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Junior College Planning

Night
March 3, 2016

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Welcome!

Maureen Kelliher

Student: M-Z

Days: M, W, TH

Phone: (781) 925-3000 X 1121

Email: mkelliher@town.hull.ma.us

Meghan Preble

Students: A L

Days: M F

Phone: (781) 925-3000 X 1122

Email: mnorton@town.hull.ma.us

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Agenda

College Search

Standardized Tests

What to expect from a College Application

Application Deadlines

Parts of the Application

Financial Aid Basics

Resources

Guest Speaker: Kelly Bellavance, Boston

College

College Search

University of California, Los

Angeles

Map of Colleges & Universities in the Continental

US
There are over 7,000 higher education institutions in the United
States and over 15 million students!

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How do I find the right school?

Begin/Continue the discussion about college at home:

Finances:

Who is paying?

What can we afford?

What is expected of the student?

Geography:

Can I go anywhere I want?

Will I be ok if Im far away?

Can we afford travel expenses?

Type of School:

Big vs. Small

Public vs. Private

City vs. Suburbs vs. College Town vs. Rural

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Whats the Difference?
Public vs. Private

Public School

School is partially
funded by the state in
which it resides
Has lower tuition rates
for state residents
Often will have state
determined admissions
requirements
Examples: UMass
Amherst, Bridgewater
State, University of
Connecticut

Private School

Privately funded

Often have higher

tuition rates

Often are able to offer

more financial aid

Examples: Boston
College, Boston
University,
Northeastern, Harvard

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Whats the Difference?

Large School

Will offer a huge variety

of majors, courses, clubs,
sports, etc.

Will often have a larger

student to professor ratio

May have more classes

taught by graduate
assistants

Small School

Typically have good

student to professor
ratios

Fewer classes taught

by graduate assistants

Will offer fewer majors,

courses, clubs, sports
teams, etc.

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How do I figure out whats best
for Me?

Go on College Visits

Take a tour schedule through college websites

Take notes of what you like/didnt like

Eat on campus

Ask for major-specific information

Research schools using Family Connection

http://connection.naviance.com/hull

Individual student & HHS Specific Data

Can search for colleges by major, location, size, cost, sports, and
other factors

Meet with Guidance Counselor

We will discuss specific schools and help students learn how to

research application requirements.

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Do I have the right credentials?
Colleges look at a students:

Transcript

Grades

Strength of Curriculum

GPA/Class Rank

Test Scores

Essay

Recommendations

Extra- and Co-curricular

activities

Sports & clubs

Community service

Part-time job

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Standardized Testing
SAT Reasoning Test
ACT
SAT Subject Tests

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SAT Reasoning Test

Aptitude Test

2 Sections:

Evidence Based Reading and

Writing

Math

Optional Essay

3 hours without essay

3 hr 50 min with Essay

Upcoming Tests:

Saturday, May 7rd

Saturday, June 4th

All numbers divisible by

both 4 and 15 are also
divisible by which of the
following:
(A) 6

(B) 8
(C) 18
(D) 24
(E) 45

Registration takes place online at www.collegeboard.org

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ACT

Achievement Test

5 Sections:

English, Math, Reading, Science

Writing (optional)

3 hours and 25 minutes

Upcoming Tests:

Saturday, April 9th

Saturday, June 11th

What is the value of x

when 2x + 3 = 3x - 4
(A) -7
(B) -1/5
(C)
1
(D) 1/5
(E) 7

Registration takes place online at www.actstudent.org

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SAT Subject Tests

Students take subject tests to demonstrate mastery of

specific subjects

5 general areas: English, History, Math, Science, Languages

Specific tests and descriptions can be found at

www.collegeboard.org

Each test is 1 hour

All multiple choice

Student can take up to three tests in one sitting

Upcoming Test dates: 5/7, 6/4

Registration takes place online at www.collegeboard.org

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What test(s) should my student
take?
SAT Reasoning Test

We recommend ALL students take the SAT in the

spring of their junior year

HHS is a test center for May, 2016

ACT

Students who are planning to apply to schools in the

Midwest/West
Students who are not satisfied with their SAT scores &
want to try a different option

SAT Subject Tests

Students applying to competitive schools that require

them
Local examples: BU, Harvard

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Sample Testing Schedule

Junior Year April/June: ACT

Junior Year May: SAT Reasoning Test

Junior Year June: SAT Subject Tests

Senior Year Fall: Re-take SAT Reasoning, Subject Tests,

and/or ACT

We will inform students of dates and registration deadlines

as they become available

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Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

SAT Reasoning & Subject

Tests

ACT

Test Date: May 7rd

Test Date: April 9th

Reg. Deadline: April 8th

Late Reg. Deadline: March

4th

Test Date: June 4th

Reg. Deadline: May 5th

Test Date: June 11th

Reg. Deadline: May 6th

www.actstudent.org

www.collegeboard.org

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Parts of the Application
Deadlines
Student Forms
School Forms
Financial Aid

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Application Deadlines
Rolling Deadline

Colleges will accept and

review application materials
at any time in the fall and
winter
We recommend students
apply in the fall or early
winter
Decision letters are
typically mailed about a
month after the application
is complete

Regular Decision
Deadline

All student materials

must be submitted by
this date.

Most common: January

1st, January 15th,
February 1st

Decision letters are

typically mailed in March
or April

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Application Deadlines
Early Action

Non-binding early deadline

Most common: November

1st, November 15th

Decision letters are

typically mailed in
December

A good option for students

who are consistent, strong,
and not planning to take
the SAT after October

Early Decision Deadline

Binding contract

Most common: November

1st, November 15th

Decision letters are typically

mailed in December

A good option for students

who have a clear first choice
and DO NOT want to
compare Financial Aid offers

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Student Application
SAT

Scores

Student sends these to the colleges during

senior year through CollegeBoard

Application

Form

The MAJORITY of applications are electronic

Common Application
Schools website

Fee

(most schools charge between $40 - $80)

Essay

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School Forms

From the Guidance Counselor

Official Transcript

First term grades

School Report Form

Written Evaluation

Mid-Year Transcript

Second term grades

From the Teacher(s)

Letter(s) of Recommendation

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Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Process

Students and families fill out the forms required by the

college/university & send them electronically

FAFSA

CSS Profile

Forms determine financial aid eligibility

Check school-specific deadlines early in the fall to make

sure you dont miss anything!

After the school accepts the student and receives the

necessary forms, they send out a Financial Aid Letter

Students can compare letters to determine which

school will be the best financial fit for their family.

Sample Financial Aid

Letter

Typically mailed home in

March/April

HHS will have a Financial Aid

Night in
November/December of
2016

Families should discuss and

understand college
financing, but should not be
afraid to apply to more
expensive schools

A solid financial aid

package could a school
more affordable

Resources

Family Connection
HHS Blog
Helpful Websites
Local Test Prep Programs

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Family Connection
https://connection.naviance.com/hull

College searches

Scatter graphs

Update application status

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Hull High School Blog
www.hullhighschool.blogspot.com

Scholarships

College Information

HHS Information

Guidance updates weekly

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Helpful Websites

College Board www.collegeboard.org SAT

registration, SAT prep, college search engine

ACT www.actstudent.org ACT registration

MEFA www.mefacounselor.org Massachusetts

Educational Financing Authority, a great resource for
financial aid

www.unigo.com student reviews of colleges a way of

virtually visiting a campus

Khan Academy - http://www.khanacademy.org/sat Free SAT Prep (online)

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Local Test Prep Programs

Kaplan

www.kaptest.com/college/SAT/index.html

1-800-KAP-Test

Princeton Review

www.princetonreview.com

1-888-955-4600

Revolution Prep

www.revolutionprep.com

877-427-0490

All three companies

offer classes and
private/small group
tutoring. Classes
are held in
neighboring towns
and run in for above
five weeks leading
to an exam.

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Next
Steps

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Junior Year College To-Do List
1.

Register for and take the SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Tests

SAT Registration www.collegeboard.org

ACT Registration www.actstudent.org

Do I need to take the subject test?

2.

3.

Use Family Connection

http://connection.naviance.com/hull

College searches

Build Resume

Check college requirements

4.

Check college requirements online

Senior year course selection may be influenced by this

Visit colleges and decide what type of school you like

Large school vs. small school

Public vs. private

Urban vs. suburban vs. rural

Questions