College Planning

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Students are assigned to the same counselor for all four years of high school. Although college counseling does not formally begin until the spring semester of junior year, we are spending time getting to know the students through 1 on 1 meetings and guidance seminar classes beginning the first week of freshman year.

Through individual meetings and guidance seminar classes, the counselors work with students to find colleges and universities that match their academic achievements, personal strengths and preferences and career aspirations. During numerous meetings in the spring of junior year and fall of senior year, students are advised and supported throughout the college search and application process.

New to the college application process? Check out our handout on all the basics.

College Counseling Handbook

WHO SENDS WHAT?

The School Counseling Office

Official High School Transcript, which can include 1st term grades and 1st semester grades if applicable. Final grades only sent to your selected college.
School Profile
Counselor Recommendation (If requested)
Secondary School Report

Teacher Recommender

Your letter of recommendation directly to the school

The Student

Fill out and send in your applications as well as supplements before the deadlines
Contact College Board or ACT to send your scores to each school you’ve applied to and TOEFL scores if necessary
Ask teachers for recommendations in person; let them know what schools you’ve applied to and the deadlines
Fill out the College Questionnaire under About Me in Naviance so your counselor can write their letter of recommendation for you. We request this filled out at least two weeks before your first deadline.

If you add any schools after letters have been sent let your Guidance Counselor and teacher know

Oliver Ames High School CEEB Code is 221650

Search Engines To Find "Good Match" Colleges:

Naviance - Family Connection from Naviance is a Web-based service designed especially for students and parents. Family Connection is a comprehensive website that you and your child can use to help in making decisions about courses, colleges, and careers. Students create their list of Colleges I Am Thinking About and later Colleges I am Applying To. Teachers send letters of recommendation though Naviance and Counselors send letters of recommendations, school profiles, and transcripts. Under the Colleges section is the Supermatch college search engine.

College Board Big Future
Cappex
College Insight
College Confidential
Niche
Unigo
College Navigator

Specialty Searches and Information

NAVIGATING THE COLLEGE PROCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES
Schools That Do Not Require SATs/ACTs
College Scorecard from US Dept. of Ed.
Historically Black College Search
A to Z: Two-year colleges
Colleges for students with Autism
College Search Handout for Student with Disabilities
Undergraduate Admissions Standards for the Massachusetts State University System and the University of Massachusetts
Information on Gap Years
Undocumented Student College Assistance
Early Decision vs. Regular Decision Acceptance Rates by College

Want to play sports in college? Register with the NCAA. Here is a great resource with lots of information on the process.

NCAA Guide for College Bound Student Athlete

commapp

Common Application - The Common Application is an undergraduate college admission application that applicants may use to apply to any of more than 700 member colleges and universities in 49 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Canada, China, and many European countries.

Would you like to help the Guidance Counselor learn more about your student for their letter of recommendation? Fill out our Parent Brag Sheet and return to their Guidance Counselor.

COLLEGE PLANNING CALENDAR

Spring of Junior Year	Utilize Naviance and collegeboard.org to help you in your college search Create a list of schools in College I Am Thinking About section of Naviance Visit Colleges (register by visiting Admissions section of their website) Take Spring SAT (May or June) and/or Spring ACT (April or June) Speak with one-to-two teachers before summer vacation about writing recommendations for college
Summer into Senior Year	Narrow down list of schools (students typically apply to approximately 6-8) Visit colleges and schedule appropriate interviews Complete the Common Application Rough draft essay ideas Complete Senior Questionnaire Form on Naviance so counselor can write rec. Take the August SAT if necessary
September	Set up a college planning meeting with your guidance counselor, check your graduation requirements Finalize a list of schools Register and prepare for the October SAT if necessary
October	Submit applications for Early Decision/Early Action Submit transcript requests as they correspond to application deadlines, 15 school days prior to deadlines Ask for teacher recommendations early through Naviance Register and prepare for the November SAT if necessary Complete FAFSA as early as possible
November	Register for the December SAT if necessary Attend Financial Aid Night – Stonehill College Send your SAT or ACT scores to your schools.
December	Plan to have all college applications completed and submitted to colleges Review progress with your guidance counselor
January	Review all scholarships and awards available
February	Check to see that your transcripts have been received If you have not made post high school plans, set up a meeting with your counselor Listen or check daily announcements for Scholarships
March	Inform your guidance counselor about your admission decisions Check community scholarships that you may be eligible for and apply
April	Make final decisions regarding choosing a college or career Follow up on college applications and or scholarships where needed Take the Accuplacer exam for College Placement if needed
May	Finalize contact with the college you choose to attend, including housing