Educational
Journey to the Future
Planning for
Your
student’s
Future
Success
Presented by the
BHS Counseling
Department
Berlin High School’s
Graduation Requirements

4 credits of English
 4 credits of Mathematics
 3.5 credits of Social Studies (incl. .5 cr. Civics and 1 cr.
US History)
 4 credits of Science (incl. 1 cr. Biology)
 2 credits of PE (incl. .25 cr. Health)
 9.5 Elective credits (including one credit in either art or
vocational education)
 Capstone project – counts as a credit
 State performance standards: Mathematics, Reading,
Writing, and Science
 Total Credits for Graduation: 27
There are over 4,000 two and four
year colleges in the United States
What Options Do I Have?
4 Year Schools

College vs. University
– College
 College offers fewer programs of study
 Major emphasis is on undergraduate education
– University
 Contains several schools or colleges and offers more
majors
 Offers both graduate and undergraduate degrees
 *May be a better option for the undecided student
4 Year Schools

Public vs. Private
– Public (UCONN, CCSU, UMASS, UNH)


Public funding = lower tuition (even if you go out of state)
Required to accept a large percent of in-state students
– Private (UHart, Fairfield,Quinnipiac, Boston College)


Program money is more available (so, private schools are NOT
always more expensive)
Able to respond to student’s curricular needs and interests
faster
Specialized Colleges

These schools concentrate offerings in one or two
areas…..so students who enroll should have a specific idea
of what they want to study
– Business Schools (Bryant, Babson, Bentley)

Majors in accounting, administration, economics, finance,
marketing, etc.
– Military Academies (West Point, U.S. Naval Academy, etc.)

Graduates serve six years active duty in the military
– Art Colleges (R.I. School of Design, Mass College of Art,)

Majors in painting, cartooning, art therapy, interior design,
photography, etc.
– Music Colleges (Berkley College, N.E. Conservatory of Music)

Majors in Performance, Theory, Voice, Music
History/Composition, Music Education
Two Year Schools

Community College (Tunxis Community College)
– Prepares students for associate’s degree or to transfer to 4
year college
– Lower cost
– Open Admissions

Junior Colleges (Bay Path College, Dean College)
– Prepares students for associate’s degree or to transfer to 4
year college
– Small student population and some on campus housing

Two Year Branch Campus (UCONN West Hartford)
– Prepares students that may not be prepared academically or
financially for a four year school
Early Action vs. Early Decision

Early Decision
–
–
–
–

Students who have a clear first choice
Binding Contract
Agree to withdraw all other applications if accepted
Can only apply early decision to ONE college
Early Action
– Apply earlier, but do not have a binding contract
– May apply to multiple schools


Regular Decision
Rolling Admissions
***Important Note: Watch the deadlines***
Applications should be submitted 2 weeks before
the deadline!
Where to start?
What is the Right Fit?

Self Assessment and Reflection
– Academically, vocationally, socially/personally
 Strengths
 Interests
 Weaknesses
 Skills
 Athletics
 Special talents
Additional Characteristics to
Consider

Particular Majors
 Resident or Commuter?
 Selectivity? Competitive Level?
 Where? Distance from home/geographical location?


Do you require special services?
Size of enrollment? Under 3000 – small, over 15,000
– extra large?


Co-ed or single gender?
Environment? Urban, Rural,
Suburban?
 Athletics/Activities
 Financial $ Aid?
Questions to ask before applying
early







Am I 100 percent sure I want to attend college ______?
Have I thoroughly researched _____ and other colleges
that may interest me?
Have I visited ______ while classes are in session and met
with someone at the admission office?
Have I explored my academic, extracurricular and social
options at ________?
Have I talked to a financial aid officer to get an estimate of
college costs at _______ to find out how Early Decision
could affect my aid package?
Have I discussed this decision with my family and/or school
counselor?
Is this a true first choice, or do other colleges still interest
me?
NCAA Freshman-Eligibility
Standards








Division I only -- 16 core courses – new requirements for athletes
enrolling into college or university on or after Aug. 1, 2016 – see
handout
4 years of English
3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
2 years of natural/physical science (one must be a lab
science)
1 year of additional English, math or science
2 years of social studies
4 years of additional core courses (from any area listed above, or from
foreign language, non-doctrinal religion or philosophy)
Division II -- 16 core courses (2013 and after) – see handouts
For more information: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net or Toll-Free #877-262-1492
Financial

Direct Costs
– Tuition
– Fees
– Room/board

Indirect Costs
– Room/board
– Travel
– Personal costs
– Books/supplies
Financial – cont.

Gift Assistance
– Grants
– Scholarships
– Local awards

Self-Help
– Loans
– Work study

Financial Aid Evening – January 2015, date TBA
7:00 pm
Naviance Family Connection
https://connection.naviance.com/berlin

Family Connection
 Scattergrams
 Previous BHS college data
 Internet accessibility
 Student accounts – First name.Last name
bhs+student ID #
Common Application

Most colleges/universities require students
to submit their applications through
Common App.
 You will need to set up an account by going
to www.commonapp.org
 You will enter all your application
information for the schools that subscribe to
Common App on this site.
Junior Calendar

February
- Begin college searches on Naviance during guidance lesson
- Visit colleges over vacation
- Check deadlines for Advanced Placement Tests
- Register for SAT I or II which is given at BHS in May and June
- Register for Senior Year Courses with Counselor (Starting Feb. 27th)

March
- Attend College Planning Evening
– Attend NACAC Spring College Fair (Connecticut Convention Center
April 4th)
– Take SAT I or SAT II
– Register for May SAT or SAT II; register for April ACT
Junior Calendar

April
– Develop preliminary list of colleges
– Visit colleges during vacation
– Explore Early Decision/Early Action options
– File service academy & ROTC scholarship applications
– Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse if you are looking to play
intercollegiate sports: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
- Take the ACT at Berlin HS – April 12th

May
– Identify teachers for recommendations
– Take SAT’s or SAT Subject Test – May 3rd
– Take Advanced Placement exams
Junior Calendar

June
– Continue college search
– Take SAT I or SAT II and register online for
the fall SATs www.collegeboard.com offered at
BHS – October, November, and December
– Plan summer visits
– File with NCAA Clearinghouse if not already
completed
– Work or volunteer
Senior Calendar

September
– Attend Senior class meeting
– Finalize college list
– Attend college representative visits
– Begin draft of college essay and college resume
– Ask teachers for recommendations
– Register for the SAT I or SAT II
– Get started on Early Decision/Early Action applications
– Make sure to update information on Naviance
Family Connection
Senior Calendar

October
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Take SAT or SAT Subject tests
Continue with essay and resume
Complete college applications
Fill out College Application Checklist
Submit Early Decision/Early Action Applications
Attend College Open Houses
Attend BHS College Fair – October 2013 date TBA
Begin checking scholarship information in guidance on
a regular basis
Senior Calendar

November
– Take SAT I or SAT II Tests
– Follow up with teachers on recommendations
– Check application deadlines

December
– Take SAT I or SAT II Tests
– Complete applications and submit to Naviance, as well
as notify your school counselor at least 2 weeks in
advance.
Senior Calendar

January
– Attend Financial Aid Evening – Date/Time TBA
– File FAFSA forms: www.fafsa.ed.gov and the CSS
Profile (if appropriate)

February
– Submit Mid-year grade reports to colleges/universities
– Continue to watch for scholarships and their deadlines
– Check deadlines for Advanced Placement Tests

March – June
– Wait for decisions
– Apply for scholarships
– Don’t get Senioritis – Colleges/Universities will look
at final grades and transcripts
– Graduation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
College Panelists
Karen Booth – University of Connecticut
 Dr. Donna DeCarlo– Central Connecticut
State University
 Nakia Letang - Fairfield University
 Pete McCluskey – Tunxis Community
college
