Post Secondary Planning

Life After Hamden High School

Congratulations Seniors!

You’re almost there… You are about to reach an exciting milestone in your

life!

Post Secondary Options

1. Two-Year Junior/Community Colleges

2. Four-Year Colleges & Universities

3. Technical Schools & Colleges

4. Specialty Schools

5. Military Academies & Programs

6. Employment

How to Find Colleges

• Naviance• www.collegeboard.com• HHS Counseling Office Colleges and

Careers site• College Fairs• College Representative Visits

What a College Needs

• Application • Application Fee• Transcript

Colleges may also require:• Test Scores• Letter(s) of Recommendation• Secondary School Reports• Student Essay• List of Student Activities/Resume• Interview

Admissions Options

• SEOP– Most of the CT state schools have summer

programs for students whose grades and/or SAT are below admissions standards

• Rolling Admissions– An admissions decision is given as soon as

possible after an application is completed and does not specify a notification deadline

• Early Admissions

What is Early Admissions?

• An option that allows you to apply early (usually in November) and get a decision from the college well in advance of the usual spring notification date

If you find a college that you’re sure is

right for you, consider applying early!

Early Decision vs. Early Action

Early Decision (ED) = binding agreement

– Attendance is expected regardless of financial aid– Use only when your heart is set on a particular

school– APPLY TO ONE ED SCHOOL ONLY!

Early Action (EA) = non-binding agreement

– Use when interest level is high– Financial aid can be a factor in your decision

What is the Common Application?

• Fill out once and send to multiple colleges- A great time saver!

• An admissions application accepted by more than 500 colleges and universities in place of their own without any penalty

• Visit www.commonapp.org for a complete list of institutions accepting the common application

• Complete online • Be sure to complete all parts of the

application, including any supplements

What is a Secondary School Report?

• A form filled out by your counselor that accompanies your transcript and sometimes a letter of recommendation

• Sometimes referred to by other names (Counselor Report, Evaluation, etc.)

• For paper applications only: Students are responsible for submitting copies to counseling office.

What is a Mid-Year Report?• A form submitted to colleges after

the completion of the first semester of senior year (includes first semester grades)

• Mid-year report forms will not be sent automatically; students are responsible for contacting the Counseling Office to have them sent if required

SAT/ACT Information

• Register and prepare for the SAT/ACT if needed. See your counselor if you are eligible for fee waivers.

• Check with schools to see if they require SAT Subject Tests

• Send your official SAT/ACT scores to each college/university through the testing service- It is your responsibility

• College Board will send 4 score reports FREE when you sign up to take the SATs (additions/changes can be made up to 9 days after the test). College Board charges a fee for each additional college.

Transcript Request Procedures• Obtain the appropriate (Common App-CA

and/or Non-Common App) Transcript Release Form in the Counseling Office

• Obtain parental signature if you are under 18

• Bring all materials to the Counseling Office clerks. The first 6 schools are free; after that there is a fee of $2.00 per college.

• Your transcripts will not be processed until guidance receives the Release Form.

Transcript Request Release Process

Common Application Schools

Register at www.commonapp.org

Paper Application

Access Naviance Account. Complete “Colleges

I’m Applying to” section.

Complete FERPA waiver (blue box)

and link toNaviance

Non-Common App Electronic Applications

Complete FERPA Waiver (blue box) in

Naviance

Turn in Request Release form to the Counseling Office

Submit all required Materials to guidance office (#3 on release form) along with 2

stamped and addressed envelopes

Video on matching the Common Application and Naviance accounts.

Find it on the Counseling Department webpage at

www.hamden.org>Hamden High>Counseling Dept.>College

and Career

Hamden High School Transcript Request – Release Form

Common Application Important: Transcripts are sent electronically. Please complete the following steps before submitting this form to the School Counseling Office. Your applications CANNOT be processed without these steps being completed: 1. Log into your Naviance account and complete the FERPA waiver (blue box). 2. Indicate the colleges you are applying to and specify deadlines. 3. For Common App schools, register at www.commonapp.org and indicate your username and password. ***This completed form must be received 20 School Days prior to the college deadline for colleges that require special

forms (recommendations, secondary school reports, etc.) to be completed by the counselor*** Section A – To be completed by student: Student Name:_________________________________ Counselor Name:_________________________ I hereby authorize Hamden High School to release my academic records to the institutions listed below._______________________________ Student Signature Shaded Area for Office Use Only Colleges I’m Applying To: App

Type (Reg, ED, EA)

App Deadline Counselor Letter (Yes or No)

Date Received Transcript Uploaded

Date Sent (E or M)

1st m.p.. Mid-Year grades-Date Sent (E or M)

EX. University of Rochester Reg 1/15/2013

Date Given to Counselor: ______________________________________ 1st marking period grades are part of the transcript. College mid-year report forms and final transcripts will not be sent automatically; students are responsible for contacting the Counseling Office to have them sent if required by the college. Section B – To be completed by parent if student is under age 18: In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and privacy Act of 1974, I hereby authorize Hamden High School to release the information checked above to the institution(s) listed above. Parent/guardian Signature:___________________________________________________ Date:________________________________________ Rev. 9/12

C A C A

Hamden High School Transcript Request – Release Form

Non-Common App Important: Transcripts are sent electronically. Please complete the following steps before submitting this form to the School Counseling Office. Your applications CANNOT be processed without these steps being completed: 1. Log into your Naviance account and complete the FERPA waiver (blue box). 2. Indicate the colleges you are applying to and specify deadlines. 3. For colleges that only accept paper apps, please attach all required materials including addressed envelopes with two stamps and any secondary school reports, counselor recommendation forms, etc. ***This completed form must be received 20 School Days prior to the college deadline for colleges that require special

forms (recommendations, secondary school reports, etc.) to be completed by the counselor*** Section A – To be completed by student: Student Name: _________________________________ Counselor Name:_______________________________ I hereby authorize Hamden High School to release my academic records to the institutions listed below._______________________________ Student Signature Shaded Area for Office Use Only Colleges I’m Applying To: Electronic

(docufide) or Paper

App Type (Reg, EA, ED)

App Deadline

Counselor Letter (Yes or No)

Envelope Date Received

Transcript Uploaded

Date Sent (E or M)

1st m.p. Mid-Year Grades Date Sent (E or M)

EX: Georgetown University Electronic Reg 1/15/2013

Date Given to Counselor: _________________________ 1st marking period grades are part of the transcript. College mid-year report forms and final transcripts will not be sent automatically; students are responsible for contacting the Counseling Office to have them sent if required by the college. Section B – To be completed by parent if student is under age 18: In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and privacy Act of 1974, I hereby authorize Hamden High School to release the information checked above to the institution(s) listed above. Parent/guardian Signature:___________________________________________________ Date:________________________________________ Rev. 9/12

CA CA

Deadlines forTranscript Release Forms

• All release forms for transcripts only must be submitted 10 SCHOOL DAYS prior to the college deadline

• When additional forms and/or recommendations are involved, release forms must be submitted 20 SCHOOL DAYS prior to the deadline

• Be sure form is signed by both student and parent before submission to the Counseling Office.

Sources of Financial

Aid• Grants- money received from the federal and

state governments and from individual colleges that does not have to be repaid

• Scholarships- gift aid usually awarded based on merit and achievements

• Loans- aid that must be repaid• Work Study- a federal program providing

students with part-time employment

Financial Aid Resources• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student

Aid)- You may not do this until January 2014• Complete the CSS Profile if applicable (used by some

schools to determine non-federal student aid funds)• Reminder: All young men are required to register for

selective service (www.sss.gov or at the post office) at age 18. Federal financial aid will not be given until you do so

• Apply for local, regional, state, and national scholarships– View listing in Naviance.– See Mrs. Chapman for more info.– Search for scholarships on the web- www.fastweb.com– Beware of scholarship scams!

Attend Financial Aid Night!!!Check our website for a Fall date.

What Should I Be Doing Now?

1. Finalize your list of schools/programs2. Organize your applications and their

requirements3. Read applications carefully and follow

directions4. Check Naviance website and/or the

Counseling Office to see if any representatives of colleges of interest to you are coming to HHS

5. Check Naviance for upcoming dates and times for workshops on Naviance, SAT, Common App, financial aid. Sign up in the Counseling Office and get a pass to the workshop of your choice.

Beware of Senioritis!

• Your senior year is important to colleges- Stay focused!

• Dropping courses and activities is not a good idea!

• According to recent reports, incomplete high school preparation can contribute to academic problems in college.

Questions?