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Jumpstart to College & Career Planning Night for Juniors

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November 18, 2025

6:30 - 8 PM

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Tonight’s Agenda

  1. What steps have you ALREADY taken toward future planning?
  2. What should you be doing MOVING FORWARD?
  3. Panel introductions & POA
  4. Question & Answer

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February – March 2026

    • Each Class of 2027 student had an individual, twenty minute appointment with their school counselor.

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Purpose:

    • Discuss course selections for the 2026-2027 school year
    • Ensure that courses are geared toward meeting FHS graduation requirements as well as toward each student’s post-secondary goals
    • Answer any questions students have about their academic plan.

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These meetings will occur again this upcoming spring for ‘26-27!

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Future Planning

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March 2026: Course Selection (Academic Planning): Meeting with School Counselor

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First Half of Junior Year:�EXPLORATION�

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  • Two-Year (Associate’s) or Four-Year (Bachelor’s) College
  • Technical School/Professional License
  • Entering the workforce / internships
  • Gap/Interim Year
  • Military [ASVAB]

There are MANY paths to a happy and successful life and career!

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First Half of Junior Year:�EXPLORATION�

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Important Factors to Consider

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  • Financial needs, fit and outcome
  • Many great programs– affordable Certificate, Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs– all within the MA State College system!�

MassTransfer - http://www.mass.edu/masstransfer/

      • 2 + 2 Transfer Options!
      • Any community college → Attend any state university or UMASS after two years

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First & Second Half of Junior Year:�EXPLORATION�

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School Links

SchooLinks lessons (Spring semester ‘26)

  • SchooLinks lessons with school counselors occur in both early and late spring
  • Students will learn how to research career pathways and specific colleges
  • Students will start to build their college list and/or other applications for after high school

Mini Lessons on College Process (~May/June ‘26)

  • Students will continue to research schools and build college lists + engage in the application process
  • SchooLinks is a platform all students have access to, where they can view job openings, research colleges / job clusters, and more!

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Second Half of Junior Year:�4 YEAR COLLEGE PATH

Digital SAT & ACT

We recommend taking the D-SAT or ACT as follows:

  • Round 1 during March / May / June of Junior Year
  • Round 2 (if needed) during August – December of Senior Year

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  • To register and for more information:
    • SAT: www.collegeboard.org
    • ACT: www.act.org

**If you believe you qualify for a fee waiver, please see the College & Career Counselor (K002) or your School Counselor**�

TOEFL & DuoLingo

May be recommended for some students who learned a first language other than English.

    • Should be taken during the summer going into or Fall of senior year
    • For more information and to register: http://www.ets.org/toefl

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Second Half of Junior Year:�4 YEAR COLLEGE PATH

Teacher Recommendation(s)�

    • You will likely need 1-2 teacher letters.
    • We recommend asking teachers from junior year (some schools require this).
    • 1 STEM / 1 humanities (is recommended).

School Counselor Recommendation

    • In order to request a counselor letter of recommendation, you will complete the “Brag Sheet” on SchooLinks).
    • You will schedule an appointment to go over the packet with your counselor.

Students applying to 4-Year Colleges will likely need at least 1 Teacher letter or recommendation and a School Counselor letter of recommendation.

You should ask for letters of recommendation between April – June of junior year.

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Second Half of Junior Year:�4 YEAR COLLEGE PATH

Summer Break

Start your college essay

  • Choose the topic wisely.
  • Proofread, proofread, proofread!
  • Ask 1-2 trusted adult(s) for help with editing.
  • Use the “Writing Your Best College Essay” Canvas page
  • When you return to school, use the FHS Writing Center (E109) for proofreading.

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Continue the College/Career Search!

    • Visit campuses, job shadow, get an internship!
    • SchooLinks
    • CANVAS
    • COMMON APP (launches 8/1/26 for ‘26-27 applications)

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Compile a list of colleges/programs to which you want to apply

    • Should be a balance of ‘safety,’ ‘target,’ and ‘reach’ schools
    • Once you’ve compiled a list, check each college’s admissions website to find out their specific application requirements!!!

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Utilize Your School Counselor + C&CC

A lot of students wait until the last second to discuss their plans �→ don’t be that person!�

  • Unless you tell them, your counselor won’t know what your plans are for after high school
  • Have a meeting about post-high school plans with your counselor before you leave for the summer
  • Start getting familiar with the College & Career Center (K002)

There are lots of resources at the high school → use them!

  1. Counseling offices
  2. College & Career Center (K002)
  3. Canvas
  4. Writing Center (E109 - appointment only)
  5. Dual Enrollment (fall & spring college courses through MBCC & FSU)
  6. Clubs & extracurricular activities

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Second Half of Junior Year: TRY THINGS OUT

Continue to reflect on what you see yourself doing after graduation.

Research, research, research!!!

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  • Explore your options, for example:
      • 2-Year College/Associate’s Degree
        • Look into programs available at Massachusetts Community Colleges (*See hand-out in the Night Events folder).
        • Consider the Mass Transfer or Commonwealth Commitment Program
  • Local Post Graduate Programs
  • FSU at MassBay Program
  • GAP Year Programs
  • Military → take an ASVAB exam!
  • Apprenticeship
  • Talk to FHS Career Service Specialist about job shadowing or internship

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Support: FHS College & Career Center

Ongoing Services

    • One-on-one appointments during the school day
    • Standardized testing preparation events and webinars
    • Dual Enrollment opportunities and support for students signing-up for these courses
    • Scholarship Database (accessible to seniors on SchooLinks /FHS website)
    • ASVAB exams (November + April annually)

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During Semester 1, the focus of the College and Career Center is providing services for seniors.

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During Semester 2 (February 2026 – June 2027), services for juniors are planned to include:

    • One-on-one appointments during the school day (as possible)
    • Access to the College & Career Center / YouthWorks
    • College app classroom lessons

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Next Fall & Winter, as seniors, you will have access to:

    • ~100 college admissions representative visits to FHS
    • Lunchtime + other workshops throughout the year
    • On-the-Spot Admissions events at FHS
    • Post-secondary & financial aid events + information events

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The School Counseling Department Website�http://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/fhsguidance.cfm

      • Counselor contact information
      • Links to newsletters, college visit sign-ups, and college/career resources
      • Information about upcoming events�

College & Career Center (C&CC) in K002 with Ms. Granville��College & Career Center Canvas pages�https://framinghamk12.instructure.com/courses/41490 �

Newsletters from the School Counseling & the C&CC

ongoing resources, events & opportunities

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PLEASE WELCOME�

    • Lisa Slavin | Mass Bay Community College�Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management
    • Rachel Bukoski | University of Massachusetts - Amherst �Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
    • Ko Moya | Framingham State University�Undergraduate Admissions Coordinator
    • Brendan Carr | Merrimack College�Assistant Director of Admissions, Office of Undergraduate Admissions

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