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Part I: College Process

Presented by: BHS School Counseling Department

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Part II: Financial Aid

Presented by: NHHEAF

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Welcome!

• Things We Will Cover
• other options on other days
• Are we on track?
• College Guidance Network
• College Search
• Finalizing College List
• Application Process
• Senior Year Timeline
• Financial Aid & Scholarships: presented by NHHEAF

Military, Employment, Apprenticeship & More!

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November 15th FLEX DAY is our Military Fair

• Tonight is College. November =Military Fair,

February=Career Fair , May=Trades Fair

• Work with School Counselor to be aware of all opportunities for your student!

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ApprenticeshipNH

Info Session

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Wednesday, January 10th at 9:30 & 11:30am

Are We On Track?

• By now students should:
• Know if they are interested in 2 or 4 year schools.
• Have researched schools and understand admission criteria.
• Have a list of schools they would like to apply to that fit the safety, match/target, reach format.
• Have visited or plan to visit the colleges they are interested in
• Have a game plan for standardized testing.

Community College & 2 Year Schools

• Many have agreements with 4 year schools-www.nhtransfer.org
• Dual Admission w/ NH 4 year schools- www.dualnh.com
• Attend Open Houses

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DO NEED:

• fill out application (available on each school’s website)
• apply for financial aid (Fill out FAFSA)
• meet with admissions counselor to discuss courses & testing (Accuplacer)

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DO NOT NEED:

• SAT scores
• Letters of Recommendation
• Essay

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College Guidance Network - free through state of NH

• Click this activation link: https://www.school.collegeguidancenetwork.com/activate/
• Select “I do not have a school email address.”
• Enter your information and click “create account” button.
• Enter the parent PIN: 255469
• Bookmark the log-in link that you will use moving forward:

https://www.school.collegeguidancenetwork.com/id/300059

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College Guidance Network dashboard

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The College Search

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Naviance SuperMatch- to narrow down list

SuperMatch College Search

The College Search

Undecided About a Path (Major)?

• Look for schools that offer a multiple options that you are interested in.

Compare Curriculum

• Which school has more courses you are interested in?
• What are “Gen Ed” requirements at each school?
• At what point do you start course of study (major )classes?

Compare Opportunities

• Can undergrads do research?
• Newer facilities?
• Find out internships & job placements
• Choose your Path- NHHEAF Presentation

Looking at overlaps

Need More Options?

Sometimes a student has 1 or 2 schools they really like, and are looking for more similar schools.

Naviance- Overlaps

Finalizing College List

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2-2-2 Approach

A student’s “Academic Profile” is their:

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• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Rigor & meeting course requirements
• SAT and/or ACT score historical data

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2- Safety/Probable:

Your academic profile is slightly above the average acceptance at that school.

2- Target/Match:

Your academic profile is right at the average acceptance at that school.

2- Reach/Double Reach (Dream):

Reach- Your academic profile is slightly below the average acceptance at

that school.

Double Reach (Dream) - Your academic profile below is below the average

at that school

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Safety / Probable

The student in blue is above the average

Match / Target

The student in blue is at the average

meets GPA and SAT but accepts only 8% ( you are outside of the dotted lines but still surrounded by red)

Reach

Student’s cumulative GPA or standardized test scores are slightly below the average admitted student

Considerations for College Choice

Take a balanced approach consider all the options:

• Public/Private, In-state/Out of State
• Average Class Size
• Instructors (Professors, TA’s)
• Consider the Course of Studies Offered
• Competitive- Nursing, Engineering, PT & PA
• Different Requirements
• Consider Types of Financial Aid Offered
• Need Based Aid? Merit Based Aid? Both?
• Financial Safety
• Internships, Professional Partnerships, and Work Experience
• Consider Testing Requirements

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When to Apply : Deadlines

Other Deadlines:

Program Specific Deadlines (ex. Nursing, PT, Arts)

Financial Aid Deadlines (CSS & FAFSA)

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Standardized Testing

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• MOST schools are test optional right now (95+%). Check each schools requirements.

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• Rule of thumb: Are your scores higher than the school’s average? Share your score! Are they on the low average side or below? Don’t share them.

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• If you are sending scores then SAT/ACT scores must be sent directly to the colleges from your College Board or ACT account.
• Four schools can get scores for FREE if sent prior or up to 10 days after test date. After this there is a cost per school.
• 2-4 weeks to deliver, send ASAP.

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Common Data Set Data from Colleges

Boston College

Application Procedure Overview

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Check out how to videos & documents on counseling website (Grade 12 & College & Career Tab)

The Student will…

• Fill out applications (Common App/School App)
• Request Letters of Recommendation in Naviance (1 or 2)
• Send official test score reports to college from testing agency -if applicable
• Complete necessary writing & supplemental forms
• Pay Application fee & Submit Applications
• Pay attention to Free Applications! Ex: SNHU is free online through Common App, PSU is always free using Panther App!
• Tell counselor when applied and ask to send transcripts & Letters

The School Counselor will…

• Assist students/answer questions about applications
• Complete Counselor forms and/or Letters of Recommendation
• Submit transcripts & letters of recommendation to colleges.

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The Transcript

College admissions officers report that high school grades & strength of schedule are the top 2 factors in the college admissions decision.

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Grade Point Average (GPA)

• Colleges may recalculate high school GPA based on core classes ( throw away art, lang,etc)

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Strength of Courses

• Colleges receive a school profile to determine available curriculum

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Trends

• Admissions counselor look for patterns/trends, including senior year

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School Profile

• Provides colleges with background information about high school and curriculum

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The Transcript

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What will colleges see and when will they see them?

• If a student applies prior to November 10, we will send junior year final transcript. No senior grades included.
• After November 10, we have updated with a snapshot of senior year grades.
• February 10, colleges will receive first semester senior grades.
• June 30 Final transcripts will be sent to the school student is attending.

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We understand that rolling grades eb and flow, we will work with student to capture accurate reflection of performance.

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Requesting Transcripts

Student must inform their Counselor when applications are complete and submitted so initial transcripts and documents can be sent to their schools.

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• Please give notice ahead of deadlines. Especially if deadlines are on a weekend or holiday break.

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We automatically send:

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• Mid-year reports to schools students have applied to prior to (Feb 1st)

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• Final reports will be sent electronically to the school the student is attending, as well as a paper copy will be sent.

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The Application

• Determine application type (Common App vs School Specific App)
• For Common Application- create an account www.commonapp.org
• Add Schools to Dashboard
• Complete Common App sections (goes to all schools)
• Personal
• Family
• Education
• Activities - allowed 10- quality over quantity!
• Writing (College Essay)
• see “cheat sheet” under college application information on website
• Complete Individual School Questions
• Sign FERPA/ Manage Outside Recommenders
• Residency verification if required
• Review Application, Pay fee (use fee waivers), Submit Application!
• Submit Writing Supplement/portfolios if it applies

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The College Essay

• Some students completed in Beyond the Wall or College Comp.
• 1-2 Pages (650 word max)
• Things to consider
• Write to a person
• Be unique
• Tell a story
• Focus on one moment in time
• Keep on topic- be clear & concise
• Add flavor/personality
• Have a strong topic sentence
• Be sure you have answered the question
• Goal is to share your personality and personal story!
• Competitive schools may have supplemental essays.
• Khan Academy tips for college essay writing
• collegeessayguy.com

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Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!

Other Components

Letters of Recommendation - ask by October 1

• 1- 2 letters, ask early in person, add in Naviance, follow up with a (hand written) thank you!

Standardized Test Scores

• Student needs to send scores directly from College Board or ACT, if required. Scores listed on common application are not official!

Auditions/Portfolios

• Check with each school to find out requirements! Auditions- theater, dance, music. Portfolios- art, architecture, interior design, fashion

Interviews/ Additional Info

• school specific, some required others recommended or not offered.
• Resumes (can be in Naviance)

Athletic Registration

• Division I or II athletes must be cleared through www.eligibilitycenter.org for NCAA requirements

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Senior Year Timeline

Available on website and shared with students

School Counseling Website

https://sites.google.com/bownet.org/schoolcounseling/home

or visit bhs.bownet.org (Important Information- School Counseling)

School Counseling Tours This Fall

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Wednesday, October 11th - FLEX day

Plymouth State University & Keene State University

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Sign up HERE for tours on October 11th!

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Wednesday, November 15th - Military Day - FLEX day

Representatives in the BHS Gym from 9-11:30 a.m.

ASVAB testing from 12-3 p.m.

Colleges coming to BHS this Fall - in Naviance

Opportunities for Support

Make Individual Appointments

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Come to Application Boot Camps

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Friday, October 13 - A and B lunch

Friday, October 20 - A and B lunch

Thursday, October 26 - A and B lunch

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Please encourage your students to show up at these times to get application support and get questions answered!

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Colleen DesRuisseaux

Last Names: A

cdesruisseaux@bownet.org

603 (228-2210) x 308

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Emily Rider

Last Names: H-M

erider@bownet.org

603 (228-2210) x 307

We look forward to working with

you this year!

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Contact Information:

Dan Attorri

Last Names: B-G

dattorri@bownet.org

603 (228-2210) x 309

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Kate Kulacz

Last Names: N-Z

kkulacz@bownet.org

603 (228-2210) x 306

Part II: Financial Aid & Scholarships

Lily O’Connor,

NHHEAF Up Next!

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In collaboration with the NH Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NHASFAA) Speaker's Bureau, this evening presentation helps families navigate through the financial aid process. Emphasis is placed on how to apply for aid and the types of aid available. Funding options, scholarship searches and the importance of deadlines are also discussed. Attendees will receive a copy of the Financial Aid Insider.