College Planning
Norwalk High School
College Planning Program
FRESHMAN YEAR
- Students are encouraged to start strong; counselors proactively meet with students in small groups in October/November to review high school scheduling and grading requirements, course selection, extra-curricular activities, community service, sports, setting continuing academic goals, and support offered within the school.
- Students take pre-PSAT.
- Students are encouraged to get involved in the school and community, utilize their Naviance accounts, and develop efficient study habits.
- Student Success Plan activities include the Career Interest Inventory in Naviance and Early College Awareness Program.
SOPHOMORE YEAR
- All students take the PSAT in October; results are reviewed in English class in December.
- Students are introduced to Collegeboard’s My College Quickstart as a resource for SAT [College Admission Test] preparation.
- Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the NHS Career Center.
- Students are offered school-to-career activities such as field trips and career fairs.
- Student Success Plan activities include the “Do What You Are” Personality Profiler in Naviance and SAT Subject Tests.
JUNIOR YEAR
- All students take the PSAT in October for the second time to prepare for the SAT; results again reviewed in English class in December.
- Practice SAT/ACT Exam may be offered on-site or offsite.
- Juniors take the May SAT at NHS.
- Junior College Planning Night Presentation for parents and students is offered in January.
- Individual student/parent conferences in February/March to discuss senior course schedule, ensure graduation requirements are on target, and map out post-secondary plans.
- Students are invited to take challenging classes to strengthen their transcript.
- Students encouraged to begin visiting colleges.
- Student Success Plan activities include college rep visits in the Career Center (over 125 schools send a representative) and Financial Aid Night in November.
SENIOR YEAR
- Alumni panel discussion by recent graduates about college experience in January.
- Essay Mentor Program for college essay tutoring.
- Students ask for letters of recommendations.
- Students are encouraged to attend college rep visits in the Career Center.
- Students meet with their counselors individually in September/October to ensure all graduation requirements are met and to assist with college application process.
- Financial Aid Night presentation for students and parents in November.
- Seniors can take SAT in October.
- Scholarship programs are available through the Common Scholarship.
- See College Planning Resources below
*Student Success Plan initiatives are a grade 6 through 12 continuum that involves guidance activities each year in development of the postsecondary plan.
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Senior (12th grade) College Planning Resources
College Application Processing Form
Parent Profile for College Recommendations
Senior College Process Checklist
Counselor Recommendation Request Form
Teacher Recommendation Request Form
Scholarship Application Processing Form
College Application Process Power-Point
Useful Websites
- Understanding the new SAT: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat
- Odds of earning college athletic scholarships: http://www.scholarshipstats.com/varsityodds.html
- Financial Aid, Scholarship, and Student Loans 101 Course: https://lendedu.com/blog/financial-aid-scholarships-student-loans-101-course/
- How to match Common App and Naviance Accounts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znOq38FUrTc
- Common Application Essay Prompts: http://www.commonapp.org/whats-appening/application-updates/common-application-announces-2017-2018-essay-prompts
- The SAT vs. ACT: https://www.princetonreview.com/college/sat-act
- Student guide to the CSS profile: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/pdf/css-profile-student-guide.pdf
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List of participating colleges for the CSS profile:https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx
- Step by step overview of the CSS profile:css-profile-overview
- Everything you need to know about the CSS profile:https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/student-loans/css-profile/
- CSS profile walk through with videos:https://www.khanacademy.org/college-careers-more/college-admissions/paying-for-college/financial-aid-process/a/css-profile-walkthrough
- For 4,5, and 6 year Graduation Rates of Your Chosen College: www.collegeresults.org
- For Online Educational Consulting: www.applywise.com
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For Info on Additional College Credits by Taking CLEP Programs: https://clep.collegeboard.org/
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College Scholarship Search: www.fastweb.com & www.scholarships.com
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For Help in Interpreting Financial Aid Letters: www.financialaidletter.com
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To Fill out the FAFSA form: www.fafsa.ed.gov
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College Board "Net Price Calculator": http://studentnpc.collegeboard.org
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To file a CSS profile form: http://student.collegeboard.org/ccs-fiancial-aid-profile
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For Info on College Admissions and Financial Aid Statistics: www.collegedata.com
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To apply for Federal Student Loans: https://studentsloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action
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To apply for a Federal Student Aid ID Number: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/fsaid
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To shop for private student loans: https://www.credible.com/student-loans