A GUIDE TO PLANNING
YOUR FUTURE
Post Secondary Pathways
Class of 2016
A brief video…
• Creating your college list:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfAQwbUITSc&ep_mi
d=10986846&ep_rid=37516014
H-K HS School Counseling Department
Maryann Grimaldi, Dean of Academics
Peter Ettlinger, School Counselor
Stacey Mahoney, School Counselor
Emily Baerlein, School Counselor
Christine Smith, Secretary
Wendy Scoppa, Secretary
How did we get here: 9th grade year
• Freshman Orientation- Monday prior to the start of
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Freshman year, August 2012
Explore Testing- October administration/December results
review of freshman year (college/career readiness)
Annual College Fair- Group meeting during Advisory in
preparation of attending the fair in April (over 140
institutions attend)
Individualized course selection to focus on
interests/challenges/future plans- April/May
Individualized check in/counseling as needed
OPEN DOOR POLICY
How did we get here: 10th grade
• PSATs- October- group prep/administration, December-
group results review
• Sophomore parent night- March 2014
• Do What You Are- Interest/Personality Inventory
completed and reviewed in small groups in March in
preparation for the annual Career Expo at Wesleyan
University
• All students attended the Career Expo (over 100 careers
represented) in April
How did we get here: 10th grade cont.
• Annual College Fair- Group meeting during Advisory in
preparation of attending the fair in April (over 140
institutions attend)
• Individualized course selection to focus on
interests/challenges/future plans- April/May
• Individualized check in/counseling as needed
• OPEN DOOR POLICY
Junior year: Now is the time…
• PSATs- October- group preparation/administration,
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December-Review results during Advisory
Intro to college planning- December 10 and 17 during
Advisory to review Junior Handbook and Post High
School Planning Process
HK Alumni College Panel- January 7 during Advisory
Individual post secondary planning meetings with School
Counselors January through Spring
SAT Crash Course- March
Students are encouraged to take the SAT and/or ACT at
least once prior to the end of junior year- Counselors will
help students choose the best testing pathway
Junior year: Now is the time…cont.
• Annual College Fair- Group meeting during Advisory in
preparation of attending the fair in April (over 140
institutions attend)
• Annual individualized course selection to focus on
interests/challenges/future plans- April/May
• Start thinking about Letters of Recommendation and College essay
topics
• Prospective Division I or II athletes should register with
NCAA, contact coaches, and request a transcript to be
sent after the last day of junior year
• Individualized check in/counseling as needed
Senior Scheduling:
• The most important piece of your college
application will be your TRANSCRIPT.
• Keep this in mind as you go forward with
scheduling for Senior year. Always do more than
the minimum!
4 academics is the minimum
5 academics is better
6 academics are recommended for most of
our college bound students
• **GPA and rank are based off of weighted
grades through the end of junior year.**
A little more on GPA
• Honor Roll is based on the grade at the end of
each quarter, and is unweighted
• Honor Roll is not reported out to colleges
• The weighting scale for GPA can be found in the
Opportunities Book and the Student Handbook
• The weighted GPA is based on final grades for
classes from grades 9, 10, and 11
• This weighted GPA is used to calculate class rank
Junior Handbook- What is Inside?
• Pathways
• Choosing the College that
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is Right for You
Types of Post Secondary
Education
Helpful Hints When
Choosing Colleges
Testing for College
Admissions
Application Process
Naviance
Financial Aid Information &
Checklist
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Military Service
Employment
Sample Resume
Calendar for Junior &
Senior Year
Glossary
Sampling of College
Requirements for
Admission
The Bottom Line
Worksheet
Writing Your College
Essay
Pathways
 Some postgraduate options:
◦ four year college
◦ two year college
◦ technical training institutes
◦ military
◦ employment
 Question to consider:
◦ How do I decide what is the right Pathway for me?
◦ How do I decide what I want to do for a career or a major?
 Actions to take:
◦ Meet with your counselor to review specific goals
◦ Plan senior year courses to align with college major or career interests,
i.e. consider Career Connections
◦ Seek employment in career interests
◦ Consider Early Completion for January 2016 (starting college courses/work a semester
early)
◦ Try job shadowing
Steps Toward Your Future
 Select four or more strong academic courses for
senior schedule
 Register for SAT Reasoning and/or ACT with writing
 Register for SAT Subject test if appropriate, or the
ACT with Writing
 Start searching for colleges (Naviance)
 Make plans to visit colleges (February/April Vacation)
 Attend the H-K College Fair – April 8th
 Be open to opportunities for career focused events
Steps to Searching for the Right Pathway
• Make an appointment with your counselor
• Review the yellow planning book to help navigate
your future
• Read the college guides and career catalogues
available in the Counseling Office
• Search Naviance
(http://connection.naviance.com/hkhs) & other web
sites (collegeboard.com, individual school web sites,
CT Labor Department- www.ctdol.state.ct.us etc.)
College Selection Selectivity
• Every college can be ranked for selectivity or difficulty of
admission. Ivy league colleges, like Dartmouth and Yale,
would be among the most selective and colleges with open
admissions like Middlesex Community College would be
among the least selective.
• All students should choose colleges that they can see
themselves attending and fall within the following
categories:
• REACH: Chances of admission are slim (20% or less). School is very
competitive for this student.
• RANGE: Chances of admission are about 50%. School is a good
match for this student.
• SAFETY: Chances of admission are excellent (80% or better).
Schools often offer these students merit money.
Admissions Selectivity
 The challenge is for
each student to find
appropriate colleges
and post-graduate
programs in each
category.
 Everyone’s categories
are the same but their
colleges/ programs will
be different.
Admissions Selectivity
 Students should make appropriate choices selecting 2-3
institutions/colleges within each the three categories:
◦ REACH
◦ RANGE
◦ SAFETY
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Students should have options when making their final decision.
Affordability & Selection
• Look at schools financially, not just academically.
• Can you afford this school?
• Have a serious discussion with your son/daughter
to discuss what exactly you can contribute.
• We recommend having at least one school that you
can afford even without financial aid.
Options to potentially earn college credit
while still in high school
 AP- Advanced Placement
◦ AP English Literature & Composition
◦ AP Biology
AP Spanish
◦ AP Calculus
◦ AP French
◦ AP Music Theory
AP English Language & Composition
AP Statistics
AP Studio Art
AP Psychology
AP Chemistry
AP Human Geography
 College Career Pathways
◦ Select courses are articulated with Middlesex Community College
 UConn Early College Experience
◦ Physics
◦ Environmental Science
◦ Horticulture
◦ Spanish
◦ French (Pending)
 Project Lead The Way (PLTW)
◦ Five Pre-Engineering Courses with potential for college credit- Introduction to Engineering,
Principles of Engineering, Civil Engineering and Architecture, and Digital Electronics, Computer
Science (Pending)
 Wesleyan High School Scholars Program
 Middlesex Partnership Program
 Online Courses
Other Things To Consider When Discussing
Affordability
• Distance from home
• Travel Costs
• Books/ Course Materials
• Personal Expenses
• Car/Parking Fees
• Financial Aid Awards from different colleges
Post-Graduate Admission Resources
 Web-based college search engines: Naviance,
Collegeboard, College Navigator, College Websites
 College Catalogs- online at the college sites and many
are available in the Counseling Office
 Print information- Counseling Office has handbooks,
catalogs, manuals, and view books
 Other resources
◦ College Fair, April 8, 2015 10:00-11:30am
◦ College Representatives visits during lunch (Fall 2015)
◦ Area Post Secondary Fairs (Valley Regional High School Spring
2105)
PSATs
• Given to all juniors 10/15/14
• Valuable prep for the SAT
• Free online individualized
prep for the SAT through
Quickstart program
• Performance can earn
entrance into scholarship
search program
Standardized Testing
NOTE TO STUDENTS: You MUST upload a
picture of yourself onto your admissions ticket for
SATs and ACTs. You will NOT be allowed to
register without this!!
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SAT Reasoning
◦ January 24, 2015
◦ March 14, 2015 (held at HK)
◦ May 2, 2015 (held at HK)
◦ June 6, 2015
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SAT II Subject Tests
◦ SAT II’s should be taken as close to the
completion of the specific course
◦ May 2, 2015
◦ June 6, 2015
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ACT (with writing)
◦ February 7, 2015
◦ April 18, 2015 (held at HK)
◦ June 13, 2015 (held at HK)
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Test Optional
◦ Eastern Connecticut, Sacred Heart
University, Assumption, Merrimack,
Stonehill, St. Anselms, Union, St.
Michaels, Providence College
◦ For a complete list see: www.fairtest.org
SAT & SAT Subject Test
• SAT Reasoning
• Measures Critical Reading (CR), Math (M) and Writing/
Essay (max score 2400- 800 each)
• CR & M are still the most important part of the SAT
scores
• Some schools are looking at the Writing for placement
in Freshman English courses
• SAT Subject Tests– One Hour Subject Specific
Tests (max 800)
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More selective colleges
Check with each school
“Recommended” vs. “Required”
US History, English, Languages, Math, Chemistry,
Biology
ACT
• The ACT tests: English, Math, Reading, and
Science knowledge. We highly recommend that
you take the Writing section. Most colleges are
looking for the writing to be included to make it
comparable to the SAT.
• Highest composite score – 36
• Some colleges will take the ACT with writing in
place of the SAT Subject Tests (check with your
potential schools)
SAT & ACT Comparison
SAT (Critical Reading & Math)
ACT Composite Score
1600
36
1580
35
1520
34
1470
33
1420
32
1380
31
1340
30
1300
29
1260
28
1220
27
1180
26
1140
25
1110
24
1070
23
1030
22
990
21
950
20
910
19
Testing Registration
• 070324 –
enter this code on your registration
materials!!
• Online Registration
• SAT- www.collegeboard.org
• ACT- www.actstudent.org
A little bit of help…
• Use your PSAT score report
• Test corrections
• Review types of questions
• Prep Courses/Tutoring
• Homework and effort are a must for
these classes
• Online options
• Small groups- local rec
dept./companies
• Books available in library
FINANCIAL AID
Financial Facts
 FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
 CSS Profile- More in depth look at your financial situation. Required by select
schools.
 Merit Aid- Awards given by colleges/universities that do not need to be paid
back. Based on GPA/SAT scores.
 Scholarships-Local/National/College-based. Typically require an application.
 For a comprehensive list of term/facts see the Junior Handbook
National Collegiate Athletic Association
Clearinghouse
• NCAA documents that high school
athletes meet minimal academic
standards and will be able to
participate in college athletics
• DI & DII athletes ONLY
• NCAA requires all to register online
• Submission of SAT score and grades
accompanied by a release form provided
by NCAA website
** www.eligibilitycenter.org **
Communicate with your Counselor
• For any additional questions please have your student
stop by and ask, or feel free to email, or set up an
appointment
• Peter Ettlinger- pettlinger@rsd17.org
• Stacey Mahoney – smahoney@rsd17.org
• Emily Baerlein- ebaerlein@rsd17.org
Happy Searching…
• Visit schools over vacations (Monday-Friday)
• Attend H-K College Fair: April 8, 2015
• Utilize Naviance- contact counselor for log in info
• Senior Parent Night will be held in September 2015 and we
will discuss more at that time
• Financial Aid Night will be held in November or December
2015