COLLEGE PLANNING

LONGMEADOW HIGH SCHOOL | 95 GRASSY GUTTER ROAD | LONGMEADOW, MA 01106 | P 413-565-4220 | F413-565- 4233

SENIORS AND JUNIORS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND meetings with college admissions counselors. Lists of college visits are posted in Naviance Family Connection. Students can sign up for a visit through Naviance but they must obtain a pass from their classroom teachers, 24 hours in advance, in order to attend.

ATTENDANCE AT COLLEGE VISITS must not interfere with work or with test periods. Teachers shall have the privilege of denying absences from class where it is deemed advisable. Each visit will last about 30 minutes. Classroom teachers can check an attendance sheet in the Guidance Department.

FRESHMAN YEAR

ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY

Take responsibility for your academic program (freshman year grades count)

GET INVOLVED!

Participate in extracurricular or community activities. Expand your talents and interests. Gain leadership experience and develop socially.

MEET WITH YOUR COUNSELOR

Meet with your counselor to discuss and update your academic plan.

WORK HARD

Work hard in your classes and reach our for help if needed. You are your own best advocate!

SOPHOMORE YEAR

BEGIN YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH

Visit the Document Library located on the right side of the homepage in Naviance for Junior Information. Research colleges in Naviance. Add colleges to “Colleges I Am Thinking About”.

COLLEGE VISITS

Visit colleges while classes are still in session. Take a campus tour and attend admissions information sessions, if offered.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Think about teachers who might write your recommendations.

NCAA ELIGIBILITY

If you plan on competing in Division I or II college sports and want to be eligible to be recruited by colleges, you must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at www.eligibilitycenter.org

JUNIOR YEAR

REGISTER AND TAKE THE PSAT

  • Register and take the PSAT (optional) in the fall. Review results of PSAT to see where extra work or skill improvement is needed
  • Meet with your counselor to: Set-up a testing timeline for SAT’s and/or ACT’s. Discuss whether you should take SAT Subject Tests
  • Plan your senior year courses (Remember that senior year courses and grades are important in the college admission process)
  • Discuss your post-secondary/college plans (complete the College Planning Questionnaire in Naviance before your appointment)
  • Attend the Junior Parent Night.

BEGIN YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH

  • Visit the Document Library located on the right side of the homepage in Naviance for Junior Information
  • Research colleges in Naviance. Add colleges to “Colleges I Am Thinking About” in Naviance
  • Visit colleges while classes are still in session. Take a campus tour and attend admissions information sessions, if offered.
  • Think about teachers who might write your recommendations.
  • If you plan on competing in Division I or II college sports and want to be eligible to be recruited by colleges, you must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at www.eligibilitycenter.org

SUMMER BEFORE SENIOR YEAR

  • Create a resume of your high school accomplishments, activities, and work in the Resume builder in the About Me tab in Naviance.
  • Register early for fall SAT or ACT tests.
  • Begin to work on your college essay.
  • Move colleges from “Colleges I am Thinking About” to Colleges I Am Applying To” in Naviance. Begin completing college applications-The Common Application opens in early August.
  • Continue to visit college campuses.
  • Complete the Student Data Portfolio to help your counselor write their counselor evaluation.
  • Have your parent(s) complete the Parent Brag Sheet.

SENIOR YEAR

GRADES ARE IMPORTANT

  • Don’t get senioritis. Senior courses and grades are very important in the college admission decision!
  • Register for SAT or ACT tests, if needed.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

  • Familiarize yourself with the LHS college application procedures located in the Document Library on the Naviance home page.
  • Attend the LHS College Admission Workshop.
  • Evaluate Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision admission option.

DEADLINES

  • Finalize your list of colleges and add to “Colleges I Am Applying To” in Naviance (Follow the LHS college application procedures in the document library).
  • Deadlines are very important in the college admission process. Make sure you meet the application deadlines of the colleges and the LHS deadlines as outlined on the Home page in Naviance.

FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS

  • Attend the LHS Financial Aid Night.
  • Notify your counselor as you receive admission decisions.
  • Apply for scholarships – view available scholarships in Naviance.
  • Submit your FAFSA soon after October 1st, CSS Profile (if required by college). Review financial aid packages.
  • Send your deposit to the college you will attend by May 1st.
  • Attend the MEFA “Paying the College Bill” Seminar.