1. Navigating the College Search
& Application Process
Ms. Jessica Austin
Ms. Karen Esempio
Ms. Sara Vatore

2. Welcome Juniors and Families
Outline
 College Search
 Application Process
 Recommendations
 College Essay
 College Admissions
Testing
 Additional Information

3. What are colleges looking for?
 Minimum College Requirements
 4 units of English
 4 units of Math
 Alg I & II, Geometry
 3 units of Science (2 lab sciences)
 2 units of Social Science
 2 units of Foreign Language
 2 college preparatory electives
 State colleges - 3.0 GPA or sliding scale for
SAT

4. Investigating Schools
 Online Research
 collegeboard.com
 college web sites
 College Literature
 Visit Campus
 Attend College Fairs
 College Rep Visits at SHHS
Ask Questions
 Alumni, Friends & Family,
Guidance and College
Admissions Offices

5. What to Consider
 Compatibility with Admissions Requirements
 Programs & Majors
 Student/Teacher Ratios
 Cost of Attendance
 Location
 Campus Culture
 Placement After Graduation

6. Refining your College List
 Average of 6-8 schools
 Reach (Long shot)
 Realistic
(Even chance)
 Safety (Highly Likely)
 Include at least one financial
safety school (state schools)

7. The College Application

8. Types of Applications
 Most Schools Prefer Online Applications
 Common Application
 Accepted by 456 schools (2.5 Million Submitted)
 www.commonapp.org
 Institution Specific Application
 Unique to that school
 Community College Applications
 can be downloaded from the college web site

9. Early Applications
Early Decision Early Action
 Binding  Not binding
 Cannot apply early to  Can apply early to other
other colleges colleges
 Can apply to other  Can apply to other
colleges under regular colleges under regular
admissions admissions
 Make appointment with  Make appointment with
counselor in September! counselor in September!

10. Letters of Recommendation
 Ask early
 End of this school year
 Ask teachers who you know well
(Junior Year)
 Two Teacher Recommendations
 1 English/Social Studies
 1 Math/Science
 One Guidance recommendation
 Waiving right to see letters
 Send thank you notes! (Please!!!)

11. College Essay
 Colleges see you as
individual
 Research essay
questions over summer
 Early decision or early
action applicants start
writing this summer!
 Revise essay with
Writing Center,
teachers, guidance
counselors, etc.

12. Interviews
 Not all schools require
interviews
 Show school who you
are
 Explain inconsistencies
in transcript
 Prepare before going to
interview
 Ask questions
 Is school good fit for
you?

13. Standardized Testing
 Most Four Year Schools Require
 Used for:
 Admissions
 Evens the “Playing Field”
 Merit Scholarships
 Placement Test (Math Especially)
 Test Optional Schools www.fairtest.org
 May need to submit for special majors or if you do not
meet minimum admissions requirements

14. SAT vs. ACT
SAT Registration ACT Registration
www.collegeboard.com www.actstudent.org
 Online registration  Online registration
 Fee waivers for qualified  Fee waivers for qualified
students students
 Focuses on critical  More content driven than
thinking skills analytical/critical thinking
 Penalized for wrong  Science section
answers  Register for Writing
portion

15. More to know… Testing
 You may need to take SAT Subject Tests
 Selective colleges may require subject tests
 You must check the college admissions
office web sites to know!
 ACT
 Some colleges will accept the ACT in lieu of
subject tests
 Must take ACT writing portion!
From http://www.collegeboard.com

16. Score Reporting
 At Time of Test Administration
 Four Free Reports
 Must know where you want to send them
 You do not get to review first
 Later from Test Company Web Site
 College board (SAT) or ACT
 Can select specific test date
 Pay for all reports
 Must allow several weeks for delivery
From http://www.collegeboard.com

17. SAT & SAT Dates & Deadlines
Test Date Test Regular Registration
Deadline
May 5 SAT & Subject April 6
June 2 SAT & Subject May 8
June 9* ACT & Writing May 4
*SHHS
From http://www.collegeboard.com

18. Test Prep
 START STUDYING NOW!
 Read a lot and take challenging classes
 Collegeboard.com question of day or ACT.org practice
section
 Practice problems
 Prep Courses
 Study guides (at local bookstores or in guidance office)
 PSAT My College Quickstart
 Individualized Study Plan
 Full Practice Tests

19. Other Testing
 AP Exams
 Opportunity to get
college credit
 MCAS
 John and Abigail
Adams Scholarship
 Koplik Scholarship

20. Financial Aid
 Merit Aid vs. Need
Based Aid
 Forms:
 FAFSA
 CSS Profile
 School Specific
Financial Aid Form
 Net Price Calculator

21. Scholarship Information
 Mr. Ciciretti is SHHS Scholarship Chair
 Local scholarships posted in January of
Sr. Year
 Scholarships posted on Tiger Times
 www.fastweb.com scholarship database

22. Additional Information
 Financial Aid Night
November/December
 Help from Community
Partners (MEFA,
Valley Opportunity
Council)
 Student athletes
(NCAA.org)
 Special Education

23. Parent Support
 Make an appointment to meet with your
student’s guidance counselor
 Accompany your student on campus visits
 Help refine college list (realistic)
 Be ready to do your taxes early next year
 Be honest about what you can or are
willing to contribute financially

24. Parent Support
 Create a master calendar for visits, tours,
fairs, deadlines, and financial aid
 Have a weekly meeting with your student
to check in about progress/status
 Be engaged in the process and
emotionally supportive

25. Thank you!
 Sara Vatore
South Hadley
 Last names A – G
 svatore@shschools.com School Counselors
 (413) 538-5063 ext. 1107
 Jessica Austin
Last names H – M

Working for all students!
 jaustin@shschools.com
 (413) 538-5063 ext. 1108
 Karen Esempio
 Last names N – Z
 kesempio@shschools.com
 (413) 538-5063 ext. 1103

26. QUESTIONS?