College Planning Workshop for the

Class of 2026

January 23, 2025

6:30 PM

​

Historical Classes,

Grades,

and Credits Earned

Student’s Demographics

Senior Year Schedule

GPA Information

Notes

Class of 2025 Weighted GPA Ranges

Range of Top Fifth: ….. 104.624 - 97.217

Range of 2nd Fifth: ….. 97.216 – 92.613

Range of 3rd Fifth: ….. 92.612 – 87.594

Range of 4th Fifth: ….. 87.593 – 81.000

Range of 5th Fifth: ….. 80.999 – 59.000

College Entrance Exams

​

• SAT
• ACT
• Test Optional

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

SAT SCORING

Math 200-800

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 200-800

​

ACT SCORING

Composite Score and Each Test Score- English, Math, Reading, Science Range From 1 (low) to 36 (high)

​

​

FOR MORE INFORMATION

​

SAT: sat.org or collegeboard.org

​

ACT: act.org

​

​

​

Naviance Family Connection

http://student.naviance.com/EASTERN

Introductory video on Naviance

Colleges Home

Finding your Fit -

Advanced College Search

College Search Video https://www.eccrsd.us/cms/lib/NJ50000121/Centricity/Domain/96/Naviance%20College%20Search.mov

Super Match Search

Scattergrams

Scattergrams Video https://www.eccrsd.us/cms/lib/NJ50000121/Centricity/Domain/96/Naviance%20Scattergrams.mov

Research Colleges

College Acceptance Information for Eastern Students

College Match Video https://www.eccrsd.us/cms/lib/NJ50000121/Centricity/Domain/96/Naviance%20College%20Match.mov

​

Colleges I’m Thinking About

Adding colleges to “Colleges I’m Thinking About” https://www.eccrsd.us/cms/lib/NJ50000121/Centricity/Domain/96/adding%20individual%20colleges%20to%20list.mov

What You Should be Doing NOW...

1. Register for the SAT
2. College Search on Naviance
3. Resume
4. Start college visits

(virtual, in-person, admissions visits in Guidance)

Follow up with counselor during course selection and junior meetings.

Letters of Recommendation

• Most schools require 2 teacher letters of recommendation and 1 letter of recommendation from the school counselor.

​

• Have your resume ready in Naviance by the end of the school year, and update regularly.

“About Me” Tab

Resume

Resume

Resume

The Application Process

More than 2800 four-year colleges and universities across the country.

Simplify by collecting all of your students’ information in one place. The Common App syncs with Naviance!

​

The Application Process

Transcript Release Form

​

*Under 18 will need a parent/guardian digital signature

*Allow 2 weeks for processing

Admission Options

Rolling Admissions/Regular Admission

​

Applications are considered as soon as all information has been received, rather than reviewing at a certain deadline.

​

Apply early and find out early!

​

Admission Options

Early Decision/Priority

Apply early, usually in Nov. to first-choice college

​

Agree to attend the college if accepted-Binding Contract!

​

Apply to only one college ED!

​

Apply to other college under regular admission plans

​

Must withdraw all applications if accepted by ED college

​

Admission Options

Early Action

Applying Early like ED

​

Receive an admission decision early in the admission cycle (Usually Jan-Feb)

​

Consider acceptance offer, not binding like ED

​

Apply to other colleges Early Action unlike Early Decision

​

Senior Meetings in the Fall

Every Counselor has meetings with their seniors in the fall

• Naviance/Common App sync
• Adding teachers to their Naviance account
• Transcript Release Forms
• Resume/Activity Worksheets

​

Unique Applicants

• Student Athletes
• Visual and Performing Arts Auditions and Portfolios
• Students with Learning Differences
• Educational Opportunity Fund Students - (EOF)

​

​

Securing Financial Aid

• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
• www.fafsa.gov NOT www.fafsa.com - OCT. 1ST
• Estimate Your Aid - https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/estimate
• NOW AN EASTERN GRADUATION REQUIREMENT!!
• CSS Profile
• www.collegeboard.org for a list colleges with institutional aid $25

​

​

Securing Financial Aid

• Annual Financial Aid Night
• Early Fall - Financial Aid professional presenter
• Scholarships and Grants
• Naviance - List updated as they come in
• Local - Senior program offered exclusively to Eastern Seniors
• National
• Fast Web - www.fastweb.com
• Net Price Calculator

Looking Ahead to Senior Year

• Summer Naviance college application workshops for parents and students
• Counselors host meetings with seniors in the fall
• Financial Aid Night in early fall
• Wednesday computer lab assistance during lunches for students into December

​

Helpful Tutorials

The following tutorials can be found on Eastern’s website:

• Advanced College Search
• College Match
• Resume
• Scattergrams
• Student Brag Sheet

​

To view these tutorials, go to www.eccrsd.us

• “Guidance” tab
• “Senior Guidance Info” link

​

​

​

Counselor Q & A

Optional Breakout Sessions�

Ms. Bosworth, Mrs. Steen, Mrs. Bunnell-Jackson

• Performing Arts Center

​

Mr. Bolen, Mr. Crawford

• 10/11

​

Mrs. Zuk, Mrs. Wasiakowski, Ms. Lattimer

• Learning Center

​

​

​

Thank you!