College Planning

Night Presentation5:30pm-6:15pm HS Auditorium

Hosted By The Guidance Department:

Ms. Sara Lewis (School Counselor A-L) ext. 2706

Mr. Steven Romans (School Counselor M-Z) ext. 2707

Mrs. Forbes (Guidance Secretary) ext. 2708

Financial Aid Presentation 6:15pm-7:15pm

Sarah Cybart – SUNY Fredonia Financial Aid

Dates & Deadlines:

FAFSA

Can be completed- Opened on October 1st, 2017

Common App

Can be completed- Currently open

“Decision Day”

Typically May 1st, but deadlines may be moving up (Early

decision, early action deadlines too!)

SAT & ACT Exams

Recommend taking it 2 times

Important to take 2nd exam ASAP if you have not already

registered

Writing portion is optional

SAT & ACT Dates

Next Offered SAT:

October 7th, 2017

Registration is closed

November 4th, 2017

Registration Deadline: October 5th, 2017

Late Registration Deadline: October 25th, 2017

December 2nd, 2017

Registration Deadline: November 2nd, 2017

Late Registration Deadline: November 21st, 2017

Next Offered ACT:

October 28th, 2017

Late Registration Deadline: October 6th , 2017

December 9th, 2017

Registration Deadline: November 3rd, 2017

Late Registration Deadline: November 17th, 2017

Transcript, Rank & GPA

Rank and GPA are calculated at the end of every school

year

Rank is weighted

GPA is unweighted and weighted

Grades from the end of junior year will be used for

college applications

Final rank is completed after the first semester of senior

year

Final GPA and rank are sent

to colleges after graduation

Student Timeline:

Freshman Year:

Get involved (extra curricular, sports, clubs)

Pick the right mix of classes (based off interests / future aspirations)

Focus on your grades / developing study habits

Research different careers / majors / minors

Volunteer!

Sophomore Year:

PSAT exam

Explore colleges that interest

you / have your pursuing degree

Begin to contact colleges

that interest you

• Get a job

• Job shadow interested

careers

Student Timeline:

Junior Year:

Run for leadership positions!

Athletics & clubs

PSAT exam (October 14th, 2017)

Payment of $20 due to HS Guidance

SAT / ACT exam

(at least one, maybe two)

Make a college list &

continue to gather information

Utilize your summer

Visit interested colleges

Get a job

Job shadow interesting careers

Student Timeline:

Senior Year:

Finalize college list

Take SAT / ACT (2nd time)

Keep track of deadlines

Attend college fairs

Visit colleges / attend

open houses

FAFSA (10/1/17)

Complete Applications

Fill Out Scholarships

Meet with college reps

College Rep Visits

Coming in October:

University of PITT at Bradford

Penn State

University at Buffalo

SUNY Canton

Keuka College

SUNY Geneseo

Coming in November:

Baldwin Wallace

St. John Fisher

Mercyhurst Erie Campus

SUNY Potsdam

Niagara University

Gannon University

Hartwick College

Visiting Colleges

Most schools have tours every weekend

Schedule a guided tour

Also explore on your own

Open house events

Accepted student open house

What should you ask at your visit?

What should you do on your visit?

Attend an event!

Great way to see/ experience school spirit

When should you start visiting colleges?

As soon as possible

National College Fair (March) & Bus to Visit Colleges (April)

What Colleges Look For

“Whole student”

Extra Curricular Activities

Volunteering, Internships, Clubs, Athletics

GPA

Rank

Standardized Test Score

Strength of Schedule

(senior year too)

Strong Recommendations

Unique Personal Statement

Application Process

Common Application

SUNY Application

Individual Applications

SAT / ACT Scores

Send free scores when

registering for exam

Letters of Recommendation

Request Form

College Essay

Prompts on applications

Application Process

Goal School Vs. Reach School Vs. Safety School

Types of Decisions

Early Admission

Binding

Early Action

Non-Binding

Regular Decision

Rolling Admissions

Application Fee$

Applying to colleges is costly, so apply wisely

Some application fees can be waived

Campus visit

Financial need

EOP Program

Scholarships

Guidance Office:

Mrs. Forbes’ wall of scholarships

Listings consistently arising

More frequent after January 1st

Different qualifications for each

Major, financial need, leadership, etc…

Never pay for a scholarship opportunity!

Websites:

www.fastweb.com

www.scholarships/com

www.zinch.com

How to Decide?

Location

Money

Size

Major

Is your program of interest offered, is it a priority at the given

school?

Campus Atmosphere

How did it feel when you visited?

Opportunities Available?

Study abroad, internships, work study, clubs & intramurals

www.CollegeBoard.org

www.CollegeBoard.org

Narrowing your college search

Career Readiness

Career Zone Resource

Utilizes interest profilers, work

importance, and ability

Suggests careers based on job zones

See your School Counselor!

Career & Financial Management

Course + BEEP Class

Mrs. Lancaster

Career Day 2017

October 27th, 2017

Each grade = 4 careers & 1 career

development

Remember!

There is no such thing as being too prepared for college

Academic goals, identifying career goals, and saving

money, financially

You have resources all around you to help guide you on

your path!

See your school counselor

Talk to your teachers

Ask questions!

The road to your career is not always the most direct

Indirect methods are often times more common routes to

achieving your goals

Common App Workshop

What: Common App Workshop

Registering for an account

Requesting teacher recommenders

Where to plug in transcript information

Essay prompts

When:

Coming later this October-January! Listen for

announcements!

Where:

Room 601

Questions? Thank you for attending!!

Any Questions Please Contact Your School

Counselor:

Ms. Lewis (A-L)

716-679-1581 EXT. 2706

Mr. Romans (M-Z)

716-679-1581 EXT. 2707