JONATHAN LAW HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

PRESENTS

THE COLLEGE PROCESS

School Counseling Team Contact InformationSchool Counselors:

A-BOR Paulette Reeves ext. 5868 DB-J Cristina Scarpa ext. 5768

K-MTNicole Pirrello ext. 5468 MU-S Barbara Kovacs ext. 5668 BOS-DA, Marguerite Raymo ext. 5568

T-Z Email: first initial, last name@milforded.orgSupport Staff:Christy Lindsay, College and Career Assistant ext. 5060

A commitment Time consuming Often confusing Hard work Requires thought A team undertaking The student, the family and the

school counselor working together

The College Process Is …

Our Agenda

Student profile Naviance Testing Choosing the right school(s) Applying to school(s) Financial aid NCAA registration Questions and answers

Student ProfileWhat do colleges want to know? Just the facts:

G.P.A. Class Rank Courses (level of difficulty) SAT/ACT Scores

Digital Footprints Be aware of what it is and how it is used

The Whole Person Student Leader Athlete Key/Keyette Club Interact Club Advocate Staff Actor Musician Artist

Volunteer Employee Scout Sailor Member of your

family Church Group

Naviance

Naviance enables our counseling office to offer a comprehensive website for parents and students to use in making decisions about colleges and careers. It allows students to: Research colleges/careers Sign up for college visits at JLHS Check out scholarships Complete inventories/surveys Share information via email with students and parents

www.connection.naviance.com/jonathanlaw

Resources that Naviance provides:

College Information

College Search EDOCS Academic/Action

Plan Interest Inventory Personality Survey

Scholarship Information

Learning Styles Resume Builder

College Admissions Testing SAT

SAT I – (Reasoning) SAT II (Subject tests)

ACT

About the tests

What are they? When do students take them? Where are they offered? How to register? What is the cost? How do the colleges receive the scores?

Are there alternatives? How may my son or daughter improve their scores?

SAT Reasoning Test or SAT I Three sections to the test:

Critical Reading Math Writing

Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800.

There are sub scores for the multiple choice sections and the essay.

SAT Subject Tests or SAT II One hour long, may take three at one administration sitting

Required by some selective colleges for admission

May be used for placement in appropriate college level classes

Will be indicated on the application if required

The ACTAmerican College Testing Program Four sections to the test:

English Math Reading Science

Optional writing section with an essay sub-score

Scored on a scale from 1-36

Four individual scores plus a composite average score

When do students take SATs/ACTs?

Most students take these tests in spring of junior year and then again in fall of senior year.

Most colleges will take the higher/highest score in each section from all of the testing.

Most colleges recommend two or three times.

How to Register:

Online SAT at www.collegeboard.org ACT at www.actstudent.org

How to Register:

What is the cost? (This year) SAT Reasoning Test- $50, late fee $27 SAT Subject Tests- $23 registration fee, plus $12 per test.

ACT- $35, $50 with optional Writing Section

*See your counselor to determine if you are eligible for a fee waiver*

Deadlines and additional fees are described in the written material or on website.

How Do Colleges receive Scores? Directly from Testing Service

Four are free at registration or within 5 days after the testing date.

Cost per school $11 for scores to be sent Current scores and previous scores

Score Choice Student elects scores to be sent Must select prior to registration or within

10 days of testing.

Very Important:

Entering the school code gives College Board and ACT permission to send Jonathan Law your scores.

CEEB CODE 070423

What are testing optional schools? Certain colleges are accepting

alternative information such as evidence of long term projects, etc. This is indicated as SAT optional. The information is on the college’s website.

Consult individual college websites or see your counselor.

How may my student improve their scores?Read, read and read more…

Use PSAT results

Take challenging math classes and other college preparatory courses.

Register for the “SAT Question of the Day” on collegeboard.com.

CHOOSING A COLLEGEHOW TO NARROW THE SEARCH

Important factors to consider: Location Size Major Suitcase School Housing/Commute Cost Activities

Facilities on campus

Community activities on campus

Support Services

Special Needs

Where to Start?

College websites Naviance View books College representatives College fairs ( sign up today for the Harford College Fair)

College tours

College Visits

• Call for an appointment.• Review school information before arriving for your visit.

• Tour the surrounding area.

College visits continued…

Time your visits when students are on campus.

Tour the residence halls, cafeteria, classrooms and library.

Bring an unofficial transcript. Ask questions (i.e. freshman class size, health services, car policy, campus security, admissions dates and criteria).

College visits continued…

Speak, informally, to students. Consider having an interview with admissions staff.

Talk to financial aid office during the visit.

Make a list of first impressions.

Take pictures.

Open Houses

Day or weekend activities for prospective students.

Dates available on college websites.

Usually late spring and early fall.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Jonathan Law Timeline

The Jonathan Law Guidance Department requires 10 School days to process a completed application.

The guidance department reviews the application, including the essay, prior to the student submitting the application.

TYPES OF COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early Decision Early Action: Single Choice Early Action Standard Rolling Admission

TYPES OF APPLICATIONS

Online Applications-encouraged by schools

Common Application (www.commonapp.org) Paper Application

Completing the Edocs/Online Application:

Aspect of Naviance JLHS may transmit transcript and support materials

(recommendation letters) electronically to colleges All students must register for the Common

Application Upon completing registration for the common

application, students must sign “Release Form” Student may now transmit their common

application or the school’s own electronic application. Please save your work.

Student should complete the Transcript Request Form (blue form) and bring it to Mrs. Sena in guidance.

Essays

Brainstorm on the topics. Complete a rough draft. Have someone review it. Revise. Edit. SAVE ESSAYS WRITTEN DURING

YOUR JUNIOR YEAR.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Determine how many the schools require.

Make sure they’ll be strong. Teachers Counselor-If you are using the

common application please make certain to inform your counselor.

Decisions

Acceptance Deferral Wait List Denial Inform counselor of decision

FINANCIAL AID

Tuition Cost BreakdownWestern

Connecticut State

University

College of the Ozarks

University Vermont

University of South

Florida/Tampa

Worcester Polytechnic

Institute

Tuition$8,246

TuitionWork for free tuition

Tuition$32,528

Tuition$14,916

Tuition$39,450

Room and Board$10,223

Room and Board $5,900

Room and Board$9,708

Room and Board$9,190

Room and Board $11,934

Books$1,300

Books$800

Books$1,200

Books$1,500

Books$1,000

*check school website for net price calculator *this price is before financial aid/scholarships/loans are factored in

The primary responsibility of

paying for college is that of the

parents/guardians and the student.

Bridging the Gap

The GAP

Cost of Attendance (COA) = Tuition, Room and Board, Fees

Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) = From FAFSA – amount family is expected to contribute

Gap is the Need. COA – EFC = Gap

Financial Aid is money that you can apply for to help bridge the gap

between your family assets

Grants Scholarships

Loans Work Study

How to apply for Financial Aid?

Start to prepare your tax information in November – December of the Senior year

Complete and submit the Profile, if required Apply for your PIN so that you can complete

and submit the FAFSA to get the SAR that tells you your EFC.

WATCH DEADLINES! Contact Financial Aid office for

specific application forms, deadlines and requirements

Financial Aid Acronyms

FAFSA- Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

EFC-Expected Family Contribution SAR- Student Aid report PIN- Personal Identification Number CSS- College Scholarship Service COA – Cost of Attendance

Scholarships

Jonathan Law Scholarship: all students should submit the application

Scholarships are listed on the Guidance website and updated daily via Naviance/Family Connection

Beware of scholarship services that charge a fee

NCAA Eligibility Center All Athletes who are considering Division

I and/or Division II schools Online application: Go to NCAA website

and follow prompts for application. This should be done at the end of junior year.

There is a fee required to submit the application. ($70)

H.S. transcript is required to complete the application.

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Questionsand

Answers…