning. Host senior orientation in September and review important information with students. Send transcript, school profile, and letters of recommendation/evaluation forms to colleges listed on gold forms. Answer student questions.

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Standardized Testing SAT I Reasoning Test  

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ACT  

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Register at actstudent.org Does your college super score? Do they require all scores sent?

SAT Subject Tests 

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Register at collegeboard.org Does your college super score? Do they require all scores sent?

Only required by some schools. You are responsible for knowing if colleges you are applying to require them.

AP Scores 

Not usually required for admission process, but possibly used for credit once attending college. Check with your colleges.

Release Test Scores from SAT & ACT!

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You MUST release official scores directly to the schools from testing companies.  There is a charge per school.  You may release your score at any time, but the sooner the better.  If you retake a test, remember to resend your new scores.  You may release scores online or via phone.  Collegeboard.org & actstudent.org

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Things to know…..

• Many schools offer a Score Choice option where you only have to submit your highest score (by test date).

• Some schools may Super Score if you send multiple test dates.

• Please check admission requirements. Some schools require you send all scores.

• Do you anticipate that your Standardized Test scores will not be your strength? Check out www.Fairtest.org for a complete list of test optional schools.

HOW DO COLLEGES MAKE THEIR DECISIONS?

How colleges choose you             

“Holistic Review” High school academic record (GPA & course rigor) Improvement from year to year Standardized test scores Letters of recommendation Extracurricular activities School/community service Honors and Awards Special talent Personal statement/essay Interview Demonstrated Interest The college’s agenda

Enrollment Model

Pyramid of Selectivity

Example: Applications 8,000 Acceptances 2,000 Enrollment 500

Most Selective < 10%

selectivity yield

Highly Selective ≈ 25% accepted

Selective ≈ 50% accepted

Somewhat Selective ≈ 70% accepted

WHAT CAN I DO TO IMPROVE MY CHANCES OF BEING ADMITTED? SUGGESTIONS: -Make your grades top priority -Take charge of the process -Tell your story -Build relationships with the decision makers at the school -Research and visit the school “Give the admission officers every reason to want to include you in the communities they are building as they admit their entering classes!”

-Peter Van Buskirk

The Holistic Process

Teacher Letters of Recommendation Teacher letters of recommendation are an important part of the college process. They help personalize your application and tell a story about who you are as a student and person in the classroom.

Students should follow these steps in order to request recommendations: ď&#x192;&#x2DC;Complete

one green teacher request form for each teacher. The more information you provide, the more detailed your letter can be. ď&#x192;&#x2DC;Ask your teacher politely if he/she would write a letter of recommendation on your behalf. ď&#x192;&#x2DC;Request the recommendation in Naviance following the instructions enclosed in your Junior Conference Materials.

Please complete these three steps starting April 1st 2019, it is advised that you complete the steps before the end of your 11th grade year. Please note that teachers often do not complete the recommendation letters until after the school year is completed and the Naviance portal opens for the next school year (Early Fall).

This gives them an opportunity to speak about the overall impression throughout the school year.

Teacher Letters of Recommendation Helpful Tips

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Consider asking a teacher that knows you well and in whose class you worked to your potential. It is our recommendation that you ask one or two teachers for letters. At least one of those teachers should be from an academic subject area and be able to speak about a recent experience with you in the classroom. Discuss who and how you choose with you counselor.

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Teachers are not required to write letters of recommendation but they understand the importance of them in the admissions process and often spend their free time completing them. “Please” and “Thank You” go a long way in this process.

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If you choose to apply to a school with an earlier deadline, please communicate this to teachers so they have ample time to complete the recommendation.

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No matter what the school’s deadline is, it is always a good idea to follow up with your recommender in the early Fall. When you speak with them, it is a great opportunity to thank them again for providing you with a letter, express your excitement about your future plans and invite them to contact you if they need any more information from you.

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Some colleges may only accept one letter of recommendation. Please see your colleges’ admissions requirements and discuss with your counselor.

Building Your Resume

There is no magic set of extracurricular activities or athletics that will make your college application the most impressive.

Keep the following rule in mind as you pursue extracurricular activities and put together your college applications:

DEPTH OVER BREADTH It is more impressive to be deeply involved with two activities and have leadership roles in both than to be in eight clubs or sports but just participate without getting too involved. Focus on a few activities you are passionate about and can make a difference doing.

As you put together your resume, please keep the following in mind: • Start with the activities you are most passionate about.

• Highlight any leadership positions, awards or other accomplishments.

• For every activity you list, try to add details (An award you won, a leadership position you held, an event you may have assisted with).

Thoughts On Volunteer Workâ&#x20AC;¦

The College Essay A lot of students panic about finding a unique topic, but what's really important isn't so much what you write about as how you write about it. You need to use your topic to show something deeper about yourself.

Review the prompts: you'll notice that almost all prompts ask you what you learned or how the experience affected you. Whatever topic you pick, you must be able to specifically address how or why it matters to you. Answer

the question Monitor the length Follow the directions Grammar and spelling count! Get feedback from teachers, counselor, parents and friends Make it personal – who are you? Be original Use examples Please share a copy of your draft/finalized essay with your counselor

The Exploration Process

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Research!

Where to begin?

Naviance 

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Internet Search 

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Hills West Guidance Website and college websites

Online College Resources 

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Visit the “Colleges” tab to research and keep track of colleges you are interested in Admissions Scattergrams

www.niche.com, www.unigo.com/colleges, www.studentreview.com

College Admission Representative Visits to HSW Local College Fairs/ HSW Mini College Fairs Visit Campuses Keep in Mind… 

Safety, Target, Reach

IMPORTANT FEATURES FOR CAREER EXPLORATION AND COLLEGE PREP www.connection.naviance.com/hhhhsw

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Useful Samples and Templates (Resume) College Search College Compare (compare multiple schools) Explore colleges looking for students like you ACCURATE statistics about admission Track your college applications and teacher recommendations Review Meyers Briggs Inventory Results (Do What You Are) Explore Careers (responsibilities, salary information)

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What are you Looking for in a school?

Size (personal or anonymous learning) Location (where in country and setting) Programs of study/major/minor Private or public Cost (Financial & Merit Aid) Religious affiliation Athletics – DI, DII, DIII Campus Life Special programs (Art, intramurals, music, etc.)

How to Make Your College List   

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Start with a large group of colleges that appeal to you.

Narrow down the list to colleges you would consider.

Research more about these schools. See if they have your “deal-breakers”.

Start building a final list of colleges you will apply to.  

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Consider which colleges fit your needs.

Include a range of admission chances (Safe, Target and Reach).

Understand that all highly selective schools are reaches.

Have the conversation about affordability.

Make the most of a college visit!            

Take a tour of the campus (call ahead for an appointment) – go to information sessions Talk with the students Look at the classrooms Eat in the cafeterias Look at the dorms and housing facilities – try to arrange an overnight visit Visit the library Check out bulletin boards and college newspaper Look at the surrounding town Take photographs and notes during visit Meet with the coach (if applicable and possible) Campus Tour Questionnaire ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS!!!!

APPLYING TO COLLEGE

Types of Applications  Individual College/University Websites  Common Application www.commonapp.org  (check for supplements)  Coalition Application

www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org  SUNY Application www.suny.edu  CUNY Application www.cuny.edu **Please have your counselor or parent/guardian review before you submit it

application

 Communicate with your counselor if you believe you

are eligible for an application fee waiver.

The Application Process 

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When submitting an application online, a Gold Processing Form must be handed in to Counseling Center. This enables us to send your transcript, letters of recommendation/evaluation form, and secondary school report to colleges.

Before submitting the Gold Processing Form, you must:  Create a Resume/Activity Sheet and hand into guidance  Confirm at least one of the two teacher letters of recommendations have been submitted through Naviance (check in guidance office)  Sign the hard copy and online Common Application FERPA  Submit your college/university applications It is the students’ responsibility to know college application deadlines.

Gold Forms MUST be submitted to the Counseling Center at a minimum of 2 weeks/10 school days prior to the college application deadline.

Types of Deadlines Confirm the application deadlines on the colleges websites!

Students are Responsible for knowing Deadlines! 

Early Decision (ED) is binding 

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Early Decision II (ED II) is binding 

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(College deadline usually 11/1)

Rolling 

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(College deadline usually 11/1)

Restrictive Early Action 

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(College deadline usually 1/1 or 1/15)

Early Action (EA) 

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(College deadline usually 11/1)

Processed as it is received (the earlier you apply the better)

Regular 

(College deadline usually 1/1)

Tips for Common App Common App Education section information:       

CEEB Code - 331627 Date of Entry – 9/2016 Date of Graduation – 6/26/2020 Class Rank – We do not Rank, Please answer “None” Class Size – 312 GPA Scale – 100 Course Credit Value :  Full Year Courses (except Gym) = 1 Credit  Half Year Courses and Gym = .5 Credit  SAT/ACT Prep = .25 credit

Applying to College: What Can I Start Now?  

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End the year strongly Sign the hard copy FERPA with your parent during your Junior Conference Request 2 academic teacher recommendations Activity Sheet/Student Resume  Listing of extracurricular, awards, honors, etc. during High School  You will be most likely be asked to list your extra curricular activities in your college application, however this copy is for your school counselor’s reference.

Plan to register for SAT/ACT/SAT II if necessary Research! Begin to create a list of college possibilities

Applying to College: What Can I Complete over the summer?

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Visit College/Universities when possible.

Adjust your list of college possibilities.

Familiarize yourself with application deadlines and types of applications .

Begin your Common Application, available August 1st.

Work on your College Essay.  Speak to your counselor and English teacher.

Applying to College: What Can I Complete in the Fall?   

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Narrow down your list of schools.

Finalize your essays and give a copy to your counselor.

Check to see if your teacher letters of recommendations have been submitted through Naviance (check with the guidance office).

Submit your applications and send testing scores.

Hand in Gold Processing Forms.

Sign up through Naviance to meet college representatives.

Be familiar with schools that require CSS Profile and complete FAFSA with your parent/guardian.

Begin searching HSW Scholarship Bulletin .

SCHOLARSHIPS For more resources check out our Counseling Center website  Scholarship Bulletin on website  Individual Schools  HSW Naviance Emails and Remind – Make sure your email is updated  Excelsior Scholarship 

FINANCIAL AID 

FAFSA – available beginning of October www.fafsa.ed.gov   

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Check individuals colleges for FAFSA deadline By completing the FAFSA, you are eligible to qualify for financial aid (loans, grants, etc.)

You may need to complete the FAFSA to qualify for academic scholarships and grants as well

TAP – NYS Financial Aid CSS Profile Financial Aid Night (parents invited) Please check school calendar for date 

Financial Aid Power Point Presentation

NCAA o

All Division I and II athletes must register with NCAA Clearinghouse.

-www.ncaaclearinghouse.net o

Speak to your coach now.

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important you communicate your interests in athletics to your counselor so I can work with you for NCAA Clearinghouse.

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Complete your athletic resume.

Thank you!

Please make sure to contact your counselor with questions/concerns.