Paly Senior Parent Night 9.9.15
Welcome Vicki Kim, Asst. Principal Guidance Matt Hall, Student Activities Kelly Sumner, ACS Site Director Susan Shultz, Guidance Counselor Ann Deggelman, Co-coordinator, TA Program Alice Erber, College Advisor Sandra Cernobori, College Advisor
Thank You PiE Your contributions enable Paly to offer many of the unique services we provide: A significant percentage of college, career & guidance counseling staffing Career/technical education courses that meet UC A-G approval
Thank You PTSA Your contributions support the CCC and our students by funding: Travel and related costs for advisors professional development, including College Counselor Tours A percentage of costs associated with Career Day Fund PSAT
Important Senior Dates Prom 2016: Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 8pm 12am (Location to be announced!) Baccalaureate 2016: Sunday, May 29, 2016 from12:30pm 2pm (Flint Center, De Anza College) Graduation 2016: Wednesday, June 1, 2016 from 5:30-7pm (Quad, PAHS)
Counseling Services
Adolescent Counseling Services ACS empowers teens and their families in our community to realize their emotional and social potential through counseling and preventive education Kelly Sumner, LMFT Site Director, Palo Alto High School 650-833-4244
Common Issues Academic stress Communication with parents Peer relationships Depression and anxiety Cultural issues Parental separation/divorce Grief and loss Substance use/abuse
What is Paly s Three-Tiered Guidance Program? -Susan Shultz (Guidance Counselor, Class of 2016)
1 Teacher Advisors Advisors 3College 2 Guidance Counselors
Guidance Program Staff Teacher Advisors Primary contact people who conduct mandatory advisory classes on Thursdays Guidance Counselors Available for student drop-in or parent appointments for any need College & Career Advisors Help students with college application process and job searches
Graduation Requirements Please see the detailed handout in your packet for more information about graduation requirements for the Class of 2016. If you have questions specific to your student, please contact their Teacher Advisor.
Support For All Students Tutorial Academic Resource Center (ARC) Math Homework Club Ways to make up deficiencies Off-Campus Classes require priorapproval form from I.S. See Paly Handbook for more details at www.paly.net
College Application Process - Ann Deggelman Preparation Application Process There are many workshops available to help students with all aspects of this process please see handout Attend College rep visits Attend College Fair (Oct. 12 at Paly) The Cover Sheet for College Applications
Cover Sheet
College Application Process Community Colleges Ø Application - Apply in the Spring - Community College Forum (Spring of 2016) Ø Take Placement Tests in April and May Ø Open Houses (Spring 2016) Ø NO letters of recommendation accepted; NO tests required
College Application Process CSU: Ø Application - Apply online (Fall 2016 apps available Oct 1): www.csumentor.edu Ø Test Scores (students request from testing agency); check campuses for deadlines Ø Deadline: Nov 30 Ø NO transcripts or letters of recommendation accepted
College Application Process UC: Ø Application - Apply online (Fall 2016 apps available online Aug. 1): www.university of california.edu/admissions Ø Test Scores (students request from testing agency) Ø Deadline: Nov 30 Ø NO transcripts or letters of recommendation accepted Ø New: UC Berkeley
College Application Process Common Application Colleges Ø Applications - Apply online - Some require supplements - Invite and assign TA & recommenders online by the Paly Deadline Ø Test Scores (students request from testing agency) Ø NO transcripts ordered online (they will be uploaded for free along with other Paly documents including the TA letter of rec)
College Application Process NON Common Application Colleges Ø Applications - Apply online - Some require supplements Ø Order transcripts online at paly.net Ø Secondary School Report (SSR) (if required) Ø NACAC (Paly s SSR, if SSR required) Ø Teacher Letter of Recommendation (if required) Ø Test Scores (student requests from testing agency)
NACAC Form (pick up in Guidance)
NACAC Form (pick up in Guidance)
Parental Role - Alice Erber Model good decision making and how to handle acceptance and rejection Discuss expectations and limitations - college selection - number of applications - financial restrictions
Ways to Support Students in the College Application Process Be informed: - Viking Guide - Updates College Application Summary & Paly Deadlines - Naviance - www.paly.net/college - Paly Link (subscribe) - Join the Class of 2016 Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/palycccclassof2016
Ways to Support Students in the College Application Process Application, Financial Aid Requirements & Deadlines http://paly.net/sites/default/files/college %20Tracking%20Chart%20for%20Viking %20Guide2.pdf Materials Help with financial aid applications (info on www.paly.net/college and to come later in advisory and presentation at the college fair)
Ways to Support Students in the College Application Process Discuss the NACAC Students Rights and Responsibilities (handout) Review applications before submittal Remind them to stay on track with schoolwork Appropriate email address Use legal name on ALL college applications Be sensitive to student behavior and choices during this stressful time
Just A Little Advice Athletes and coaches http://libguides.pausd.org/hsathlete http://paly.net/college/athletes If planning on playing a sport in college remember to register online at the NCAA Eligibility Center www.ncaa.org Independent Counselors
Role of College & Career Advisors - Sandra Cernobori Meet with students to guide them through the college search process Direct students to resources Support with application and essay review Ask questions to help students reflect, assess, and make choices
How are college applicants evaluated? Course Requirements Course selection & GPA SAT/ACT scores Extracurricular activities, if applicable Personal Essay(s), if applicable Recommendation(s), if applicable Interview, if applicable
Teacher Advisor vs. Teacher Letter Broad overview of student - Academic - Extracurriculars - Athletic - Community activities Requires input from many sources: Senior Profile, Parent Assessment, Shorts Forms, etc... One version is written. Copies are made and sent to different colleges Written by TA except in unusual circumstances Also known as School Report or Counselor Letter More focused view of student in the classroom, a primarily academic report Input mainly from teacher writing based on performance in teacher s class Many privates ask for 2 recs from 2 teachers. Letters will be copied for each college Choose teachers who know you best. Preferably junior-yr teachers in academic classes
Selecting Colleges Look for schools that fit - Academically - Socially - Financially Develop a balanced college list (see handout)
Early Decision (ED) vs. Early Action (EA) ED 1 st choice Thorough college search completed Visited Strong application Even without 1 st semester grades Testing completed Need-based financial aid isn t primary concern Can only back out (no later than January) if estimated financial aid award not enough; forfeit admission Binding commitment EA Interested in early notification Strong application Even without 1 st semester grades Testing completed Can still apply to other colleges and learn admission decisions before decided where to accept admission Must withdraw other applications, if admitted Might improve odds of admission
Reminders Any changes made to course schedules after sending applications must be communicated by the student to the colleges Senior year grades are important: more colleges are asking for quarter grades as well as mid-year grades Encourage thank-yous to teachers/advisors
Other Some colleges have earlier application deadlines Ø For scholarship consideration Ø Art Supplements Ø For Athletic recruitment If applying ED, there are preliminary financial aid forms that might need completing Remember much useful information can be found in the Documents Library on Naviance and paly.net/college
Financial Aid & Scholarships Information: http://paly.net/college/financial_aid Presentations at the College Fair and at January 14 th Financial Aid Event (FAFSA) Need vs Merit Resources http://paly.net/college/scholarship_resources Naviance > College > Scholarships & Money > Scholarship List
Upcoming Events UC Virtual College Fair: Oct. 8 2-11pm http://www.collegeweeklive.com/event-schedule/ucday CSU College Night September 24, 6:00 pm Oakland Marriott City Center http://www.calstate.edu/externalrelations/documents/ CSU-College-Night-Oakland.pdf
Thank you for coming! Please send feedback regarding tonight s presentation to palyguidance@gmail.com This presentation can be found online at paly.net