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 RequirementsCourse selection should be done with an eye toward college. Minimum of 20 credits

The College Process: NavianceYour students Naviance page has information that is crucial to the college process. They should visit often and follow all

of the directions on their page.

•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: Naviance

A comprehensive tool that can be used to help students and parents through college and career planning. Students have Naviance accounts. Parents can request an access code by

emailing their students counselor.

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 Request transcripts through Naviance Ask 2 teachers and your counselor 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 Role

Take ownership of college process

Conduct a college search in Naviance. Attend The College Fair at BMHS Figure out who you are. Look for colleges that interest you.

The most selective college may not always be the best fit

Include 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 admission

Visit schools and attend open house meetingsAttend college rep visits in the fall at BMHS Think about cost. Consider Sports.

The College Process: Making a list

The College Process: edocs

Naviance eDocs is an electronic college application tool, allowing schools to prepare and send college application documentation electronically to more than 3,000 electronic destinations including all Common App schools.

To begin managing the college application process, students can start with these activities:

Common App: Register after August 1st. Enter high school information, add at least one college, and sign the FERPA Release Authorization on the Common App Family Connection

In Naviance: Complete the Common App Account Matching process. Add non-Common App colleges to the. Colleges I’m Applying To list.

Online only-no more paper version available

Accepted by more than 450 schools including UCONN.

ESSAY

Supplements will be streamlined so they are accessible online earlier

Complete application will not be available until AUGUST 1, 2015. Do not register until the application is released

Matches with Naviance

www.commonapp.org

The College Process: The Common Application

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: SAT and SAT II Subject Area TestsScholastic Aptitude TestMeasures : Critical Reading, Writing, and Math or Content AreaMaximum 800 per section Minimum 200 per section

www.sat.collegeboard.org

SAT Date2015

SAT Subject Tests Available 

Registration Deadline

Mar 14    No Subject Test

Feb 13  

May 2  

Subject Tests: U.S. History, Literature, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Mathematics Level 2, Mathematics Level 1, Biology E/M

Apr 6  

Jun 6  

Subject Tests: U.S. History, World History, Literature, Chemistry, Physics. Latin, Modern Hebrew, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Mathematics Level 2, Mathematics Level 1, Biology E/M

May 8  

College Entrance Exams: ACTAmerican College TestingMeasures: English, Science, Reading, Math and Writing (optional)Scoring Out of 36 Maximum and Minimum per section varies

www.actstudent.org

Test DateRegistration Deadline

(Late Fee Required)

February 7, 2015* January 9, 2015 January 10–16, 2015

April 18, 2015 March 13, 2015 March 14–27, 2015

June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015 May 9–22, 2015

FAFSA (WEB Based) Free Application for Federal Student Aid For Federal Aid January 1st – March 1* Parents and Students must apply for

FAFSA pin Never pay for FAFSA https://fafsa.ed.gov

Financial Aid/ Scholarships

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

universities Fee associated For Institutional Funds https://student.collegeboard.org/css-fin

ancial-aid-profile

Financial Aid/Scholarships

Get Motivated. Research early. Check the Scholarship list on NAVIANCE! Some web sites on the BMHS Guidance Page:

Adventures In Education — Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculatorwww.AIE.org/Calculators/EFC/index.cfm - Adventures In Education — Scholarship Searchwww.AIE.org/sbase - College Answer www.collegeanswer.com - College Board — Scholarship Databaseapps.collegeboard.com/cbsearchss/welcome.jsp College Goal Sunday www.collegegoalsundayusa.org - CollegeToolkit.com www.collegetoolkit.com - FAFSA on the Web www.fafsa.ed.gov - FastWeb — Scholarship Searchwww.studentservices.com/fastweb - Federal Trade Commission — Scholarship Scamswww.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt009.shtm - Financial Aid Information

www.finaid.org - Hispanic Scholarship Fund www.hsf.net -

Athletes: NCAA Clearinghouse

The NCAA Eligibility Center is responsible for determining the eligibility of every college-bound student-athlete in NCAA Divisions I and II using the following two areas: Academic Certification and Amateurism Certification.

College-bound student-athletes should complete the registration process, at www.eligibilitycenter.org at the beginning of their sophomore year.

Send official transcripts at the end of the student’s sixth semester (junior year) and SAT/ACT Scores from College Board.

Fee waivers are available, see your School Counselor .

The Brien McMahon School Counseling Web Site: http://portal.norwalkps.org/schools/bmhs/guidance/default.aspxOur Web site contains a comprehensive four year planning guide to Colleges and Careers as well as other important information. Please be sure to visit out page often.

Things to know:

Questions….?