College Information Night
Presented by Palisades Guidance Department
Self-Assessment
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Interests - Naviance
Abilities/Aptitude
Test Scores
Career Goals
Grades
Affordability
College Search/Career Search:
What are you looking for?
• Academics: major,
minor
• Type of school?
4YR, 2YR,COED,
Technical
• Location/Area:
Mid-Atlantic, Far
west, etc.
• Public or Private?
• Athletics/Activities
• Size:
1-3,000, 3-6,000,
6-10,000 or 10,000+
• Type of campuslarge city, small
town, etc.
• Special Programs?
Study Abroad,
accelerated, honors,
internships
• Facilities
College/Career Search
Naviance Program
– Search occupations, college majors, schools and training
institutions, scholarships and military options.
– Explore personal interests & career options
Internet
• Collegeboard.org
• Naviance
• College websites
On-Campus College Visits
• Open houses
• Schedule a visit
College Visits to Palisades
• Over 40 colleges will visit Palisades High School
during the fall of your senior year
Guidebooks
• College Guidebooks are available in the library
What kind of students do
colleges want?
• Strength of program, high school course
selection
• High school performance
• Scores on standardized tests
• Demonstrated excellence in extracurricular
activities
• Essay
• Recommendations
• Personal accomplishments and attributes
• Interview (If required)
TO DO LIST - Summer
• Develop a working list of 10-15 schools, then
narrow your list. Your goal in September is to
develop a final list, usually 4-6 schools, any one
in which you would be happy attending. Keep in
mind there is no such thing as a guarantee since
acceptance rates can vary year to year.
Reaches, targets, and safeties
• Work on the senior brag sheet in Naviance
• Continue to develop/refine college essay, if
required
• Begin to consider teachers who you may want to
write a recommendation for you.
• Plan to attend open houses, visit colleges
Methods of Applying to College
• Common Application
www.commonapp.org serves more than
450 institutions
– To have transcripts sent electronically, student must
submit application electronically
• Apply online- college internet site
• Paper application- this is the least
common method
– Be careful of “snap apps”, VIP apps
How to submit applications:
• Student completes application with any fees
• Student must complete Permission - Transcript
Release prior to requesting transcripts.
• Student must request transcripts through their
Naviance account AFTER completing their online
applications. NO TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE SENT
UNLESS COMPLETED APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN
SENT TO DESIRED COLLEGES. Naviance can be
accessed via:
http://connection.naviance.com/palisades
• NCAA Clearinghouse: students planning to participate
in college athletics need to file an NCAA Clearinghouse
form online.
Tips for parents
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Help your student understand the college search
process – remember it is their application, not the
parents
2. Be realistic and non-judgmental
3. Be in the "back seat" - and not the driver - of the college
search process
4. Be open to dialogue and responsive to questions
5. Be supportive of deadlines and fees due
6. Know that things have changed since your college days
7. Don’t overemphasize your own alma maters
8. Don’t compare your student with others
9. Don’t dwell on disappointments, like a rejection letter
10. Celebrate successes!
Letters of Recommendation
Not required by all schools, however, all common
application schools require at least one, most
require two.
Teacher- student gives the teacher any
recommendation forms provided or a formal
letter requesting a letter along with a stamped
envelope addressed to the college.
Counselor:-Complete Senior Brag Sheet
and review/revise your resume on Naviance
Account
ALL REQUESTS MUST BE MADE AT LEAST
10 SCHOOLS DAYS BEFORE DEADLINE.
Things to do-Fall
• Attend open houses and visitations
• Take the appropriate admissions test (SAT I,
SAT II, and/or ACT). For seniors, the last test
date accepted is usually the October
administration.
• Meet with your counselor for senior interview.
• Be aware of early decision/early action
deadlines.
• Send requests to teachers for letters of
recommendation, include an addressed,
stamped envelope
• Complete your applications by Thanksgiving
Things to do- Winter/Spring
Financial Aid
• CSS Profile- (If required) can complete after
October 2008
• FAFSA- can complete after Jan. 1st student aid
(Grants/loans)
• Scholarships
What is Naviance?
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A career exploration tool
A college search tool
An assessment tool
An application manager
An organizer
Login Screen
http://www.commonapp.org
Questions