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)
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