Getting Ready for College

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Getting Ready for College
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Where Do I Begin?

• Discover your interests, abilities and career
  goals
• Researching on-line and visiting colleges is
• an important part of the college process.
• Allow time for college visits. Contact
• schools for open houses or arrange a time
• by contacting admissions.

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What to Consider

• Compatibility with admissions requirements
• Programs offered, classroom size
• Cost of attendance
• Location
• Campus Culture
• Placement after graduation

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Look, Ask and Listen

• Check out search engines such as
• www.collegeboard.com and www.petersons.com
• Look at websites of colleges that are potential
  matches.
• Attend college fairs and take college tours
• Visit colleges, attend open houses and
  receptions. Look at the school newspaper, check
  out the bulletin boards, talk to current
  students, and interview with an admission
  counselor.

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Senior Timeline

• Start narrowing the list of colleges
• Take SAT and/or ACT and SAT subject Tests
• This information is available on collegeboard.com
  and actstudent.org
• (SAT-June 6 and ACT June 13) and TOEFL
  May 9 at UNH
• Be careful of deadlines so you do
• not have to pay the late fee

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When is everything due

• Early Decision (binding)
• Early Action (non-binding)
• Regular Decision
• Rolling Admissions
• ROTC and Service Academies start early

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Primary Admission Factors

• High School transcript is the dominant factor in
  the college admission process.
• Admission counselors read the transcript with the
  help of the high school profile that is provided
  by the guidance counselor
• Grade point averages, class rank and level of
  courses are included on the transcript
• Admission counselors look for rigor and a strong
  foundation in traditional college preparatory
  course work.

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Secondary Admission Factors

• Essays are used at varying degrees by colleges.
• The essay can boost a borderline students
• application, or may be ignored if the student
• exceeds requirements.
• Extra-curricular activities-colleges favor
• students who pursue a passion rather than
  those who have a laundry list of activities
• Test scores-some schools require the SAT or ACT.
  Check out www.fairtest.com for schools not
  requiring test scores. Some high tier colleges
  request subject tests. These can be in math,
  English or a foreign language.
• Recommendations-choose teachers of core subject
  areas
• Alumni Connections-a legacy may get a closer
  look, but still has to demonstrate academic
  strength

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College Application Packet

• Student Responsibilities
• Application
• College Application Fee
• College Essay
• Resume
• Test Scores
• Teacher Recommendations
• Financial Aid Forms
• Scholarships
• Contact your Guidance Counselor

• Guidance Responsibilities
• Recommendation (if needed)
• Transcript
• Student Schedule
• School Profile
• Supplemental School Forms when applicable

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Requesting Transcripts

• Transcript request forms available in
• Guidance offices
• Students need to complete one form per
  college
• 3 processing fee per transcript (cash or check
  made out to Nashua High School South)
• Student must present any additional forms from
  college

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Transcripts Deadlines

• Students must bring the transcript request to
  their counselor (in person)
• Transcript request must be signed
• by a parent (unless the student
• is 18 years old)
• Transcript request and other paperwork are
  required to be in Guidance four weeks prior to
  the application deadline (be aware of holidays
  and school vacations)

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Teacher Recommendations

• One or two teacher recommendations are required
• Junior or senior teachers preferred.
• Follow procedure and please be respectful of
  timelines.
• Personally ask teachers to write you a letter of
  recommendation

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Financial Aid

• Need-based Aid vs. Merit-based Aid
• FAFSA
• CSS Profile required by some
• DEADLINES, DEADLINES, DEADLINES!!!
• Financial Aid Night December 2009

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Scholarships

• Guidance has lists of scholarships in Upper C
  This list can be accessed on our guidance
  website, also
• http//www.nashua.edu/south-common/guidance/hom
  epage.htm

• The Common Scholarship Filled out by students
  in Marchmany opportunities available
• Other websites include
• www.fastweb.com
• www.collegescholarships.com
• www.finaid.org
• www.wiredscholar.com

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NCAA

• Students planning to participate in a
• Division 1 or 2 college sport must
• complete and submit the NCAA
• Clearinghouse form on line.
• A form must be brought to your counselor
  requesting transcripts sent to NCAA
• www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

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Guidance Staff

• A-B MS. DUFFY Room C1003
• C-DE JESSICA BROX Room C1003
• DH-GO MRS. RINAS Room A1003
• GR-K MS. BARBOUR Room A1003
• L-MC MRS. SELLNER Room A2003
• ME-PI MRS. COUTU Room A2003
• PL-SH MS. LEACH Room C2003
• SI-Z MRS. BENNETT Room C2003

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Guidance Department

• The guidance department is available for
  questions and to assist you during this process.
• E-mail your guidance counselor by last name,
  first initial _at_nashua.edu
• Visit www.nashua.edu for updated information

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Thank you for attending!