Senior Parent Meeting

1
Senior Parent Meeting

• September 24 25, 2007

2
Agenda

• Overview of senior year workshop program and
  senior year guidance services
• College research timeline-senior year
• Senior year standardized tests
• College applications (mechanics, deadlines,
  process)
• Financial aid timetable
• Responding to college offers (acceptances/deposits
  , financial aid)
• Transition issues
• Questions?

3
Overview of workshops and guidance services

• Workshop 1
• Important dates
• SAT/ACT registration
• Transcript review
• Graduation requirements

4
Overview of workshops and guidance services
(cont.)

• Workshop 2
• Junior autobiography
• College fairs
• Westchester County Center 10/15
• Danbury Mall 10/16
• Finalizing college lists
• Application process

5
Overview of workshops and guidance services
(cont.)

• Workshop 3
• Review of college visit procedure
• Diploma name
• Application role play
• Financial aid

6
Overview of workshops and guidance services
(cont.)

• Guidance services
• Senior parents program
• Individual counseling with students and families
  regarding post-HS planning
• Financial aid program
• Financial aid counseling for individual families
• Senior seminar day
• Naviance- Tutorial October 22 _at_ 7pm
• College search
• Track applications

7
College research timetable

• Submit Junior Autobiography
• Visit any colleges being considered but not yet
  seen (interviews if desired)
• Meet with colleges in College/Career Room
  (bulletin outside Guidance office, colleges for
  exploration, colleges to which you are applying)
• Review websites and information youve collected
• Finalize application list
• Call admissions office for applications or apply
  online
• VERY IMPORTANT!!! Have student submit Transcript
  Request Form for every college they are applying
  to
• Deadline to get materials into Guidance for
  guaranteed submission by December holiday is
  DECEMBER 3rd!!

8
Standardized Testing

• RELEASE SCORES!!
• SAT I
• Dates
• Nov. 3 (Registration deadline 10/11)
• Dec. 1 (Registration deadline 11/8)
• Retake
• If student KNOWS he/she can improve previous
  scores
• If directed by college
• SAT II
• Check the requirements of individual colleges

9
Standardized Testing (cont.)

• ACT
• Dates
• Oct. 27 (Late registration deadline 10/5)
• Dec.8 (Registration deadline 11/2)
• Take if student prefers alternate format for
  testing
• Fee Waivers

10
College Applications- Mechanics

• Where are the applications?
• WCC/DCC, SUNY, CUNY, Common Application available
  in College Career Room
• Request from individual school
• Online (can be downloaded or submitted online)

11
College Applications- Mechanics

• Reach/Range/Safety
• Between 5-7 schools (more if they are
  competitive)
• Include financial safety
• Ask if you dont know what schools would qualify
  as a safety

12
College Applications- Mechanics

• What to do with application
• Mail application directly to college or apply
  online
• EXCEPTION SUNY/CUNY
• Complete Transcript Request Form for EACH
  application, including online applications
• Attach Secondary School Report, Mid-Year report,
  SUNY/CUNY Application
• Submit to Guidance Secretary
• Mid-Year Reports- we will send them directly to
  the colleges
• Fee waivers

13
Transcript Request Form
14
College Applications- Deadlines

• Early decision Nov/Early Dec.
• Binding if accepted, student is required to go
• Early action Nov/Early Dec.
• Non-binding If accepted, student has until May 1
  to inform the college of intent
• Rolling admissions Oct. 15
• Regular admissions Varies

15
College Applications- Preparation Process

• REMEMBER This may be the only representation of
  the student that the college will see
• BE neat
• BE accurate
• FOLLOW directions
• DO everything optional

16
College Applications- Preparation Process

• Essays
• Follow directions- Be sure to answer the question
• Show what student has learned or accomplished,
  that he/she has a good sense of humor, awareness,
  etc.
• Be specific and be honest
• Dont try to flatter or impress
• Proofread/Get others opinions

17
College Applications- Preparation Process

• Recommendations
• Teacher- 2 Recommended
• The student should approach teachers who know
  them well
• For each college, provide stamped envelope
  addressed to the college and with name written
  inside
• Follow up with a thank you letter
• Counselor
• REQUIRES JUNIOR AUTOBIOGRAPHY

18
Financial Aid Timetable

• Filing for financial aid is often the gateway to
  consideration for any money the college has
  available
• Dont eliminate a college based on sticker
  price- financial aid may change that number!

19
Financial Aid Timetable

• Determine if the students colleges require the
  CSS Profile and register ONLY if they do
• File the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
  Student Aid) as soon as possible after January
  1st
• Attend Financial Aid meeting on December 3 _at_ 7pm
  in PAC
• Snow date 12/5 _at_ 7pm
• Apply for local scholarships and STARR in April

20
Financial Aid Timetable

• Have student check scholarship folder in the
  College Career Room every few weeks
• Check the financial aid and scholarship websites
  on the handouts
• Review guidance department website for
  scholarship opportunities

21
Responding to College Offers

• Acceptances/Deposits
• Schools require notification by May 1st
• Hold spot in class with a deposit
• Inform colleges that you will not be attending as
  soon as you know so they can offer the spot to
  someone else

22
Transition Issues

• Folder items
• Senior seminar
• May 2007
• Immunizations
• Social and family issues

23
Summary
24
Questions?

• Judy Cleary, Mike Marschner, Jessica McCann, Dick
  Murray, Barbara Vercollone