A LOOK INTO THE

FUTURE

College Planning Night

Class of 2027

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Harborfields High School

January 15th, 2026

Principal- Dr. Philip Farrelly, Assistant Principals- Ms. Allison A. Joyce & Mr. Brian Suckle

Ms. Denise Campbell –

Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services

Ms. Jennifer Maichin –

Assistant Principal for Student Support Services

High School Counselors –

Ms. Jackie Best

Ms. Lynnsey Gaska

Ms. Kelsey Lucera

Ms. Kierstin McGill

Ms. Sade Ortiz-Lucin

Guidance Support Team

Tonight you will learn…

• The components of a College Application
• An overview of Standardized Testing
• How to build a College List
• How to book a Junior Conference

Junior Year

Things to keep in mind:

• High School Transcript
• Standardized Test Scores
• Letters of Recommendations
• Essay(s)
• Activities/Resume

College Planning Guide

Class of 2027

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High School Transcript

• Strength of coursework
• GPA
• Electives- alignment with areas of interest

SAT VS ACT

How do I determine which test is right for me?

• Understanding the differences between both standardized tests
• SAT is adaptive while ACT is linear

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Why take Standardized Tests?

• Some colleges use SAT/ACT scores for the admissions process
• Some colleges use standardized test scores for additional merit-based scholarship opportunities

SAT (College Board)

Test Structure:

The SAT is composed of 2 sections-

• Reading & Writing (64 min)
• Math (70 min)

Total Testing Time = 2h 14m (standard time)

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*10 minute break between Reading/Writing and Math

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Test Information:

The SAT is digital and adaptive

• Performance in module 1 of each section will determine the “level of difficulty” for module 2 of each section.
• More difficult or less difficult questions

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*There is no penalty for guessing!

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ACT (ACT.ORG)

Test Structure:

The ACT is composed of 3 multiple choice sections-

• English (35 min)
• Math (50 min)
• Reading (40 min)
• Science- optional (40 min)
• Writing- optional (40 min)

Total Testing Time = dependent on what you choose

(standard time, no science or writing)

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Test Information:

When registering for the ACT, students have the option to take it digitally or on paper

• scores will be based only on the number of questions answered correctly

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*There is no penalty for guessing!

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�SAT Dates and Deadlines

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To register for the SAT visit www.collegeboard.org

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ACT Dates and Deadlines

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To register for the ACT, visit www.actstudent.org

**No test centers in NY for July test date (see ACT.org for other locations)

Letters of Recommendation

• Importance of building relationships
• Counselor letter
• Request two academic teachers in spring of junior year (in person)
• Follow up senior year by requesting teachers through Naviance

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Letters of Recommendation

• Student Activity Sheet
• Parent Brag Sheet
• Student Brag Sheet

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The College Essay

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• 650 words or less
• Be original and be yourself
• Revise and proofread
• Grammar and spelling count
• Seek feedback from English teacher
• Attend HHS spring and summer workshops

Activities

• Highlight accomplishments including:
• Leadership
• Talents
• Athletics
• Extracurricular activities
• Community service
• Summer programs & internships
• Employment
• It is not too late to add to your resume!

What are you looking for in a college?�

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• Major
• Location
• Campus setting- urban, suburban, rural
• Size of school- small, medium, large
• Type (public vs. private)
• Campus life (culture)

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Reach, Target, Likely Schools

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• Reach Schools:
• A reach school is a college that you have a chance of getting into but your test scores, and/or GPA are lower than the college’s average accepted criteria
• Target Schools:
• These are colleges whose average accepted criteria is aligned with your academic profile
• Likely Schools:
• These are colleges where your academic profile exceeds the average accepted criteria of that school

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�Application Information �

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Types

• Common Application
• Coalition Application
• SUNY Application
• School Specific

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Deadlines

• Early Decision
• Early Action
• Regular Admissions
• Rolling Admissions

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College Search Resources

• Naviance/Family Connection
• College Board (www.collegeboard.org)
• Visit college campuses (in person and/or virtually)
• Research college websites
• College fairs and individual college visits at HHS
• Importance of demonstrated interest!

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HOW DO I SCHEDULE MY APPOINTMENT?

Ms. Best

Ms. Gaska

Ms. Lucera

Ms. McGill

Ms. Ortiz

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Appointments begin

March 10th

HOW DO I SCHEDULE MY APPOINTMENT?

What’s to come…

• WSCA Spring College Fair
• April 20th, 2026 6:30-8:30pm Hauppauge HS
• Spring Mini College Fair (students only)
• March 9th, 2026, 10:30am-12pm at HHS
• HHS Guidance Career/College night
• March 24th, 2026, 6:30pm at HHS
• Long Island Spring College Expo
• April 14th, 2026, 5:30-8:30pm Hofstra University

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Next Steps…

• Create an email address specifically for your applications
• keep it professional
• (ex: firstnamelastname2027@gmail.com)
• Review your social media
• students should manage their public social media presence- including posts, likes, and follows- with the understanding that colleges and scholarship committees may review it
• Schedule college visits– in person and virtual
• this can be done through the college specific websites

Q & A:

Perspectives from recent HF alumni

Kasey

SUNY Cortland Major:

Early Childhood Education

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Peyton

St. Anselm College

Major:

Health Science with a PA track