JUNIOR CONFERENCES

SPRING 2016

  1. COURSEWORK
  2. Take challenging senior course load.
  3. First quarter and first semester grades can be especially important.
  4. Also, it is strongly advised that you maintain the program throughout the year and avoid changing your schedule. It could affect the admissions review and decision.
  5. For the student trying to “rise in the standings”be sure to earn good grades in senior year and have a strong senior schedule. Note: Changes in senior schedule after sending in your applications may affect the admissions decision. Before making a change, be certain to check with the colleges first.
  6. If your child is planning on participating in Division I or II sports at a college
  7. Let your counselor know as soon as possible so that your scheduled coursework meets the eligibility requirement.
  8. Double check the program planning guide for NCAA eligibility requirements and appropriate courses.
  1. TESTING
  2. SAT falls on Jan. 23rd, March 5th, May 7th and June 4th(ED’s and EA’s will use October 2016 date as well). Register online at We are not a test site for January and March. Newly Designed SAT will be administered at the March 5th test date.
  3. ACT– February 6th, April 9thand June11th(Schreiber is a test site for Jun 11 2016 and Fall 2016). Register at
  4. All colleges accept either SAT reasoning (SAT I) or ACT (most want ACT with writing). Be sure to plan as well for any required SAT subject tests (SAT II’s – mostly top tier colleges).
  5. FREE test prep for SAT and ACT on Naviance. Click on the link for MethodTest 2.0 located on the Welcome page.
  6. Students must send their test scores to the colleges directly from CollegeBoard or ACT. Score choice is offered through CollegeBoard and ACT. However it is up to the individual colleges on whether they will accept score choice or want to see all the scores.
  1. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
  2. Student must plan for letters of recommendation. Need 1 or 2 for the process. (DO NOT OVERLOAD THE APPLICATION WITH RECOMMENDATIONS-FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES OF THE COLLEGE.)Common Application now gives a minimum and maximum allowed for each school.
  3. Teachers complete and send their recommendations directly to the colleges. For electronic applications (especially the Common App) the recommendations are done through the Naviance program **(DO NOT INVITE THE TEACHERS THROUGH THE COMMOM APP. INVITE THEM THROUGH NAVIANCE.)
  4. For counselor usage, students need to use the yellow forms. Teachers who fill out these forms give them directly to the counselor. Students will get these at the individual Jr. conference meetings.
  5. For colleges still using paper applications, students must supply their teachers with the teacher evaluation form and self- addressed, stamped envelopes for each school.
  1. APPRAISING MYSELF PACKET
  2. Student must complete the “Appraising Myself “packet and the Naviance resume (under the “about me” tab in Naviance, click on the link for resume).
  3. The Appraising Myself packet must be returned to the guidance office at least 5 days before the junior conference in order to set up a conference.
  4. The Naviance resume must also be completed before the meeting.
  5. Student creates a neat, organized activities resume to include in the college applications.
  6. Conferences will begin on Jan 11th.
  1. JUNIOR CONFERENCE
  2. Student parent and counselor meet in the junior conference to address specific issues. At this time college selections, majors, testing requirements and individual topics will be discussed.
  3. Student and parent need to communicate to the counselor their stated criteria for college selection, especially their intention on college athletics.
  4. General information and office procedures will be discussed at the Junior group sessions (Feb.9th is the first one) with students during the school day.
  1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  2. Family should include financial consideration in discussing college options.
  3. FAFSA will now be available starting in October 2016.
  4. CSS Profile from the CollegeBoard may be required by some private colleges. (fee)
  5. Use internet to search for and make applications to colleges and to search for financial aid (scholarships and grants). (Fastweb.com).
  1. VARIOUS APPLICATION DEADLINES
  2. Early Decision: binding contract
  3. Early Action: non-binding
  4. Rolling: no set deadline (Highly recommend applying from Sept.-Oct. 15).
  5. Regular decision: set deadline, spring notification
  1. NAVIANCE
  2. With the Edocs program (electronic submission of school transcripts, recommendations, and other materials), parents and students must be certain to activate their Family Connection accounts and fill out the electronic FERPA agreement on the Common Application.
  3. Use the common application/online application systems whenever possible.
  4. Match your Naviance Account with the Common Application.
  1. COLLEGE VISITS AND FAIRS
  2. Plan to make college visits, perhaps in the Spring.
  3. Attend college fairs.
  4. Hofstra hosting a National Fair on April 19th. Time 5:30 to 8:30 PM.
  5. Old Westbury in the Fall. Dates for 2016have not yet been determined.
  6. College Consortium at Schreiber-April 6th.
  7. Skype sessions with college admissons reps will take place starting in February. List will be posted to website in January. Updated regularly. Recorded Skype sessions are located on the Guidance website
  1. SUMMER
  2. Research the schools and review information.
  3. Begin writing your essay (Confer with your English teacher and/or use the Writing Center for assistance in the Fall).
  4. Look for meaningful Summer experiences/activities
  1. COMMON APP
  2. Complete the Common Application (online) over the summer. It is available summer 2016 (After August 1).Go to or access it through the College Resource link in your account for specific dates
  3. Whenever a college accepts the common application USE IT to avoid sending paper guidance materials (which is much slower than electronic submission).
  4. Use the Common App for SUNY colleges as much as possible.