WELCOME PARENTS OF SENIORS GUIDANCE COUNSELORS Dr Kristen

WELCOME PARENTS OF SENIORS

GUIDANCE COUNSELORS Dr. Kristen Lazzaro Ms Karen Christian Mrs. Meghan Ober Dr. Erik Champy Mrs. Diane Shealy klazzaro@trsd. net kchristian@trsd. net mober@trsd. net echampy@trsd. net dshealy@trsd. net Guidance Intern Mrs. Kristen Le. Blanc kleblanc@trsd. net

VIKING VOYAGER

SENIOR CLASS ADVISORS Mrs. Melissa Davis Mrs. Marissa Galante

GRADVENTURE

Selecting the Right College

Selecting a College Involves Many Things Self – Assessment Information Gathering Selection Process Filing Applications The Wait The Final Choice

Self Assessment The first step in finding the right match Goals and values Academic interests, abilities and learning style Activities and outside interests Your personality and relationships Career awareness and interests

Information Gathering Using Naviance Software and Individual College Web sites ◦ Naviance website: www. connection. naviance. com/tritonhsma Using Print Resources at School, Home and Library College Visits

Selecting a College Reach Selection Process Possible Likely

The College Application

2010 State of College Admission – National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Admission Criteria (in rank order): 1. Grades in College Preparatory courses 2. Strength of curriculum 3. Standardized admission test scores 4. Overall high school grade point average 5. Next most important factors: essay, teacher and counselor recommendations, extracurricular activities, and student’s demonstrated interest

2010 State of College Admission – National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) On-Line Application Increase ◦ Four Year Colleges and Universities received an average of 80% of their applications on-line, up from 72% in fall 2008, and 68% in fall 2007.

Ways to Apply Early Admission Early Decision (binding) Regular Admission ◦ Rolling Admission

2010 State of College Admission – NACAC Colleges Accept 67% of applicants ◦ The average selectivity rate, percentage of applicants that are offered admission, at four-year colleges and universities was 67% for the fall of 2009. The average institutional yield rate, percentage of admitted students that enroll, was 43%.

2009 State of College Admission – NACAC Why Colleges Revoke Admission Offers ◦ During the fall 2008 admission cycle, 21% of colleges reported that they have revoked an admission offer, compared to 35% in 2007. The most common reasons for rescinding an admission offer were: final grades – 65% disciplinary issues – 35%, and falsification of application information – 29%.

The Triton High School Process

Transcript GPA Rank Courses taken and level of difficulty School activities **Students updated and reviewed their transcripts in the first senior seminar

Recommendations • Students should give teachers plenty of notice (two weeks minimum) • Supply the teacher with the teacher Recommendation Information Form

Naviance Use • Students need to apply online to colleges (preferred method) • Students will need to update their college applications on the Naviance system • Students will need to meet with their counselor to send supporting documents • All documents will be sent on line through the Naviance Edudocs program • Transcript • Teacher/Counselor recommendations • Benefits: • Immediate submission of documents • Tracking via web of documents

GUIDANCE SEMINAR Seniors are meeting with a team of counselors 1 X every other 7 day cycle during quarters 1 -3. Topics include: • Transcript review • Common application • Do What You Are Inventory • College Search/Application Process • Resume writing • Financial literacy • Scholarship process

Important Information

Financial Aid mefa. org (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) ◦ Information on planning for college ◦ Information on loans and paying for college Triton will be hosting a financial aid night with a speaker from MEFA. Date TBA, stay tuned! What you can do now: ◦ Fafsa. gov (Free application for Federal Student Aid) Information on Federal Student Aid Apply for Parent and Student PIN

SAT I, SAT II, and ACT § § § Tests commonly taken in spring of junior year and fall of senior year SAT II required only for some private schools Upcoming Registration deadlines: § SAT: October 7, deadline for the November 5 th exam § ACT: November 4, deadline for December 10 th exam

COLLEGE MINI FAIRS The Guidance Department is hosting college mini fairs throughout the month of October. Last year over 100 college representatives visited Triton High School.

NEACAC COLLEGE FAIR OCTOBER 2, 2011 1: 00 -3: 00 NORTHERN ESSEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Final Notes: Students should: Visit their guidance counselor often Use resources in Guidance classroom Attend Senior seminar Visit schools Talk to friends, family, teachers