Parish Hill Parish Hill High SchoolHigh School

Junior College NightJunior College Night

Write down one Write down one question or question or concern you have concern you have about the college about the college selection processselection process

Junior CalendarJunior Calendar September September

Register for PSATRegister for PSAT

October October Take PSATTake PSAT

December December PSAT score report arrives PSAT score report arrives

Read and understand your scoresRead and understand your scores Consider SAT prep course or study from SAT Prep book or websiteConsider SAT prep course or study from SAT Prep book or website

March March Register for SAT I examRegister for SAT I exam College Search/Interest Inventory on College Search/Interest Inventory on CHOICES CHOICES

Junior Calendar Junior Calendar ContinuedContinued April April

Attend college fairAttend college fair Narrow down list of colleges and plan visitsNarrow down list of colleges and plan visits Fill out recommendation questionnaireFill out recommendation questionnaire

May May Take the SAT ITake the SAT I

JuneJune Take the SAT I (if not in May)Take the SAT I (if not in May) Plan college visits for summerPlan college visits for summer

Senior CalendarSenior Calendar

August August Narrow college list down to no more than five Narrow college list down to no more than five

schoolsschools Request catalogs & applicationsRequest catalogs & applications

SeptemberSeptember Check test dates for SAT I & SAT II exams and Check test dates for SAT I & SAT II exams and

registerregister Make list of deadline dates for SATs, college apps Make list of deadline dates for SATs, college apps

and financial aidand financial aid Begin asking teachers for letters of Begin asking teachers for letters of

recommendationrecommendation

Senior Calendar Senior Calendar ContinuedContinued October October

Take SAT I examTake SAT I exam Come to PHHS Senior College NightCome to PHHS Senior College Night Work on admissions essaysWork on admissions essays Visit colleges/attend open housesVisit colleges/attend open houses Attend college fairAttend college fair Submit CSS/PROFILE if requiredSubmit CSS/PROFILE if required

NovemberNovember Take SAT I or II examTake SAT I or II exam Check on Financial Aid/Scholarship applications and Check on Financial Aid/Scholarship applications and

deadlinesdeadlines Begin preparation of college applications and check Begin preparation of college applications and check

deadlinesdeadlines

Senior Calendar Senior Calendar ContinuedContinued

December December Come to PHHS Financial Come to PHHS Financial

Aid NightAid Night Pick up FAFSA Form (DO NOT SUBMIT Pick up FAFSA Form (DO NOT SUBMIT

BEFORE JANUARY 1)BEFORE JANUARY 1) Watch for Scholarship BulletinsWatch for Scholarship Bulletins

JanuaryJanuary Submit FAFSA form ASAP Submit FAFSA form ASAP

Keep copies of FAFSA & tax returnsKeep copies of FAFSA & tax returns

Senior Calendar Senior Calendar ContinuedContinued FebruaryFebruary

Check to see if midyear grades have been Check to see if midyear grades have been sentsent

Rank final list of collegesRank final list of colleges Finish applicationsFinish applications

March March Look for Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail Look for Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail

containing federal financial aid informationcontaining federal financial aid information Submit tax forms to financial aid Submit tax forms to financial aid office office

if requestedif requested

Senior Calendar Senior Calendar ContinuedContinued April April

Look for college acceptance and financial Look for college acceptance and financial aid award lettersaid award letters

Make your final decision and send in deposit Make your final decision and send in deposit by deadlineby deadline

Notify schools you will not be attendingNotify schools you will not be attending Watch for important deadlines Watch for important deadlines

(housing, financial aid, etc.)(housing, financial aid, etc.)

May/JuneMay/June Relax and enjoy the summer!Relax and enjoy the summer!

The College SearchThe College Search Two essential questions that you should ask yourself Two essential questions that you should ask yourself

What does it take to get into the school What does it take to get into the school  Do I want to be there even if your friends are not going to be Do I want to be there even if your friends are not going to be

there. Research is needed by you.  YOU NEED TO VISIT AND LEARN BY there. Research is needed by you.  YOU NEED TO VISIT AND LEARN BY CONTRASTING SCHOOLS.  Speak to students thereCONTRASTING SCHOOLS.  Speak to students there

   The CollegeThe College – Location, size, type, student body, housing, facilities – Location, size, type, student body, housing, facilities AdmissionAdmission – Requirements, selection criteria, percent accepted, – Requirements, selection criteria, percent accepted,

deadlines deadlines Application Application – It looks much nicer to type your application on the – It looks much nicer to type your application on the

computer, even if you don’t send it online computer, even if you don’t send it online Costs and financial aidCosts and financial aid – Tuition, housing, meals, fees, books, other, – Tuition, housing, meals, fees, books, other,

forms required, deadlines forms required, deadlines Academics/programAcademics/program – Range of courses in major, student-faculty ratio, – Range of courses in major, student-faculty ratio,

AP Policy, special academic programs (study AP Policy, special academic programs (study abroad, Co-op, honors, double major, etc) abroad, Co-op, honors, double major, etc)

Student life and servicesStudent life and services – Counseling, health, job placement, athletics, – Counseling, health, job placement, athletics, clubs, sororities/fraternities clubs, sororities/fraternities

Alumni informationAlumni information – Graduate info, email addresses – Graduate info, email addresses Online applicationsOnline applications Email directoryEmail directory

Types of Colleges to Types of Colleges to Apply to:Apply to:

at least one of each of belowat least one of each of below ReachReach – a school that you may not get into based – a school that you may not get into based

on SATs and grades, but would go to if acceptedon SATs and grades, but would go to if accepted MatchMatch – a school that matches your academic – a school that matches your academic

profile and you will “most likely” be acceptedprofile and you will “most likely” be accepted SafetySafety – A school that you are “guaranteed” to be – A school that you are “guaranteed” to be

accepted to – this may not be your first choice, accepted to – this may not be your first choice, but at least you will have a college to go to in the but at least you will have a college to go to in the FallFall

Senior Year CoursesSenior Year Courses Choose a challenging courseload Choose a challenging courseload

Colleges will look for: Colleges will look for: 4 yrs English & literature 4 yrs English & literature 3-4 years of mathematics 3-4 years of mathematics 3-4 years of sciences, including biology, chemistry and physics,3-4 years of sciences, including biology, chemistry and physics, 3-4 years of the same foreign language 3-4 years of the same foreign language 3-4 years of history & social science3-4 years of history & social science 2-3 years of music and arts.2-3 years of music and arts. Supplement the ideal curriculum by taking courses at community Supplement the ideal curriculum by taking courses at community

college, Eastern Whips Program, etc.college, Eastern Whips Program, etc. Check with guidance about course selectionCheck with guidance about course selection Watch out for senior slump Watch out for senior slump

Colleges do get midterm grades and final grades Colleges do get midterm grades and final grades They have the right to deny or rescind admissionThey have the right to deny or rescind admission

Class Rank & Grade Point Class Rank & Grade Point AverageAverage

Calculated at the end of each yearCalculated at the end of each year Calculated at end of 3Calculated at end of 3rdrd quarter senior quarter senior

year for Valedictorian & Salutatorianyear for Valedictorian & Salutatorian Class rank and GPA are weighted Class rank and GPA are weighted

Advanced classes add weightAdvanced classes add weight

Class rank Class rank Not overly important for small schoolNot overly important for small school

Extracurricular ActivitiesExtracurricular Activities Colleges will look for involvement in sports, activities, Colleges will look for involvement in sports, activities,

volunteer work, community service (in and out of volunteer work, community service (in and out of school), church activities, etc.school), church activities, etc.

Consistency, commitment and leadership are Consistency, commitment and leadership are important factors important factors

Be a good person Be a good person People will be needed to write recommendations based on People will be needed to write recommendations based on

your personality your personality Colleges want well-rounded, responsible, studentsColleges want well-rounded, responsible, students

Don’t spread yourself too thin Don’t spread yourself too thin keep up your grades and attendancekeep up your grades and attendance

SAT I TestSAT I Test Juniors usually take in May or JuneJuniors usually take in May or June Seniors take in the FallSeniors take in the Fall Cost is $45.00 Cost is $45.00

Payable to the College BoardPayable to the College Board

School Code is 070093School Code is 070093 Know your Social Security NumberKnow your Social Security Number

SAT Subject TestsSAT Subject Tests Usually taken in Fall of senior yearUsually taken in Fall of senior year Individual achievement test usually relating to Individual achievement test usually relating to

area of interestarea of interest Usually three taken at one sitting Usually three taken at one sitting

Each about 1 hour in lengthEach about 1 hour in length Check with colleges to see if necessary and Check with colleges to see if necessary and

what tests are requiredwhat tests are required Writing usually required and two othersWriting usually required and two others Preparation is mainly through high school Preparation is mainly through high school

classes, but additional prep available in classes, but additional prep available in booklets, books and on the webbooklets, books and on the web

Admission PlansAdmission Plans Regular AdmissionsRegular Admissions

Dec. 1 and May 1Dec. 1 and May 1 Early DecisionEarly Decision

Have to commit to that school if you are acceptedHave to commit to that school if you are accepted Rolling AdmissionsRolling Admissions

Students are accepted as they applyStudents are accepted as they apply Early ActionEarly Action – –

Will get early decision, but do not have to commit to Will get early decision, but do not have to commit to that school until May 1that school until May 1stst

These options are good for students who know These options are good for students who know for sure where they want to gofor sure where they want to go

Open Houses/Campus Open Houses/Campus VisitsVisits

Visit colleges during the summerVisit colleges during the summer Most colleges have Open House/Campus Days Most colleges have Open House/Campus Days

in Sept – Nov – usually on weekendsin Sept – Nov – usually on weekends Call before visiting Call before visiting

Tours are availableTours are available Ask questionsAsk questions

Talk to students (not your tour guide) Talk to students (not your tour guide) ““Why did you choose this school?” Why did you choose this school?” ““What do you like about it?”What do you like about it?”

DO NOT ACCEPT TO A SCHOOL YOU HAVE DO NOT ACCEPT TO A SCHOOL YOU HAVE NOT VISITED!NOT VISITED!

College ApplicationsCollege Applications

Available at College Fairs, call, email, Available at College Fairs, call, email, writewrite

Many will be sent through SAT Test & Many will be sent through SAT Test & College Fair signupsCollege Fair signups

Many are available on the web Many are available on the web Type on computerType on computer

Don’t forget your Social Security NumberDon’t forget your Social Security Number PROOF READPROOF READ

College EssaysCollege Essays One will be written in senior English classesOne will be written in senior English classes Be creative Be creative

This is not a resumeThis is not a resume What do you want to say to a college not what you think they want What do you want to say to a college not what you think they want

to hear?  Must be honest and present yourself in the best light.  to hear?  Must be honest and present yourself in the best light.  Once again a family affair so you need to help them but do not Once again a family affair so you need to help them but do not

take over the process and write it for them or put your ideas in take over the process and write it for them or put your ideas in their essay.  The student should be writing and it should be in their their essay.  The student should be writing and it should be in their words.  words. 

PARENTS DON’T TAKE OVER THE PROCESS PARENTS DON’T TAKE OVER THE PROCESS IF YOUR STUDENT IS NOT WRITING THE ESSAY, YOU AS A IF YOUR STUDENT IS NOT WRITING THE ESSAY, YOU AS A

PARENT NEED TO ACT AS A BOOSTER AND AID THEM IN THE PARENT NEED TO ACT AS A BOOSTER AND AID THEM IN THE PROCESS BUT IT SHOULD BE THEIR WORK AND ONLY THEIR PROCESS BUT IT SHOULD BE THEIR WORK AND ONLY THEIR WORK.WORK.

Guidance has info available on writing essaysGuidance has info available on writing essays Write, Rewrite, Rewrite, PROOF READ!Write, Rewrite, Rewrite, PROOF READ!

RecommendationsRecommendations

Students should fill out recommendation Students should fill out recommendation questionnaires from guidance questionnaires from guidance

Make copies for counselor and teachersMake copies for counselor and teachers Ask at least two weeks before needing itAsk at least two weeks before needing it List on questionnaire List on questionnaire

Schools applying to and date neededSchools applying to and date needed

Follow-up with teachers at deadline Follow-up with teachers at deadline

NCAA ClearinghouseNCAA Clearinghouse

Divisions 1 & 2 must register for NCAA Divisions 1 & 2 must register for NCAA Clearinghouse at end of junior Clearinghouse at end of junior year/beginning of senior yearyear/beginning of senior year

Division 3 does not need to register, but Division 3 does not need to register, but should talk to coachshould talk to coach

There are many rules/regulationsThere are many rules/regulations

MilitaryMilitary ROTCROTC

Deadline in Early Dec. Deadline in Early Dec. Available at many colleges Available at many colleges Requires commitment after Requires commitment after

college college College usually freeCollege usually free

National GuardNational Guard Tuition reimbursement Tuition reimbursement

availableavailable Regular militaryRegular military

Must serve after high school Must serve after high school graduation graduation

Tuition reimbursement Tuition reimbursement available during and after available during and after serviceservice

Military AcademiesMilitary Academies Process starts early Process starts early Very competitive Very competitive

admissions admissions Requires commitment Requires commitment

after graduation from after graduation from academyacademy

Remember that a Remember that a recruiter’s job is to sign recruiter’s job is to sign you up you up Investigate/Read carefully Investigate/Read carefully

This is your life This is your life

College information College information websiteswebsites

www.bestschoolusa.comwww.bestschoolusa.com

www.campustours.comwww.campustours.com

www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com

www.collegenet.comwww.collegenet.com

www.collegelink.comwww.collegelink.com

www.collegeprofiles.comwww.collegeprofiles.com

www.petersons.comwww.petersons.com

www.princetonreview.comwww.princetonreview.com

www.allaboutcollege.comwww.allaboutcollege.com

www.campustours.comwww.campustours.com

www.commonapp.orgwww.commonapp.org – Common Application– Common Application

www.usnews.com/usnews/eduwww.usnews.com/usnews/edu

www.ctmentor.orgwww.ctmentor.org – – for CT Colleges & for CT Colleges & Universities Universities

www.massmentor.eduwww.massmentor.edu – – for MA Colleges & for MA Colleges & Universities Universities

www.wiredscholar.comwww.wiredscholar.com

www.xap.comwww.xap.com

www.embark.comwww.embark.com

www.collegeview.comwww.collegeview.com

www.collegexpress.comwww.collegexpress.com

Financial Financial Aid/ScholarshipsAid/Scholarships

PHHS will have Financial Aid Night in December to PHHS will have Financial Aid Night in December to help with FAFSA Form and informationhelp with FAFSA Form and information

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the main form, which is sent to all colleges and is is the main form, which is sent to all colleges and is primary source of financial aidprimary source of financial aid

CSS PROFILE CSS PROFILE An additional financial aid for required by some colleges An additional financial aid for required by some colleges Available in September of Senior Year Available in September of Senior Year Need to pay for each college and must send for Need to pay for each college and must send for

applicationsapplications

Financial Financial Aid/Scholarships Cont.Aid/Scholarships Cont.

Some colleges have their own financial aid formSome colleges have their own financial aid form Scholarship Bulletins will be published and distributed to all Scholarship Bulletins will be published and distributed to all

seniors 4-5 times throughout senior year – Also available on the seniors 4-5 times throughout senior year – Also available on the PHHS website at PHHS website at www.parishhill.orgwww.parishhill.org

Scholarship searches available through CHOICES at PHHS and Scholarship searches available through CHOICES at PHHS and on the web.on the web.

DO NOT PAY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHDO NOT PAY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH Plan your finances now - a) start saving now, costs continue to Plan your finances now - a) start saving now, costs continue to

rise – b) cost should not limit your college search.  Many of the rise – b) cost should not limit your college search.  Many of the most expensive colleges offer financial packages that may cost most expensive colleges offer financial packages that may cost less than other colleges       Parents and students need to form a less than other colleges       Parents and students need to form a financial union.  – communicate how much you as a family can financial union.  – communicate how much you as a family can afford. afford. 

Financial Aid websitesFinancial Aid websites

www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com www.collegeview.comwww.collegeview.com www.edgov/finaid.htmlwww.edgov/finaid.html www.educaid.comwww.educaid.com www.fastweb.comwww.fastweb.com www.freschinfo.comwww.freschinfo.com www.finaid.orgwww.finaid.org www.salliemae.orgwww.salliemae.org