Welcome to Junior Parent Night Class of 2019

Welcome to Junior Parent Night Class of 2019 Reading Memorial High School

2018 Graduation Requirements 90 credits n Required courses n n n 8 English, 6 Math, 6 History, 6 Science, 4 Foreign Language, 1 Intro to Health (9 th grade), 2 Fine Arts, 2 Business/Technology, 4 Physical Education, 1 Health Issues (11 th grade) MCAS

4 Year College Requirements n n n Highest level of classes a student can handle while maintaining balance in their life 4 years English 3 -4 years of Math (state colleges 4 yrs math) 3 -4 years history 3 -4 years science (min. 2 years lab science) 2 -4 years same foreign language

Senior Year Courses Course selection n Highest level of classes a student can handle while maintaining balance in their life n Minimum 5 Academic Subjects n 23 -25 credits n Once transcript is sent to colleges – no changes! n

What are the options? Post Graduate programs n Gap Year n Technical School n Military n Work n 2 or 4 year college/university n

Developmental Guidance Program n n Small group seminars to increase contact and build relationships Sophomore Year – Career exploration, interest inventories, personality surveys Junior Year – Post high school planning: Review options, testing, college selection, college essay, Naviance Senior Year n Post high school planning

Flex Block - Guidance Class # 1 n n n Overview of admissions process Important deadlines How to prepare and what to do this year vs next

Flex Block Guidance Class #2 Junior paackets handed out n Naviance n n How to do a college search Scattergrams Where to find college specific info

Flex Block Guidance Class #3 n n n College Admissions Game Activities Resume overview Review transcripts

Individual Session with Counselor n n n After group sessions Discussion centers around interests and posthigh school plans Review how to research colleges by majors, location, size, etc Together, we generate a list of colleges Create a To-do list

Things to Consider Each Child is an individual and what works for one student may not be the right choice for another. Students should own the college admissions process. Don’t let fear get in the way of making the right decision.

How to start the process Open communication n Talk about expectations n Expose them to options – visit local colleges n Talk about finances n Have your child set up appointment with counselor n

Naviance www. connection. naviance. com/readingmemorial Web-based service to help research and organize college application process n Personality Survey, Interest Inventory and Career Clusters n Student and Parent accounts have been activated n

Things to consider Size n Location n Setting n Majors n Type of college n Cost n

College Selection Process Research 15 - 20 schools n Average # of applications 6 -10 n

College Search Process Reach n Realistic n Likely n Financial Safety n

What are colleges looking for in an applicant? n n n n Engaged student Transcript/grades/GPA Standardized tests Extra-curricular activities Essay Recommendations How they compare to other students Interviews, auditions, portfolios

Standardized Testing n SAT I Test Dates n n n March 10 @ RMHS (register by February 9) May 5 th @ RMHS (register by April 6) June 2 nd (register by May 3 -not offered at RMHS) August (check website-not offered at RMHS) Register at n www. collegeboard. com

Standardized Testing n SAT II (Subject Tests) same test dates except March n n American History, Biology, Chemistry, French, Literature, Math Level 1 & 2, Physics, Spanish, World History, Latin Register at n www. collegeboard. com

Standardized Testing n ACT n April 14 n n June 9 th n n Register by March 9 th register by May 4 th Also offered September, Oct and Dec senior year RMHS is not a test center Register at n www. actstudent. org

Standardized Testing n AP Exams – Junior or Senior year n n Administered early May @ RMHS Calculus, Chemistry, European History, French, Physics, Spanish, Statistics, English, Biology, AP Studio Art, US History Other options – see counselor Register at Guidance Department later this month

Standardized Testing n Students with disabilities need to request approval for accommodations well in advance of test dates (discussed during sophomore IEP meeting) n n SAT: request prior to registering for test; once approved use approval code number when registering for test ACT: register for test; print out registration information and give to counselor who submits request for accommodations.

TEST PREP Research various options n Guidance website has list of options n www. collegeboard. com for practice tests n Khan Academy through collegeboard n PSAT score reports provide valuable information n

Recommendations

Formal n Formal: 1 - 2, or as directed by college n n Junior Year teachers that know your child and can speak about his/her performance in their class, citing examples of their work or providing anecdotes related to class. Students need to be asking teachers now

Guidance Counselor Recommendation Students must complete guidance questionnaire (located on Naviance under the “about me” tab) n Parent response form (optional but recommended) n

Informal Reference Form Yellow form available in the guidance office, to be returned to guidance for guidance recommendation n Coach, Boss, Activity Leader n Informal reference forms do not get sent to colleges n

Visiting Schools One of the most important parts of the process! n Make appointment for tour online n Register in admissions office n Sleep over / attend a class n See schools while in session n

Interviews Usually relaxed n Engaged n Excited about activities n Why do they want to attend that college n

Academic Absences Total of 4, junior and/or senior year n The day before, bring signed note from parent to guidance counselor for signature n Student then submits note to assistant principal’s office n

Application Deadlines n Early Decision / Early Action n n Regular Admission n n January-March is typically range Rolling Admission n n October-December is typical range Anytime - The earlier, the better Application materials must be received by guidance department 3 weeks prior to application deadline

College Essay n n n Students will be writing a “college essay” in English classes this spring Look at Common App and individual applications and to get idea of essay each college requires Answer question asked by college Often requires some soul searching Admissions Counselors view this as one of the most valuable parts of the application.

Athletics Register with NCAA for Division I and II n www. eligibilitycenter. org n 800 -638 -3731 n Transcript release form to guidance office n Specific requirements for Division I and II are outlined in student packet n

Stanley Koplik Certificate of Mastery n n Students will be notified this spring Tuition assistance at Mass public colleges or universities. MCAS Scores n Advanced on one n Advanced or Proficient on the other Second qualifying score n SAT II n AP

Adams Scholarship Program Tuition credit for students whose MCAS scores are in the top 25% in the district n Students usually notified in October of senior year n

Financial Aid n Financial Aid Night n September next year n FAFSA parents can file after Oct. 1, 2017 n MEFA is your best resource!

Parents Role Guide, cheerleader, coach, financier, organizer, chauffeur, but not the APPLICANT!! Try to enjoy the process !!