Senior Information for 2015-2016

Important Dates

·  September 17th – 6:00 pm - Senior Parent College Application Night

·  October, TBA - RCBC CAP registration @ Seneca (during school day)

·  November 12th – ASVAB register in the Counseling Center

·  November 17th – RCBC Info Session @ Seneca during the school day

·  January 7th - 6:30 pm - Financial Aid Night

·  Visit the Seneca counseling website for important news & updates-http://www.lrhsd.org/sencounseling

Naviance

·  Naviance-College Search, Career Exploration, Scholarships

v  Go to http://connection.naviance.com/senecahs

v  email: password: student ID # or personal password

v  College Search-Create a list based on admission difficulty, location, athletics, majors.

v  Build a resume (found in About Me) to be used in college applications.

v  My personality type-Career inventory which matches careers to your personality.

v  Free full length SAT practice tests

NCAA

·  If you are an athlete interested in Division I or Division II sports, you must complete the NCAA eligibility form at http://eligibilitycenter.org

·  After you complete the online form, bring in a transcript request form to Mrs. Dzwill, registrar

·  Send official SAT or ACT scores electronically from testing agency to NCAA.

SAT’s & SAT Subject Tests

·  Register online www.collegeboard.com

·  Deadline for the November 7th test date-October 8

·  You must send official SAT scores to colleges electronically at www.collegeboard.com

·  A photo of passport quality (face front) is required on the registration ticket. The photo will be printed on the admission ticket.

ACT’s

·  Register online www.actstudent.org

·  Deadline for the October 24th test will be given at Seneca, is September 18th

·  You must send official ACT scores to colleges electronically at www.actstudent.org

·  A photo of passport quality (face front) is required on the registration ticket. The photo will be printed on the admission ticket.

AP Scores

·  Request scores from College Board to be sent to colleges www.collegeboard.com

RCBC CAP classes

·  Request a transcript from BCC to be sent to colleges- http://www.rcbc.edu/PDFFiles/Forms/(Online)TranscriptRequestForm1209.pdf

Scholarships

·  Check local and national scholarships-Mrs. McCloskey’s eboard & Naviance

www.gmccloskey.seneca.site.eboard.com

v  http://connection/naviance.com/senecahs

·  Complete local scholarship packet (distributed in homeroom in January)

Financial Aid

·  Visit Financial Aid website- www.fafsa.ed.gov to request a password for yourself & parent

·  Complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online after January 1st

·  Check college deadlines for FAFSA, some may be as early as May 1st

College Applications & Transcripts

How Many Schools Should I Apply to?

·  Reach 1-2, Good Match 2-3, Safe 1-2

·  Think about major, location, size, setting (rural/urban/suburban), extracurricular activities.

·  Realistic evaluation of each college’s admission requirements (grades, standardized test scores, required high school courses).

Application Types

·  Early decision is a contract between you and the college. You can only apply to 1 school early decision. If you are accepted, you MUST attend. BINDING contract!

·  Early action is more flexible. You do not have to commit to the college if you are accepted. You can apply to multiple schools. Non-binding contract.

·  Rolling Admission-Applications are evaluated as they are received.

·  Regular Decision- decisions are made once ALL applications have been received by deadline.

·  Priority/VIP-Sent to you by the college. Sometimes no application fee or shorter notification time.

·  Pay attention to deadlines.

·  Rutgers does not need a high school transcript or recommendation letters. You must self report your grades electronically on the Rutgers website. They will only need a final transcript in June if you plan to attend.

Teacher Recommendation Letters

·  Ask early and politely in person. Give at least two weeks notice.

·  Put teacher recommendation request in Naviance.

·  Students will not be permitted to see the letter. Check Naviance to see when letters are completed.

·  Counselors will automatically write a letter and fill out common application form electronically. You do not have to ask your counselor to write a letter.

Ways to Apply

·  Online-Visit the college website & apply using the college’s online application

·  Common Application- www.commonapp.org

v  Fill out once for multiple schools

v  After completing the “education” section of Common App, sign the FERPA page and then Match in Naviance found in “colleges I am applying to”

v  Be careful-Some schools have online supplemental forms as well

·  If a college accepts the Common App & also has its own online application, you MUST apply using the Common App for us to be able to send electronic documents.

·  If using a Priority or Free application, supporting documents cannot be sent electronically thru Naviance. They will have to be printed and mailed, this may incrase wait time at the college’s end.

The Application & Transcript Process

1.  Complete Parental Release of Academic Records form and return to the Counseling Center.

2.  Complete the application online on college website or on Common App website.

3.  Submit a Transcript Request Form to Mrs. Dzwill, the registrar. Please allow up to two weeks. *You need a Transcript Request Form for each transcript.*

4.  Mrs. Dzwill will forward request to Counselor.

5.  The Counselor will complete the online counselor forms and send everything (including recommendation letters) electronically. Check Naviance to make sure your teachers have completed their recommendation letters.

Mid-Year & Final Transcripts

·  We do NOT automatically send mid-year grades. Mid-year grades-Students must submit a mid-year grade request form to the registrar.

·  Final Transcripts-student must inform counselor the school they will be attending. The Final Transcript will be sent automatically, at the end of June, after this information is entered into Naviance.

*CHECK NAVIANCE TO SEE WHEN YOUR COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS ARE SENT* http://connection.naviance.com/senecahs