Parish Hill High School

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Parish Hill High School
Senior College Night
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PARENTSWhat excites you most about your
son/daughter going to college?What are your
worst fears or worries about your son/daughter
going to college?If you could let your child
know only one thing about your feelings about
him/her going to college it would be
STUDENTSWhat excites you most about going to
college?What are your worst fears or worries
about college life?If you could let your
parent/guardian know only one thing about your
feelings about college it would be

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Senior Calendar

• September
• Check test dates for SAT I SAT II exams and
  register
• Narrow college list down
• request catalogs applications
• make list of deadline dates for SATs, college
  apps and financial aid
• begin asking teachers for letters of
  recommendation

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Senior Calendar Continued

• October
• Take SAT I exam
• Come to PHHS Senior College Night
• Work on admissions essays
• Visit colleges/attend open houses
• Attend college fair

• November
• Take SAT I or II exam
• Check on Financial Aid/Scholarship applications
• Begin preparation of college applications and
  check deadlines

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Senior Calendar Continued

• December
• Come to PHHS Financial Aid Night
• Dec 17th - Pick up FAFSA Worksheet and get PIN
  number (DO NOT SUBMIT BEFORE JANUARY 1)
• Watch for Scholarship Bulletins

• January
• Rank final list of colleges
• Finish applications
• Submit FAFSA form ASAP
• Keep copies of FAFSA tax returns

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Senior Calendar Continued

• February
• Check to see if midyear grades have been
  sent
• March
• Look for Student Aid Report (SAR) containing
  federal financial aid information
• Submit tax forms to financial aid
  office if requested

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Senior Calendar Continued

• April
• Look for college acceptance and financial
  aid award letters
• VISIT THE SCHOOL BEFORE YOU ACCEPT
• Make your final decision and send in deposit by
  deadline (May 1)
• Notify schools you will not be attending
• Watch for important deadlines
• housing, financial aid, etc.
• May/June
• Finish High School
• Finals
• Relax and enjoy the summer!

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Factors to consider when choosing a college

• Admission Requirements
• Academics
• Social Life
• Population
• College Setting
• Cost
• Financial Aid

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Types of Colleges to Apply to

• Reach
• A school that you may not get into based on SATs
  and grades, but would go to if accepted
• Match
• A school that matches your academic profile and
  you will most likely be accepted
• Safety
• A school that you are guaranteed to be accepted
  to
• This may not be your first choice, but at least
  you will have a college to go to in the Fall
• Financial Safety
• A school that you can afford if you do not get
  financial aid

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Early Decision/Early Action

• Early Decision
• Have to commit to that school if you are accepted
• Early Action
• Will get early decision, but do not have to
  commit to that school until May 1st
• These options are good for students who know for
  sure where they want to go

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Extracurricular Activities

• Colleges will look for involvement in sports,
  activities, volunteer work, community service (in
  and out of school), church activities, etc.
• Be a good person people will be needed to write
  recommendations based on your personality
  colleges want well-rounded, responsible, students
• Dont spread yourself too thin keep up your
  grades and attendance

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SAT I Test

• Seniors take in the Fall/Winter
• Cost is 45.00 payable to The College Board
• School Code is 070093
• Know your Social Security Number
• Bring in Application money Guidance will
  check and send out mistakes are common
• 2008 Fall Dates January 24
• Deadline for registration Dec 26

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SAT II Exam

• Check ASAP with colleges to see if necessary and
  what tests are required
• Usually taken in Fall of senior year
• Individual achievement test usually relating to
  area of interest
• Usually three taken at one sitting each about 1
  hour in length
• Preparation is mainly through high school
  classes, but additional prep available in
  booklets, books and on the web

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College Applications

• Available at College Fairs, guidance, call,
  email, write
• Many will be sent through SAT Test College Fair
  signups
• Many are available on the web can be printed and
  sent
• Use Common Application if possible
• www.commonapp.org
• Type on computer if possible or print neatly
• Dont forget your Social Security Number
• PROOF READ

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Open Houses/Campus Visits

• Most colleges have Open House/Campus Days in Sept
  Nov usually on weekends
• Call before visiting tours are available
• Ask questions
• talk to students (not your tour guide)
• Why did you choose this school? What do you
  like about it?
• DO NOT ACCEPT TO A SCHOOL YOU HAVE NOT VISITED!

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College Essays

• One is usually written in senior English classes
• Be creative this is not a resume
• Guidance has info available on writing essays
• Brainstorm a topic, select a topic that is
  interesting and personal, answer the question ,
  be original, be yourself
• PROOF READ!

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Recommendations

• Students should fill out recommendation
  questionnaires from guidance
• Make copies for counselor and teachers
• Ask at least two weeks before needing it
• List on questionnaire schools applying to and
  date needed
• Follow-up with teachers at deadline

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NCAA Clearinghouse

• Divisions 1 2 must register for NCAA
  Clearinghouse
• Division 3 does not need to register, but should
  talk to coach
• There are many rules/regulations
• See Ms. Gallant with questions and to register
  for Clearinghouse

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Military

• ROTC
• Available at many colleges requires commitment
  after college college usually free
• National Guard
• Tuition reimbursement available
• Regular military
• Must serve after high school graduation
  tuition reimbursement available during and after
  service
• Military Academies
• Process starts early Very competitive
  admissions requires commitment after graduation
  from academy
• Remember that a recruiters job is to sign you up
  Investigate/Read carefully This is your life

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Sending your application

• You can send your application electronically
  (sometimes no application fee) but remember to
  send transcript, essay, recommendations, etc.
• Use PHHS Application Checklist to send transcript
  and other material
• It is best to send all material under one package
  so nothing is lost
• Give your counselors at least two weeks to send
  out your transcript and other material at least
  talk to them if you cant so they know what your
  plan is

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Senioritis

• Watch out for senior slump colleges do get
  midterm grades and final grades they have the
  right to deny or rescind admission
• Also, keep in mind that 20 or more absences from
  a class can result in loss of credit for that
  class. 3 absences less that 5 minutes equals an
  absence. A tardy of more that 5 minutes is
  considered an absence.

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Financial Aid/Scholarships

• PHHS will have Financial Aid Night in December to
  help with FAFSA Form and information
• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
  is the main form, which is sent to all colleges
  and is primary source of financial aid
• PROFILE An additional financial aid form
  required by some colleges Available in
  September of Senior Year Need to pay for each
  college and must send for applications can file
  at www.collegeboard.com

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Financial Aid/Scholarships Cont.

• Some colleges have their own financial aid form
• Scholarship Bulletins will be published and
  distributed to all seniors 4-5 times throughout
  senior year Also will be available on the PHHS
  website at www.parishhill.org
• Scholarship searches available through CHOICES at
  PHHS and on the web.
• DO NOT PAY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH

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College Info and Application Websites

• www.petersons.com
• www.princetonreview.com
• www.allaboutcollege.com
• www.campustours.com
• www.commonapp.org Common Application
• www.usnews.com/usnews/edu
• www.ctmentor.org for CT Colleges Universities
• www.massmentor.edu for MA Colleges
  Universities
• www.wiredscholar.com
• www.xap.com

• www.bestschoolusa.com
• www.campustours.com
• www.collegeboard.com
• www.collegenet.com
• www.collegelink.com
• www.collegeprofiles.com
• www.embark.com
• www.collegeview.com
• www.collegexpress.com

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Financial Aid Websites

• www.cslf.com
• www.petersons.com
• www.salliemae.com
• www.collegeboard.com
• www.collegeview.com
• www.finaid.org
• www.freschinfo.com
• www.ed.gov/finaid.html
• www.fastweb.com