Welcome Seniors!

1. Welcome Seniors! Grade 12 (Class of 2014) Comprehensive School Counseling Program Coventry High School 2013-2014 School Year

2. Today we will discuss… • Overview of Student Success Plan (SSP) • Review of Graduation Requirements • The CHS College Application Process & Senior Year Timeline • Required Standardized Testing/Dates & PrepMe • Letters of Recommendation • Financial Aid/Scholarships • Resume Builder (Naviance)

3. Student Success Plan (SSP) As required by the Connecticut State Department of Education, as of July 1, 2012 all students are required to have a Student Success Plan (SSP). The SSP is an individualized student driven plan that will be developed to address every student’s needs and interests to help every student stay connected in school and to achieve postsecondary educational and career goals. The SSP will begin in the 6th grade and continue through high school to provide the student support and assistance in setting goals within each of the core components. Core Components: Academic Development Career Development Social/Emotional/Physical Development At CHS these core components will be addressed across disciplines including Core and Electives courses, the Comprehensive School Counseling Program and Enrichment and Advisory activities. Grade 12 Topics: Standardized Testing Requirements, Review of Graduation Requirements, Senior Year Deadlines/Processes/Procedures, Transition to Post-secondary Education, the CHS College Application Process & Senior Year Timeline, Letters of Recommendation, Financial Aid/Scholarships, Resume Writing, School to Career Transition, College Essay, Goal Setting Activities/Assessments: Senior Year Graduation Survey (Naviance), Resume Builder (Naviance), College Application Essay Writing

5. College Admission FactorsPercentage of Colleges Reporting “Considerable Importance”Source: 2007 NACAC State of College Admissions • Grades in college prep courses 76 % • Standardized admission tests 60 % • Grades in all courses 51 % • Essay or writing sample 28 % • Class rank 23 % • Student’s interests 21 % • Counselor recommendation 21 % • Teacher recommendation 20 % • Interview 10 % • Work/extra curricular activities 8 %

6. Reference Websites www.collegeboard.org College Board (PSAT, SAT prep/registration, SAT II Subject Tests, AP) www.actstudent.org ACT website to register for ACT http://www.chs.coventrypublicschools.org/for_students/school_counseling_servicesGuidance section of the CHS website. There is a link to Naviance and to the CHS College Handbook here. http://connection.naviance.com/coventry Naviance login website www.commonapp.org If you are applying to schools that use the Common Application you will need to create a Common App account. www.fafsa.ed.gov FAFSA website where you will submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid

7. The CHS College Application Process & Senior Year Timeline • Where should you be now? • Develop a list of colleges- approx 4-8 schools (with a range of characteristics: i.e. size, cost, competitiveness) Be sure to add these to your Colleges I’m Applying to List in Naviance • Decide how and when you will apply (i.e. Early Action, Early Decision, Rolling) • Create an application deadline chart/list for yourself (Naviance can help) • Review the Coventry High School Admission Handbook (In Naviance and on CHS website) • Continue to do well in Sr year classes- most colleges want to see at least Q1 grades before making an admissions decision

8. Where should you be now? • Request recommendation letters from teachers, counselors, coaches (most schools require 2 letters) (See Packet) (Be sure that your Sr Brag Sheet and Parent Questionnaire are completed in Naviance) • Update your resume with senior year activities (Naviance Resume Builder) **Can use in E-Portfolio Project** • Register for additional SAT dates (Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7, Jan 25) or ACT dates (Oct 26, Dec 14) (See packet for deadlines) • There is a free SAT & ACT Prep Program (PrepMe) in Naviance • Your colleges may also require you to take the SAT II- Subject Tests. You will need to check the requirements for each school. To register for the SAT II’s go to: www.sat.org/register • Be sure to have your official test scores sent directly from College Board or ACT to your colleges. CHS will not send SAT or ACT scores.

9. Where should you be now? • Formulate a plan/topic for your college essay- you should be working on this in your English classes • If the schools you are applying to accept the Common Application- create a Common App account at www.commonapp.org (see packet) • Naviance/Common App Matching Video Tutorial- link also available on Naviance Family Connection homepage: https://vimeo.com/73384070 • Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at www.ncaa.org if you are planning on playing sports in college • Continue to visit colleges and meet with college reps that visit CHS (sign up through Naviance) Remember: Some colleges will track the interest of students and use this info in their admissions decision. Request an interview if offered/required. • Start reviewing the Scholarship List in Naviance- these are updated on a weekly basis • Keep all login info in a safe place (see login sheet)

10. In the Months Ahead • You will be: • Be VERY aware of application deadlines- these dates are not flexible. Applications materials must be sent by the deadline date. • Encouraging your parents to complete the Parent Questionnaire in Naviance • Finishing your college essays • Contacting those that you requested Letters of Recommendation from to be sure they have uploaded them into Naviance. Teachers will also need to complete the Common Application Teacher Evaluation form in Naviance if you are applying via the Common App. • Scheduling appointments with your counselor (as needed) to review where you are in the process and for any assistance you may need

11. In the Months Ahead • Submitting your applications on time! Be very aware of deadlines. The School Counseling Office needs all of your materials at least 10 school days prior to your college deadline (See deadline chart) PLAN AHEAD! • Requesting your Transcripts in Naviance (See direction sheet) Only request a transcript after you have submitted your application. You will also need to submit a signed Transcript Release Form to the School Counseling Office (See handout). For schools not on the Common App you need to print out a confirmation page and bring it to your counselor. • Continuing to research scholarships in Naviance and through other websites/organizations (See list) • CHS College Planning Night on Wed Oct 2nd (6:00pm) • CHS Financial Aid Night on Tues Dec 10th (6:00pm) • Filing your FAFSA on or soon after Jan 1, 2014

12. Today’s Activities • Naviance (Refer to Screen Print Direction sheet) • Update Profile (Bio & Contact info for your & parent) • Resume Builder • Senior Brag Sheet • Add your colleges to the Colleges I’m Applying to List • Common Application Matching Process (you can only complete this step after you create a Common App account) • College Search (if not completed) • Review PrepMe SAT/ACT Prep • Common Application • Create Account (if applying via the Common App)

13. School Counselors Mrs. Zadrowski, School Counselor (Last Names: A – Go) 860-742-7346 (x161) kzadrowski@coventryct.org Mrs. Mackintosh, School Counselor (Last Names: Gr – M) 860-742-7346 (x152) hmackintosh@coventryct.org Mrs. Burr, School Counselor (Last Names: N – Z) 860-742-7346 (x154) jburr@coventryct.org

14. Student Support Staff Mrs. Obomalayat, School Social Worker 860-742-7346 (x148) lobomalayat@coventryct.org Mr. Calli, School Psychologist 860-742-7346 (x149) mcalli@coventryct.org Mrs. Comella, Counseling Dept. Secretary 860-742-7346 (x160) scomella@coventryct.org