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College Planning Presentation

Methuen High School Guidance Department

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MHS Guidance Staff�Mr. John Crocker

Director of School Mental Health & Behavioral Services

  • Ms. Vanessa Chausse
  • Ms. Jessica Cockroft
  • Mr. Jordan Hamilton
  • Ms. Sonya Kelley
  • Ms. Joann Lanari
    • Mr. Simon McCaffery
    • Ms. My Smith
    • Mr. David O’Hearn
    • Mrs. Martha Tatro

Ms. Lorraine Lavoie, Guidance Secretary

(978) 722-6045

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Naviance

Web-based one-stop shop

Sign up or Sign in today

https://student.naviance.com/methuen

Scattergrams

Transcripts

Recommendations

Scholarships

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Higher Education Options

  • Four-Year Universities & Colleges
    • Public
    • Private

  • Two-Year Colleges
    • Community Colleges (Public)
    • Private Colleges

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Massachusetts

University System

Admission �Standards

  • Minimum GPA to apply is 3.0
  • “If your GPA falls below the required minimum, a sliding scale will apply.” (MA Dept. of Higher Ed.)
  • Two years of foreign language required at a minimum
  • Community college is an excellent springboard �into a 4-year state university http://www.mass.edu/masstransfer/
  • Some are now Test-Optional!

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Parts of the Application Package

    • School-specific application, the Coalition Application or the Common Application (including the college essay and payment)
    • SAT & ACT scores (You are responsible for sending these scores through either www.sat.org or www.act.org)
    • School reports
      • Official high school transcript (Request through Naviance)
      • Letters of recommendation from teachers and your guidance counselor

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College Applications

College-Specific Applications

    • Online
    • Paper (rarely)

Common Application

    • Online only

Coalition Application

    • Online only

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College-Specific Application

  • Most are online through individual school websites

  • A small number of schools accept only paper applications

  • Some schools require a paper application for students using a fee waiver

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Common Application

  • Create an account at www.commonapp.org
  • Used by over 800 colleges and universities
  • Includes one general application & essay
  • Teachers will submit letters and �evaluation forms through Naviance
  • Many schools require a supplemental form

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Coalition member schools demonstrate a commitment to student access, affordability, and success by presenting a 70% graduation rate (6-year rate) and either a robust financial aid program that meets full demonstrated financial need of domestic students, or, for public schools, a reduced rate for residents of the state.

Create an account: http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/

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Types of Deadlines - Early Applications

  • Early Action – Non-binding early application process
  • Restrictive Early Action – Non-binding early application process; only one early application is allowed
  • Early Decision – Binding early application

Some specific programs may require

earlier deadlines

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Types of Deadlines – Standard Applications

  • Regular Admission – Standard application process

  • Rolling Admission/Priority – Applicants are reviewed and given an admissions decision year-round

  • Open Admission – All students are accepted when they apply

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SAT & ACT

    • Take the SAT (Register at www.sat.org)

* Evidenced Based Reading and Writing, Mathematics

* Essay is optional

    • Take the ACT (Register at www.act.org)

* English, Mathematics, Reading and Science

* Writing is optional

Some schools do not require standardized tests, check out the

list of schools at: http://fairtest.org/university/optional

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Next Steps

    • Develop and/or narrow your list of schools
    • Follow up with teachers regarding recommendations
    • Begin the college essay
    • Begin completing applications (Common App, Coalition App & school-specific applications)
    • Request transcripts via Naviance for your final list of schools

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Student Responsibilities

    • Your guidance counselor will ask for a resumer or hve you complete a “Brag Sheet” using a Google Form

    • Complete and submit the application and college essay

    • Request transcripts through Naviance

    • Send official SAT & ACT test scores

    • Write thank you notes for the teachers who wrote you a letter of recommendation

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Guidance Responsibilities

  • Guidance counselors will meet with each student to assist in the college planning process

  • Guidance counselors will submit an official high school transcript, the guidance counselor recommendation, and the school profile before the deadline

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Guidance Deadlines

  • Students must request that their guidance counselor send their transcripts at least 2 weeks before the application is due

  • For January 1st deadlines, or to guarantee mailing before winter recess, online transcript requests must be submitted by Dec. 10th via Naviance

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Helpful Tips

  • Keep track of all usernames and passwords

  • Always keep a copy of anything you submit

  • Proofread the application and essay before submitting

  • Set up a meeting with your guidance counselor if you have questions

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Upcoming College Fairs

MHS Colleges, Careers, & Community Service Fair

Wednesday, October 16

1:00PM - 2:00PM

MHS

MHS Vocational/Technical/Trade School Community College Fair

TBA MHS Café

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Methuen High School Counseling Dept.

is on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/MPS_Counseling

MHS Post Secondary Planning Site:

https://sites.google.com/methuen.k12.ma.us/methuen-high-school-guidance/home?authuser=0